ROYALTY: PART 1
Dinobot was running as fast as his raptor feet would allow him. The stasis pod had crashed. And it had to be while he was out of comm range. Figures, he thought to himself. He hoped the Maximal sensors would detect it and send someone out. Knowing Megatron, he'd send his flyers out to reprogram the protoform inside. Finally, he arrived in thick underbrush. The pod had landed on some thick bushes, so there appeared to be no serious damage. He stayed far back from it as it scanned for a Beast Mode. Once it finished, he moved closer to examine the pod. He noticed a symbol on the side.
"The Royal Family?" he whispered to himself.
Just then, he thought he heard the buzzing of Waspinator's wings "Scan mode," he was then able to see Waspinator and Terrosaur flying. They were minutes away. "Dinobot, Maximize!"
Now with his sword, he hid in the brush waiting to ambush when...
"Oh man...Oh man..." Dinobot looked at the now open stasis pod.
An owl was perched on the edge, twisting its head around. "What happened? This is not good. Not good at all..." The owl seemed to have a female voice. Then she looked at the sky. "Giant bugs. Great, what's next?" She turned and went looking in the pod. "Where is it? Don't tell me I forgot it...Ah ha!" The owl held a small mini-computer in her beak and flew away.
Quickly, Dinobot fired his optic lasers at the flying Predacons. One beam clipped Terrosaur. The other barely missed Waspinator. "Face me!" Dinobot yelled, but the Predacons began to retreat.
Dinobot growled in anger. How could have dawdled? Now a member of the Maximals Royal Family just flew away. "Beast Mode." He went to his raptor Beast Mode and began to chase down the owl.
Princess Articuna had flown for quite a distance. Her new wings of her owl Beast Mode were getting tired. She slowed down and landed. She put down her small computer and said, "BJ scan for any energy signatures."
"Scanning..." the computer replied. There was a short pause. Then BJ the computer replied. "One signature approaching from southwest."
Dinobot finally caught up with the Royal Maximal. She looked at him and said, "Who are you?"
Dinobot paused to catch his breath. "My name is Dinobot. I had attempted to take you back to the Maximal base, but there were approaching Predacons and-"
"PREDACONS!" the owl yelled. "There are Predacons here?"
"Yes. Now follow me and I shall lead you to the Maximal base."
The owl paused. "If you lead me, you'll pass out halfway." she said. "Park it and rest at least."
Dinobot gave a small snarl, but he knew she was right. Slowly, he settle down. "Only for a moment."
"Whatever." Dinobot looked at her with one eye and said, "I observed Royal insignia on your pod. I assume you are a Member of the Maximal Royal Family, correct?"
The owl sighed. "Correct. My name is Princess Articuna. And before you ask, I was on the Maximal ship to be dropped off at a deep space station when the Predacons attacked."
Dinobot nodded. He looked at the sky for a moment. "We should go now."
"Lead the way."
Once at the Maximal base, Articuna transformed into her Robot Mode. "Princess Articuna, Maximize!" Her legs unfolded from the owl talons and the owl face revealed a more feminine one. The owl's chest folded down to make a sort of skirt. Her wings stayed on her back and were free to move. A royal tiara was on her brow. Her long artificial robot hair was a brown/red color. She had a white finish. Dinobot couldn't help but stare. Very few female Predacons were like her.
"Perfect..." he whispered.
She flashed him a smile. "Ready?" she asked. Dinobot nodded.
Once inside, she was greeted by Optimus Primal. "Welcome to the Axalon, your highness."
"Thanks, but please don't call me 'your highness'. It gets really annoying after a while." She replied.
Cheetor came forward. "Hey there. The others call me Cheetor, but you can call me anytime."
"Right, Anytime." She said with a grin.
Rattrap shook her hand. "Name's Rattrap. Don't mind Spots here. And I see ya met Choppaface already."
Dinobot growled, but said nothing.
Optimus continued the introductions. "Over there is Rhinox, but he's busy at the moment."
Rhinox was sitting at one computer, almost oblivious to the Princess Maximal.
"Nice to meet all you." Articuna said.
Optimus approached Rhinox. "What are you doing?"
Rhinox replied, "I'm getting weird readings from the Predacon base. It looks like they're trying to..." he trailed off.
"What?" Cheetor asked. "Tell us already."
Rhinox paused. "Looks like they're trying to unlock a stasis chamber. And it's working."
"What's a stasis chamber?" Rattrap asked.
"It's like a stasis pod, but far more advanced. And they're usually used for someone really important."
Dinobot snarled. "Moltraca"
"What?" Articuna asked. "Did you say Moltraca?"
"Who's Moltraca?" Cheetor asked.
"The Predacon Princess." Dinobot began to explain. "She has training in asisaination and skills in genocide."
"That don't sound good." Rattrap said.
"It's not." Articuna replied. "Two years ago, you may all have heard of the Maximal colony on Hendak III disappearing."
"Yes," Optimus said. "They think there was a natural disaster and the Maximals couldn't get off planet in time."
"That's not what happened. Moltraca destroyed the colony. All she cares about is power and taking lives. She likes seeing others suffering." Articuna sighed heavily. "I tried to stop her. And I failed. All those Maximals died because I couldn't save them." She lowered her head.
Everyone was silent for a moment.
"Moltraca sounds pretty bad..." Rhinox muttered.
"Why weren't we told the truth?" Cheetor asked.
"This is politics." Articuna replied. "The TriPredacous Council naturally covered it up, because of the violation of the Pact made by the Maximals and Predacons. But my sister and I did some research and found out the truth. Only my sister and I know."
Dinobot continued. "Moltraca was brought with the Predacons because she wanted the power that might come if Megatron would succeed. But if he fails, Moltraca will destroy him without a thought."
Optimus looked at the screen that showed the Predacons activity. For a few cycles, the base was quiet.
Then Rhinox shouted. "Predacon signature!" Instantly, the outer auto-guns were on-line.
Looking out a window, they could see Waspinator. "Nooooo! Maximalzz no shoot Wazzzpinator! Wazzzpinator bring mezzzage for Maximalzz!" He dropped a small container on the ground outside and buzzed off.
The Maximals stared for a moment once they were outside. Then, an image of Megatron's face appeared. "Attention Maximals." the hologram said. "I have a message for Optimus Primal and Princess Articuna. Meet me at the following coordinates...or be destroyed."
Everyone stared at the fading image. "It's more than likely a trap." Dinobot said.
"Beast Mode." Articuna whispered. She began to fly away.
"Wait!" Optimus yelled. "Where are you going?" Articuna didn't answer.
Articuna waited for Megatron at the coordinates he had sent. It was a dull, rocky area with little vegetation. She turned her owl head around, watching for the T-rex to appear.
Just then, she saw a large vulture slowly flying to her. Quickly, Articuna took out BJ and said, "BJ, identify."
"Predacon energy signature." BJ replied.
Articuna stayed still as the vulture landed several meters away. "So you came," the vulture said.
Articuna narrowed her yellow owl eyes. "Moltraca."
"Bingo! Even Terrosaur identified the Royal symbol on your stasis pod. And I knew I had to see you again. Moltraca, Terrorize!" Moltraca transformed to her Robot Mode, armed with a large battle ax and sharp spikes on her knees and shoulders. The vulture head moved to her back and the wings folded away as her feet twisted from the talons. All sorts of ornaments were decorating her head that seemed to mark how many lives she had taken.
Articuna didn't hesitate. "Articuna, Maximize!" Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she drew two electric arrows and said, "I won't let you take more innocent lives."
"I won't let you spoil my fun!" Moltraca swung he massive ax.
Articuna crossed her arrows and used them to parry the blow. She stumbled backward. "Since when was there fun in murder!"
Moltraca tried a horizontal swing, but Articuna dodged it and managed to drive an arrow into Moltraca's shoulder. "Ahhhhhh! You little bird-brain!" Moltraca held her ax in her good arm and swung on Articuna.
The blade connected with Articuna's wing, and several feathers and her wing tip were severed off. "Hey! You airhead! Don't try that on me!" She managed to get back a meter and drew a longbow, the same color as her owl feathers. She set the arrow and let it fly.
Moltraca swung her ax like a baseball bat and knocked the arrow away. "You got something better than that? The Maximals I played with two years ago didn't." With that, she fired orange optic lasers at Articuna.
The Maximal Princess had little time to react. She managed to move away for only one beam to catch her hip. She fell to one knee, one hand on her hip. She looked at the Predacon Princess.
Moltraca smiled an evil smile on her dull red face. "So you lose. Just like you Maximals were always destined to. Once Megatron gets me enough energon, we'll go back to Cybertron and finally take our rightful place." She held the blade of her ax over Articuna's head. "And it all starts with your destruction!"
Just then, two green beams shot her hand off and dropped the ax. Dinobot leapt up, followed by the other Maximals. Their weapons here ready to fire. "Leave her alone!" Optimus demanded.
Moltraca looked around. "Moltraca to Megatron, come in." she tried her comlink. There was no reply. "Stupid interference."
"Hey!" Rattrap yelled, approaching Moltraca. "He said ta leave her alone!" He held his gun inches from Moltraca's face.
"I'm not afraid of you." Moltraca sneered. She looked at the crippled Articuna. "And this is not over." She went to her vulture Beast mode and flew away.
Dinobot scooped up Articuna in his arms. "Are you in any pain?"
"Just enough to keep me awake." she replied. They exchanged small smiles. "Thanks for coming for me."
"I knew I could not allow you to battle alone."
Cheetor gave her a grin. "You can bow down and praise me later."
"Keep dreaming."
Optimus laughed a bit and took Articuna from Dinobot. "I'll take you back to the base. You'll need a few cycles in the CR chamber. Prime jets, ON!" He blasted off.
The other Maximals went to Beast Mode for the walk back to the base.
Rattrap whispered to Dinobot, "So, Choppaface, mind if I make a move on da Princess?"
"Shut up, vermin. I believe the Princess has made her decision."
"How do ya know, Scalebelly?"
"Because I am infinitely smarter than you, mouse."
ROYALTY-PART 2
Moltraca was angry. And that wasn't a good thing. The Predacons knew that and were smart enough to keep their distance.
In the Predacon base, she was sitting on a platform, thinking. She had just come from the CR tank for the repairs needed after the fight with Articuna and the Maximals.
"What do you mean, you want command?" Megatron asked.
"You heard me." Moltraca replied. "You've been on this rock for over sixteen solar cycles and the Maximals are still here! And I didn't join you just to take orders!"
"No one leads but me!" Megatron yelled back.
"Yes, Megatron is our leader!" Scorpanok proudly declared.
Moltraca crossed her arms. She hated when things didn't go her way.
There was a gulp from nearby. "Excuse me, your highness," Moltraca turned to Terrosaur. "Perhaps, you and Megatron could...um...maybe ...share command..."
"WHAT???!!!!" Megatron and Moltraca yelled at the same time.
"Me? Share command with HIM??" Moltraca asked. She scowled and drew her battle ax. "Would you like to try again?" She approched the shuddering Terrosaur.
"Wait, Moltraca." Megatron said. "Terrosaur may have an idea, yes."
"I do?" Terrosaur asked.
At the Maximal base...
"Hey Articuna," Cheetor asked, coming up to the Princess who was working at her mini-computer, BJ
"Yes?" she asked.
"I was just wonderin'" He cocked his head. "When we get back to Cybertron, could I go on a date with one of your sisters?"
"Why?" Articuna asked, not looking up at him.
"Oh come on, do I have to tell you."
"Yes." Articuna said with a grin.
"Why?"
"Well, because they are my sisters."
Cheetor growled.
Just then, Articuna's comm beeped. "Optimus Primal to Articuna."
"Sorry Spots." Articuna said. "Articuna here."
"I need to talk to you. Privately."
"Okay. I'm on my way.
Articuna put BJ away and began to head to Optimus' office. Cheetor was following her. "Please?" he begged.
"No!" Articuna replied. "Would you lay off? I'll talk to you about it later."
Cheetor sighed. "Fine." He crossed his arms. "Girls..."
"Boys..." the princess muttered. Down the hall, Articuna rounded a corner, bumping into Dinobot. The raptor bot quickly apologized. "I am sorry."
"No, it was my fault. Should've watched where I was going." Articuna told him.
Dinobot smiled at her and asked, "Where are you going?"
"Just to see Optimus. What about you?"
Dinobot snarled. "I have patrol with Rattrap."
Articuna gave a smypathetic smile. "Sorry about that. See you later!" She continued down the hall.
Dinobot watched her until she was out of sight before continuing on his way.
Articuna knocked on Optimus' door.
"Enter." came the reply from inside.
"Articuna, glad to see you." Optimus said. "Have a seat." he gestured to a chair. Once she sat down, he continued speaking. "Articuna, I've been thinking about yesterday, when you battled Moltraca."
"Oh, that was nothing," she replied. "Just had to vent, that's all. I wont' be doing that for awhile."
"No, that's not the point. Had we not arrived when we did, you'd be a pile of slag. So before you interrupt me now, I'm doing this for your protection. I'm not allowing you to leave the base without another Maximal and I want you to avoid battle whenever possible."
"What?! Why?" Articuna exclaimed, standing up. "Are you serious? Where did you get an idea like that?"
"I swore to your father that I would not let any harm come to you until you were delievered to that space station. And I plan to keep my oath." Optimus replied. "I don't care whether you like it or not, this is my final desicion."
Articuna narrowed her optics and clenched her fists. "You treat me like I'm the Golden Disk." She turned to the door and left.
Optimus looked out the window. Maybe enforcing this wasn't a good idea, but the Predacons would capture Articuna and hold her for ransom on Cybertron if he wasn't careful.
"And I will be careful." Optimus said to himself.
****
Meanwhile, just outside the Predacon base:
"This has better work." Moltraca said to Tarantulus. She and the spider bot were in Beast Mode.
"Of course it will work." Tarantulus replied. "But we must wait for Optimus to take the bait."
Moltraca snickered. "Knowing Primal, he'll never let Articuna out of his site. And Maximals are so predictable." She laughed to herself. "This is going to be great! Ha Ha!"
Tarantulus began laughing, too. "Great indeed!"
"Did I say you could laugh?" Moltraca yelled.
Back at the Maximal base:
"Pred signatures are coming in from Lata Quadrant!" Rhinox yelled.
"Oh man." Rattrap said. "The auto-guns ain't workin worth scrap! They're still a mess from da crash!"
Optimus sighed. "Well that's just prime."
The sound of a sword being unsheathed was heard. "We must defend our ground!" Dinobot yelled.
They all went to Beast Mode and headed for the lifts.
"Wait!" Articuna yelled, hoping to them on her owl talons. "Let me come with you!"
"No Articuna." Optimus said. "Someone should stay here and guard the base. Besides, you know you have to stay here." Optimus & the other Maximals left the base.
Articuna watched them leave.
Dinobot was running as fast as his raptor feet would allow him. The stasis pod had crashed. And it had to be while he was out of comm range. Figures, he thought to himself. He hoped the Maximal sensors would detect it and send someone out. Knowing Megatron, he'd send his flyers out to reprogram the protoform inside. Finally, he arrived in thick underbrush. The pod had landed on some thick bushes, so there appeared to be no serious damage. He stayed far back from it as it scanned for a Beast Mode. Once it finished, he moved closer to examine the pod. He noticed a symbol on the side.
"The Royal Family?" he whispered to himself.
Just then, he thought he heard the buzzing of Waspinator's wings "Scan mode," he was then able to see Waspinator and Terrosaur flying. They were minutes away. "Dinobot, Maximize!"
Now with his sword, he hid in the brush waiting to ambush when...
"Oh man...Oh man..." Dinobot looked at the now open stasis pod.
An owl was perched on the edge, twisting its head around. "What happened? This is not good. Not good at all..." The owl seemed to have a female voice. Then she looked at the sky. "Giant bugs. Great, what's next?" She turned and went looking in the pod. "Where is it? Don't tell me I forgot it...Ah ha!" The owl held a small mini-computer in her beak and flew away.
Quickly, Dinobot fired his optic lasers at the flying Predacons. One beam clipped Terrosaur. The other barely missed Waspinator. "Face me!" Dinobot yelled, but the Predacons began to retreat.
Dinobot growled in anger. How could have dawdled? Now a member of the Maximals Royal Family just flew away. "Beast Mode." He went to his raptor Beast Mode and began to chase down the owl.
Princess Articuna had flown for quite a distance. Her new wings of her owl Beast Mode were getting tired. She slowed down and landed. She put down her small computer and said, "BJ scan for any energy signatures."
"Scanning..." the computer replied. There was a short pause. Then BJ the computer replied. "One signature approaching from southwest."
Dinobot finally caught up with the Royal Maximal. She looked at him and said, "Who are you?"
Dinobot paused to catch his breath. "My name is Dinobot. I had attempted to take you back to the Maximal base, but there were approaching Predacons and-"
"PREDACONS!" the owl yelled. "There are Predacons here?"
"Yes. Now follow me and I shall lead you to the Maximal base."
The owl paused. "If you lead me, you'll pass out halfway." she said. "Park it and rest at least."
Dinobot gave a small snarl, but he knew she was right. Slowly, he settle down. "Only for a moment."
"Whatever." Dinobot looked at her with one eye and said, "I observed Royal insignia on your pod. I assume you are a Member of the Maximal Royal Family, correct?"
The owl sighed. "Correct. My name is Princess Articuna. And before you ask, I was on the Maximal ship to be dropped off at a deep space station when the Predacons attacked."
Dinobot nodded. He looked at the sky for a moment. "We should go now."
"Lead the way."
Once at the Maximal base, Articuna transformed into her Robot Mode. "Princess Articuna, Maximize!" Her legs unfolded from the owl talons and the owl face revealed a more feminine one. The owl's chest folded down to make a sort of skirt. Her wings stayed on her back and were free to move. A royal tiara was on her brow. Her long artificial robot hair was a brown/red color. She had a white finish. Dinobot couldn't help but stare. Very few female Predacons were like her.
"Perfect..." he whispered.
She flashed him a smile. "Ready?" she asked. Dinobot nodded.
Once inside, she was greeted by Optimus Primal. "Welcome to the Axalon, your highness."
"Thanks, but please don't call me 'your highness'. It gets really annoying after a while." She replied.
Cheetor came forward. "Hey there. The others call me Cheetor, but you can call me anytime."
"Right, Anytime." She said with a grin.
Rattrap shook her hand. "Name's Rattrap. Don't mind Spots here. And I see ya met Choppaface already."
Dinobot growled, but said nothing.
Optimus continued the introductions. "Over there is Rhinox, but he's busy at the moment."
Rhinox was sitting at one computer, almost oblivious to the Princess Maximal.
"Nice to meet all you." Articuna said.
Optimus approached Rhinox. "What are you doing?"
Rhinox replied, "I'm getting weird readings from the Predacon base. It looks like they're trying to..." he trailed off.
"What?" Cheetor asked. "Tell us already."
Rhinox paused. "Looks like they're trying to unlock a stasis chamber. And it's working."
"What's a stasis chamber?" Rattrap asked.
"It's like a stasis pod, but far more advanced. And they're usually used for someone really important."
Dinobot snarled. "Moltraca"
"What?" Articuna asked. "Did you say Moltraca?"
"Who's Moltraca?" Cheetor asked.
"The Predacon Princess." Dinobot began to explain. "She has training in asisaination and skills in genocide."
"That don't sound good." Rattrap said.
"It's not." Articuna replied. "Two years ago, you may all have heard of the Maximal colony on Hendak III disappearing."
"Yes," Optimus said. "They think there was a natural disaster and the Maximals couldn't get off planet in time."
"That's not what happened. Moltraca destroyed the colony. All she cares about is power and taking lives. She likes seeing others suffering." Articuna sighed heavily. "I tried to stop her. And I failed. All those Maximals died because I couldn't save them." She lowered her head.
Everyone was silent for a moment.
"Moltraca sounds pretty bad..." Rhinox muttered.
"Why weren't we told the truth?" Cheetor asked.
"This is politics." Articuna replied. "The TriPredacous Council naturally covered it up, because of the violation of the Pact made by the Maximals and Predacons. But my sister and I did some research and found out the truth. Only my sister and I know."
Dinobot continued. "Moltraca was brought with the Predacons because she wanted the power that might come if Megatron would succeed. But if he fails, Moltraca will destroy him without a thought."
Optimus looked at the screen that showed the Predacons activity. For a few cycles, the base was quiet.
Then Rhinox shouted. "Predacon signature!" Instantly, the outer auto-guns were on-line.
Looking out a window, they could see Waspinator. "Nooooo! Maximalzz no shoot Wazzzpinator! Wazzzpinator bring mezzzage for Maximalzz!" He dropped a small container on the ground outside and buzzed off.
The Maximals stared for a moment once they were outside. Then, an image of Megatron's face appeared. "Attention Maximals." the hologram said. "I have a message for Optimus Primal and Princess Articuna. Meet me at the following coordinates...or be destroyed."
Everyone stared at the fading image. "It's more than likely a trap." Dinobot said.
"Beast Mode." Articuna whispered. She began to fly away.
"Wait!" Optimus yelled. "Where are you going?" Articuna didn't answer.
Articuna waited for Megatron at the coordinates he had sent. It was a dull, rocky area with little vegetation. She turned her owl head around, watching for the T-rex to appear.
Just then, she saw a large vulture slowly flying to her. Quickly, Articuna took out BJ and said, "BJ, identify."
"Predacon energy signature." BJ replied.
Articuna stayed still as the vulture landed several meters away. "So you came," the vulture said.
Articuna narrowed her yellow owl eyes. "Moltraca."
"Bingo! Even Terrosaur identified the Royal symbol on your stasis pod. And I knew I had to see you again. Moltraca, Terrorize!" Moltraca transformed to her Robot Mode, armed with a large battle ax and sharp spikes on her knees and shoulders. The vulture head moved to her back and the wings folded away as her feet twisted from the talons. All sorts of ornaments were decorating her head that seemed to mark how many lives she had taken.
Articuna didn't hesitate. "Articuna, Maximize!" Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she drew two electric arrows and said, "I won't let you take more innocent lives."
"I won't let you spoil my fun!" Moltraca swung he massive ax.
Articuna crossed her arrows and used them to parry the blow. She stumbled backward. "Since when was there fun in murder!"
Moltraca tried a horizontal swing, but Articuna dodged it and managed to drive an arrow into Moltraca's shoulder. "Ahhhhhh! You little bird-brain!" Moltraca held her ax in her good arm and swung on Articuna.
The blade connected with Articuna's wing, and several feathers and her wing tip were severed off. "Hey! You airhead! Don't try that on me!" She managed to get back a meter and drew a longbow, the same color as her owl feathers. She set the arrow and let it fly.
Moltraca swung her ax like a baseball bat and knocked the arrow away. "You got something better than that? The Maximals I played with two years ago didn't." With that, she fired orange optic lasers at Articuna.
The Maximal Princess had little time to react. She managed to move away for only one beam to catch her hip. She fell to one knee, one hand on her hip. She looked at the Predacon Princess.
Moltraca smiled an evil smile on her dull red face. "So you lose. Just like you Maximals were always destined to. Once Megatron gets me enough energon, we'll go back to Cybertron and finally take our rightful place." She held the blade of her ax over Articuna's head. "And it all starts with your destruction!"
Just then, two green beams shot her hand off and dropped the ax. Dinobot leapt up, followed by the other Maximals. Their weapons here ready to fire. "Leave her alone!" Optimus demanded.
Moltraca looked around. "Moltraca to Megatron, come in." she tried her comlink. There was no reply. "Stupid interference."
"Hey!" Rattrap yelled, approaching Moltraca. "He said ta leave her alone!" He held his gun inches from Moltraca's face.
"I'm not afraid of you." Moltraca sneered. She looked at the crippled Articuna. "And this is not over." She went to her vulture Beast mode and flew away.
Dinobot scooped up Articuna in his arms. "Are you in any pain?"
"Just enough to keep me awake." she replied. They exchanged small smiles. "Thanks for coming for me."
"I knew I could not allow you to battle alone."
Cheetor gave her a grin. "You can bow down and praise me later."
"Keep dreaming."
Optimus laughed a bit and took Articuna from Dinobot. "I'll take you back to the base. You'll need a few cycles in the CR chamber. Prime jets, ON!" He blasted off.
The other Maximals went to Beast Mode for the walk back to the base.
Rattrap whispered to Dinobot, "So, Choppaface, mind if I make a move on da Princess?"
"Shut up, vermin. I believe the Princess has made her decision."
"How do ya know, Scalebelly?"
"Because I am infinitely smarter than you, mouse."
ROYALTY-PART 2
Moltraca was angry. And that wasn't a good thing. The Predacons knew that and were smart enough to keep their distance.
In the Predacon base, she was sitting on a platform, thinking. She had just come from the CR tank for the repairs needed after the fight with Articuna and the Maximals.
"What do you mean, you want command?" Megatron asked.
"You heard me." Moltraca replied. "You've been on this rock for over sixteen solar cycles and the Maximals are still here! And I didn't join you just to take orders!"
"No one leads but me!" Megatron yelled back.
"Yes, Megatron is our leader!" Scorpanok proudly declared.
Moltraca crossed her arms. She hated when things didn't go her way.
There was a gulp from nearby. "Excuse me, your highness," Moltraca turned to Terrosaur. "Perhaps, you and Megatron could...um...maybe ...share command..."
"WHAT???!!!!" Megatron and Moltraca yelled at the same time.
"Me? Share command with HIM??" Moltraca asked. She scowled and drew her battle ax. "Would you like to try again?" She approched the shuddering Terrosaur.
"Wait, Moltraca." Megatron said. "Terrosaur may have an idea, yes."
"I do?" Terrosaur asked.
At the Maximal base...
"Hey Articuna," Cheetor asked, coming up to the Princess who was working at her mini-computer, BJ
"Yes?" she asked.
"I was just wonderin'" He cocked his head. "When we get back to Cybertron, could I go on a date with one of your sisters?"
"Why?" Articuna asked, not looking up at him.
"Oh come on, do I have to tell you."
"Yes." Articuna said with a grin.
"Why?"
"Well, because they are my sisters."
Cheetor growled.
Just then, Articuna's comm beeped. "Optimus Primal to Articuna."
"Sorry Spots." Articuna said. "Articuna here."
"I need to talk to you. Privately."
"Okay. I'm on my way.
Articuna put BJ away and began to head to Optimus' office. Cheetor was following her. "Please?" he begged.
"No!" Articuna replied. "Would you lay off? I'll talk to you about it later."
Cheetor sighed. "Fine." He crossed his arms. "Girls..."
"Boys..." the princess muttered. Down the hall, Articuna rounded a corner, bumping into Dinobot. The raptor bot quickly apologized. "I am sorry."
"No, it was my fault. Should've watched where I was going." Articuna told him.
Dinobot smiled at her and asked, "Where are you going?"
"Just to see Optimus. What about you?"
Dinobot snarled. "I have patrol with Rattrap."
Articuna gave a smypathetic smile. "Sorry about that. See you later!" She continued down the hall.
Dinobot watched her until she was out of sight before continuing on his way.
Articuna knocked on Optimus' door.
"Enter." came the reply from inside.
"Articuna, glad to see you." Optimus said. "Have a seat." he gestured to a chair. Once she sat down, he continued speaking. "Articuna, I've been thinking about yesterday, when you battled Moltraca."
"Oh, that was nothing," she replied. "Just had to vent, that's all. I wont' be doing that for awhile."
"No, that's not the point. Had we not arrived when we did, you'd be a pile of slag. So before you interrupt me now, I'm doing this for your protection. I'm not allowing you to leave the base without another Maximal and I want you to avoid battle whenever possible."
"What?! Why?" Articuna exclaimed, standing up. "Are you serious? Where did you get an idea like that?"
"I swore to your father that I would not let any harm come to you until you were delievered to that space station. And I plan to keep my oath." Optimus replied. "I don't care whether you like it or not, this is my final desicion."
Articuna narrowed her optics and clenched her fists. "You treat me like I'm the Golden Disk." She turned to the door and left.
Optimus looked out the window. Maybe enforcing this wasn't a good idea, but the Predacons would capture Articuna and hold her for ransom on Cybertron if he wasn't careful.
"And I will be careful." Optimus said to himself.
****
Meanwhile, just outside the Predacon base:
"This has better work." Moltraca said to Tarantulus. She and the spider bot were in Beast Mode.
"Of course it will work." Tarantulus replied. "But we must wait for Optimus to take the bait."
Moltraca snickered. "Knowing Primal, he'll never let Articuna out of his site. And Maximals are so predictable." She laughed to herself. "This is going to be great! Ha Ha!"
Tarantulus began laughing, too. "Great indeed!"
"Did I say you could laugh?" Moltraca yelled.
Back at the Maximal base:
"Pred signatures are coming in from Lata Quadrant!" Rhinox yelled.
"Oh man." Rattrap said. "The auto-guns ain't workin worth scrap! They're still a mess from da crash!"
Optimus sighed. "Well that's just prime."
The sound of a sword being unsheathed was heard. "We must defend our ground!" Dinobot yelled.
They all went to Beast Mode and headed for the lifts.
"Wait!" Articuna yelled, hoping to them on her owl talons. "Let me come with you!"
"No Articuna." Optimus said. "Someone should stay here and guard the base. Besides, you know you have to stay here." Optimus & the other Maximals left the base.
Articuna watched them leave.
