Megatron's Ambition

Megatron really was no good sort. Although Cybertron had already become his possession, this arrogant Decepticon leader was still not satisfied. On the surface, he used the excuse of launching a campaign against the Autobots who had fled Cybertron, but in truth, he intended to send all his followers out to conquer every corner of the universe while pursuing the Autobots. Whether it was the lifeforms or the energy resources there, all of it would become Megatron's property!

Moreover, since Cybertron had previously been Autobots territory, they had dispatched more than one exploration team across the universe over the long years. Some had even established off-world Autobot bases. What Megatron needed to do now was eliminate all these hidden threats, then make the entire universe his possession.

Of course, Megatron could not cover the sky with one hand. To achieve this ambition, he needed the assistance of the other Decepticon warriors. So, he had already set the rules: whoever conquered a territory would own it, but they had to report regularly to Decepticon headquarters on the local situation and turn over a certain amount of energy as tribute. After that, they could do whatever they wanted there.

This was somewhat like a colonial system of rule. If they encountered resistance from Autobots or other forces in the universe, Cybertron would also dispatch armed forces to help settle everything. Once this system was established, old Megatron would be the one standing at the top of the pyramid.

Sure enough, the moment Megatron mentioned this plan at the Decepticon meeting, it was met with an enthusiastic response from those below.

"Boss really has thought this through. We got sick of staying on this mechanical planet ages ago. I heard that some places have already developed organic civilizations instead of mechanical ones. I've wanted to visit planets like that for a long time! Of course, we'll also help Boss Megatron wipe out those Autobots while we're at it, so you can rest assured!"

The one who took the lead in responding was still Saras, that giant dinosaur, while several other rising Decepticon stars beside him nodded in agreement.

"No problem. What I hate most is those Autobots who go around preaching justice. Those bastards are far too hypocritical!"

"Exactly! The universe should belong to whoever has the greatest strength. Who needs some peace alliance? Those organic civilizations are nothing but weak, inferior races. They're no match for us Transformers at all. We should be the true rulers of this universe!"

Seeing that he had stirred up the enthusiasm of his warriors, Megatron looked immensely pleased. He gave Soundwave a meaningful glance, and the latter brought up the schematic of Optimus Prime's final base again.

"Since everyone agrees with Commander Megatron's plans, we'll begin with Optimus Prime. According to the intelligence we currently possess, there are nearly a thousand Transformers left in the Autobots' final base. However, the overwhelming majority are civilians without professional training. With your strength, taking on ten of them each would be no problem! But the core warriors led by Optimus Prime are indeed troublesome. This time, we plan to attack while they are fleeing Cybertron and turn every last one of them into dust in the universe!"

It seemed Megatron had been watching Optimus Prime at every moment. In truth, only a handful of high-ranking Decepticons understood the deeper reason behind this, and Mr. Starscream's memory bank also contained records concerning it.

According to unverified reports, Optimus Prime and Megatron had once both been disciples of a highly respected Autobot. Strictly speaking, Megatron should have addressed Optimus Prime as senior brother. What he was doing now was practically betraying his master and destroying his own lineage!

Naturally, Megatron would never publicly acknowledge his relationship with Optimus Prime. He always elevated this personal grudge into a conflict of interests between two factions, making every Decepticon believe that the Autobots were their greatest mortal enemies.

"Then may I ask, Boss Megatron, when do these Autobots plan to set out? As the air force commander, I need to find a way to seal off that airspace. Although the Autobots have relatively few aerial units, we still need to make preparations in advance, don't we? After all, Optimus Prime is capable of anything!"

When Starscream heard this, he was already deeply unsettled. Given his current circumstances and identity, so long as Megatron could not access Optimus Prime's memories, nothing would ever be exposed, and he could continue to sit securely among the Decepticon leadership. But after hearing Megatron's extermination plan, an inexplicable tremor suddenly stirred in Starscream's spark. He could not stop wondering whether he should give these Autobots one last helping hand.

"Starscream, my old friend, your combat instincts are as sharp as ever! According to our intelligence, those detestable Autobots are very likely to move within twenty-four hours. The only one I am wary of now is that fellow called Fortress Maximus. I've already contacted Trypticon. That fool said he was carrying out a mission elsewhere and would need fifty hours to return! So..."

Well played, Megatron. No wonder he had called this military strategy meeting—he had his reservations. Fortunately, the Autobots had Fortress Maximus holding the line. Otherwise, their situation would certainly have been even worse than it was now.

"Damn that Fortress Maximus. Where exactly did he get all that energy? How can those poor Autobots still afford the daily upkeep of a super Transformer like that?"

To show that he and Megatron were on the same side, Starscream deliberately emphasized the matter of Fortress Maximus. Upon hearing his words, the Decepticons who had participated in the previous interception battle all lowered their heads.

Though they were unwilling to admit it, when faced with a super Transformer like Fortress Maximus, every one of them—including old Megatron—had run faster than anyone else. They had looked exactly like dogs fleeing with their tails between their legs!

"Uh, that is indeed a problem! But no matter how powerful Fortress Maximus is, he is only a land-based Transformer, not some super robot capable of dominating land, sea, and air. And the Decepticons' greatest advantage is our air force. I'll leave you to figure this out, Commander Starscream. I trust that you will carry out the task I have given you splendidly, won't you?"

Megatron really was skilled at passing the buck! But wasn't this the perfect opportunity for Starscream to maneuver?