Free The Veiled Threat by Alan Dean Foster Page B

diversity.
    He was about to commence his counterattack when the nearer of the two vehicles blew up in a shower of flame and exploding ordnance. Peering out from behind his temporary cover, he saw that the guns had been blown off their mount and were lying on the ground next to the burning vehicle. As the second tank rushed to swing its own guns around, it, too, came under fire from behind. Shells ripped through the top of the machine, tearing away antennas and destroying weaponry. Effectively disarmed, the vehicle’s crew abandoned it and bolted in all directions. A couple of them managed to make it to surrounding cover.
    Resuming its advance, the third anti-aircraft tank halted alongside the heavily reinforced single-story structure that had been the object of Macerator’s attention. As he looked on it rose up off its treads, thedark armor shifting and repositioning itself, until he found himself gazing back into visual receptors that were all but identical to his own. Stepping out from behind the mass of metal where he had momentarily taken refuge, the Decepticon strode forward to meet the new arrival.
    “Greetings, Payload. You did well to conceal yourself until your presence was required.”
    The other Decepticon nodded at his colleague. “When I first arrived on this world Starscream told me I would have no difficulty in choosing an indigenous mode that would reflect not only my personal but also my aesthetic preferences. He was correct.” Surveying their surroundings he was disappointed by what he saw, but hardly surprised. “It appears that the natives have now decided to invest in flight rather than fight. A pity. Though hardly much of a challenge, battling them has been a learning experience.”
    “I agree.” Macerator joined his comrade in watching as the surviving humans fled into the surrounding bush. “While individually they are harmless, in packs they can be annoying and, according to Starscream, even dangerous. Underestimating their conjoined capabilities has cost us the Sparks of several.”
    “So I was informed. Seeing them fleeing like this, it is a hard thing to countenance.”
    “I was not there myself, of course, but Starscream assures me it was so. Megatron himself was brought low by a single human.”
    As the volume of small-caliber shells splintering against his body continued to decline, Payload found himself brooding on the seemingly impossible.
    “I was told what had transpired, but I believe thatStarscream was given to leaving out certain details. He favors short phrases emphasizing his own contributions, and tends to shout.”
    “I know. I understand that Megatron’s passing was ironic. A Decepticon deceived, was how Starscream put it. No matter. He insists that he has learned more than enough to allow us to take complete control of this world, and that both it and its diminutive but resourceful population can be put to good use. He assures me that when this work is finished we will not only control all of this planet but be in position to destroy the last of the Autobots and regain complete control of Cybertron as well.”
    Payload was not as much given to contemplation as some of his colleagues, but Macerator’s narrative still gave him pause.
    “In the past, Starscream has been known to promise many things.”
    “We must follow his guidance. He is our leader now that Megatron is dead.”
    Lens locked with lens. “Are you and Dropkick certain he is dead? Should he return and find that we have allied ourselves fully with Starscream, I would fear for my Spark.”
    Macerator did not hesitate. “Starscream has shown recordings of the great battle that occurred earlier on this world. Megatron’s Spark was merged with the Allspark. There is no question that he is dead.”
    “Then we follow Starscream. For the present.” Payload looked toward the building behind which Macerator had been standing. “I sense a source of potential energy within this structure.” Arms rose and took