Do You Want Your Head to Explode?

"Commander Optimus Prime, we spotted a Decepticon fighter behind us. Let us stay behind and take him out!"

At this point, only a handful of Autobots were still capable of fighting. They had originally shaken off their pursuers after entering the area designated by Starscream, but when hostile intent appeared behind them once more, everyone's nerves tightened.

"No. That's Skywarp, a particularly troublesome enemy. His target is me, the Autobot leader. Leave now, and protect the sparks of those fallen warriors!"

"No, absolutely not! You are the spiritual leader of us all. We can't lose you, Commander Optimus Prime!"

"Yeah! Let Ironhide and Bumblebee go stop that guy!"

"My old friends, this is my final order as Optimus Prime. If I truly fall, you must lead the Autobots to safety. Before you have gathered enough strength, do not even think about revenge!"

Though everyone was deeply reluctant, no one would defy Optimus Prime's words. But just as Optimus Prime checked his weapons and equipment, a flash of red suddenly streaked through the sky in the distance, speeding toward the Decepticon like a dazzling meteor.

Who else could it be? Other than Starscream, disguised as Great Dinosaur Saurus, who would have the time to come to this remote, uninhabited place?

Yet Skywarp, that fool, felt nothing at all about the danger rapidly closing in behind him, because he could already vaguely see Optimus Prime ahead.

"Ha ha ha! So you crafty Autobots really were hiding here! Now I'm going to earn a huge merit! As long as I destroy Optimus Prime, Starscream's position will definitely be mine!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Boom! Boom!

"Argh!"

Before Skywarp could wake from his beautiful dream, two air-to-air missiles struck the exhaust pipes behind his rear. Though the strongest blast only grazed past his exhaust pipes, it still sent Skywarp, in jet form, tumbling sideways through the air several times. He barely managed to stop after transforming into robot mode.

"Skywarp, transform already!"

Clank! Clank! Clank!

But before Skywarp could recover his senses, a massive dinosaur head pressed against the back of his head.

"So your name is Skywarp, huh? You're one of that idiot Starscream's subordinates, aren't you? I never expected that while I'd been searching for dirt on Starscream, you'd come deliver a gift to me yourself!"

It was an unrestrained, exaggerated voice. Other than that clearly unhinged Great Dinosaur Saurus, who else could make such a sound?

"L-Lord Saurus? I-I'm on your side! I'm a Decepticon warrior too! I-I came to pursue Optimus Prime. He's right up ahead!"

Starscream had warned Skywarp before whose territory this was, but Skywarp had clung to a lucky mindset and tailed Optimus Prime all the way here. He had not expected to actually run into the owner of the territory.

"I don't care whose subordinate you are. Every Decepticon in the war zone knows this area is under my control. Forget Starscream—even if Megatron came here, I'd blast your head into scrap metal right in front of him!"

Starscream's disguise skill was truly superb. Even Great Dinosaur Saurus's manner of speaking was perfectly imitated, frightening Skywarp so badly that he trembled all over.

This unruly flying robot knew that Great Dinosaur Saurus always meant what he said. Besides, Saurus had the right on his side today. Even if he really tore off every one of Skywarp's jet wings, Skywarp would have no recourse.

What was more, Skywarp had no military merit to his name. He was merely a lackey following Starscream, and his cowardly boss would never stand up for him. He might even turn around and blame Skywarp instead!

"M-My lord, I was wrong. My flight instruments were just interfered with by the magnetic field, so I completely failed to notice this was your territory. I'm willing to compensate you. I got hold of quite a few Autobot compressed energy blocks earlier—I'll offer them all to you!"

Well, well, Skywarp. He looked crazed on the surface, but who knew he had been secretly hoarding spoils? The Autobots were already in such dire straits, yet he had stolen their last bit of energy. Truly worthy of Decepticon conduct!

Still, under the principle that there was no reason to refuse free loot, the fake Great Dinosaur Saurus extended his other mechanical hand.

"Hand them over. Let's see if they're enough to buy your life. Kid, if you dare try to fool me, do you believe I can make your head explode right now?"

"I do, I do! Please, don't shoot!"

How could Skywarp dare say no at a time like this? He raised his right hand into the cockpit of his transformed body, rummaged around, and pulled out a large pile of concentrated pink energy blocks. Together, they were enough for Optimus Prime and the others to use comfortably for an entire week. Skywarp was quite skilled at gathering energy, but the source of these energy blocks was probably those Autobots who had been destroyed, wasn't it?

"What is this worthless junk? Are you trying to fool me with milk candies? I think I'd rather dismantle every part on your body, then take your spark to the black market and trade it for something I need!"

"No, no, Lord Saurus! I'm willing to offer all my own energy to you too. Just leave me enough fuel to fly back, that's all. I truly respect you very much—you've always been my idol!"

All Decepticons were the same: they bullied the weak and feared the strong. Seeing that this Great Dinosaur gentleman was still thoroughly dissatisfied, Skywarp gritted his teeth and even offered up his own core energy blocks. This kid was ruthless even toward himself!

"Heh, you're pretty good at showing respect, kid. I'll let you off today. But if word gets out about what happened here today, do you know what the consequences will be?"

"It won't, it won't! I was too focused on chasing the Autobots, and I ran out of energy, so I could only return empty-handed. I never met Lord Saurus anywhere along the way. I really don't know anything!"

All right! It seemed Skywarp had been completely won over by Starscream's acting. Not only had he handed over all his savings, but he had been scared into silence. Even when he ran into Decepticon comrades along the way who questioned him, he remained completely silent. He really was quite obedient!

However, Starscream had no intention of keeping these energy blocks, which had originally belonged to the Autobots, for himself.