Infiltrator Among the Decepticons

"General Starscream, are you—are you joking? How could I possibly have such thoughts? Are you trying to make fun of me?"

Perhaps because her thoughts had been exposed, the female Autobot reflexively began struggling. But Starscream's hands were like two terrifying pincers, clamping down on her so tightly that waves of despair rose in her heart.

"I told you not to make a sound. I just wanted to confirm something with you. Slowly turn your head and look at the symbol on my chest, and you'll understand why I'm discussing this with you!"

Seeing her reaction was so intense, Starscream quickly leaned close to her ear and explained.

What? What did he mean? He...

The female Autobot was clearly shocked, but that was good—at least she stopped screaming. She slowly turned her head as instructed. At the same time, Starscream released her and stood up so the Autobot nurse could clearly see the symbol on his chest.

There should originally have been a large Decepticon insignia there, but at that moment, the symbol changed beneath the female Autobot's dumbfounded gaze. Yes, as if by magic, the original Decepticon insignia began transforming, becoming the Autobot emblem in less than three seconds.

"Th-this... sir, you are? You..."

A story had long circulated among the higher-ranking Autobots. Back when the Autobots ruled Cybertron, their far-sighted forebears had launched an infiltration plan, planting agents within the Decepticons to observe the movements of those evil machines. As time passed, many of those agents either returned to their ranks or were eliminated, but those who remained had now risen into the Decepticons' middle and upper echelons. There were even rumors that Megatron, the current Decepticon leader, and Optimus Prime, commander of the Autobot resistance, had both been taught by the same master. But the former later became a traitor, leading the Decepticons in killing many high-ranking Autobots.

And the trait Starscream had displayed was precisely one of the infiltrators' distinguishing features: a highly deceptive faction insignia!

"I know you're one of Leader Optimus Prime's people. Only his master knows my identity. I'll find a way to help you leave this place. Can you help me contact the Autobot higher-ups?"

This sudden turn of events left not only the female Autobot stunned, but Starscream himself was shocked as well. While his subordinates had been carrying him here for treatment earlier, a strange image that only he could see had suddenly appeared inside his injured metal skull.

"From today onward, your designation among the Autobots will be completely erased. You will live among those Decepticons under the new identity of Starscream. We need to uncover the true intentions of this small group of evil machines! Sentinel Prime will be your handler from now on. The two of you will remain in single-line contact. Aside from a few old fools like us, only he knows your identity!"

The speakers had been several veteran Autobots over twenty thousand years old. Now, Megatron had already torn off the heads of those old fools. Uh...

"So you're an Autobot infiltrator! I never imagined the Decepticons' second-in-command was one of us! Don't worry, I'll definitely deliver this vital intelligence to Optimus Prime. He is Sentinel Prime's direct disciple, so he'll certainly be able to verify your identity!"

What an unexpected blessing. After falling into enemy hands, the female Autobot had believed she was doomed beyond doubt. Yet by sheer chance, she had encountered an Autobot infiltrator here—and very likely the highest-ranking infiltrator within the Decepticons.

"Mm. But before you escape, could you do something about my head...?"

Starscream had not come to the supply depot to flirt with a female Autobot. He really was injured. The shot in his head had been blasted there by Optimus Prime's laser gun!

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Mr. Starscream! I'll treat you right away!"

"Good. Thank you. I appreciate the trouble!"

In truth, the moment Starscream had recalled his true identity, he had begun planning how to contact the organization again. If he showed up personally, the risk would be too great. Besides, with Sentinel Prime absent, the other Autobots would never believe him! Who would believe a second-generation Decepticon leader claiming he was actually an Autobot spy?

The unknown female Autobot before him had suddenly become Starscream's only hope. On the battlefield earlier, Starscream had personally seen this woman beside Optimus Prime, and they had seemed rather close. It looked like he could only place all his hopes on this female Autobot now.

"All right, Mr. Starscream. Your injuries have been completely repaired. I never expected these screws, originally meant for several of our Autobot aerial warriors, to fit you perfectly!"

If Starscream's earlier words had left the female Autobot somewhat doubtful, how else could she explain the replacement parts? Autobot-specific components fitting perfectly into the wound of a high-ranking Decepticon general was proof enough in itself.

"Mm, I didn't expect your medical skills to be so superb! Next, let's plan how to help you escape!"

"All right. Thank you, Mr. Starscream!"

Of the three Decepticons standing guard outside, only Rumble had any real combat ability. The other two were rookie-level trash. Even without weapons, Starscream could crush their sparks with his bare hands. The problem was that Rumble was a well-known gossip outside, and many people on the battlefield knew him. If he vanished without explanation, someone would sooner or later become suspicious.

So the plan Starscream and the female Autobot finally settled on was this: find an excuse to send Rumble away first, then eliminate the other two rookies and secretly open an escape route for the female Autobot.

It looked like a rather imperfect plan, but under the current circumstances, there was no extra time to devise a more rigorous operation.

"Then let's do it this way!"

"I'll follow your lead, Lord Starscream!"

"Good. Then go distract Rumble first. Tell him it's my order—have him go to the front lines and bring me back the latest battle report!"

"Mm, Lord Starscream, that's a good idea. That boy named Rumble circles around you all day long. He even stays by your side during system reboots. He won't disobey your orders!"

"Good. Then take your positions. Let's act according to plan!"