Chapter 758 - 38 Cybertron Logistics (Part 1) (Taking a short break today, one update)

"You guys..."

"We won, the Fallen Decepticon was slain by Optimus Prime, who destroyed the harvester."

When Sam and his buddy barged into Doctor Doom’s mysterious cabin before Zone 7 agents, they found people popping champagne.

Perhaps it was because they were too happy, or they trusted Doctor Doom’s abilities too much; they completely didn’t notice Sam had already entered the restricted area, even hugging them.

The two looked baffled: the sense of having discovered a massive conspiracy and being ready to sacrifice to save the world instantly dissipated, replaced by a head full of confusion and bewilderment.

With this bewildering feeling, Sam led Simmons through the cheering work area, all the way to Lille’s office...

However, the world’s most advanced and powerful central control room had turned into a smoky abandoned server station due to Lille’s rounds of overclocking, and even the robot Sam saw as Lille "himself" was slumped over the console.

"He’s dead...?"

Sam couldn’t believe his eyes, and Simmons was completely stunned:

Unexpectedly, the alien super conspiracy he’d assumed wasn’t real, while this mysterious Transformer dedicated himself to the end?

"...Communication is restored!"

The cheers of the signal monitoring staff echoed from outside the office; now they could announce the news of victory to the entire world.

...

"Sentinel Prime... you say he’s already reached an agreement with the Decepticons."

"I used the technology you taught me to suppress his core activity level, akin to administering anesthesia to humans. Under such circumstances, a Transformer’s consciousness blurs, lacking judgment against familiar voices.

Then, I used a familiar voice to lure him into retrieving relevant data, just like reading Sam’s brain information...

Although there’s a significant structural difference between humans and Transformers, the similarity is high in certain aspects."

The Autobots and human armies were cleaning up the battlefield, with global communications gradually recovering, Optimus Prime transformed into a super truck, driving Lille through the barren desert.

The scene reminded Lille of the drive he took with V, traveling from Atlanta back to Night City.

Lille continued, "I used Megatron’s voice and told him that we’ve found the star harvester on Earth; we just need more troops to defeat the Autobots, harness the sun’s power, and reignite Cybertron."

Lille had a complete set of communication records and operation logs, but these could be forged.

Sentinel Prime had already been turned into parts and mounted on Optimus Prime; even if he doesn’t believe it, he must trust it.

"Hard to believe, Sentinel Prime is the most fitting leader I’ve seen; he ended the Cybertronian civil war and taught me..."

"People change, or perhaps he’s always been this way, but you just didn’t know."

"Maybe, if what you say is true, he not only betrayed us but also himself."

Lille sat in the truck, watching the gradually setting sun, "Space Bridge Technology could be the opportunity for me to find a way home. In our world, a war is also raging, I must return."

"This... was once my concern. I feared if you learned of this technology, you would stop at nothing to find it, to use this technology to open a path back to your world.

If my guess is correct, the power needed to open a passage to another world is astronomical, impossible to succeed without extracting the energy of a star."

"Your guess is correct."

Optimus Prime remained silent as the truck drove quietly across the desert; after about ten minutes, he finally spoke.

"Earth is a beautiful planet, but comparatively, I of course prefer Cybertron.

Megatron thought I abandoned Cybertron for humanity... but I far more yearn to return to Cybertron, back to... my homeland."

"But sometimes, having desire doesn’t mean acting without restraint."

"You’re right," Optimus Prime responded, "I did indeed hide the existence of the Space Bridge from you because I didn’t trust you, I knew you were concealing something.

You know, for us Transformers, your behavior of utilizing remains is akin to humans extracting energy from corpses...

We indeed have practices of sacrificing resources for comrades, but to actively seize them, that’s Decepticon conduct."

Lille nodded slightly.

[Johnny: So this big guy purely suspected you because you acted like a grave robber devouring their kind’s remains?]

[Johnny: By that account, you indeed treated them a bit too much like... robots.]

That’s certainly not all; from the details Lille revealed, it’s clear it deeply worried Optimus Prime.

But Lille certainly contemplated this issue.

"I know."

Lille didn’t bother explaining; putting himself in their shoes, he of course considered such scenarios.

But he simply went ahead, just like that.

Just like Megatron couldn’t understand why Optimus Prime also desired to return to Cybertron and reignite it, yet chose to give up one opportunity after another due to his "moral shackles."

Misunderstood actions abound; being repeatedly constrained due to others’ misunderstandings, how could one be a leader?

Lille’s lack of explanation was, in a sense, an explanation; his actions demonstrated he is indeed a fitting ally.

"...Optimus Prime," Lille continued, "I wish to return to the world I want to go back to because there are things that matter to me there, and I need your help."

"I will; you saved my life, rescued Earth, and exposed a potential betrayal...

More importantly, we’re both outsiders trapped on this planet..."

"No," Lille shook his head, "I’m not trapped; I just can’t find the way back —

In reality, I have stories in both worlds. Thanks to the Space Bridge explosion, I might be able to return to one of them now, where I’m still fighting."

Optimus Prime once more froze, his truck brain deep in thought:

After experiencing so many incredible things, hearing such astonishing tales from Lille, he could still come up with new surprises...

Lille continued formally, "There are five Energy Pillars on the Moon, along with the Ark.

The Main Control Pillar was overloaded and destroyed in battle, but the remaining Energy Pillars probably still have some energy, and their structures are intact.

I have an idea; perhaps it could help me establish a connection between two worlds.

I hope you can use Cybertron Technology to help me win the war, in return...

When I come back to this world again, I’ll help you return home and assist your home planet in reviving according to your vow."

What a surprise.

Optimus Prime completely hadn’t expected Lille to say such words!

Reignite Cybertron?

It’s unsettling to say: cooperating with humans for two years, humans never really cared about their plight; naturally, humans aren’t likely to aid them.

But Lille is different...

Lille’s "graverobber" behavior wasn’t necessarily disrespect towards Transformers, because from Lille’s response, if they were not Transformers but a group of green skins, he would still do it for more resources...

There’s no flattery or interest exchange, only facts laid out in front; both sides’ operating principles diverge but aren’t severe; caution and vigilance are being lifted, Optimus Prime found Lille far more candid than he thought, balanced and poised.

This desert conversation bridged the gap between Optimus Prime and... Doctor Doom Lille.

"...You’ve won my trust, I look forward to that day’s arrival."