Chapter 309: Chapter 306: Starscream Takes Action
"That newly emerged force is indeed the Rising Sun Empire. The scout units I sent also found that they possess many futuristic technologies, like nanotech, transformation tech, and energy-based systems. You could say that in terms of regular military technology, the Rising Sun Empire is about a generation ahead of the Soviets and the Allies..." Yuri said calmly from the other end of the comms.
"They haven't given you any trouble, have they?" Josh asked casually.
"Trouble? Of course not. That level of technology might be impressive to the Soviets and the Allies, but compared to the Cybertron tech you gave me earlier, it's nothing. Actually, some of the Rising Sun Empire's tech is quite similar to Cybertron's.
Also, when I returned to this era, the first base I picked was on the Moon. The Soviets and Allies didn't learn their lesson at all—their progress on developing the Moon was so poor that I easily took over. It won't be long before I can launch a full-scale attack.
Besides that, I discovered something very interesting!" A rare smile appeared on Yuri's face.
He had to admit, putting off his return to the modern era had been the right call. If he had come back right after meeting Josh, when his strength had just recovered, and faced the Rising Sun Empire back then, he might've had a tough time.
But now… nanotech, transformation tech, energy systems—all of those are already included in the Cybertron technology Josh gave him, and they're much more advanced than what the Rising Sun Empire has.
Not to mention materials and energy sources—they're far superior too.
That doesn't mean the Rising Sun Empire's tech is useless, though.
In fact, because it's more down-to-earth compared to Cybertron's, it's easier to adapt and use directly—especially in Josh's time—or even as basic tech to supply to lower-level worlds.
"Oh? Let's hear it," Josh asked cooperatively. If Yuri found something interesting, it was definitely worth listening to.
"It's that, among the three current factions, while their other technologies are more advanced than when I left, their nuclear industry seems to have just disappeared… Don't you think that's strange?" Yuri explained.
So that was it.
"Actually, I do know the reason," Josh replied.
"Oh? Right, I forgot you know a lot about the universe I come from… go on, tell me!" Yuri became curious.
"Who's the current leader of the Soviets on your side?" Josh asked instead of answering directly.
"Someone called Anatoly Cherdenko... I've never heard of him before. But I do know about their Supreme Commander Krukov. He used to be just a lieutenant general. The other politicians I was familiar with are almost all gone," Yuri said with a frown.
"The reason is simple—it's the time machine. After your defeat, the Soviets were close to falling apart because of the war. So, Cherdenko used the time machine you left behind and traveled to 1927. There, he erased Einstein from history, which created a new timeline… and the world became what you see now," Josh shrugged and explained.
After listening, Yuri fell silent. After a long pause, he sighed deeply, "So that's it… I see now. Those who mess with time are eventually messed up by it. You were right, Josh. The time machine really is a trap."
After knowing each other for so many years and trading countless times, Yuri had even given Josh the technology for the time machine. Even though no one could be sure whether the time machine would work the same in different worlds, Josh had never even tried to use it once.
Naturally, this made Yuri curious.
But whenever he brought it up, Josh would always brush it off, saying he didn't need it.
Now, Yuri finally understood why.
Still, understanding was one thing—using it when needed was another.
Even though he had ended up in a time that wasn't originally his, it was at least a modern world. That was way better than some primitive time like the Cretaceous period, right? Otherwise, just relying on Josh to bring people from other worlds was too slow for proper development.
"By the way, you've only just taken control of the Moon, right? You haven't started attacking the three major forces yet?" Josh suddenly asked.
"That's right. If everything goes as expected, the first target will probably be the Soviets… you know why. Why? Do you have something else in mind?" Yuri nodded.
"Not really. I just wanted to warn you about something. The Rising Sun Empire is also working on a psychic research project. And among their test subjects, there's a very powerful girl named Yuriko. I'm not sure if that's her real name or just a codename. But if it's a codename..." Josh said.
"Yuriko?" Yuri frowned at the name. In Japanese, it was a common name, but when written in English, it hit differently for him.
Because Yuri's name in English is also "Yuri."
Back in the day, many Red Alert 3 players had guessed that the Rising Sun Empire might've created such a terrifying weapon like Yuriko using Yuri's genes.
Of course, that was just a theory, since the game developers never confirmed anything.
But now, Yuri could find out the truth for himself.
"That's right. She's also a psychic… and from what I've heard, she's very powerful," Josh added seriously.
"…Got it. I'll go check it out," Yuri nodded. A psychic girl with a name similar to his, and with similar abilities? Interesting.
Thinking about it made Yuri remember his daughter.
He couldn't help but wonder—between Yuriko and Libra, who had more talent?
Libra Yuri—that was the name of Yuri's daughter.
Once the conversation ended, Josh ended the communication with Yuri. Yuri would definitely be busy now. Even though Josh was very curious about how things would unfold in that world, he knew he couldn't bother Yuri all the time.
After ending the call, Josh checked the system prompt—15 hours left until the next dimensional beacon appears.
Josh closed the system and began to rest his eyes.
But just a few minutes later, the system alert went off again.
Josh opened it and saw it was a message from Starscream.
…Looks like that guy has finally made it to Earth.
After forming a trade connection with Josh last year and completing their first deal, Starscream didn't rush to Earth as Josh had suggested. Instead, after upgrading himself using Vibranium, he first launched a massive internal purge.
He took out Shockwave and Soundwave, who were potential threats to his rule, and officially secured control over the remaining Cybertronian forces.
Soundwave wisely chose to surrender during the purge, but Shockwave and his pet Drillbit were killed by Starscream to set an example.
Of course, Starscream still had one major obstacle above him—the Fallen. And not even with his Vibranium upgrades was Starscream ready to challenge him yet.
To stand a chance against the Fallen, he would at least need the Matrix of Leadership.
Luckily, the Fallen didn't interfere too much with his rule, only pushing him to find the AllSpark and the Matrix. So Starscream's position as King of Cybertron and Supreme Leader of the Decepticons was still fairly comfortable for now.
Starscream and his forces finally left Cybertron for Earth three months ago.
Even though Cybertronian ships had faster-than-light engines, they weren't as ridiculously advanced as those seen in some sci-fi worlds. A three-month trip was already quite fast.
Unlike the Marvel Universe, the Cybertron universe wasn't filled with well-developed civilizations or wormhole networks. In Marvel, FTL engines were advanced, but what really allowed quick travel were the massive, widespread wormhole systems—just look at Guardians of the Galaxy or Captain Marvel.
So compared to those, space travel in the Cybertron universe took a more straightforward path.
When the call connected, Josh didn't see Starscream in his robot form, but as an F-15 fighter jet.
Clearly, this was his alternate mode.
And this version of the F-15 was the same classic skin Josh had given him before his Vibranium upgrade—arguably Starscream's most iconic design across the Transformers series.
Behind him flew fifteen other jets—F-4s, F-16s, and various other models.
In normal situations, you'd never see such a mixed group flying together like this.
So without a doubt, these were Starscream's subordinates.
"Mr. Kahn, I'm currently heading for the Hoover Dam," Starscream's voice came through from the fighter jet once the call connected.
"You've confirmed it?" Josh asked.
In the movie, Megatron and the AllSpark were both placed there before the dam was even built.
To be more precise, in the Transformers universe, the Hoover Dam was built specifically to contain Megatron and the AllSpark.
"Yes, Ravage has already infiltrated the dam as our inside man. He's seen Megatron and the AllSpark—we're just about ready for the next phase of the deal!" Starscream's voice was full of excitement.
If, in the past, he had only gone along with Josh's conditions because of the vibranium, half-skeptical about things like the AllSpark and Matrix of Leadership, now he was fully convinced—and wildly looking forward to what came next.
He was already fantasizing about the day he'd become King of the Universe.
As for why it was Ravage (A/N: the robotic panther from Transformers 2) who infiltrated the dam this time, and not Frenzy from Transformers 1—well, that was simple: Frenzy had already been gifted to Josh. The little guy was now curled up inside the Oval Office, playing the role of a telephone...
Yeah. Eavesdropping. What? Isn't that just CIA tradition? The target was just a little... unique this time.
"Haha! We're here! Mr. Kahn, enjoy the Decepticons' grand entrance! Decepticons, ATTACK!" Before Josh could even speak, Starscream burst into wild laughter and shouted his command.
At his signal, the jets flying behind him opened fire on the Hoover Dam below.
Missiles rained down in a deafening storm, ripping through the iconic structure and turning it into a smoking ruin in seconds.
Inside, the dam's guards and Sector 7 agents were caught completely off-guard—utterly stunned by the surprise attack.
"Hahahaha! Blow it all up! Let Megatron know we've arrived!!" Starscream transformed mid-air, landed on a building, and laughed maniacally.
"...So, you're planning to wake Megatron?" Josh frowned as he spoke. "That would be breaking our deal, wouldn't it?"
"Of course not, my dear Mr. Kahn. I always honor our agreements..." Starscream said with a wicked grin. "But you never said Megatron had to be alive, did you?"
"...So you're planning to fight him?" Josh instantly understood what Starscream meant.
"Exactly. Even though I've taken full control of Cybertron, there are still Decepticons out there who long for the old leader. No one dares speak it, but I know. It's a shadow that still lingers. But if I can challenge him head-on—and defeat him..." Starscream's voice turned cold. "You wouldn't mind if what you get is Megatron's corpse, would you, Mr. Kahn?"
"Not at all... whatever makes you happy." Josh gave a slight chuckle. He didn't care whether Megatron was dead or frozen—as long as he got him in the end. Still, he was a bit impressed by Starscream's ambition.
So this guy doesn't only rely on tricks and schemes, huh?
With the conversation over, Starscream dove into the fray, cutting through U.S. military defenses and heading straight for the dam's interior.
But he didn't go for Megatron right away. Instead, he snatched the AllSpark before Megatron could awaken.
"Starscream, well done. Now hand over the AllSpark!" a commanding voice boomed from deep within the dam, just as Starscream shrunk the cube.
Who else could it be but Megatron—revived as a result of the Decepticons' attack, and no longer frozen in stasis.
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