Chapter 701: Deception and Cunning (Part II) (Patreon)

Transformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List

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Facing the undisguised malice in Starscream's eyes, a sense of urgency grew within Prowl.

Although he had confidence that the head of Skytiger Legion would not act against him directly, the other party was, after all, a Decepticon. Those who thought they could fully understand their motives had already met their demise.

Baricade dragged Bumblebee to the side, standing silently without uttering a word.

He supported Megatron's iron-fisted policy, yet he also agreed with many of Starscream's beliefs. Thus, strictly speaking, Baricade was both a loyal subordinate to Megatron and a confidant to Starscream.

Starscream, with his signature sinister smile, made a welcoming gesture, inviting Prowl into the cabin.

Without hesitation, even sensing the overt malice from Starscream, Prowl entered.

Upon stepping into the cabin, an austere and domineering voice immediately echoed, "Let's see who the visitor is – the chief of intelligence to our great Superior General... So, Chief, have you brought a new decree from His Majesty, the Superior General?"

The voice emanated from the center of the cabin, where a transparent cylindrical container resembling a life support system stood.

It was Prowl's first time seeing such a grim state of Megatron – only a head remained, connected by countless wires and placed in a container filled with a special fluid.

Though reduced to just a head, Megatron was still Megatron, the once-commander of the Skytiger Legion who once vanquished the arrogant Sentinel Prime and the Autobots from the Cybertron Planet. The Tyrant.

Prowl met his gaze expressionlessly. At this moment, he represented Superior General Sentinel Prime – he could neither show nor afford any signs of weakness.

He calmly conveyed Sentinel Prime's demands.

Within the life support system, Megatron's face bore a grotesque grin.

"So, Optimus Prime has uncovered our Superior General's grand plan? Starscream, did you leak our secrets to the Autobots?"

Starscream gave a slight bow, a servile smile on his face, "My Lord, Starscream is your ever-faithful servant. It was only recently that I became aware of your and Sentinel Prime's plans!"

Such was Starscream's nature – cunning and devious, never putting honor before self-interest. A Decepticon who lived solely for his convictions.

Even if Megatron knew not to believe a word from Starscream, he could only huff in irritation.

"Have you clarified the matter with Soundwave?"

Megatron's gaze fixed intently on Starscream, murderous intent flashing in his blood-red eyes. He suspected Soundwave's sudden demise had connections to Starscream.

But before Shockwave's arrival, and given his current state, Megatron couldn't handle Starscream, so he played dumb.

Starscream smirked, always enjoying seeing Megatron guessing the truth but being powerless against him. With a bow, this treacherous scoundrel could betray even his closest allies in a heartbeat.

"...We've found some leads. There's intelligence indicating that Soundwave was investigating a traitor under his command before his demise – the spy from Cassette Legion, Frenzy, and the commander of the battle vehicles, Onslaught. We suspect that Onslaught and Frenzy might have defected to the Autobots..."

At Prowl's side, he felt a jolt of surprise and involuntarily turned to look at Starscream.

As the Chief of Intelligence for the Autobots, his information gathering abilities had not diminished in the slightest over the past month since he went 'invisible' and left the Autobots' sight.

On the contrary, without any constraints, Prowl found collecting intel even more intuitive.

He had covertly observed the recent battle on Earth against Soundwave and Astrotrain. Prowl not only witnessed the majority of the battle but also subtly detected the presence of Starscream, Baricade, and other Decepticons lurking nearby.

Therefore, when reporting to Superior General Sentinel Prime previously, he was so certain of Starscream's involvement in Soundwave's demise.

However, it seemed Prowl had underestimated the cunning and shamelessness of Starscream, who audaciously shifted the blame onto the Autobots.

Upon hearing the name Frenzy, Megatron, within his life-support system, immediately flew into a rage.

"Onslaught, huh, that weakling... And Frenzy, that damned vermin... How dare they betray the Decepticons..."

Casually betraying Onslaught, who was not in line with his own goals, and even Frenzy, with whom he had collaborated a few times, Starscream simply did not care. He was the epitome of self-centeredness. Apart from his own ambitions and beliefs, Starscream cared for no one, not even Baricade, whom he considered a confidant.

Megatron's fury was even greater than it appeared. With only a head remaining, he wished he could rush over to Frenzy and tear his mechanical body to shreds, and then reduce him to Megatron's current state, tormenting him eternally, ensuring he could neither live nor die.

Such was the portrait of a Tyrant's rage when offended!

Earlier, when he feigned death in the Mariana Trench, he was spied upon by a lowly vermin he despised, who accessed a portion of his memories.

This humiliation was something Megatron could never forget. If it weren't for his need to play dead as part of his plan with Sentinel Prime, he would have dealt with Frenzy long ago.

However, the scheme with his arch-enemy, Sentinel Prime, was clearly more vital for Megatron.

In the end, he suppressed his anger, patiently remaining in the Mariana Trench, as if truly deceased.

Few within either the Skytiger Legion or the Autobots were aware.

During the second Civil War on Cybertron, while the Autobots and Decepticons were still at a stalemate, the leaders of the two factions, Sentinel Prime and Megatron, made a secret deal.

The impatient Sentinel Prime, who had grown weary of the Autobots, was the first to propose the deal. Offering the entire Autobots faction, Cybertron Planet, and a few secrets known only to the Primus royal family, he successfully persuaded the ambitious Megatron.

The transaction was rife with deception and mutual plotting. Both Megatron and Sentinel Prime knew the other harbored intentions of killing them, but the deal was executed seamlessly because both could obtain what they desired most.

According to the agreement, Sentinel Prime betrayed the entire Autobots faction.

Their fleet's supply intel was consistently known to the Decepticons. Every deployment of the 'Retribution Number' was accompanied by the destruction of one or even several Autobot spaceships.

On the battlefield, the Autobots suffered repeated defeats, and the Decepticons celebrated victory after victory.

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Next Chapter >>Chapter 702: Mutual Deception (End)