Chapter Forty-Five: Shockwave

The concentrated firepower of the Expeditionary Army from another world forced Megatron to retreat and evade, and during this interval, Optimus Prime donned the flight apparatus and weaponry specially developed for him by the Research Department. This could be considered Optimus Prime's exclusive flight-powered exoskeleton.

Two engines dismantled from Starscream, along with wings, as well as a longsword forged from the main support of a planetary engine, and four missiles mounted at the waist. The rear engines blazed with scorching blue flames as Optimus Prime soared skyward, charging toward the fleeing Megatron.

The four missiles forced Megatron, who had transformed into a fire truck, back into his humanoid form. Optimus Prime then revealed his longsword and rushed at Megatron, who had just struggled up from the ground.

The tremendous impact drove Megatron through an entire building before coming to a halt. Before Megatron could react, Optimus Prime’s longsword shot out from his wrist and pierced Megatron’s chest.

Megatron’s eyes widened, his hands gripping Optimus Prime’s head tightly. But as the sound of the spark’s explosion rang out, Megatron’s hands fell limp. As the blue light in Megatron’s eyes began to fade, Optimus Prime spoke quietly, “We’re even now.”

With the last of his strength, Megatron managed to utter a word of thanks before the light left his eyes entirely.

Retracting his sword, Optimus Prime gently lifted Megatron’s body and placed it before Wang Jing. After a mutual nod of understanding, Optimus Prime turned toward the mechanical serpent climbing a tall building.

Wang Jing then took Megatron back to the primary plane and revived him once more using the energy matrix.

“How did death feel? Isn’t there a sense of rebirth?” Wang Jing smiled as he watched Megatron rise.

After picking up the hovering energy matrix and handing it to Wang Jing, Megatron touched the spot on his chest where the sword had pierced him. Without saying a word, he strode alone toward the base’s exit.

Watching Megatron’s departing figure, Wang Jing sighed softly, then placed the energy matrix back in the vault and returned to the Transformers’ battlefield.

The ground forces had successfully seized several city blocks from the Decepticons and continued to expand their gains.

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime, after taking down several small airships in his way, headed straight for the serpent climbing the skyscraper.

Within the high-rise, American soldiers parachuted from the rooftop, though many remained trapped for lack of parachutes.

Just as the serpent was about to reach the top floor, two electromagnetic cannons interrupted its assault, and it turned its jagged maw toward the rapidly approaching Optimus Prime.

Before the serpent could react, Optimus Prime’s hands each deployed a longsword, pointed forward, while the two shoulder-mounted electromagnetic cannons fired again, striking the same spot.

With his high-speed charge, Optimus Prime sliced the serpent cleanly in two.

The snarling metal head plummeted to the ground. Nearby, Shockwave witnessed the scene and roared, raising his left-hand energy cannon at Optimus Prime in the sky.

Optimus Prime didn’t have long to celebrate his victory over the serpent. An energy blast knocked him from the sky. Flames and black smoke poured from the damaged engine; with uneven thrust from the two engines, Optimus Prime lost control, spiraling into the facade of another high-rise. Shockwave’s barrage didn’t cease—another energy shell struck the building’s outer wall dangerously close.

Wedged in the wall, Optimus Prime decisively disconnected from his flight apparatus, clambered down the exterior, and leapt to the ground. Despite Shockwave’s continued attacks, Optimus Prime deftly evaded them all.

Back on the ground, he fired two electromagnetic shells from his shoulder cannons at Shockwave, destroying the energy cannon on Shockwave’s left arm and forcing him to stagger back.

After unleashing the electromagnetic cannons, Optimus Prime deployed his right-arm longsword and rushed at Shockwave.

Shockwave steadied himself, glanced at the ruined energy cannon, discarded it without hesitation, drew the longsword from his back, and charged at Optimus Prime.

The next instant, their swords clashed, sending up a shower of sparks. Shockwave’s crimson mono-eye glared intently at Optimus Prime, then he kicked Optimus Prime away.

At that moment, gunfire erupted from the nearby building, and numerous Autobots arrived to assist.

Surrounded on all sides by fierce firepower, Shockwave tried to shield himself, but it was futile. The concentrated fire from the Expeditionary Army’s 30mm rapid-fire cannons even shot out Shockwave’s eye.

F22s streaked across the sky, and several missiles tore a gaping hole in Shockwave’s chest.

Ultimately, Shockwave collapsed amid the relentless barrage, his crimson mono-eye gradually fading.

Witnessing this, the surrounding American troops and Expeditionary Army erupted in cheers.

With the last leader slain, the remaining Decepticons scattered like startled birds.

The newly arrived American warplanes took the opportunity to chase down the fleeing Decepticons, avenging their earlier humiliation.

At this moment, Wang Jing stepped forward, intending to take Shockwave’s corpse, but was blocked by William. “Sorry, you can’t have this Decepticon’s body.”

Wang Jing pushed William aside disdainfully. “Tell your president to prepare the 1.2 billion tons of supplies before talking to me about spoils!”

William, embarrassed, raised his hands and stepped aside; after all, he was only following orders and saw no reason to risk his life for a command issued in a moment of leadership’s impulsiveness.

William and the American soldiers behind him stared in astonishment as Wang Jing took Shockwave and Optimus Prime back with him—it was the first time they’d ever witnessed such a power.

After the war ended, it was time to clean up the battlefield. Wang Jing did not interfere; those matters were trivial compared to the vital 1.2 billion tons of supplies.

To prevent the American president from reneging, Wang Jing personally led the Autobots to the White House, demanding immediate payment.

Faced with the imposing presence of Optimus Prime, Ironhide, and the others, the president could only acquiesce, signing the procurement plan for the 1.2 billion tons of supplies on the spot.

Of course, such a vast amount of material couldn’t be assembled overnight; it would be a long-term transaction, expected to be completed within ten years.

Somehow, news of this leaked out. When the public learned that 1.2 billion tons of food supplies were to be delivered, protests and demonstrations swept across America.

Yet the president was powerless; if he tried to renege, the Autobots might well storm the White House.

Wang Jing had no inclination to meddle in America’s affairs—after all, it was their own fault. Had they agreed to six hundred million tons in the first place, all would have been well. Now, not only had the price doubled, but the country was in turmoil over the matter.