Undercurrents Stirring

East African Rift Valley, on a stretch of Gobi wasteland nearby.

Two heavy trucks, one red and one blue, raced freely along a crude road across the wasteland. Only when they reached within a few dozen meters of the canyon did a series of cracking sounds ring out. The red heavy truck swiftly transformed into a towering mechanical warrior covered in crimson armor.

Soon afterward, the blue heavy truck also transformed. It was Optimus Prime.

"What a tranquil and peaceful planet!"

Sentinel Prime stood atop the canyon, quietly gazing into the distance and down at the ever-expanding steel city below. In this corner unknown to humanity, it was gradually growing stronger. He could not help but sigh. "Unlike our homeworld, Cybertron, where nothing but death remains after its destruction!"

Looking at the towering mechanical warrior before him and recalling his teacher's past guidance and aid, Optimus Prime could not help but speak in a deep voice. "I often wondered—if I had been the one assigned to transport the energy pillars back then, and you had continued leading the Autobots, perhaps we would not have lost the final battle to the Decepticon Corps!"

Sentinel Prime looked up at the sky. After a long silence, he shook his head.

"You need not keep regretting the past, just as I cannot see the future. What is past is past. After millions of years of war, I am tired. I believe all of you are tired as well!"

"In the name of protection, we destroyed our homeworld with our own hands in a 'just war' against the Decepticons. Now that the war is over, perhaps this is a new beginning for it!"

"You have done very well, Optimus Prime. Without you, the Autobots might no longer exist!"

Optimus Prime lightly tapped his chest. The