Ambushing Sixshot

"What a troublesome guy. My disguise is about to run out. If I don't shake him off soon and he sees my true form, that'll be a problem."

Against a pursuer like Sixshot, simply running away was never realistic. The best option was to take the initiative and knock him down. Even if Starscream could not kill this Decepticon super-warrior, he at least had to injure him badly enough that he could no longer pursue.

In the open reaches of space, pulling this off would have been nothing more than a fool's dream for Starscream. But this was an environment he knew best, so it was possible.

Boom!

It was an air-to-air missile. Though small, it was extremely fast. However, Starscream had not aimed it directly at Sixshot, who was searching all around for him. Instead, he fired it toward a chaotic area above Sixshot's head.

After long-term dust accumulation, that place had become a large, uneven region whose condition could not be seen clearly. But Starscream knew it was a launch platform resembling a rocket booster. Though it had long been abandoned, it was still fairly intact.

This time, Starscream targeted the connection point of that rocket platform. As long as he blew that section apart, the enormous structure would come crashing down and land right in the area where Sixshot stood. If the guy got hit, he would definitely be in serious trouble.

"What? A heat-seeking missile! What's going on? But your targeting system must have been disrupted by the electromagnetic waves here too, right? Your lousy aim really isn't much to speak of!"

Sixshot was a Transformer who knew his stuff, and he recognized the missile at once. But when he realized the attack was not aimed at him, he indeed let his guard down somewhat, assuming that the fellow hiding in the shadows had simply missed.

In truth, Starscream had not used heat-seeking lock-on mode at all. He had aimed with ordinary electronic optics, relying entirely on his memory and the marks he had left behind before.

Boom!

Starscream's marksmanship was actually quite good. The spot he had planned for beforehand was hit perfectly. It was just that the dust on top was far too thick, so before the platform completely fell, there was almost no sound at all—only the soft rustling of dust cascading down.

Clearly, Sixshot, who had only just arrived here, had not guessed Starscream's sinister intentions. He transformed directly into robot mode, laser gun in hand as he remained on guard against the figure hidden in the darkness.

"You disgusting impostor, you've run yourself into a dead end now, haven't you? I think you should come out and surrender obediently! I, Sixshot, have cracked countless cosmic labyrinths. If you've read the Decepticons' internal files, you should know I'm not bragging. I've never seen the terrain of this place before, but I'll definitely find the exit before you do!"

Well then! As the saying went, skill bred courage. Wasn't Sixshot being a little too arrogant?

But just as he was flaunting his credentials, the massive platform finally broke through every obstruction and began to roar deafeningly as it came crashing down toward Sixshot in a rapid free fall. It felt as if the entire area were collapsing.

"What? What's going on? Sixshot, transform—jet mode!"

His reaction was fairly timely, but this was not Sixshot's home turf. Though he transformed into a jet immediately, the enormous rocket platform slammed into the ground and kicked up huge clouds of dust. Its body also shattered into countless tiny fragments that flew in every direction like scattered ammunition. A large piece of metal was unfortunately scraped off the left wing of Sixshot's aircraft form. Thick black smoke billowed from the wound, and the jet instantly tipped to the right. That was a sign of an imminent crash!

But if a Decepticon super-warrior could be taken out that easily, Sixshot would never have been able to forge his legend.

"Sixshot, transform—giant wolf mode!"

In terrain this complex, any vehicle or robot mode would be at a disadvantage. But Sixshot also had a beast-form transformation: a giant wolf. With its powerful limbs, agile balance, and steel claws with tremendous grip, it was perfectly suited to this kind of terrain.

Moreover, after transforming into beast mode, Sixshot could hide his damaged wing beneath his body and let his own repair systems slowly restore it. In roughly a dozen minutes, that minor wound would be patched up. This was also the basic capability that allowed him to maintain prolonged combat endurance.

"Oh my, truly worthy of Sixshot! So you have a transformation mode like this too. Now I finally understand how you got your name!"

Seeing the powerful Transformer before him, Starscream immediately understood why Sixshot had become one of the Decepticons' ten greatest experts. Under normal circumstances, first-generation Decepticon warriors like Starscream or Megatron could transform into no more than two modes. Some newer-concept Decepticons might manage three forms. But Sixshot was simply terrifying—he had six different forms, which meant six combat modes!

Furthermore, this imposing mechanical giant wolf before him seemed to have been created specifically for such rugged terrain. Watching in secret as it advanced as though walking on level ground, even Starscream, the local expert here, felt a little envious, jealous, and resentful.

"Did you deliberately launch that attack in that direction? Is this a trap you specially prepared for me, Sixshot? I never expected to encounter such a meticulous opponent today! Forget Megatron or Starscream—even across the entire Decepticon battle roster, there probably isn't anyone this careful and thorough. Could you be that guy called Soundwave in disguise?"

Well then! It seemed Sixshot was telling the truth. In the eyes of genuine Decepticon masters like them, Megatron and Starscream were apparently the same type—Decepticon warriors with well-developed limbs and simple minds.

Megatron's status seemed a little different now. Was it really okay for them to talk about him like that?

"Hey, hey, hey, are you trying to take Megatron's position or something? Want me to help you plan it out?"