Chapter 81: Confronting H'el

The entire year in Hawaii, known for its sunny and pleasant weather, was now shrouded in the golden barrier. The skies were no longer azure blue, suitable for activities like swimming, surfing, and boating. Instead, multiple golden barrier covered the sky, extending across the entire United States, reaching into Canada and Mexico, enveloping almost half of North America in its shadow.

Due to Earth's one-sided exposure to the sun, three-quarters of the planet were plunged into darkness. Temperatures were dropping at a rate of 3-4 degrees Celsius per hour. Under the Seven Layered Golden Barrier centered around the Hoover Dam, at the border of Nevada and Arizona, temperatures had plummeted to -120 degrees Celsius. The surface had frozen, and the dam was quickly covered in a thick layer of ice. With harsh temperatures and no sunlight for photosynthesis, most vegetation had withered and frozen. People were growing increasingly uneasy, their previous awe of the golden barrier turning into frustration. They cursed the government's inaction as they huddled beneath thick down jackets.

The Hawaii military base, also known as the "Hawaii Island Base Group," consisted of military bases and facilities on the Hawaiian Islands and Midway Atoll. It served as a link between the continental United States and various Pacific bases, functioning as the command center for the U.S. Pacific theater.

Inside one of the hangars, bright dome lights illuminated the interior to daylight levels, despite the dimness outside. The windows revealed a dark, overcast sky, with the golden barrier visible on the horizon. A briny, cool breeze wafted in through the windows.

Harold was dressed in camouflage military attire, standing with a rigid posture, his square face stern. He squinted his eyes as he gazed at the massive hangar, where Optimus Prime's ten-meter-tall mechanical body was being modified by human workers, in collaboration with the Autobots.

"The Earth has stopped rotating," said Sentinel Prime, standing beside Harold. He stood at 9.7 meters tall, his mechanical form a deep red with rusted accents. He sported a metallic beard on his mechanical chin, and despite his bright azure optics, it was clear to anyone that he had aged considerably.

He continued, "He has completed the angle adjustment. From now on, the Earth will no longer rotate."

"It's only been two days, and we've already reached a four-layer barrier, and the Earth has stopped rotating toward the sun. He's accelerating," Harold said, delivering a powerful punch to the steel railing of the catwalk, creating a resounding noise. His knuckles turned a bruised red, and he turned to Sentinel Prime for reassurance, asking, "Are you machines sure that this will stop Dr. H'el?"

"That's just a shoddy construction, forcefully linked together. As long as Optimus Prime is equipped with a Turbine Absorber to absorb protons from the thermosphere, exosphere, and interstellar space, he won't be able to complete the final three layers of the construction," said Sentinel Prime, his gaze flashing with a hint of something unusual upon hearing Harold refer to them as "machines."

"Don't use your human thinking to measure Cybertronian technology. The Space Bridge will transport him to the farthest corners of the universe, and for the rest of his life, he won't be able to find the location of the solar system," Sentinel Prime continued, looking at Harold, his dissatisfaction with Harold's tone evident. Harold kept referring to them as "machines," viewing them as lifeless tools.

Humans, facing the Cybertronians who conquered and destroyed multiple star systems, seemed overly fearless. Sentinel Prime knew why. It was Optimus Prime, with his kindness, compassion, and love for all life, who had no intentions of destroying a planet that gave birth to life. It was Optimus Prime who allowed humans to hold such disdain and disregard for the Cybertronians who used to roam the cosmos unhindered.

If it weren't for Cybertron's energy depletion due to civil war, turning the Cybertronians into interstellar wanderers, homeless in the cosmos, Sentinel Prime would have praised the goodness that Optimus Prime embodied.

But now, with their planet's energy depleted, the Cybertronians, while not extinct, were struggling in the vastness of space. This kindness was no longer suitable for bestowing upon any life.

Their first priority was to ensure the survival of the Cybertronians and the Transformers as a race in the universe. Only then would they be entitled to kindness.

"Optimus Prime is no longer fit to be a leader," Sentinel Prime sighed with a heavy heart, quietly touching the Space Bridge transponder at his waist.

Sentinel Prime had long foreseen that the Autobot-Decepticon civil war would eventually bring Cybertron to its knees. The end of the war meant victory for one side and the complete annihilation or significant damage to the other. Before leaving Cybertron, he had secretly chosen to cooperate with Megatron.

After agreeing to reunite and rebuild Cybertron upon leaving the planet, Sentinel Prime's Ark was unexpectedly attacked and crashed on the moon.

When he was found and restored by Optimus Prime, Sentinel Prime had already established contact with Megatron.

"It's done!" a voice of excitement interrupted Sentinel Prime's inner sigh, and he turned toward the source.

Optimus Prime, equipped with the rocket-modified Turbine Absorber, stood up, the colossal light making him appear bulkier and more solid.

The many engineers who had been helping the Autobots modify Optimus Prime couldn't help but look at the transformed Optimus Prime, filled with hope. They erupted in applause, whistled, and joyously laughed.

Optimus Prime's mechanical face was filled with satisfaction at this atmosphere. He raised his massive hand, giving a thumbs-up, further fueling the enthusiastic applause and cheers from the engineering staff.

Sentinel Prime silently watched all of this, unable to assimilate.

"Now that it's ready, let's get started," Harold interrupted their approaching celebration shortly afterward. "Optimus Prime, prepare for launch into the thermosphere."

The numerous staff members began their work proficiently. Optimus Prime stepped out of the hangar onto the dimly lit square and gazed up at the golden barrier in the sky.

Simultaneously, Sentinel Prime left the area to prepare the Space Bridge transponder.

Optimus Prime would use the Turbine Absorber in the thermosphere to absorb all the engraved protons, preventing the formation of the fifth layer of the golden barrier. During this process, if Dr. H'el appeared to intervene, Optimus Prime would need to guide H'el's position and redirect him toward the Space Bridge transponder activated by Sentinel Prime. This would send Dr. H'el to some remote corner of the cosmos, rendering him powerless.

The plan was straightforward. In the face of Cybertronian technology, there was a high likelihood of success.

Optimus Prime's feet spewed flames, and his rocket thrusters on his back and arms powered up, propelling him forward. He maneuvered around the fourth layer of the golden barrier and ascended into the thermosphere.

°°°

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