Actually, Emrys thought it was unlikely that Ironhide could summon the Autobot Transformers.
Firstly, Ironhide is not a leader; he doesn't have the prestige of Optimus Prime. Forget about summoning the entire universe; even the Sun System would be a stretch.
Secondly, it's about the 'Leader Module.' Originally, Optimus Prime, after merging with the Leader Module, gave a speech in the Sun System to gather Autobot members scattered across various worlds.
Let's not discuss whether Optimus Prime could still summon companions in the Sun System without the Leader Module.
But Emrys thought it would be quite difficult.
However, there's no harm in trying. What if he could trick a few into coming?
Otherwise, with the few remaining Autobot members, their theoretical win rate is infinitely close to zero.
Just one encounter, and Soundwave, Starscream, and Barricade could easily pin Ironhide and Ratchet to the ground and mercilessly grind them.
If Megatron were to personally intervene, if he couldn't tear them into seven pieces in three minutes, it would be out of respect for Optimus Prime, showing mercy.
"When do we counterattack?" Ironhide asked, somewhat eager to try.
His inherent fiery genes made him want to rush out immediately and fight fiercely with those Decepticon scoundrels.
"Who said we're counterattacking now?" Emrys looked at him speechlessly. Does he not have any self-awareness?
Barricade, Soundwave, Starscream, Blackout, Scorponok. Their sheer numbers alone overwhelm you, let alone their quality. Besides, with the military's support from the United States, wouldn't it be like child's play for them to crush you?
Ironhide was a bit confused and scratched his head, asking, "If we're not counterattacking, what are we doing?"
"Have you… heard of guerrilla warfare?"
Emrys decided to give these Cybertronian bumpkins a little human shock.
Perhaps Cybertron's technology was once highly advanced, but there's one area where even Transformers are inferior to humans.
That is, when it comes to the matter of focusing on destroying humans, humans have ample experience and authority.
Someone once said that the greatest invention of human society is war. To kill their own kind more efficiently, humans gradually researched and invented their greatest invention: the obsession with destroying their own kind!
The art of war is the art of Commander.
Emrys looked at Ironhide and said calmly, "From now on, I need your hundred percent trust, and obedience to my Commander and orders. No matter what I ask you to do, you must accomplish it. Do you understand?"
His first step was to replace Optimus Prime in the Autobot leadership.
Of course, the premise is that Optimus Prime is dead. Otherwise, if Optimus Prime were still to live, it wouldn't be his turn to Commander.
"No problem, we will obey your orders."
Ironhide and Ratchet, who had already reached a dead end, agreed to his request without hesitation.
This is not because they are stupid; on the contrary, they are very smart. The Autobots have now been completely pushed to the edge of a cliff by the Decepticons, with no way back.
They had no choice from the beginning: either be destroyed or take a chance.
Clearly, neither Ironhide, nor Ratchet, nor even Bumblebee, were willing to sit idly by. What they wanted more was to take a chance!
"Very good, then I will announce the first order."
Emrys seemingly 'took advantage of the situation,' but in reality, it was a mutual decision, temporarily gaining Commander of the Autobots.
But it doesn't matter; although it's temporary for now, there will be plenty of opportunities later.
"Ironhide, while you broadcast messages throughout the Sun System to see if any companions respond to you." Emrys looked at Ironhide and said, "Then, I need you to leave the team and, while ensuring your safety as much as possible, attract the Decepticons' attention. This mission is very dangerous. Can you do it?"
"You're sending him to his death!"
Ratchet, who was beside him, couldn't help but speak up after hearing this order.
However, Emrys ignored Ratchet, looking directly at Ironhide, seemingly waiting for his answer.
Ironhide was silent for a few seconds, his heavy body sat down, trying to make his gaze as vertical as possible with Emrys': "I hope you can tell me the meaning of doing this, Commander sir."
This order seemed to be entirely sending him to his death. Once targeted by the Decepticon Transformers, even if Ironhide was a weapons specialist, it would be difficult for him to live.
Two fists are no match for four hands; this principle applies everywhere.
"Attract the Decepticons' attention, buy us time, and also buy time for Optimus Prime's resurrection."
Emrys spoke the cruelest words in the calmest tone: "We need time, and you... are that pawn. Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for Optimus Prime's resurrection?"
Ratchet seemed to want to say something more, but Ironhide stopped him: "No more, Ratchet... He's right, someone has to divert the Decepticons' attention. I'm the most suitable candidate, so let me do it!"
It must be admitted that Optimus Prime's leadership charisma is indeed very powerful. Even knowing he was a 'pawn,' Ironhide resolutely accepted the mission.
"I need you to, along the way, disguise the signals of Ratchet, Jazz, and Bumblebee as much as possible." Emrys continued with his plan: "While ensuring your safety as much as possible, continuously attract the attention of the main Decepticons and the human government, creating time and space for us. Can you do it?"
"No problem, I'm a weapons expert."
Ironhide laughed heartily, without the slightest fear, as if this was what he had been hoping for: "I will delay them as much as possible, and I hope you... can keep your promise!"
He was willing to sacrifice himself not for this human, but for Optimus Prime's resurrection.
"I swear by the name of Emrys."
Emrys looked at Ironhide calmly, and under his serious gaze, said in a deep voice, "I will definitely keep my promise and resurrect your leader... Optimus Prime!"
"Very good, I believe you!"
Ironhide slapped his iron knee, let out a hearty laugh towards the sky, and when his emotions had mostly vented, asked, "When do I leave?"
"Now."
Under the night, Emrys said calmly, "The Decepticons won't give you time to rest. If I'm not mistaken... Megatron has already sent people to hunt you down."
Indeed, it was as he expected.
The pursuit team, consisting of Barricade, Scorponok, and Blackout, with the assistance of the United States military, was conducting a large-scale search for the Autobots' signal sources and radiation source locations.
Upon hearing this, Ironhide no longer delayed. He turned and looked at Optimus Prime's remains, saying in a deep voice, "Optimus Prime... I leave him to you."
Ratchet's emotions were very sorrowful, and even Bumblebee couldn't help but sob. They knew very well... how much danger Ironhide was undertaking.
The night was thick, and Ironhide transformed into a General Motors pickup truck. Amidst the roar of the engine, he drove off into the distance, raising clouds of dust behind him, gradually fading away.
"Next, it's your turn, Ratchet." Emrys turned his gaze to Ratchet: "You have two missions: one is to revive Jazz, and the other is to hide as much as possible and protect Optimus Prime's body."
With Ironhide's determination, Ratchet no longer questioned: "Yes, Commander, I swear I will protect Optimus Prime's body with my life!"
Finally, it was Bumblebee's turn.
He stared with his two big eyes, as if unable to contain his excitement, and eagerly came closer, waiting for his mission.
As long as Optimus Prime could be resurrected, he would do anything!
"You, come back to Los Angeles with me."
Emrys said to Bumblebee, "Your energy and radiation are less than other Autobots, so you are best suited for stealth. We will go search for the Allspark fragments."
Bumblebee excitedly gesticulated, and a cacophony of sounds came from his radio, constantly switching channels.
"You fix his voice first!"
Emrys covered his ears, truly unable to bear it... The next day, the Sun rose.
Ratchet drove into the forest with Jazz and Optimus Prime's body. Before receiving his orders, he had to hide himself as much as possible and protect Optimus Prime's body!
And Bumblebee, with his voice repaired, was finally not so noisy. He transformed back into a Camaro. Although the model and color had changed, it was not a big problem.
Anyway, Emrys didn't think this feint would last long. The Decepticons would eventually find out. The difference was... whether they could find the Allspark fragments before being discovered.
The Tesseract, or rather, the 'Allspark.' Its form is just a vessel. The energy and knowledge it contains can never be destroyed; it merely changes its form of existence.
Emrys remembered these words as the Fallen's original lines, and it was exactly like that in the movie: the larger fragment of the Tesseract revived Megatron, who had fallen to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, while the knowledge contained in the smaller fragment flowed into the brain of the male protagonist, Sam.
This made Sam the only clue to finding the 'Leader Module.'
Emrys tried his best to recall the details from the movie in his previous life, hoping to find some clues.
In the movie's plot, Sam held up the Tesseract and plunged it into Megatron's chest, which led to a small fragment of the destroyed Tesseract falling into Sam's pocket, while the remaining larger fragment was found by Optimus Prime and entrusted to humans for safekeeping.
But this time, Optimus Prime actively merged the Tesseract with the energy core in his chest, destroying the Tesseract.
The larger fragment, if nothing unexpected happened, should eventually fall into the Decepticons' hands.
What about the smaller fragment? Where should he look for it?
Completely at a loss, Emrys decided to try his luck with the male protagonist.
Perhaps, due to the powerful inertia of fate, the Tesseract fragment would still end up in his pocket, just like in the plot.
Sitting in the Camaro, Emrys remembered that in the movie, Soundwave of the Decepticons had infiltrated military satellites and eventually located the Tesseract fragment, so he asked, "Can any of you fly into space and hack into human military satellites?"
"I'm afraid not, Commander," Bumblebee said, becoming much more serious after regaining his voice. "None of us can do that, and we can't fly either."
This was awkward... Emrys was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Then... what about creating small Transformers and having them infiltrate the base?"
"Commander, that... we can't do that either." Bumblebee seemed a bit embarrassed, so he added, "That's a special ability of the evil Decepticon Transformer, Soundwave."
Emrys clutched his forehead and sighed, "Then you can at least pinpoint its location based on the Tesseract's residual radiation, right?"
"Yes, but I need to get closer."
This time, Bumblebee was much more confident, even a little proud, as he said, "As long as it's not in an environment that blocks energy and radiation, I can search a range of about fifteen hundred meters!"
Thank goodness, at least he was somewhat useful.
Otherwise, Emrys would have probably considered just cooperating with the Decepticons.
Before long, Bumblebee carried Emrys back into Los Angeles, the city that had experienced a major battle yesterday.
The streets of Los Angeles still bore the scars of yesterday's fierce fighting; collapsed building walls in the combat zone were riddled with huge shell craters, and metal casings were scattered everywhere, while relevant personnel from the American government had put up warning banners prohibiting passage in various places.
Fully armed guards with guns denied access to the combat zone for any unauthorized personnel, and many FBI agents in black suits were searching for something everywhere.
"They're also looking for Tesseract fragments."
Sitting in the car, Emrys looked at the busy FBI agents and immediately guessed their objective: "Can you sense the location of the Tesseract fragments?"
"No."
Bumblebee tried, but there was still no reaction.
Emrys wasn't surprised; if it were that easy, the fragments would have been found long ago, so why all this fuss?
Just then, the government's voice came through the news channel: "Yesterday, evil Autobots and several terrorist groups invaded Los Angeles, causing thousands of casualties, but with the brave and fearless help of the Decepticons, our military successfully killed the enemy leader, codenamed Optimus Prime."
The broadcast heaped praise on the Decepticons, literally blowing smoke up their backside, making Bumblebee so angry he nearly overheated.
But then, the broadcast host revealed an important piece of news: "The leader of the terrorist organization was a civilian dissatisfied with the government, identified as Sam Witwicky, who was killed by the military yesterday!"
"The President urges the public to remain calm; the government will definitely protect everyone. If you encounter suspicious vehicles on the road, please call to report immediately!"
Sam... is dead?!
Megatron's furious slap yesterday was clearly a force no human could withstand, and the tragic male protagonist died in such a ridiculous way.
"Didn't he have fate's favor?" Emrys increasingly felt that in Transformers, it seemed only 'brother Prime' was the eternal protagonist; everyone else was, at most, used temporarily.
The male protagonist was dead, and the clue seemed to be gone.
Bumblebee seemed to be grieving for Sam's death and Optimus Prime's sacrifice, almost spewing oil from the radio. Emrys patted the steering wheel and comforted him, "Calm down, Bumblebee, this is Los Angeles. Don't reveal your identity."
Bumblebee calmed down a lot, but his voice was a bit low: "What do we do next, Commander?"
"Let me think"
Emrys was pondering where to start looking for clues to the Tesseract when Bumblebee seemed to discover something, his tires screeching against the ground, and the roar of his exhaust suddenly intensified.
"Commander, I... I just sensed it!"
Bumblebee shouted excitedly, "It's nearby! There's a signal from the Tesseract. Although it's very weak, there's no mistake!"
"Found it?!"
Emrys was stunned for a few seconds, not expecting to find it so quickly. Could it be because Bumblebee had high luck?
But then, he made a judgment: "Chase it, Bumblebee!"
Vroom—!
Bumblebee immediately made a U-turn and sped towards the Tesseract's direction, leaving a trail of exhaust on the street.
"The Tesseract... is moving away!" Bumblebee said in surprise.
"Moving away?" Emrys' eyes flickered, and he immediately guessed the possibility: "Someone must have picked up the Tesseract and is driving some kind of vehicle."
"This is bad, Commander." Bumblebee's tone suddenly became a little tense: "I've detected Decepticon signals. They've also discovered the Tesseract fragment."
He would have been surprised if there weren't any Decepticons.
"Try to hide your identity, be careful" Emrys said lightly, a little expectant; he hoped to encounter Starscream.
On the overpass, a helicopter hovering at low altitude was chasing a car fleeing ahead.
Suddenly, just as the car was about to turn, a shell descended from the sky, directly blowing up the overpass, completely disregarding whether it would affect civilians.
The violent explosion cut the overpass in half.
And the car was even overturned by the air blast, rolling down from the bridge dozens of meters high, tumbling repeatedly. If the car hadn't been sturdy enough, it would have been flattened long ago!
The helicopter's propellers made a huge noise, transforming directly in mid-air. Its huge body crashed onto the lawn, its right hand transforming into a circular saw, directly splitting the falling car in half!
Another fighter jet flew in, transforming and crashing down again. It was Starscream!
"Hand over the Tesseract!"
The two major Decepticon Transformers directly joined forces to dismantle the car, then grabbed their target from inside: a woman with long golden hair.
"Let me go, you damn Decepticons!"
Although the woman was held in Starscream's hand, besides instinctive fear, there was more anger on her face.
"The Tesseract fragment is on her!" Surfboard came up from the side, staring at Starscream with dissatisfaction: "I found her first, Starscream!"
However, Starscream sneered a few times, holding the woman, and glanced over: "No, Surfboard, I found her too. Now is not the time to take credit."
Surfboard seemed somewhat angry at Starscream's obvious attempt to steal credit, but he was helpless and could only curse, staring at the woman with ill intent: "Hand over the Tesseract, or do you want me to tear you limb from limb, human!"
At this moment, Emrys, on the overpass, got out of the Camaro and looked at the two Decepticons in the distance, especially Starscream, a slight smile appearing on his face: "Bumblebee, want to get revenge for Optimus Prime?"
I finally caught you, my dear... Starscream!