Shane Freak
patreon
Chapter 752: The Resilient Sentinel Prime
🕑 Added 2023-10-20 14:11:05 +0000 UTCTransformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List
XXX-----XXX-----XXX-----XXX
The Iron Fortress city remained much the same, nestled within the heart of the city, a colossal elliptical structure.
Optimus Prime stood silently, a dozen meters away from a metallic platform resembling a massive bed. Upon this platform lay his mentor, the former leader of the Autobot faction, the once-revered king of the Primus—Sentinel Prime.
A specially designed protective glass completely sealed off the metallic platform.
Optimus Prime's adjutant, Ratchet, the most renowned medical officer within the Autobot ranks, was diligently at work in front of the platform.
Ratchet was tending to the mechanical body of Sentinel Prime.
One could only guess what this former king of the Primus had endured during his more than a century of disappearance.
His mechanical body had sustained severe damage, and the numerous wounds made him appear nearly indistinguishable from death itself.
What was even more dire, Sentinel Prime had contracted the most dreaded of all ailments among Cybertronians—Cosmic Rust.
This disease was a terror that gripped Cybertronians to their core.
Just like the various horrifying contagious diseases on Earth, Cosmic Rust was caused by a miraculous, ultra-microscopic virus known as the Rust Virus. Cybertron Planet's scientists had given this ultra-microscopic virus the name "Rust Virus."
The Rust Virus could survive in the harshest of environments, and the oldest Rust Virus found on Cybertron Planet had been confirmed to originate from the cosmos.
These viruses arrived on Cybertron Planet via a meteorite impact, ultimately leading to a catastrophic disaster that nearly wiped out the Autobots and Decepticons.
Hence, the name Cosmic Rust.
The Rust Virus fed on a particular substance within metals. Once they had consumed metal, it triggered an extremely vigorous oxidation reaction, resulting in severe rusting.
The reason Cybertronian civilization had not been eradicated by Cosmic Rust was due to the unique nature of their mechanical bodies.
The Rust Virus fed on a specific molecule within metals, and Cybertronian scientists had discovered that almost all known metal elements, including artificial alloys, became exceedingly vulnerable when facing the Rust Virus.
However, Cybertronian scientists had also found that the Rust Virus had no interest in pure energy forms and, in fact, exhibited an intense aversion to them.
The mechanical bodies of Cybertronians were primarily composed of metal, but the Core Spark was an energy form vastly different from conventional knowledge.
It was the overflow of energy from the Spark that sustained the functionality of the mechanical body. It was this energy that allowed the Decepticons and Autobots to withstand Cosmic Rust, albeit with great difficulty.
Despite this, both the Decepticons and Autobots paid a devastating price.
The first Civil War on Cybertron Planet had ended hastily due to the onslaught of Cosmic Rust.
It was easy to imagine the immense pressure Ratchet was under when faced with such a formidable disease.
In fact, since the Autobots had discovered and brought Sentinel Prime back to Earth from the crashed spaceship on the moon a few days ago, Ratchet had been diligently examining and treating the ailing Sentinel Prime.
He was one of the few Autobots who already knew that the energy within Optimus Prime's Leadership Module was on the brink of exhaustion.
Therefore, any injuries that could be resolved through surgery and conserve the consumption of the Leadership Module's energy were handled by Ratchet as much as possible.
The sole purpose was to ensure that the Leadership Module could save more lives when the need arose.
After several days of continuous treatment, Ratchet's hands gradually returned to their original condition, marking the conclusion of his efforts.
Upon arriving at the specially designed glass isolation gate, Ratchet emerged from the deep blue energy gate and nodded slightly at Optimus Prime.
"Leader, maintenance of Superior General's mechanical body has concluded. I've addressed most of his injuries, and the rust disease has been contained within a certain range. I'll prepare to replenish energy for his Spark. With Superior General's strength, I believe he can fully recover in one to two months at most!"
Optimus Prime furrowed his brow slightly and inquired, "Does it require that much time? Shouldn't I just use the [Leadership Module] to awaken our teacher directly?"
Ratchet quickly dissuaded him, saying, "Leader, after the battle on the dark side of the Moon, the energy within the [Leadership Module] has been dwindling. It's better to keep it for emergencies to save more comrades when needed."
Not long ago, Ironhide and Sideswipe had a private meeting with him, and their discussion revolved around Optimus Prime and Sentinel Prime.
Like Ironhide, Ratchet was a seasoned Autobot. However, unlike Ironhide's initial disdain for Optimus Prime, Ratchet had recognized this gentle and humble young leader long ago.
When Sideswipe defected from the Skytiger Legion to the Autobot faction, if it weren't for Optimus Prime's intercession, the deeply resentful Sentinel Prime would have executed this courageous warrior on the spot.
Therefore, after some interaction, these three close aides of Optimus Prime reached a consensus.
To uphold Optimus Prime's leadership and due to suspicions arising from Sentinel Prime's easy return, the three Autobots agreed that it was essential to delay Sentinel Prime's awakening appropriately. This would provide more time to investigate whether there was a hidden Decepticon conspiracy behind this.
Ratchet was now acting based on this consensus, vigorously opposing Optimus Prime's direct use of the [Leadership Module] to awaken Sentinel Prime.
Optimus Prime hesitated for a moment. Indeed, the energy within the [Leadership Module] was nearly depleted, and he had considered solutions. His chief scientist, Jack, was currently analyzing the nature of the [Leadership Module]'s energy and researching methods to replenish its special energy.
Jack had made some progress, and according to his experiments, the [Leadership Module] could indeed absorb external energy to replenish itself. However, perhaps due to the high-level nature of the energy within the [Leadership Module], even the highly purified energy fluid produced by the Autobots had minimal effect on replenishing it.
The ability of the [Leadership Module] to awaken fallen warriors alone showcased its immense value. This was also the reason for Optimus Prime's hesitation, as conventional surgery by Ratchet would not be enough to resurrect a deceased Autobot warrior.
Ratchet noticed Optimus Prime's hesitation and urged, moving closer, "Leader, there are too many suspicions surrounding Superior General's spaceship crash on the Moon, why the Decepticons didn't take him or kill him, and their sudden halt in pursuit. Ironhide and I both suspect that there might be another Decepticon conspiracy at play. So, I suggest we proceed with caution."
"The new Iron Fortress city is our last refuge!"
As these words were spoken, Optimus Prime couldn't help but recall the various suspicions they had encountered on the dark side of the Moon.
After deep contemplation, he slowly nodded and said, "I understand."
[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, without ads and support the work.]
XXX-----XXX-----XXX-----XXX
Next Chapter >>Chapter 753: The Gathering Storm of War
