Chapter 385: The Alliance on the Verge of Collapse (Part II)

Because the nuclear power plant within the canyon on the outskirts of Base No. 2 had begun operation, the lighting systems installed in every corridor of Base No. 2, now receiving an abundant supply of electrical energy, had all started to function.

Like a lazy jaguar strolling to digest after a meal, Erhao, while maintaining his Mechanical Beast form, wandered elegantly through this base that shared his name. His pair of scarlet electronic eyes scanned from time to time this unfamiliar base, which had undergone tremendous changes compared to the memories he had retained from a few months ago, and the scarlet light in his eyes flickered incessantly.

"What a huge change!"

It had only been a few short months since he had last returned, yet Base No. 2, which in his memory had been established relying on a large underground karst cave, was now completely formed, and its scale had expanded by more than double what he had last seen in his impression.

Not to mention the entire canyon outside the large underground karst cave, which had already been fully utilized.

The completion of four underground Nuclear Reactors provided sufficient energy for the entire Base No. 2 and the workshops and factories currently being relocated within the canyon. Countless fully armed Combat Robots, following set programs, strictly adhered to their patrol routes, remaining vigilant against any potential intruders.

On the mountain peaks surrounding the canyon, the Anti-Aircraft System was increasing at a terrifying speed.

Currently being deployed in large numbers near Base No. 2 is a type of surface-to-air missile system manufactured by human forces on Earth called the 【S-300】 series, which consists of a command center, target search radar, guidance station, missiles, and 4-unit launchers, etc. Organized as a human battalion-level unit, it includes 12 launchers, 48 missiles, and 1 guidance station, capable of simultaneously intercepting 36 aerodynamic targets (i. e., aircraft types), or simultaneously intercepting 24 incoming tactical ballistic missiles with a speed of 4 km/s and a range of 3500 km.

At present, three battalions of 【S-300】 series Anti-Aircraft Systems have been deployed within a 150-kilometer radius around Base No. 2.

It is said that the master plans to increase the deployed Anti-Aircraft Systems to more than fifteen battalions within a 350-kilometer radius centered on Base No. 2 in the future.

And this type of weapon, manufactured by humans, which is not advanced but still somewhat useful, is merely the most insignificant of the countless achievements his master—Frenzy—has attained over the past period.

Taking leisurely small steps, Erhao soon arrived at a spacious hall within the base; this was one of the areas specifically set aside in the base for the Decepticons to rest.

When Erhao arrived here, there were already two Decepticons inside the hall.

One of them was lying bored on the flat concrete floor, both metal arms pillowed under his head, one leg slightly curled, while the other rested on top and swayed continuously. When Erhao walked in, he clearly heard the Decepticon humming an unknown tune.

As for the other Decepticon, he was leaning against the wall in a corner of the hall with an indifferent expression, engrossed in fiddling with a heavy revolving Grenade Launcher, continuously loading ammunition into it.

Perhaps having heard the footsteps, the moment Erhao entered the hall, both of them glanced at him simultaneously.

The difference was that the former pulled one hand from under his head and waved it slightly at him, counting as a greeting.

While the other seemed not to have seen him at all and continued to load ammunition again.

These two Decepticons were Frenzy, who had just completed his body modification not long ago, and Brawl, who had completely pledged his loyalty to Sun Cheng.

Erhao glanced at Brawl, who couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind, and did not ask for trouble by going over.

Maintaining his beast form, he walked to Frenzy's side with some envy, his tone full of jealousy: "Frenzy, you who have stayed in the base all this time have really taken advantage this time. I heard that even Lord Pioneer is ranked behind you, and only just recently obtained a New Body!"

Frenzy looked proud, but his head shook.

He was indeed the first among all the warriors under Sun Cheng to undergo New Body modification, even earlier than Pioneer, but was there any comparison between the two?

Once he thought of this, the pride quickly receded.

He only replied with some jealousy: "Do you still need to envy me, Erhao... We should be envying Lord Pioneer instead. He has been outside working himself to death for the master's plan; even if his body replacement was later than ours, the rewards the master gave him are far above ours!"

Frenzy was not lying, because there was no need to.

He and Erhao were originally just inconspicuous insect-type scouts within Sun Cheng's body. If it hadn't been for the fortuitous coincidence of bathing in the peculiar energy radiation of the 【AllSpark】 twice along with him, how could they have possessed their own consciousness and life?

The two did not lower their voices during their conversation, so Brawl, who was also in the corner of the hall, heard it clearly. Upon hearing this, the hand he was using to load ammunition couldn't help but tremble, and flames of jealousy and envy likewise ignited in his eyes.

He knew what Frenzy's words meant. As Sun Cheng's power gradually grew, some of the promises he had made earlier were now being fulfilled bit by bit.

For example, all the Decepticons under him, from Workers to Warriors, from Pioneer who followed him earliest to Brawl himself who had only recently pledged his allegiance, had all received his grace and obtained the opportunity for Enhancement.

However, this grace was not identical, but calculated based on everyone's loyalty and contribution to him.

For instance, Frenzy and Erhao, based on their loyalty and contributions to Sun Cheng, were originally just two pieces of Cannon Fodder who couldn't even be considered Low-level Warriors, yet now they had both received the grace of a Level 5 comprehensive Enhancement, their combat power leaping to the point where they could fight his former self.

One must know that although Brawl was only a piece of Cannon Fodder warrior mass-produced by Starscream.

His combat ability could not be underestimated; before Sun Cheng changed his body, he could not suppress him without using Energy Weapons and other trump cards.

It can be seen that the Cannon Fodder warriors mass-produced by Starscream still had strength.

Compared to them, Brawl, who had only sworn allegiance to Sun Cheng not long ago, had not received any tasks requiring him to go out, so although he was close to the source of the benefits and had obtained an opportunity for Enhancement immediately following Frenzy.

However, what he obtained was far from comparable to Pioneer, and even compared to Frenzy and Erhao, the improvement was limited.

The Decepticon Engineers under Sun Cheng, after receiving his instructions, only replaced some of his parts slightly and added a revolving Grenade Launcher and an Energy Weapon for him.

This kind of enhancement was naturally far inferior to Pioneer obtaining a powerful New Body; it would be impossible for Brawl not to have some jealousy and envy in his heart.

Unfortunately, he now had absolutely no capital left to betray Sun Cheng again.

Now he could only pin his hopes on being able to perform a great service for his new master as soon as possible, and then likewise obtain a more powerful New Body.

Frenzy and Erhao were chatting together when suddenly, another burst of footsteps came from the corridor outside.

The three Decepticons in the hall simultaneously seemed to remember something and couldn't help but look toward the entrance in unison.

Soon, a burly Decepticon Warrior radiating a dark gray luster all over appeared in their field of vision.