Multiverse: Deathstroke-Chapter 506: Barricade

"I want to create an electronic lifeform with high computational speed to handle miscellaneous tasks. Based on intel from various universes, Cybertronian tech fits the bill."

For compatibility with other worlds’ tech, this AI needed thinking and learning abilities—crucially, obedience.

That’s why Su Ming chose this world.

"Sounds like you don’t need a full Cybertronian, just an independent sensor matrix or a thinking module with external perception," Ratchet said, welding and sawing inside Bumblebee’s head.

"But without spark energy, such a module can’t run independently. Maybe on Cybertron, like Unicron, but not Earth."

Jazz shook his head—it wouldn’t work.

"I know. That’s why I need a small Cybertronian friend to help. Problem is, anything touching the AllSpark now becomes a Decepticon," Su Ming said, removing his helmet, leaning against the wall, smoking.

"That means Megatron was the last to touch it," Optimus said. "But the AllSpark alone can’t make what you want. You need a higher power."

Optimus supported Cybertronians befriending other sentients. If this human, who knew beyond Earth’s limits, only wanted a computational matrix, he’d be an Autobot ally.

He wouldn’t share advanced tech with primitive civilizations—it could harm both sides—but this human could handle slightly advanced tech.

Some Cybertronian tech could be shared.

"The Matrix of Leadership?" Su Ming asked.

"How do you know that?" Optimus was stunned, shocked too many times today. Even for his long life, this human knew too much.

"So, Matrix plus AllSpark works? You can use the Matrix, right? Good. Let’s move—grab the AllSpark first."

Su Ming wouldn’t explain his knowledge. He knew plenty more.

"The Matrix... isn’t with me. It’s lost. And technically, I’m not the Autobot leader. That was my mentor, Sentinel Prime, who vanished in the war," Optimus said, truthful given Su Ming’s knowledge.

Su Ming knew the Matrix was on Earth, in an Egyptian tomb with twelve Prime corpses.

Sentinel, Optimus’s revered teacher, was on the moon’s dark side, found during Apollo missions.

But Sentinel had allied with Megatron to end the war, supporting his plan to drain stars for Cybertron’s survival.

Universe was vast—some systems could die if Cybertronians lived.

While transporting space bridge pillars to Earth to help Megatron drain the sun, Sentinel’s jump miscalculated, crashing on the moon.

Optimus didn’t know this. His teacher was just "missing," and he was interim leader, unchosen by the Matrix.

"No problem. Follow me—you’ll outpace the Decepticons by miles."

Su Ming gestured for the robots to trust him. Digging graves was tricky, but with Sam’s glasses and the star map, they’d locate the stellar extractor’s pyramid and the Matrix.

Those glasses? $25 now.

"We must help Sam. We know the AllSpark’s location, but Decepticons will still target that innocent kid," Optimus said, unwilling to let humans die.

"Of course. Sam’s a good kid. I’ll buy the glasses and draw the Decepticons to me," Su Ming nodded, respecting Optimus’s nature.

"And you?" Optimus asked.

"When it’s done, I’ll vanish where none of you can find me."

Su Ming smirked mysteriously, stomped his cigarette, and donned his helmet.

Driving a revitalized Bumblebee, he reached Sam’s house, grabbed his hidden weapons from the garage, stashed them in the car, and knocked.

In Sam’s excited gaze, he bought the glasses and journal for $30.

As he took them, a police car with flashing lights rolled into view.

Patting Sam’s shoulder, Su Ming eyed the real clunker in the garden. "Nice car. Girls will love it."

Without Bumblebee, Sam might miss his dream girl, but Su Ming tossed in an extra $5—call it emotional damages.

"Thanks, sir. You’re a good guy."

Sam waved goodbye. The one-eyed man looked fierce, radiating dark menace, but was surprisingly easygoing.

He believed Sam’s ancestor tales.

And gave an extra five bucks.

"No thanks needed. Lock your doors tonight. See ya."

Su Ming turned, strolling to Bumblebee, waiting for Barricade.

The police car pulled beside the Chevy. A blank-faced cop in sunglasses, neck twisting 45 degrees, stared mechanically at Su Ming.

Sunglasses at night? Obvious red flag.

Su Ming grinned, waving the glasses, then a mock salute.

"Run!"

Bumblebee roared, tires screeching, speeding toward a desolate area.

That wave confirmed to Barricade the glasses were with the Autobots. He reported to Starscream and chased Bumblebee relentlessly.

Enemies for millennia, Barricade recognized Bumblebee. As an intelligence operative, he preferred covert kills, not exposing himself.

Bumblebee fleeing to a sparse area suited him perfectly. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The cars tore through the night, smashing signs and bins. Barricade slowly closed the gap.

He figured Bumblebee’s landing caused a mechanical fault, slowing it.

Unbeknownst, Su Ming had Bumblebee bait him.

"Scan the star map. Send the data to Optimus."

Su Ming didn’t touch the wheel, leaning by the window, helmet off, enjoying the breeze.

He set the round glasses on the dashboard for Bumblebee to scan, staring absently at the sky.

"You sure you can handle Barricade? He’s tough," Bumblebee said, voice comical, scanning the glasses with a light beam.

"We’ll see. Doubting my strength? That’s looking down on humans."

"No! Optimus says all sentients are equal," Bumblebee protested, recalling this human’s vile personality from earlier.

Su Ming nodded, letting it slide. "Head to the rendezvous with Optimus. Play something loud."

Barricade noticed Bumblebee blasting music. A fight this unserious?

The destination, a junkyard, was Ironhide’s pick.

Lure Decepticons into an ambush, swarm them, end it.

Su Ming didn’t care. Just a metal lump, not self-repairing liquid metal. A few sword swings would do—no ambush needed.

Cybertronian alloy, built for transforming, was tough but not hard, weaker than divine or N-metal. Pure tech—easy prey.

All Transformers’ weak spot: the chest spark.

At the junkyard, Bumblebee drifted, transforming mid-slide, catching Su Ming as he tumbled from the cabin, setting him behind.

He faced Barricade grimly.

Barricade transformed, bristling with weapons—chainsaws, missiles, lasers, you name it.

"I’ll protect you. Hold the glasses," Bumblebee said, unwilling to let a human face Decepticon fire.

Su Ming glanced up.

"Ha?"

Since when did he need protection?

"Bumblebee, hand over the star map!" Barricade, impatient, fired his laser cannon. Bumblebee dove behind a trash pile, returning fire with his arm’s energy cannon.

Professional versus amateur showed. Barricade’s cannon was a 120mm beast; Bumblebee’s, a 57mm needle.

Both ignored Su Ming, standing aside with the glasses, as lasers flew, explosions tossing debris skyward.

Bumblebee’s plan: stall until Optimus’s team closed the trap, overwhelming Barricade.

No flight mode—Barricade was grounded.

But Su Ming wanted to prove his strength, not let Optimus steal the show.

Drawing Godslayer, his cape launched him skyward. No need to close in—he aimed at Barricade, mid-battle with Bumblebee.

"Shoot to kill, Shinso!"1

The platinum blade glowed, stretching unnaturally, pinning Barricade through the chest like a bug on a board.

A white, electric weapon pierced his back.

The robot’s red eyes dimmed, collapsing with a crash. Su Ming sheathed his blade, strolling to a stunned Bumblebee.

"What’d you say? Too windy to hear."