Chapter 112: Every Autobot Is Extraordinary
"Excellent, now's the time!"
Although Ratchet also carried a laser weapon, trying to pierce the armor of that tank-type Transformer with it was clearly unrealistic. Besides, this one who called himself Steelboom though an unknown Decepticon warrior, already showed his terrifying attack power with just one look at that massive cannon. None of the warriors Megatron selected as his vanguard were rookies.
"Cunning Autobot, come out! Do you think you can fool me with that broken radio? I don't care where you're hiding if you don't show yourself now, I'll blow this meteorite to pieces! Let's see how long you can hide then!"
This Decepticon named Steelboom, though a new-generation warrior with little combat experience, was equipped with the most advanced armor and weaponry available. Like his predecessors, this tank-type Decepticon was notoriously stubborn and aggressive.
When he found no Autobots near the transmitter, he smashed it to pieces and then fired a laser cannon blast from his arm toward a nearby rock.
"Boom! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The sound was deafening. Even from a distance, Ratchet felt the ground tremble beneath his feet. It was clear that this Decepticon could have easily killed him with a single blow.
It was understandable Megatron had poured all of Cybertron's technology into strengthening his military power. The war machines he created were, by nature, unbelievably ferocious.
This only reinforced Ratchet's original strategy. Facing such raw power head-on was suicide. But a clever plan might turn the tide.
The burly Decepticon tank might be powerful, but he was nothing without his shuttle. If Ratchet could steal that, the situation would change completely. The shuttle was the pinnacle of Decepticon engineering small but packing immense firepower and formidable defenses. In comparison, Steelboom himself was far less of a threat.
That was Ratchet's goal: seize the Decepticon shuttle and use it against its owner.
No Autobot is simple. Even when outnumbered, they always find a way to outthink their foes. In that sense, Autobots far surpass most Decepticon warriors.
By the time the Decepticon Tank realized something was wrong, Ratchet had already broken into the shuttle's cockpit.
"Thief! Coward! Come out! Autobots, if you've got any courage, face me one-on-one! Stop sneaking behind my back!"
Afraid of damaging the shuttle's systems, Steelboom only fired wildly around it but not a single shot hit the target.
Meanwhile, Ratchet calmly searched for the shuttle's control terminal. Once he could switch it from autopilot to manual mode, he'd have full control.
"Shut down system… where's the autopilot override? There you are!"
Back on Cybertron, Ratchet had not only repaired wounded Autobots but had also occasionally dealt with Decepticons. Over time, he'd learned much of their internal code an advantage that now paid off.
For another Autobot, finding the main components of a Decepticon shuttle might take hours. But Ratchet only needed to type a few internal command codes from memory, and instantly a reset prompt flashed on the console:
"System reboot complete. Switch from automatic navigation to manual control. Confirm?"
Of course! Why even ask?
In a flash of blue light, the Decepticon shuttle transformed into the Autobot Ratchet's new warship, all weapons and defense systems fully powered.
"You filthy thief! That's my ship! Give it back!"
Steelboom stood there shouting in disbelief, unable to process how his own shuttle had turned against him.
Young one, that's not how you play the game of Transformers.
Boom! Clang!
Even with his thick armor, being struck by the shuttle's main cannon was no joke. The impact blasted Steelboom backward more than ten meters, slamming him into the ground and leaving him covered in dust and debris.
"Hah! Now this is satisfying! Who said Autobots can't fight back with style? You wanted me to surrender? Let's see who's begging for mercy now!"
In high spirits, Ratchet activated the shuttle's defensive shields and unleashed a volley of cannon fire.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Boom!
"Ahhh!"
Even a so-called supersoldier like Steelboom whom even Megatron had respected was now being pummeled by his own ship. Chunks of armor fell from his body, and he looked utterly pitiful.
"No please! Stop firing! I'm almost out of power! Take the ship if you want I don't need it anymore! Just… spare me! I swear I'll never fight an Autobot again! Please!"
Sensing his impending doom, the once-proud Decepticon warrior dropped to his knees, begging the Autobot for mercy an image eerily reminiscent of Megatron's own moments of desperation.
(End of Chapter)