Chapter 70 The Purpose of The Fallen
"You can judge for yourself whether the video is real or not, but what I want to discuss is the relationship between this 'Fallen' and Unicron. In fact, when the Fallen arrived on this planet, these humans didn't even exist yet, while Unicron came only ten thousand years ago. Back then, our captain Grimlock was the strongest warrior on all of Cybertron ... you know that, right?"
Of course, Starscream knew everything about Grimlock. It was precisely because that powerful Autobot warrior had suddenly disappeared without a word that Megatron dared to rebel, leading Cybertron into the chaotic state it's in today.
"So you're saying the Fallen arrived on this planet before Unicron? Then why did he wait millions of years to send the coordinates to his master?"
Starscream's knowledge of the Fallen came mostly from rumors; he didn't know much about him. However, he did know a bit about Unicron. If memory served, that gluttonous giant had once tried to destroy Cybertron, but was repelled by the combined forces of the Transformers. Starscream seemed to have participated in that battle, though he had been a secondary figure at the time.
But considering the time gap between Unicron's disappearance and Grimlock's vanishing, could it be that both of them ended up on some planet within this same galaxy?
"We don't know all the details," Sludge continued, "but it's said that the Fallen attempted to annihilate all organic life on this planet, turning it into a machine world like Cybertron. However, the ancient Autobots thwarted his plan using an energy matrix. So, the Fallen offered this poor planet to Unicron…"
Apparently, none of these Decepticons were easy opponents ... especially the Fallen. He couldn't conquer the planet alone, so he called for help. Yet Unicron turned out to be the fool ... failing to devour the planet and ending up imprisoned instead. It was astounding that Grimlock, the Dinobot, had managed to accomplish such a feat back then. From any point of view, that was an enormous favor… for the entire universe.
"Well then, I'm getting more and more interested. I've decided to help you rescue Chief Grimlock. And while I'm at it, I'll finally get to meet Cybertron's greatest warrior!"
While Starscream was conversing with the Dinobots, General Rylen seemed to have struck gold ... quite literally. His men were carrying wooden crates out of the underground city, each smiling from ear to ear. It seemed that yellow and white metal held an irresistible charm for them.
"Thank you, Honored Ones, for providing us with military pay! Our brothers haven't received their salaries from the court in nearly a year. Once we bring this back, they'll be ecstatic!"
Cybertronian civilization was far more advanced, of course. For Transformers, only energy ... or hard cash ... could truly catch their attention.
"Very well, you seem considerate toward your own kind. However, it's best we don't reveal ourselves today. Once we've found our captain, we'll discuss our next moves with your king."
For some reason, the two robotic dinosaurs seemed unwilling to show themselves before humans, or to have General Rylen announce their return to the battlefield ... as if they distrusted something.
The young human, however, appeared quite reasonable and immediately agreed.
"Rest assured, Your Excellencies, we ambushed the Zargoth forces while they were excavating the underground city. Our army annihilated them with minimal casualties and seized all the spoils. This underground city contains enough military pay to sustain us for years. I'm sure His Majesty will understand the hardships our soldiers endured!"
According to General Rylen, this was a classic case of a smaller force defeating a larger one ... exactly the kind of triumph the Eclipse Emperor loved to hear about. Although it had been practically a suicide mission, it ended up benefiting both sides.
General Rylen had earned military merit and helped the main army eliminate part of the enemy, while the two robotic dinosaurs could continue their covert investigation with Starscream, all without drawing unwanted attention.
But would things really go as they hoped?
Leaving aside the plans and actions of the fugitive Decepticon warrior Lockdown, the Huns, upon discovering the destruction of the underground city, were unlikely to let the matter slide.
"BOOM!"
After all the humans had evacuated, Starscream fired an air-to-ground missile into the underground city. The missile contained a large quantity of white phosphorus, triggering a massive explosion and widespread fire. Since the city was built primarily of wood and a great deal of air had entered once it was opened, the blaze spread rapidly. Within hours, the underground complex would be completely reduced to ashes.
However, what Red Spider (Starscream) hadn't anticipated was the sheer magnitude of the commotion. The thick black smoke rising into the sky acted as a clear beacon for the distant Zargoth army, signaling that something had gone terribly wrong.
"Chief, look over there! The High Priest said he'd destroy the site after we divided the treasure, but now look at it!"
"Hmph, must be the Eclipse troops. I've already received word that nearly 150,000 of them are stationed along the border. Looks like we're late this time! Order the entire cavalry to ride at full speed! If you see any Eclipse ... no questions, kill them all!"
It was a fierce Zargoth force from the steppes ... mostly cavalry, numbering about 35,000 men.
And that was only the vanguard. Reports indicated that an army of over 300,000 was already converging rapidly along the border between the two nations.
It seemed the news of the Decepticons' reappearance had stirred fear ... and bloodlust ... among these hungry wolves of the grasslands.
(End of Chapter)