Dante was momentarily bewildered.
He had thought of countless possibilities, but never this — Transformers.
And at a glance, these Transformers looked like stray dogs, big, lost, metal stray dogs.
"Optimus Prime! You're finally awake!"
John and Teddy both sighed in relief as they saw Optimus Prime regain consciousness.
At least their string of illegal actions hadn't been in vain.
"John, Teddy, I have learned of your efforts for me from the accounts of my comrades." Optimus Prime nodded toward them, then turned to Dante. "You must be from the American Government. I am willing to go with you, but please let John and my other comrades go."
When Dante first heard Optimus Prime speak, he was confused, but soon caught the implication hidden in his words.
American Government?
Those rotten bastards are mixed up in this too?
Even though the World Federation now sat above the major nations, political infighting hadn't disappeared in the slightest.
Especially the American Government, full of hawks obsessed with restoring America's dominance in the Federation.
They were trying to turn the World Federation into the old United Nations.
And overwhelming military power was their method.
Thinking this through, Dante adjusted his tone slightly and said,
"First, let me make one thing clear. My name is Dante, I'm an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I have nothing to do with the damn American Government."
"Second, you don't need to worry about the FBI wanting to control you for power. Because, frankly, you're not that strong, just a bunch of large metal beings with life."
"So now answer me this." Dante floated up into the air, red energy flickering faintly around him. "Optimus Prime, right? How many comrades do you still have?"
Dante's words didn't make Optimus Prime drop his guard.
But the fact that the man in front of him suddenly floated into the air without wings or thrusters made his mechanical logic glitch.
How was he flying?
Even as a Transformer, he could feel the ocean-like energy radiating from Dante — vast, devouring, endless.
Are all powerful humans like this?
He quickly pushed the thought aside.
Whatever Dante was, or whatever the so-called FBI stood for, none of it mattered anymore.
What mattered was that they clearly weren't allied with the American Government or KSI.
"I… trust you."
"You trust me? Just because of what I said?" Dante felt awkward. "I was just running my mouth…"
"You have extremely high authority and immense power." Optimus Prime looked up at Dante hovering above him. "If you were truly allied with the American Government, we would have been captured or destroyed long ago."
Hearing that, Dante couldn't help nodding.
This level of reasoning… yeah, he definitely deserved to be the leader of the Autobots.
But the Transformers standing behind him, listening to the conversation, all had blank, confused looks on their metal faces.
The intelligence level of this species… really not that high.
It was only because their individual combat power surpassed most conventional weapons that the American Government hadn't already taken full advantage of them.
"Since we've reached an understanding," Dante said, landing softly on the ground, "then tell me, what exactly happened? I think everyone here is dying to know."
He looked at Harley and Lucifer as he said that.
Their curiosity had already hit the roof.
Lucifer was taking pictures nonstop with his phone.
Harley, meanwhile, had walked up and started tapping Bumblebee's leg with her trusty adamantium bat.
"Wow! Pudding! This thing is amazing! Can I catch one and keep it? Please, Pudding! I'll handle all the feeding, watering, and cleaning myself!"
"They're silicon-based intelligent lifeforms, not stray cats or dogs…"
Dante wiped away a cold sweat.
Harley really just acted on impulse.
What's so great about raising a Transformer anyway? They take up way too much space.
After speaking, Dante reached out and gently closed the gaping mouths of John and Teddy, who were still staring in shock.
"You two. You stole the Palladium Arc Reactor to recharge the injured Optimus Prime, right?"
"Uh… yeah, that's right." John sighed. "Even though I don't know them that well, once I picked them up, I figured I should take responsibility."
"That's right, buddy." Teddy nodded. "After all, once they were in the house, I wasn't the only thing alive without flesh and blood."
"Alright. But letting these big metal guys be exposed to satellite surveillance is not a good idea… at least not right now." Dante waved his hand to cut them off. "Everyone, back to the barn. We need to talk properly."
...
Federal Prison, Special Criminals Unit.
This was the most classified section of the Federal Prison, similar to the special containment cells beneath the FBI building, used to hold criminals with unique abilities.
Now, in the deepest part of that block, a man sat imprisoned.
Bald. Orange eyes. His face dripping with greed.
His entire body was bound by devices that suppressed both movement and energy generation.
Even with Mammon's blood in his veins, he could only remain in that dark, silent cell.
"Lex Luthor, you're a genius… but why did you end up like this?"
Outside the cell, an elegant man with calm but deranged eyes looked at Lex through the one-way glass.
Lex smirked.
"Well, if it isn't Derek C. Simmons, America's Chief National Security Advisor."
"Your title is laughable. As the head of the 'family,' which one of your actions has ever been for so-called 'national security'? Everything you've done is for your own benefit."
"I think your understanding of me is a little biased," Derek said smoothly, stroking his chin. "Everything I do is for order and stability."
"Order and stability as defined by you, right?"
Derek ignored Lex's sarcasm and turned to the officer beside him.
"Release him."
"Mr. Simmons… are you sure? The energy inside him…"
"I said, release him."
The command came again, sharper. The prison staff had no choice but to obey.
As the heavy cell door slowly opened, Derek smiled.
"It's just a bit of Mammon's blood."
"The one with me… is God."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)