Chapter 119: Megatron Betrayed
"What? Such a thing exists? I never imagined there was a place like that hidden in this corner of the universe. If those beings have been operating on this planet for tens or even hundreds of millions of years, why did Cybertron never hear of it? And we had no idea the legendary Fallen possessed such abilities!"
This Scorpion Giant clearly intended to betray Megatron, so he had no reason to lie. Yet, given the power of the Fallen and the original Autobots, how could it have taken them so long to conquer that planet? It didn't make sense.
"Heh, Ironhide, still so suspicious? Didn't I tell you already? The reason our Megatron and your Autobots became mortal enemies is because of those ancient beings from that planet they've been fighting among themselves for eons! Don't be fooled by what looks like coincidence. There's a mysterious force in this universe that amplifies the differences between us, pushing both sides toward irreversible conflict."
According to Scorponok's intelligence, if not for the ancient war between the Fallen and the ancestors of the Autobots over that planet's ownership, the Decepticons of today would never have inherited their genetic hatred of Autobots and much of history might have turned out differently.
"Fine," Ironhide said. "I can't confirm such an ancient story, but if Megatron and his lackeys are headed for that planet, I'll alert my comrades. We'll all go and settle every score once and for all!"
Even knowing Scorponok was using him, Ironhide felt he had no choice. Megatron had taken a large force with him, leaving the Decepticon base vulnerable. That made things much easier back on Cybertron.
Optimus Prime, their commander, would never pass up such a golden opportunity for revenge.
"Then it's settled," Scorponok said. "But since we're enemies, I can't just let you leave without putting up a show. If I return empty-handed, my men will suspect me. So… why don't you let me stage a little 'battle scene' for their benefit?"
Scorponok reverted to his true form a massive mechanical scorpion. Though he had no intention of truly harming Ironhide, he needed a convincing performance.
"Hmph. I figured you'd say that," Ironhide replied. "I'll move my shuttle into your firing range so your troops can see you 'destroy' me. How about that?"
Ironhide knew what Scorponok had planned before he even said it. Fortunately, they had captured two Decepticon shuttles earlier one destroyed and one still operational. They decided to hand Scorponok the energy-drained one for his act.
"Hahaha! I like working with clever bots like you," Scorponok laughed. "I repaired and upgraded you earlier not because I could defeat you but to keep my word! Still, we're enemies, and now it's time to show my true stance! I, Scorponok, am and will always be your Decepticon adversary. We cannot conspire together!"
Just as Megatron had spies among Scorponok's ranks, Scorponok also had warriors who were not entirely loyal to him. He needed them to see this battle to believe in his loyalty to Megatron.
"Hypocrite, just get on with it! I hate acting," Ironhide grumbled. "Don't blame me if I blow your cover."
Moments later, freshly repaired, Ironhide boarded the stolen shuttle and took off, vanishing into the distance.
But as soon as his ship cleared Scorponok's firing perimeter, a blast of purple energy erupted from the massive scorpion-shaped warship. The beam struck the fleeing Decepticon shuttle dead-on, engulfing it in a blinding explosion. A massive fireball streaked across the sky, crashing into a nearby asteroid and disintegrating completely in its atmosphere.
To outside observers, it looked like the famous Autobot warrior Ironhide had perished destroyed in a single strike.
"Reporting to Commander Soundwave," came the transmission. "Confirmed visual: the Autobot second-in-command, Ironhide, has been neutralized. I witnessed the asteroid obliterate the remains. Probability of survival virtually zero. Report complete."
Soundwave received the message almost instantly, though the shrewd communications commander remained skeptical.
"Why are you only contacting me now? I tried hailing you repeatedly with no response. What happened?"
"Hah! That Scorponok's such a fraud," the Decepticon spy sneered. "He pretended to be friendly with Ironhide, but in truth, he blocked all electronic signals to prevent that Autobot from escaping! Only now did he restore communications. I bet even Optimus Prime doesn't know Ironhide's dead! Hahaha!"
In reality, both Scorponok and Ironhide were master actors. Their deception had worked flawlessly so well that even Megatron's spy believed it.
For at that very moment, among the wreckage of the "destroyed" shuttle, the supposedly dead Ironhide stirred. Slowly, he rose from the debris, brushed off the ash, and glanced toward the receding Scorpion warship.
"That Scorponok's not bad," he muttered. "His armor held up through atmospheric friction without a single scratch. Maybe we should ask him for more of that metal."
Stretching his limbs and ensuring all systems were stable, Ironhide then produced a compact signal transmitter from his armor, fitted a comm headset, and began broadcasting.
"This is Ironhide. I've uncovered a massive conspiracy led by Megatron. All Autobots receiving this signal rendezvous on this planet. We'll make those vile Decepticons pay for their crimes in blood! I'm heading to the coordinates now to lead the strike!"
(End of Chapter)