The smallest cybertronian

rapid progress

chapter 3 expand.

Blackout had found a temporary haven within the energon mines. The sheer volume of raw energon crystals and scattered metal fragments was a treasure trove for his survival and growth. His clone continued to work on the laser cutter while Blackout focused on his next steps.

Blackout: System, I need to understand more about my capabilities. How can I maximize my efficiency in gathering resources and creating tools?

SYSTEM: Your Consume and Replicate ability allows you to break down and absorb materials, then reassemble them into useful tools or constructs. Combine lets you merge with technology to enhance your abilities. Upgrade enables you to improve your own capabilities or those of the objects you create. Tiny Tech allows you to manipulate and create small-scale devices with precision. World Travel gives you the potential to move between worlds.

Blackout: Excellent. I'll need to focus on consuming and replicating more advanced technology. That should give me an edge.

Blackout directed his attention to the broken tech Airachnid had mentioned. As she carried the damaged laser cutter to a pile of other malfunctioning tools, Blackout held on tightly, his tiny form unnoticed. When Airachnid discarded the cutter, Blackout jumped off and scanned the pile.

Blackout: System, identify the most valuable components here.

SYSTEM: Scanning... The pile contains several advanced components: a plasma welder, a miniaturized fusion reactor, and a damaged tactical interface. Consuming these will significantly enhance your abilities.

Blackout started with the plasma welder. He activated his Consume ability, breaking down the welder into its base elements and absorbing them. As he integrated the components, he felt a surge of energy and knowledge. The process was quick and efficient, leaving behind only a small amount of useless debris.

Blackout: This is incredible. I can feel the power coursing through me. Now for the fusion reactor.

The fusion reactor was more complex, but Blackout's Consume ability made short work of it. As he absorbed the reactor's components, he felt his energon levels stabilize and even increase slightly. The tactical interface, while damaged, provided him with valuable data-processing capabilities once consumed.

Blackout: System, how do I utilize the Tiny Tech ability to create something that can help me gather more resources?

SYSTEM: You can create micro-drones equipped with scanners and collection tools. These drones can operate autonomously, gathering materials and bringing them back to you.

Blackout focused, channelling his newfound energy and components into creating the first micro-drone. It was a small, sleek device, equipped with a powerful scanner and tiny pincers for manipulating objects. He activated it, and the drone hovered in the air, awaiting instructions.

Blackout: Drone, begin scanning the area for valuable materials and bring them to me.

The drone buzzed off, its scanner sweeping the mine for useful resources. Blackout, now more confident in his abilities, turned his attention back to the energon crystals. He approached a particularly large crystal and activated his Consume ability again. The crystal's energy flowed into him, replenishing his reserves and enhancing his power.

As he continued to absorb energon, he noticed a change in his body. The absorbed materials were not just fuelling him; they were integrating into his very structure, making him stronger and more resilient. The combination of energon and advanced technology was transforming him.

Blackout: This is just the beginning. With these abilities, I can become unstoppable.

The micro-drone returned, carrying a small piece of advanced circuitry. Blackout took it and absorbed it, feeling the rush of new data and power. He created more drones, each one equipped with better tools and more advanced scanners. They fanned out across the mine, gathering materials and bringing them back to him.