Chapter 47: This Place Was Built by Skyfire
"Hahaha, this is fantastic! Who could be smart enough to prepare all the devices I need? Even though they're old models, they still have the ports I use. Could it be that the original owner of this base was a Decepticon who also used a flying machine?"
It was too much of a coincidence. It seemed the previous founder of this Decepticon outpost had also been a Decepticon warrior who relied on a flying machine. The remaining loading tools required no modification; Starscream could use them directly. This made him incredibly pleased.
"Lord Starscream, would you like to learn the history of this site? If you wish to access past information, please connect to the main computer!"
Alright then. Truth be told, Starscream really did want to know who had built this place. Perhaps he could thank them in person if they ever met again on Cybertron.
Furthermore, following Starscream's command, this Decepticon outpost automatically entered energy collection mode. It wouldn't be unreasonable for Starscream to study the base's history while he waited!
"No problem ... data connection confirmed!"
Without hesitation, Starscream extended his right hand. A black data cable emerged from his forearm and plugged into a keyhole-shaped slot beneath the large display. Lines of binary code began to flash before his optics.
Among them appeared a name that greatly surprised him ... a renowned veteran Decepticon warrior who had disappeared long ago. To think that this entire base had been his creation!
"Skyfire? You mean this outpost was built by that Skyfire? No wonder it has an energy port for a Transformer spacecraft ... he must've been one formidable space warrior!"
This was an unexpected discovery. Tens of thousands of years ago, the name Skyfire alone would have been enough to make even Megatron tremble!
He wasn't just a veteran Decepticon ... his combat power was immense. Moreover, Skyfire's massive frame allowed him to serve as a transport ship behind enemy lines.
Of course, if you ever planned to oppose Skyfire, you'd better make sure your defenses were strong enough. Veteran Decepticon warriors like him were savagely fierce in battle!
"Yes, Lord Starscream. This Decepticon outpost and all the equipment here were created by Mr. Skyfire, and public use of this system was also authorized by him!"
Logically speaking, Decepticon warriors are known to be selfish ... a generous one like Skyfire was a true rarity. The Autobots, however, seemed to have many such individuals.
It was a shame that Skyfire hadn't returned to Cybertron in so long. It seemed Starscream wouldn't have the chance to express his gratitude anytime soon.
"Excellent! How's your oil extraction plan going? I'm getting a little impatient to test the purity of this planet's energy. If it's ready, let me be the first to try it!"
Though Starscream still had sufficient energy reserves, curiosity about this planet's energy drove him to experience the power of oil-based energy as soon as possible.
"No problem, Lord Starscream. Please connect your energy absorption port. We are ready to activate the energy conversion system!"
Perfect. That black liquid known as oil ... despite its dirty appearance ... could produce immense heat energy when properly refined. Through a specialized energy absorption model, it could be transformed into a universal power source usable by Transformers.
After testing it, Starscream felt a surge of excitement as his internal systems synchronized with the incoming energy data.
"Host, it seems we underestimated this planet. The energy it contains rivals Cybertron's own ... especially this substance called oil. It can produce such pure heat energy! It appears that these carbon-based lifeforms are far more complex than we thought, though their civilization still has a long way to go."
Compared to Starscream, who was merely receiving the energy, the Transformer system itself seemed more intrigued by this method of dark energy conversion. Furthermore, according to information from the mechanical dinosaur, there were many similar sources of dark energy scattered across this planet.
This raised suspicions. Could it be that Skyfire and these Dinobots hadn't come to this planet by accident ... but rather to explore new energy sources? If so, everything made sense: the creation of this Decepticon outpost and their efforts to build trust with the humans of this world.
"Ha! I never expected that old Skyfire to be such a pioneer ... discovering a planet like this in a distant galaxy. But why haven't I ever read about this kind of dark energy in Cybertron's database? If Megatron knew, he'd definitely claim this planet for himself!"
Feeling the immense power flowing within, Starscream realized he had found a treasure. However, according to Decepticon protocol, when a pioneer discovered a new planet with energy, they were required to report it to Cybertron. This was a long-standing rule ... even during the Autobot era, and now under Decepticon occupation.
If someone discovered a new energy source and failed to report it to Megatron, they'd be in serious trouble once he found out. Unless something unexpected had happened to Skyfire… or an external force had interfered. That was very suspicious.
"Host, don't you find it strange? That mechanical dinosaur revealed information about oil to us, and Skyfire began extracting this energy source hundreds of years ago ... yet there's no record of it on Cybertron. What went wrong?"
According to current Decepticon regulations, anyone who discovers a new energy-rich planet and reports it promptly to Cybertron is granted 30% of the planet's energy extraction rights. That's an enormous profit ... and those rights are fully protected by Decepticon law.
Any ambitious Decepticon lord would fight tooth and nail to claim a place like that!
(End of Chapter)