I, a ship girl, am the savior of civilization.

NEST is a special operations force established by the U.S. military in cooperation with multiple United Nations countries, specifically to deal with violence in Cybertron.

Meanwhile, in downtown Washington, D.C., a secret base frequented only by congressional politicians and Autobots received an unexpected visitor.

"Optimus Prime, I heard you brought some unrelated people with you."

Captain William Reynolds, who was in charge of base security, came to Optimus Prime's side, got close to Optimus Prime who was still in truck mode, and said, "If there's no reasonable reason, those guys will find another opportunity to cause trouble."

As cooperation between Cybertron and Earth deepens, the conflicts between the two sides also intensify, much like a couple before and after marriage: the former is love, while the latter is a grave.

Optimus Prime is willing to work for the peace of the Earth, but no matter how much the United States pressures him, he is unwilling to compromise on advanced technology and weapons.

Having lived on Earth for so many years, Optimus Prime has come to understand humanity, especially the nature of the self-proclaimed world police, the United States. Giving them more advanced technology would be more harmful than beneficial.

They will always attack their own people first.

The United States, equally unable to tolerate Optimus Prime always holding back, provided a habitat for the Autobots and allowed the Cybertronians to live on their territory.

Furthermore, the United States signed a mutual agreement with Optimus Prime, and the annual expenditure on combating the Decepticons reached tens of billions of dollars.

But what did they get?

Optimus Prime only promised that the Autobots would be deployed to help the military in battle when needed.

To date, the greatest achievement has been the elimination of nuclear research sites in a few developing countries.

If Megatron hadn't been alive and the Decepticons hadn't been wreaking havoc on Earth, the United States would have even considered taking direct action against the Autobots and discovering a path to a bright future in their wreckage.

That's the ridiculous part: despite being hated and rejected by both humans and Autobots, the Decepticons' existence has become the key to maintaining their fragile cooperation.

Even so, Optimus Prime could sense the rejection he felt from the United States. The fact that the Autobots' headquarters had been moved from a remote island to Washington, D.C., was the best proof of this.

Deploying the Autobots to the capital city may seem like an act of trust, but it's also a precaution against Optimus Prime. If the Autobots make even the slightest misstep, the rapid response force guarding the city will be deployed immediately.

Lennox and Optimus Prime are old comrades-in-arms. Although he is bound by orders from above, he still helps Optimus Prime in his own way.

Bringing back a girl who was around 13 years old—even Reynolds didn't understand why Optimus Prime was doing this. All he could do was hope that Optimus Prime knew what he was doing.

"Don't worry, Lennox, I know what I'm doing."

Optimus Prime deactivated his truck form, then slowly lowered himself: "Besides, Laura isn't exactly a girl."

Optimus Prime didn't know much about the ancient Cybertronian era. After all, he took over as leader of the Autobots during the Civil War, so he naturally didn't have enough time to learn about these secrets belonging to the Ancient Council.

In other words, only the most senior members like Sentinel Prime could possibly know about Elriel.

"I heard you."

Riding her ship's rigging, Laura landed on Optimus Prime's shoulder: "It's very impolite to describe Laura like that. If Belfast were here, she would definitely teach you a lesson on how to describe girls."

During their journey back to Earth from the Moon, Laura, Optimus Prime, and Sentinel Prime got to know each other quite well. Optimus Prime also gained a general understanding of Laura's personality.

If they don't actually take action, then they're not really angry.

"I'm sorry, it was my oversight."

Optimus Prime smiled, half-apologically. Having learned of Laura's background, Optimus Prime knew that Laura was likely the key to changing the current situation.

There are two factors that keep the Autobots trapped on Earth: the threat from the Decepticons and the dying state of their home planet.

Both are unavoidable disputes.

The civil war has dragged on for so many years, and the Spark has been destroyed. The original purpose is no longer important. What is now sustaining the war is simply the irreconcilable blood feud between the two sides.

Even if the Decepticons no longer threaten Earth's safety, the Autobots, having lost their home, have nowhere to go. The existing technological gap is insufficient for them to terraform a new habitable planet, and finding a suitable planet for life is like finding a needle in a haystack.

The appearance of Laura and the awakening of Sentinel Prime gave Optimus Prime a glimpse of the possibility of changing everything.

Sentinel Prime needs no introduction. As the Einstein of Cybertron, he is worth an entire army on his own. Moreover, Sentinel Prime was the previous leader, and his combat power is no less than his own.

Laura, on the other hand, may possess technology from even more ancient times. If she could gain support, she might even be able to recreate the glory of Cybertron.

For Optimus Prime, Laura was like a ray of hope!

As things stand, Laura from Aerriel clearly belongs to the Lawful faction, and the two seem to get along well. On the spaceship, Laura's genuine innocence left a deep impression on Optimus Prime.

If you ignore her power, which is comparable to or even surpasses that of the Cybertronians, Laura gives the impression of being a truly lovely girl.

"you are?"

Looking at Laura leaning on Optimus Prime's shoulder, Lennox seemed to understand what Optimus Prime had said earlier.

The girl who was brought back to the base... was indeed a little special.

“Olivega Laura Loresia, just call me Laura.”

With a leap, Laura stood in front of Reynolds. Noticing the height difference between them, Laura hopped around, trying to bring herself up to Reynolds' height.

But Laura soon realized that this wouldn't work.

Stomping her foot angrily, Laura had a sudden thought. Wearing high-heeled boots transformed from the propulsion system, she slowly floated in front of Reynolds.

"And what about you?"

“William Reynolds, Captain, Miss Laura, welcome to the Nest Base.”

Reynolds gave Laura a military salute and smiled slightly. Looking at Laura's pure face, Reynolds felt a sense of relief wash over him.

Beautiful things always bring a better physical experience, don't they?

"Honestly, everyone says you should just call her Laura!"

With a helpless expression, Laura deactivated the ship spirit propulsion. The ship equipment behind her, whether hovering or connected, instantly disintegrated and exploded like specks of light.

Laura landed gracefully in her tall Martin boots, having changed into casual clothes. Recalling the royal etiquette Belfast had taught her, Laura gently tugged at her skirt.

"Then, please take good care of me in the coming days!"

On a side note: Lily of the valley, my eternal light!

52. I will pledge my allegiance to you.

To be honest, Optimus Prime initially thought that getting people to accept Laura's existence wouldn't be difficult.

After all, Laura is different from the Decepticons. Her lawful stance and human-like appearance should make it easier for her to gain acceptance from others.

It could be said that, in Optimus Prime's eyes, Laura was the easiest person to approach and get along with.

However, Optimus Prime misunderstood; the deep-seated skepticism inherent in human nature made them unable to accept anything beyond their control.

Normally, Sentinel Prime bringing a damaged space bridge would startle the United States, let alone bringing a higher-dimensional life form this time.

In particular, after learning about the destructive power of higher-dimensional life forms, the entire Pentagon was in an uproar, with many demanding that Optimus Prime take Laura away from Earth, or even the solar system.

Nonsense. According to Sentinel Prime, if higher-dimensional life forms wanted to, the entire Earth would be destroyed. For the United States, the world's policeman with an excessive sense of crisis, this is undoubtedly like having a nuclear bomb in their house that could explode at any moment.

When faced with Laura, no one even suggested taking drastic measures to nip the threat in the bud.

Therefore, all this pressure was placed on Optimus Prime.

As dusk fell, on the vast grasslands, Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime bathed in the last rays of light before darkness, discussing the future of the Autobots.

Well, Laura also found an excuse and managed to sneak in.

"I seem to have caused you a lot of trouble."

Silently sitting on Optimus Prime's shoulder, Laura watched the sun gradually being swallowed by the horizon and suddenly said, "Lola can sense that you've been under more and more pressure lately."

"This is not your fault."

Floating from his chest to his hand, Optimus Prime stared intently at the pure blue Leader Module gleaming in his palm: "It's something I'll have to face sooner or later. And it's my responsibility as a leader."

"It's not that I want to shirk responsibility. It's just that, my mentor, you are the one who gave us the possibility to continue."

Turning to Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime handed the Matrix of Leadership to the former leader: "Perhaps, you should lead the Autobots."

Sentinel stared at the leadership module for a long time, then shook his head: "No, you created Earth. Now, you are my mentor."

Watching the leadership module being pushed around, Laura couldn't help but frown. The ship-slaying sword appeared in her hand, and Laura used the blade to block the leadership module, stopping the two from giving it up.

"I said, can you make a decision quickly?"

With a sigh, the ship-slaying sword disappeared again. Laura stood between the two, looking at the leadership module floating silently in the sky, and said, "If neither of you wants to continue leading the Autobots, then do you want Laura to take over?"

Upon hearing Laura's words, Sentinel Prime's eyes immediately lit up.

Laura's willingness to help Cybertron? That's fantastic news!

Although Sentinel Prime has secretly reached an agreement with Megatron, this is ultimately for the sake of Cybertron's future, and Sentinel Prime is unwilling to compromise with the Decepticons if possible.

Sentinel Prime was indeed more suited to be the leader of a civilization than Optimus Prime. In Sentinel Prime's mind, factional struggles were no longer important; the rise and fall of the entire race was everything.

The AllSpark has been extinguished, and Cybertron has become a dead star. Without a stable environment to survive, both the Autobots and Decepticons will eventually face final destruction.

This is also why Sentinel Prime and Megatron collaborated to plot to transport Cybertron to the solar system and replace Earth.

But now, a better option has emerged. Aerriel, a higher-dimensional being, will receive what they've always dreamed of if they are willing to lead the Autobots.

A more vibrant region of the universe.

With Sentinel Prime's shrewd insight, he saw through Laura's true nature at a glance—Laura herself would never have a long-term interest in ruling Cybertron.

Or rather, the problem lies in being obsessed with power.

She wouldn't exploit the Cybertronians like the Quintessons did before; it was more of a whim. And this level of sacrifice was well within Sentinel Prime's tolerance.

Without hesitation, while Optimus Prime was pondering, Sentinel Prime drew his longsword and held it horizontally in front of him.

"If you are willing to bring a glimmer of new hope to Cybertron, then there is only one answer..."

Gripping the blade tightly, Sentinel Prime snapped the leader's sword, a symbol of Cybertron's past glory, in two, then tossed the two broken pieces aside.

"I, Sentinel Prime, will forever be loyal to you."

Looking at his mentor kneeling on one knee with a complicated expression, Optimus Prime cast aside his last hesitation, sighed, and handed the Leader Module to Laura.

Fortunately, the leader module wasn't large, so Laura could still manage it.

"This is really interesting..."

Looking at Sentinel Prime, who had pledged allegiance to her, Laura burst out laughing.

For the sake of legacy, they are willing to betray their own faction; for a broader future, they are willing to betray the Decepticon allies they gained through betrayal.

Sentinel Prime truly did his best for Cybertron.