Beast Wars and all characters and things related are copyright and trademark of Hasbro and Mainframe Entertainment. This work, however, is the original work of the author.
Note: This story takes place shortly after "The Battle in the Valley".
Beyond Earth
By TVfan
Predicon Space Station
"We have a code one alert!" a computer voice announced breaking the silence inside the station, "Repeat, a code one alert."
"What it is it?" the lone Predicon on duty asked as he leaped to the station's control consoles.
"Transwarp shockwave approaching station," the computer answered.
"Raise shields!" the Predicon screamed.
The Predicon's scream was too late as the shockwave suddenly slammed into the station, slamming the Predicon into the far wall, causing him to black out.
It was hours later when the Predicon woke up, and he wished he hadn't. He woke up to the glaring face of the station's commander.
"Report," the Commander growled, "What just hit us?"
"It was a transwarp shockwave, sir," the Predicon answered nervously.
"Can you verify the location?" the Commander asked.
The Predicon jumped to feet and hurried to his consoles once more, frantically pushing buttons to get the job done as quickly as possible. The Commander meanwhile watched the results on a screen with a rather intrigued look, one that turned to nearly fear.
"Leave the room," the Commander said coldly, "I will need to speak with the council."
Secret Predicon Base, Cybertron
"You're sure?" a large hulking figure questioned through a nearby communications device.
"Yes, we are positive, sir," was the response over the radio.
"Thank you," the figure answered, pressing a button that terminated his connection to he had just been speaking to, and then pressed another, "Members, we meet in Council in ten cycles."
Predicon Base, Earth
"What is the status?" Megatron demanded.
"Waspinator has found no sign of fleshie bots," Waspinator answered over his radio.
"Not them, you fool," Megatron growled, and then looked down towards a projection unit, which held the Golden Disks when they were still in his possession, "Have you found any energy signatures matching the alien life forms or at least Maximal stasis pods?"
"No," Waspinator answered.
"Keep searching," Megatron growled, and then thought angrily to himself, "Blast Dinobot! That traitor has cost me the best possible way of winning the Beast Wars. Now, I'm stuck with nothing but gambling."
Elsewhere
Dinobot sat in beast mode on a cliff over looking a valley and the Axalon beyond. Deep in thought, he barely noticed Rapther come and sit by him.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Rapther offered.
"It is nothing for you to be concerned about," Dinobot answered.
"You're not thinking about getting into some battle with Megatron over your honor again, are you?" Rapther asked, "Because I don't want to have to keep you alive again."
"No, it is not," Dinobot answered, "And why should you care anyway?"
"Because I'm a Maximal, and because you're pleasant company," Rapther retorted, "Better than most males I've known, anyway."
"I won't be 'company' much longer," Dinobot replied in a defeated voice as he gazed at the Axalon.
"You're not going back to the Predicons are you?" Rapther asked.
"No," Dinobot answered, and then sighed, "The transwarp explosion that destroyed the alien moon has entered Cybertron's solar system. It is now only a matter of time before a rescue ship is dispatched. If Maximal, I will be arrested and imprisoned. If Predicon, I will be destroyed as a traitor. Not an honorable fate."
"I won't let that happen," Rapther promised, "You will return to Cybertron with honor, I promise you."
Dinobot glanced at the female raptor as she scooted closer to him, but remained silent.
"Awwww," Rattrap chuckled as he glanced out one of the Axalon's windows.
"What are you chuckling about?" Cheetor asked as he came up towards Rattrap's position.
"Ol' Chopperface and his girlfriend out there on the hill," Rattrap answered, "Don't they make a lovely couple?"
Cheetor began to engage his friend in a short conversation, and failed to notice Silverbolt returning to the base behind them.
Secret Predicon Base, Cybertron
Three shadowy figures sat around a large metallic circular table.
"This meeting of the Tripredicus Council is now in session," the first figure announced.
The other members nodded before the first figure began speaking again.
"Recently, one of our space stations was hit by a transwarp shockwave traveling through time and space," the figure announced, "They have traced the signal. It came from prehistoric Earth in the Terran Sector of Space, and the warp signature matches that of the Darkside."
"The Darkside?" the second figure gasped, "That means…"
"Megatron," the first figure nodded, "I know, General Seaclamp."
"I thought we were finished with him," the third figure answered, "The Maximal ship Axalon intercepted them."
"It appears that our presumption was false," the first figure sighed, "The real problem is that this shockwave will be detected by the Maximals shortly. While we agreed to punish Megatron if we ever found out that he survived, we have also agreed that his treachery has been beneficial for our cause. The Maximal fleet is spread thin to find their lost Optimus Primal. But should the Maximals detect this shockwave…"
"They will learn of Megatron's location and thus Optimus Primal's," General Seaclamp finished.
"We can't allow that to happen," the third figure growled, "If I know Megatron, he'll drag us down with him should the Maximals investigate."
"I agree General Cicadacon," the first figure nodded, "That leaves us with one risky option."
"Which is?" General Cicadacon questioned.
"We destroy the Maximal satellites around Cybertron," the first figure said slowly.
"They'd probably detect our ships before the attack," General Seahclamp commented, "General Ramhorn, is there a possibility that we could sneak some operatives onto the satellites?"
"Not fast enough," General Ramhorn retorted, "Besides we can always say it was rogue and hold a fake trial. The Maximal Elders will believe anything we tell them."
"I'll go inform the agent we will send to Earth then," General Cicadacon announced, "I trust you two will deal with the satellites."
"Of course," the other two Predicon generals nodded.
Maximal Base, Earth
Silverbolt had just sat down on the bench in his quarters when the door suddenly opened to reveal Optimus standing in the doorway.
"Yes Optimus?" Silverbolt asked.
"May I speak with you for a moment?" Optimus questioned.
Silverbolt stood up and saluted, "Of course, sir."
Optimus then took a seat on a small bench on the opposite side of Silverbolt's quarters while the fuzor remained standing.
"Go ahead and sit down," Optimus said, "It's your quarters."
Silverbolt reluctantly sat down.
"Silverbolt, I don't know what's been going on with you, but whatever it is, it has to stop," Optimus said firmly.
"I don't know what you mean, sir?" Silverbolt asked in a confused voice.
"You've been out longer than anticipated on numerous missions, and have been seen far too close to a certain Predicon female on a few occasions," Optimus answered, "Rattrap has noted that you've been on patrols that last far too long to be patrols, and without calling in. That either indicates that there's something you don't wish to share or you're getting into more trouble than you'd like us to know."
"I have done nothing wrong, sir," Silverbolt answered.
"Have you been meeting with Blackarachnia in secret?" Optimus demanded quietly, "If you haven't, I apologize, and I'll deal with Rattrap."
"I have, sir, but I can explain…" Silverbolt sighed.
"Blackarachnia is a Predicon, Silverbolt," Optimus answered, "You can not associate yourself with her."
"But I can turn her around, sir," Silverbolt said quickly, "She was a Maximal once."
"Only a protoform," Optimus answered, "Once she was programmed as Predicon, it didn't matter what she was. You can't see her in any private manner until she can be reprogrammed. Whether it's by force or if she agrees to it willingly is her choice."
"But I…" Silverbolt began.
"You don't have personal feelings for her do you?" Optimus asked in a surprised voice.
"I can changer her," Silverbolt said weakly, admitting his own guilt.
"Silverbolt, you're one of the noblest warriors I've ever know," Optimus said, trying to sound understanding, "It's a great strength, but it can also be a great weakness. Blackarachnia is using you. Believe me. It's in any Predicon's nature to do that."
"I don't see you reprimanding Rapther for wanting to be with Dinobot," Silverbolt answered defensively.
"Rapther and Dinobot are Maximals," Optimus answered.
"According to Dinobot and Rattrap, Dinobot's still a Predicon," Silverbolt answered.
Optimus nearly growled at that, "Dinobot's personality is not Predicon. He believes in a strong code of honor that isn't present in any other Predicon. You should know that. On top of that, Dinobot has proven his loyalty to us. Blackarachnia is even mistrusted by Megatron."
"All the more reason to try and help her," Silverbolt insisted.
"Silverbolt, with Cybertron so close to finding us, going on like this with Blackarachnia can not be afforded," Optimus said sternly, "If you are discovered with her, they will arrest you for fraternization, and considering your testimony, there isn't much I can do save you from a prison cell, not without sacrificing Dinobot, and I can't let either of you be arrested."
"What are you saying?" Silverbolt growled, becoming angry.
"Dinobot knows already that his fate is not going to be very certain when Cybertron arrives," Optimus said, "I'm already looking at an uphill battle to prove that his service to us here in the Beast Wars is far more important than his helping Megatron steal the Golden Disks. I can't save Dinobot from Megatron's crimes and save you at the same time."
"So I'm to sacrifice Blackarachnia for Dinobot?" Silverbolt questioned, "Forgive me sir, but I can't do that. And despite his honor, despite his loyal service to you, mostly, I can not believe that Dinobot has the right to avoid punishment for what he did with Megatron. If you ask me, he must spend some time in prison. He committed a crime. The right thing to do is to either turn yourself in, or accept punishment when you're caught."
"Regardless of what you think, this isn't about Dinobot," Optimus answered, "This is about you and fraternization with the enemy."
"But sir, I can…" Silverbolt began to protest when a massive explosion rocked the base.
"What's going on?" Optimus yelled into the radio.
"We're under attack!" Rhinox answered, "Rampage just fired a mega missile and cut Sentinel down to 57 percent."
"Prime," Optimus growled, "This will have to wait. Right now we have bigger concerns."
Silverbolt nodded, but was slow to follow Optimus out.
Cybertron Orbit
Three ships, identical in design to Megatron's Darkside, slowly made their way in a low orbit around the planet Cybertron. The markings on the ships clearly indicated they were Predicon vessels, and they were moving dangerously close to the Maximal satellites in orbit around the planet.
"Stellar command to unknown Predicon vessels," came a voice over each ship's radio, "You are within restricted range of Maximal scan satellites. Change course and speed now to avoid collision."
"Foolish Maximals," one of the ship's captains thought, "They think we're simply 'cruising' and have no idea that this is an attack run."
Each ship continued on its course until the voice of General Ramhorn came over the radio on every frequency, "This is General Ramhorn of the Tripredicus Council, three Predicon ships have gone rogue from the Predicon Alliance and are believed to be in the Cybertron area. Repeat three ROGUE Predicon ships in Cybertron sector, all…"
The ship captains then cut off the radio signal, completing the hoax. General Ramhorn's radio message was the attack signal, and each Predicon ship increased speed and began firing on the unarmed and unmanned satellites. Every satellite was destroyed, and by the time that a Maximal 'police' ship could get airborne, the three Predicon vessels had made their planned transwarp jumps to an unknown destination. In the midst of the commotion however, the pursuing Maximals ships mist a single stealth ship lift off from another section of Cybertron's surface. The ship successfully made its transwarp jump without detection.
Maximal Base, Earth
The full fledged assault on the Maximal base continued. As the Maximals inside attempted to bring their autoguns on line, Inferno and Waspinator dropped out of the sky and blasted the guns away, leaving only the Sentinel Shield to protect the Axalon.
"GRRR!" Dinobot growled, "We're sitting ducks here. They want battle, we should give them battle!"
Rapther nodded in agreement from her position, "We've lost our autoguns and Sentinel is down to twenty seven percent. If the Predicons keep this up, the base will be destroyed, with us in it."
"And if we go outside, we're all gonna die anyway," Rattrap reported, "I say we pull of here quickly."
"Our rescue ship will be here soon," Optimus insisted, "We can not abandon the base now. If we do, they will think we had died and will leave."
"We WILL die if we stay in here," Dinobot countered.
Almost at the same time another massive explosion rocked the Axalon and the base's computer voice announced, "Sentinel Shield disabled."
Soon after, one of Tarantulus and Quickstrike's shots went straight through the base's armor around the bridge and exploded around the ceiling lights.
"Come on Big bot," Cheetor said nervously, "We gotta do something."
Outside Megatron and his Predicon followers smiled as the shield went down.
"Come," Megatron said confidently, "They can't hide in there anymore."
In orbit around Prehistoric Earth, the Predicon stealth ship dropped out of its transwarp jump and began to descend into Earth's atmosphere to where the transwarp explosion began. A pair of red optics monitored the situation below the ship. Megatron and his followers were attacking what could only be the wreck of the Maximal ship, Axalon. The transformer was totally shocked to see that Megatron and his followers all seemed to have animal components to their superstructure, which suggested that their alternate modes resembled the planet's animals, as opposed to technological forms, such as vehicles or equipment that most transformers used.
Waspinator charged ahead of Inferno to try and destroy the Maximal base's bridge first. The Predicon wasp was hoping that he'd finally have some form of success in battle and would receive some form of reward, as opposed to one of the others. His idea was quickly dashed when an unknown laser shot came out of the sky and blew Waspinator into several pieces.
"HA!" Inferno gloated, "You can't even stay in one piece when victory is ours."
The insane ant didn't last much longer as another shot came out of nowhere, and Inferno found himself in almost as many pieces as Waspinator. Shots then came down on the other Predicons. Megatron, Rampage, and Tarantulus suffered little real damage, being transmetals, while Quickstrike and Blackarachnia took cover behind boulders.
"Your attack was timed a little late," Rampage snickered, "Primal's friends are here! Good bye Megatron!"
Megatron glanced across the skies from where the shots were coming from. The shots were coming from close by, but there was no ship there, at least not that he could see or scan anyway.
"A stealth ship?" Megatron mused to himself, "The Maximals would never use such technology…"
Megatron then turned to his besieged followers, "Tarantulus, recover Waspinator and Inferno, and get back to base. I believe it's time to up the ante in this game. Yes."
"What do you suppose that was all about?" Optimus asked curiously.
"It's Cybertron!" Rattrap announced, "They've found us! They're here!"
"Where is the ship then?" Silverbolt asked curiously, "If it is a ship that fired those laser shots."
Almost as soon as Silverbolt finished, a strange ship decloaked in an open field near the base.
"A stealth ship?" Dinobot growled, "I would advise caution, Optimus Primal. Maximals do not use stealth technology."
"And how would you know that, Chopperface?" Rattrap asked, "You also thought we had TORTURE chambers."
Dinobot half snickered at the memory and then answered, "A warrior always analyzes his opponent's strengths and weaknesses. From a military stand point, the Maximal's lack of stealth technology puts them at a weakness to those that do. Although, I've always found it to be a coward's answer to use such technology."
"You're more like us than you know," Rapther said quietly.
"Either way, it's Cybertron," Optimus answered, "We must investigate."
The Maximals slowly approached the stealth ship from their base and two red optics watched from inside the ship. One large brown looking robot and a yellow spotted robot looked overly hopeful. A chrome robot, a silver winged robot, and a brown and green robot looked more curious than anything else, while a forest green female robot and brown male robot standing near the back of the group looked ready to start a fight. The figure decided to make its entrance.
Dinobot's optics narrowed as the ship's ramp lowered. He already had his suspicions about this ship, because of its entrance, but part of him was also prepared to be arrested or shot at. Rapther stood nearby, as if ready to defend him. However, no one was prepared for what came down the ramp.
The bot was identical in structure and form to Cheetor's transmetal body, but it was a solid black, as apposed to Cheetor's more metallic colors. What set everyone off however was not the fact that he looked so much like Cheetor, but the fact that he carried neither the symbol of the Maximals nor the Predicons, but the ancient Deceptacons.
"I am Ravage," the robot announced, "Agent of the Predicon Alliance."
Optimus moved to shake the transformer's hand politely, when Rattrap stopped him, with Dinobot coming close behind.
"You can't trust this guy, Optimus," Rattrap said bluntly, "Only thing worse than a slaggin' Pred is a slaggin' Deceptacon!"
"He is right," Dinobot said slowly, "Does it not seem odd to you why it is a PREDICON ship piloted by someone who is DECEPTACON and not one of your own faction?"
Optimus paused slightly, but moved his arm to push the two back, "I'm sorry, we have been fighting Megatron for a long time here. But, they do have a point. We were expecting a Maximal ship."
The Deceptacon, Ravage, quickly noted the two that the transformer who was obviously Primal dismissed. The brown and blue robot looked perfectly enraged, and his voice matched the voice of one of the Predicons that helped Megatron steal the Golden Disks. The other was quickly ignored.
"I'm afraid the Maximals will not be able to find you," Ravage answered, "The Predicon Alliance has classified Megatron's actions as rogue, and agrees with the Maximal Elders that his stealing of the Golden Disk was a crime. We however wish to deal with Megatron ourselves. I am more than willing to bring you all back to Cybertron once Megatron has been dealt with."
"What do you mean, 'the Maximals will not be able to find you'?" Rhinox asked, "Cybertron has several scan satellites orbiting the planet. They should have detected the transwarp explosion just as you did."
Ravage looked down for a moment, "I'm afraid that Megatron's actions have gone beyond Earth. Recently three Predicon ships and their crews attacked and destroyed those satellites you refer to. I was busy hunting Megatron when I received a warning from the Predicon Alliance of the rogue attack, and advised that I might need to deal with them first. However, I detected the transwarp signature of the Darkside before I found them, so I am here."
"How do we know you didn't destroy the satellites yourself?" Rattrap asked suspiciously, "With that stealth ship you could attack dem satellites without detection."
"I can assure you that I did not," Ravage replied, "Now, Optimus Primal, I am here to hunt Megatron. If you have been fighting him here, then we are on the same side. I offer an alliance."
"Only to defeat Megatron and to return my crew to Cybertron," Optimus answered.
"Of course," Ravage smiled, shaking the Maximal leader's hand.
Predicon Base
Waspinator and Inferno was just placed in the Darkside's CR tanks while Megatron thought about the situation from his throne. Both Blackarachnia and Tarantulus had disappeared somewhere, but the arrival from Cybertron was far more important.
"Shouldn't be too long!" Rampage laughed from a corner of the room.
"If only I still had the Golden Disks," Megatron silently fumed and then snapped his fingers, and said in a triumphant voice, "That's it! The real disks may be in the Maximal's possession, but the energy signature and the design should be extremely easy to copy. A perfect bargaining chip, yes."
"What do ya want, boss?" Quickstrike asked as he walked up to Megatron.
"Activate all the autoguns," Megatron commanded, "That was a Predicon stealth ship that attacked us at the Maximal base. We can not target the ship itself, but we can target where the laser fire that it shoots at us comes from, and once we hit it, we can target the explosions."
"Yes, boss," Quickstrike saluted and moved to his post.
Megatron then produced the energon cage that held a piece of Rampage's spark and said coldly, "Come along, Rampage. I have work for you."
Rampage began to protest, but when he saw the energon cage he relented and followed the Predicon tyrant.
Ravage's Ship
Ravage piloted his stealth ship as quickly as he could toward the location of the Predicon Base with the guidance of the Maximals. Ravage quietly looked back at his allies. Optimus stood closest to him with Rhinox, Cheetor, and Silverbolt behind their leader. Dinobot, Rapther, and Rattrap chose to remain at the Maximal base, just in case Megatron might avoid Ravage's strike, and take the unguarded Maximal base.
Optimus was slightly disappointed that Dinobot, Rapther, and Rattrap refused to join them. Dinobot of all of them would want to see the downfall of Megatron, the Predicon who cost him his honor, who talking him into joining the party that stole the Golden Disks in first place. But then Dinobot was a warrior and Megatron was crafty. He could be right that the Predicon tyrant would simply lead a new attack on the disabled base while he and Maximals were helping Ravage.
"We are now approaching the location of the Darkside," Optimus said pointing through the glass window to the silhouette of the crashed Predicon ship.
Ravage nodded and settled his ship over the Darkside.
"Can they fire on us?" Cheetor asked nervously.
"Not while we're in stealth mode," Ravage answered.
Ravage then focused his ship's weapons on the Darkside.
"Megatron will surely suspect my involvement, and will try to target the locations where my weapon's fire comes from," Ravage thought, "That way he can sidestep my stealth technology. However, if I destroy his ability to target anything, than I've already won."
Below them in the Darkside, Megatron had luckily just finished his work on a piece of metal, welded around some improvised computer software. Normally he would assign Tarantulus this job, but even if he did know where the spider was, he didn't trust him enough with such a task.
"There," Megatron smiled and placed the metal object inside his chest compartment.
As soon as his chest compartment closed, a massive explosion rocked the ship.
"Megatron to Quickstrike," Megatron spoke into his communicator, "Come in Quickstrike."
"You ain't gonna like this, boss," Quickstrike weakly answered over the radio.
"What has happened?" Megatron demanded.
"Laser shot went straight through the ship and took out are targeting computer," Quickstrike answered, "Took me out too."
"And so falls the 'mighty' Megatron!" Rampage laughed.
Megatron ignored the crab's comments. This only proved to him his suspicions, that it was a Predicon that was here, not the Maximals. He slowly made his way out onto the bridge of the Darkside with Rampage following behind him. Once he got to the bridge he found Quickstrike lying near the targeting computers, offline. Megatron scowled for a moment but turned suddenly when he heard an explosion. The Predicon tyrant gasped in fear for the first time in his life. Rampage lay offline at the feet of Optimus Primal, Rhinox, Cheetor, Silverbolt, and a Decepticon that looked identical to Cheetor, except it was all black.
The Decepticon put its hands together and fired a laser shot, similar to Cheetor's and knocked Megatron out easily.
"In the name of the Predicon alliance," Ravage announced, "I place you under arrest."
To Be Continued…