Chapter 906: On the Verge (Patreon)

Transformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List

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Optimus Prime gazed down at the canyon below, even though it was impossible to see it clearly from a distance of several tens of kilometers.

But the Stronghold they had meticulously planned and built with their own hands still felt as if it were right in front of them.

Sideswipe and Ironhide stood on either side of Optimus Prime, with dozens of Autobot comrades behind them. A palpable sense of gravity, or rather, heaviness, hung over this team.

"Has Gold Beetle not returned yet?" The detective, who had a good relationship with Ratchet, asked from behind.

Ratchet shook his head. "Drift is with him, so they should be safe." However, whether they could evade the current defense systems of New Iron Fortress City remained uncertain.

They had encountered two patrol teams as they approached New Iron Fortress City, even though they were still over a hundred kilometers away. If it weren't for their familiarity with the terrain here, they would have been spotted long ago.

Neither Optimus Prime nor the Autobots following him were willing to harm their comrades lightly. So, they exercised restraint and did not choose to continue sneaking. Instead, they sent Gold Beetle, who was the best at gathering intelligence, ahead.

To ensure his safety, Optimus Prime also sent Triple Changer Drift along with him. The result was complete radio silence for over three hours.

Optimus Prime had sharp ears and keen eyes. He could hear this "quiet" conversation clearly. He furrowed his brow and looked down at the canyon once more.

"Wait for another half hour. If Gold Beetle and the others haven't returned by then, we will proceed directly."

He issued the command in a solemn tone. Since they had already prepared to confront their former teacher and seek justice, Optimus Prime had mentally prepared himself to stand against his old mentor.

Ironhide glanced down at his hand. His favorite grenade launcher was now firmly in his grip. Ironhide was one of the most enraged Autobots when it came to Sentinel Prime's betrayal. If not for him, the Autobots would have inevitably plunged into a civil war, resulting in countless casualties.

The New Iron Fortress City, which they had painstakingly rebuilt on Earth over more than a year, was now occupied by the enemy. Ironhide, who had poured countless efforts into constructing this city, couldn't wait to unleash a volley of grenades at this Superior General.

Time passed while they waited, each minute and second ticking away. Optimus Prime and his team remained impatient, unaware that inside New Iron Fortress City at that moment, Sentinel Prime was standing in front of a screen, silently watching them.

"Your Majesty, should we take action?" Crosshairs asked respectfully as he knelt.

Crosshairs was one of the Elite Warriors who had recently arrived on Earth. Many Autobots were dissatisfied with Optimus Prime, the last Leader, after their defeat and retreat from their homeworld, Cybertron. Some reasoned that their failure had multiple causes, and the former Leader, Sentinel Prime, bore significant responsibility.

But with the title of Superior General and the reputation of being the most powerful Leader, Sentinel Prime had singlehandedly dominated countless battles, leaving Megatron powerless. The Skytiger Legion even had to deploy two Leaders and several Elite Warriors simultaneously to barely maintain balance against him.

Even among the Autobots, there were those who admired powerful warriors. Crosshairs happened to be one of them, and in the past, he had harbored resentment towards Optimus Prime due to the Autobots' defeat.

After the war had ended, Optimus Prime proposed that capable Autobots voluntarily venture into the Universe to find a more suitable habitat for the entire Autobot population. Crosshairs was one of the first Autobots to leave.

Over the centuries of wandering, Crosshairs' discontent with Optimus Prime had not faded; instead, it had grown stronger. His hardships in the Universe had made him yearn for the days of the mid-term rule of Sentinel Prime when the Autobot camp could rival the Skytiger Legion.

It was for this reason that when he received news of Sentinel Prime's discovery and reawakening on Earth, he immediately set off for Earth from the Universe.

Sentinel Prime watched the young and hesitant Crosshairs on the screen and couldn't help but sneer. "Still too young!"

He turned to the nearby sneaker who had been waiting and ordered, "Sneak, inform Jack to prepare to open the portal. Keep a close eye on him, and don't let him play tricks!"

"Yes!" Sneak nodded slightly and then left to carry out the order.

Sentinel Prime looked at the eager Crosshairs again, his face showing a bit more of a smile. "Next, we will launch a full-scale war against the humans, these insignificant carbon-based life forms. Crosshairs, you will be the military commander of the Autobots. I will personally lead an assault in the North Africa region, and the Decepticons will send a portion of their Vehicons to assist me. As for you, the remaining Autobots will be under your command, and you will take care of the Central Africa, West Africa, and South Africa regions, dealing with the feeble resistance of those ants!"

Crosshairs, as if he hadn't heard the mention of the Decepticons and Vehicons just now, looked at Sentinel Prime with a fervent expression, appearing extremely eager.

"Leave it to me, Your Majesty!" Crosshairs assured. "I will swiftly pacify everything here, Africa and even Earth will belong to us Autobots!"

"Go then!"

"Understood!"

Inside New Iron Fortress City, Jack watched with a grim expression as Drift and Gold Beetle quietly infiltrated his laboratory.

"Optimus Prime is here?" He anxiously looked at the two Autobots, who had easily subdued the Autobots that Sentinel Prime had sent to monitor him, with a sense of unease.

"Leader is here!" Drift nodded and looked at him, furrowing his brow. "Sentinel Prime doesn't trust you. You're not safe here. Come with us!"

"Too late!" Jack sighed, just like when Drift had come to see him before leaving New Iron Fortress City the last time. He knew too much about Sentinel Prime, especially in the past month, when Sentinel Prime had personally ordered him to create that massive metal gate.

"Leave quickly. Tell Optimus Prime to escape... as far as possible, preferably forever from Earth... away from the war, lead everyone to start a new life..."

Jack knew that most of the Autobots who had followed Optimus Prime in leaving were warriors tired of the war.

Unfortunately, it was too late for him to remind them now.

Suddenly, the lab's alarm went off.

Gold Beetle and Drift's faces turned pale, and Jack's expression darkened.

"Stay here, don't go out!" After calmly giving this instruction, he rushed outside.

Drift tried to follow and protect him, but Gold Beetle held his hand.

He pointed to the two Autobots on the ground. "Let's leave first and regroup with Leader!"

Drift frowned but eventually nodded in agreement.

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Next Chapter >>Chapter 907: War Approaches (Subscription Request)