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Chapter 676: Black Market
🕑 Added 2023-10-03 07:02:15 +0000 UTCTransformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List
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Sun Cheng didn't relax the vigilance over Terindad Island just because the Autobots had left and Starscream had yet to make an appearance.
Both he and Starscream possessed remarkable patience.
Sun Cheng and his team had not departed from Terindad Island, even though they had lost contact with the naval soldiers stationed on the island for over ten days.
This was due to the escalating conflicts between several South American drug lords and the government of the southern United States, to which the island belonged. This year had seen the entire nation, plagued by corruption and rampant drug lords, transform into a second Mexico.
Base Two was still expanding, which was why Yuri and his crew had Sun Cheng's authorization to gain control over vast swaths of land in the southwest. They had also managed to create chaos in the prosperous regions of the east and center of the country, employing tactics like selling arms cheaply and using humanoid Decepticons as substitutes for key figures.
The Brazilian navy, relatively strong within South America, was struggling to handle the recent outbreaks of skirmishes between drug lords and law enforcement along the coast. This had forced even the military to allocate most of its resources to protecting ports and combating smuggling.
Terindad Island, isolated overseas, had become a forgotten and neglected place, abandoned by all.
Of course, not everyone remained oblivious to the events unfolding on the island.
Recently, Sun Cheng had noticed that several spy satellites passed over Terindad Island's airspace approximately every twenty-four hours, with intermittent intervals.
Two of these satellites were not unfamiliar to him, as they hailed from a Far East country and Eastern Europe, respectively.
Their satellites incorporated components manufactured by Base Two, and though Sun Cheng knew it was rather unscrupulous, he had indeed installed backdoors that could be 'borrowed' at any time within the spy satellites of these two countries.
"This island has been exposed..."
Sun Cheng walked onto Terindad Island nonchalantly. A region spanning over seven hundred thousand square meters on the eastern side of the island, near the coast, had been cleared.
Engineers were supervising robots as they flattened uneven hills and filled in trenches.
Observing the Forerunners who were there to monitor and guard against potential enemy attacks, Sun Cheng's lips curved into a smile.
"The people of Earth are eager to acquire advanced technology from the Cybertron Planet... They're scouring the world for Autobots and Decepticons. Since they desire it so much... why don't we establish a Black Market right here..."
This idea hadn't sprung up suddenly; in fact, Sun Cheng had contemplated it for a long time.
The reason was simple: he had discovered Polar Bear's lack of honesty. Although he had reached an agreement with Moscow, Polar Bear often engaged in activities behind closed doors that left others feeling uneasy.
On the other hand, the Far East country had cooperated without any issues and had shown exceptional performance.
However, it was clear that this Far East country, in the year 2008 AD, fell far short in terms of comprehensive national strength and influence when compared to the likes of Polar Bear.
Sun Cheng not only needed a stable source of raw materials and components but also a steadfast ally that could confront the United States when necessary.
Therefore, since the large-scale Decepticon invasion of Earth, he had been pondering whether to cultivate more human allies and nations on Earth.
He required more sources of materials to ensure stability and also needed the tacit approval of various countries for his control over South America.
Only then could he focus on managing his relationship with the Autobots and prepare to face the imminent return of Megatron with full force.
Terindad Island, due to the recent battle between Sun Cheng and Soundwave, appears to have attracted the attention of Earth's nations, which have become increasingly sensitive to such incidents.
As spy satellites began to hover overhead on a regular basis, the Forerunners quickly sensed something amiss.
However, Sun Cheng remained surprisingly calm about the situation, viewing it as an opportunity.
"The island's defense system needs further reinforcement... We must always regard Earthlings with utmost suspicion. They are the greediest and most bellicose people I have ever encountered. In certain respects, they may even surpass us Decepticons..."
"This island will serve as our Black Market for dealing and conducting business with Earthlings. We won't reject Earthlings coming to the island and staying here, so we must be fully prepared to prevent any trouble from brewing and remain vigilant against provocations..."
"Perhaps one day, a nuclear bomb might descend from the heavens..."
Yuri and his team had already gained complete control over a port on the eastern coast of Brazil, which was a frequent hub for their goods transportation.
Base Two was secretly constructing more Cargo Submarines on the west coast of South America. In due course, Terindad Island would become a transit point for transporting traded goods to the base.
"Everything as you wish, Master!"
The Forerunner responded respectfully at first, then looked at him with some doubt. "But what about the Autobots and Starscream? Will they stand idly by while we do this?"
Sun Cheng nodded and then shook his head, "The Autobots are highly averse to the dissemination of Cybertron Planet's technology on Earth, but they should not interfere with us, provided we do not sell mass-destructive weapons to Earthlings!"
"Furthermore, they may well become our trading partners in the future!"
During his previous visit to the temporary Autobots base in Solia, Sun Cheng had already noticed that their top scientist, Jack, had arrived on Earth. Moreover, he possessed valuable items that many Autobots coveted.
Not to mention, the Energon Cube alone would be enough to make Optimus Prime and his team yield.
The long-lasting, million-year conflict had caused substantial losses for both Decepticons and Autobots. During the first Civil War, when the Decepticons briefly captured the Autobots' capital, Iron Fortress, a large number of Autobot scholars were killed. In the final stages of the second Civil War, as the Battle of Iron Fortress raged on, even prominent scientists like Jack had to take up arms and join the front lines.
The significant loss of technicians and scientists had severely hampered the manufacturing capabilities and technological progress of both Decepticons and Autobots.
Although Sun Cheng had yet to acquire the means to produce Energon Cubes, there were still very few individuals within the Autobots and Decepticons who knew the manufacturing process, likely less than five.
Combined with other incentives, he was confident in turning the Autobots into frequent visitors to this Black Market.
As for Starscream...
Sun Cheng frowned, "Starscream and the Skytiger Legion are indeed troublesome. In light of the approaching brief period of peace, it's time to accelerate our plans for switching to new mechanical bodies!"
The Forerunner, upon hearing this, silently clenched his fists, equally eager for a transformation akin to Astrotrain's speed and power.
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Next Chapter >>Chapter 677: Stirrings in the Shadows
