The Monster of Kaon (Transformers Si): Chapter 69

Somewhere near California, deep underground, Airachnid continued using her natural-born abilities to drill deep, following the faint signal she had picked up some time ago.

Ever since that conversation that she overheard (or was allowed to overhear) between Shockwave and Tarn, she had been trying to find ways to redeem herself, even going as far as to try and bring back her former abilities as an Eukarian Fateweaver, but to no avail.

Until her innate ability as an Arachnoid detected faint traces of communication frequencies unique to a certain type of beastformers.

So, she set out, seeking to find out if her hunch was true.

After digging for a long time, she finally fell into a cavern, revealing a surprise she had not seen coming.

An entire Insecticon hive.

The moment she fell through, the Insecticons immediately activated and started chattering in their shrill voice, followed by one of them falling to the ground and standing in front of her.

Instinctively, Airachnit tried to use her power, one that every Aracnoid is born with, to control beastformers that are considered ‘lesser’ than themselves.

“Kneel!”

However, much to her shock, the Insecticon simply snorted at her attempt and spoke in a gravelly voice that sent chills down her body.

“That power of yours will not work, Arachnoid. My true master helped us get rid of those compulsions a long time ago.”

At his words, confusion grew within the Arachnoid’s mind. But suddenly, things clicked as she stared hard at the Insecticon’s face, finding it very familiar.

Within seconds, her mind swirled with memories before one name finally came to the forefront, dating back all the way to the Ascenticon movement.

“You are Hardshell.”

“Took you long enough. I recognized you instantly, Traitor. Now, give me one good reason why I should not kill you right here for what you did.”

Instantly, panic flooded the Aarachnoid, who looked around, seeing the entire hive fall from the ceiling and prepare to tear her apart.

With no choice, she revealed the truth that she had planned to keep silent about until she got this brood to the Harbinger.

“Maximus is still alive. And he is here, on this planet.”

“....You dare lie to us with his name? I’ll make sure even Unicron himself would dread what we will do to you-“

“I AM TELLING THE TRUTH! I SWEAR ON PRIMUS!”

Once the sacred oath was spoken, Hardhell could not help but look at her with surprise. And yet, despite the oath, he still looked at her with a little bit of caution.

After all, he could never be too careful when it came to traitors like this femme.

“.....Take me to him. If you are telling me the truth, then fine. But if you are lying to me, we will hunt you to the ends of the universe, and before you try anything, remember that my hive and I are connected through our minds, so they will see what I see and hear what I hear. Don’t even think about double-crossing me.”

Airachnid could not help but give him a wry smile.

“Understood.”

With that, the Insecticon and the Arachnoid left the ancient cave, heading straight towards the new Decepticon warship that was also named Harbinger, after the original was taken away by Maximus so that the Titans could take their dead kin’s body and give it a proper burial according to their customs.

—————————————————————————-

I always knew Humans are a stubborn race, especially when I was a human once upon a time, but this meeting showed me that I still underestimated my former people.

“So, we are in agreement then?”

The representatives of NEST (the same name that I just realized came from the Bayverse movies from my old life) looked at each other and nodded at my words.

“Yes. As per the agreement, we will return all Cybertronian artifacts, technology, and information that we have on Earth to you. In exchange, you will provide us with the technology blueprints, which are as follows: Commercially viable spaceflight technology. Organic matter printers. Local starcharts, which will have all the valuables within our star system and nearby civilizations mapped so that we can avoid them for now. Alternative energy sources, including commercially viable Fusion technology. And advanced communication systems.”

I nodded my head at those words.

While the humans were stubborn to a fault and fought tooth and nail to keep the Cybertronian technology in their hands, I simply did not give them any other choice but to hand them over by showing them just how dangerous a Cybertronian artifact in the wrong hands could be.

I mean, there were many instances in the past where some technology of the ancients found its way to the homeworld of some primitive civilization, only to end up leading said civilization to its doom one way or another.

All I did was show these accounts (some of which may have contained graphic images not suitable for children, what with entire planets being blown apart simply because someone not of cybetronian origin tried to use said technology) with some of the victim civilizations being extremely advanced and wiser compared to humanity of today. After that, the humans finally agreed to hand over everything for their own safety.

Of course, I am not foolish enough to trust their words since I know how greedy and deceitful humans are, but this is a start, and that is enough for now. As for the artifacts that I have no doubt these people will try to hide, I will find them one way or another, but not now.

Aside from this trade agreement, we also made an agreement where we will leave Earth alone for now, allowing the humans to develop on their own. Once the humans believe themselves to be ready, they will contact Cybertron through a specialized communication device I will leave with them and open official diplomatic channels.

Until then, the Sol System will be considered a forbidden zone within our star charts and will be cordoned off. Any Cybertronian who crosses this border will be considered a rogue entity, and humanity has permission to do what they want with such a rogue bot.

This is just a barebones agreement, but this will do for now, until humanity is ready to step into a wider universe.

Until then, my work here is done.

Now, all I need to do is find the Iacon relics that the foolish Prime, Alpha Trion, scattered on this planet, and wait for Starscream to find all the Omega Keys.

After that, it will be time for my people to head back home and for me to finally be bereft of all responsibility towards Cybertron and my people.

And then, I will take my beloved Codexa on that journey she always wanted to go on but never got the chance to.