Authors Notes:
Thanks for continuing to read my fanfic. Please review and I hope to make a wonderful fanfic. Just for reference:
Nano-clik = 1 Second
Cycle = 1 Minute
Mega-cycle = 1 Hour
Day = Day
Anyway, to the actual chapter.

Cheetor continued to pace the small confines of the cage in which he was imprisoned in. Cheetor had no idea how long it has been since he was captured. All he knows is that it is the morning now which means that he's been imprisoned for about 6 Mega-Cycles since he awoke.

Cheetor: "Why are they keeping me in this cage for so long and where is the rescue team that Optimus should have sent out by now. Maybe they're still planning the rescue mission."

Having tired himself out from pacing for about 2 Mega-Cycles, stopping to lay down for a Mega-Cycle, and then pacing continuously for another 3 Mega-Cycles. Cheetor started to drift off slowly, silently lying down and falling into recharge.

Back at the Maximal Base at the Ark:

Rattrap: "Why haven't we attacked de Preds yet to rescue Cheetor? We don't even know what they have planned for the kiddo! They were clearly after him, since Megabutt passed up an opportunity to off Optimus."

Depth Charge: "I can't help but agree with Rattrap. Optimus, he does have a point. I want to help in any way I can since this is partially my fault too."

Optimus: "We don't know for sure if he even is imprisoned in the Nemisis. Rhinox have you found Cheetor's energy signature yet?"

Rhinox was busy typing away at the computer.

Rhinox: "Almost done Optimus..."

The computer suddenly erupted into static.

Rhinox: "You slaggin piece of junk!"

Rhinox hit the computer out of frustration at the still not entirely debugged Axalon systems that were now hooked up to the Ark.

The computer flickered violently and showed only static for a nano-clik, before clearing and revealing Cheetor's location.

Rhinox: "Optimus I've found him. Cheetor is definitely in the Predacon ship since his last transmitted location was just outside the Predacon jamming zone. But, I did catch a flicker of his energy signature inside the Preds ship."

Rattrap: "Now that we have determined that Cheetor is EXACTLY where we thought he was to begin with can we go rescue him!"

Optimus: "I want to contact Megatron first and see if I can make him reveal his plans. Rhinox make a com-link connection with the Nemisis."

Rhinox: "Will do Optimus."

Back at the Predacon ship, the Nemisis:

Megatron: "Aaahhh. It would appear that Optimus would like to have a chat, yessssss."

Megatron turned to Dinobot.

Megatron: "Open the channel."

Dinobot pushed a button making Optimus's face appeared on screen.

Megatron: "Aaaahhh. Optimus, what could I do for you?"

Optimus: "Where's Cheetor and what are you planning?"

Rattrap, out of sight, facepalmed at Optimus's stupid 'attempt' at getting info about Megatron's plan through being honest and straightforward with Megatron.

Megatron: "You would love to know that wouldn't you. But I can't tell you that."

Optimus: "You know that we will come and rescue him, hand Cheetor over now and prevent this pointless conflict."

Megatron: "Oh my, such force behind your words Optimus. But, unfortunately I believe that Cheetor won't want to be rescued anymore after I'm done with him."

Optimus: "And why would that be?"

Megatron: "Oh no." Said Megatron in false horror. "I believe that our connection is breaking up. Goodbye for now Optimus and expect a surprise at our next encounter."

Optimus: "Why you..."

Megatron cut off Optimus's sentence by ending the message.

Back at the Maximal base:

Optimus turned around to face his fellow Maximals.

Optimus: "We're leaving right now to rescue Cheetor."

Rhinox: "Are you sure Optimus, Megatron appeared to be only baiting us."

Optimus: "I know, but we can't just leave Cheetor, wherever the Predacons have him."

Rattrap: "Finally, I thought that we would never go and rescue da kiddo."

Silverbolt: "I swear that I will rescue you Cheetor."

Optimus: "I actually want you (Silverbolt) and Blackarachnia to stay behind and watch over the base."

Rhinox: "I'll go ahead and gear up and help everyone prepare for a full out attack on the Nemisis."

Throughout all this Depth Charge stayed silent, contemplating what Megatron had said about how Cheetor won't want to be rescued afte he was through with him.

Depth Charge: "Stay safe kid."

To Be Continued in Chapter 3: Dark Experiment Pt. 1