Read Online Transformers: Retribution by David J. Williams, Mark Williams - Free Book Online Page B

threat?”
    Soundwave shoved past Starscream. “No, my lord, they do not. Skywarp was not able to detect any surface weapon systems, though that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. There are certainly no active offensive capabilities, though. On the other hand, Skywarp
was
able to determine they have an active Energon production in operation.”
    “Energon,” Megatron said with the tone of someone licking his lips.
    “Giant stores of it,” Starscream said.
    “All ripe for the taking,” added Soundwave.
    Megatron smiled. “The two of you have done well. Very well indeed. Send Skywarp back to keep an eye on the situation. I want to know every move the Autobots make. Tell him that he is to do nothing aggressive. Heshould not reveal himself; his job is strictly intelligence gathering.”
    “Yes, lord,” said Starscream. He turned to go, but Soundwave stood his ground.
    “Yes?” Megatron asked impatiently. “What is it?”
    “Just one more question, my lord. Now that we have extracted the information from Axer, what do you want us to do with him?”
    “You know as well as I do: There is no mercy for traitors. Find some use for him while I think up a suitable death.”
    “As you command.” Soundwave strode off, leaving Megatron to stare at the imagery of the Ark and marvel at his luck. But then he shook his head.
Luck
? He was a military genius and had surrounded himself with the finest soldiers ever assembled. Deep in his heart he’d always known that luck simply wasn’t a factor—nor would there be any for the librarian on the day when he was caught.
    And now that day was finally here.

Chapter Ten
    “I THOUGHT THIS PLANET WAS TEEMING WITH LIFE ,” Rodimus said.
    “That’s what the Ark said.” Prowl double-checked his own scans of the area.
    “Well, where are they exactly?”
    Prowl was silent. Kup could tell that Rodimus was grating on the away-team leader’s nerves. He chuckled to himself at the way these youngsters ran hot and cold.
    Perceptor broke in. “To repeat, the scans showed considerable life under the water. If you’re not finding anything in that city—”
    There was a burst of static as storm activity cut off the link to the Ark.
    “Great,” Kup said.
    “Hey,” said Rodimus, “here comes Bumblebee. Let’s see if he’s found anything.”
    Bumblebee sped up the ramp back to his comrades and shifted back into his bipedal form, making a series of bleeps, blips, and high-pitched whines.
    “Slow down, son,” Kup said. Bumblebee did so, calming down and giving them a more coherent report. The city seemed empty. He hadn’t seen anybody, nor had anyone made themselves known to him. Lights were on, and walkways were running; all the elements of a living, breathing metropolis were in place. All that was missingwas the population. Curiously, the city had more than its share of surveillance cameras, all of which seemed to be fully operational.
    “Told you,” said Rodimus. “We’re being watched.”
    “Maybe we should go to the northern pole when the storms die down,” Kup said.
    “I say we wait here,” Prowl said.
    “What kind of plan is that?” Rodimus asked.
    “Well, you’re right; we’re obviously being studied. Sooner or later they’re going to come to us.”
    “Probably sooner,” Kup said. He pointed at water churning offshore. An enormous fin broke the surface and headed toward them.
    “Everybody stay calm,” Prowl said. Kup popped his antique wrist cannons, and Rodimus unfolded his rocket bow. Three torpedo arrows locked into place with a resounding clack. Bumblebee’s fists collapsed back into his wrists to expose his twin particle decelerators.
    “You call that staying calm?” Prowl asked.
    Kup laughed. “I call it being prepared, youngster!”
    As the fin reached shallow water, more of the creature beneath it became visible: a silver fish-bot, several meters long. The Autobots were even more surprised when that creature changed into a humanoid-shaped robot,