CHAPTER 4
Secret Meeting -
Autobot City. Optimus Prime and Ratchet are in the middle of conducting a secret meeting in a dimly lit part of an, as yet,.unfinished part of Autobot City. Optimus is holding his chin with one hand whilst holding the elbow with the other, Ratchet has his hands out in a pleading manner
" Optimus! We can not hope to beat Unicron we - " Optimus cuts Ratchet off and turns to face him
" Ratchet we can not simply run away, Earth is our home now, we MUST defend it. We will alert Earth's Leaders and stand along side them " Ratchet shakes his head
" But that is suicide! Unicron is - " Optimus again cuts Ratchet off, placing a hand on Ratchet's left shoulder
" Ratchet have faith. The humans have withstood an attack from Megatron and the Fallen, their resolve is strong " Optimus removes his hand as Ratchet continues to plead
" Even WITH Earth's help, we still do not have enough to oppose Unicron, surely you SEE that Optimus? " Optimus bows his head to reflect on what Ratchet has just said, a moment passes, Optimus raises his head
" Then we must ask the Decepticons for their assistance! "
" WHAT! " Ratchet recoils in shock.
" With the Decepticons help we will stand a better chance of opposing Unicron " Ratchet looks down to the left then at Optimus
" HOW? The Decepticons are not known for their courage, they are more likely to align with Unicron! " Optimus starts to pace back and forth
" It is in Megatron's interest to help us. He will want to defeat me and rule Earth himself, not allow Unicron to do it for him "
" How do you know that? " Inquires Ratchet, Optimus turns his back to Ratchet looking at the floor
" Megatron and I have known each other for eons " Optimus looks up and continues
" His hatred for me and now Earth is far too great, Megatron has always preferred to do things himself, using others only when they have skills he does not, to achieve what he wants " Ratchet takes a step forward
" But Optimus, I am not comfortable teaming with Decepticons " Optimus looks over his shoulder
" It is our only hope "
" NONSENSE! " Optimus and Ratchet jump in surprise, Ironhide emerges from the shadows, Optimus and Ratchet turn to face him to form a triangle
" How long have you been standing there? " Questions Optimus
" Long enough to realize your neurologics are malfunctioning! " Ironhide retorts, Ratchet takes a step towards Ironhide and demands
" Ironhide! Know your place " Optimus waves his left hand at Ratchet to calm down
" It is okay Ratchet, I encourage you all to speak freely " Ironhide looks angrily to his right at Ratchet whilst clenching his right hand in to a fist
" I KNOW, MY place... It is out on the battlefield kicking Decepticon butt! " Ratchet looks away sharply from Ironhide, Optimus asks
" What is troubling you old friend? " Ironhide shudders
" The thought of fighting alongside the Decepticons! " Optimus puts his hands on his hips, bows his head and shakes it slowly, he suspects there is more to it than that, maybe Unicron has even Ironhide worried or maybe the death of a close friend like Trax has shaken him, either way Ironhide is not likely to tell, but his actions reflect that he is upset by more than just teaming with Decepticons
" That is unfortunate " Says Optimus, Ironhide reluctantly turns to Ratchet with arms out
" Come on Ratchet! Make him see sense " Ratchet looks at Ironhide
" I may not be comfortable with the idea of teaming with Decepticons but, I DO, trust Optimus's judgement, if he deems it necessary we must believe in it " Ironhide looks at Ratchet in disbelief
" Thank You Ratchet, that is appreciated " Says Optimus, Ratchet looks at Optimus
"Optimus, how exactly are we supposed to get in contact with Megatron we do not even know were he is? " Optimus looks up
" I am sure Soundwave is listening in and HE will relay the message to Megatron " Ironhide crosses his arms
" Hmph! So you are going ahead with this? " Optimus and Ratchet look at each other, then at Ironhide and nod, Ironhide throws his arms up
" Bahh! Good luck convincing Earth's leaders " Ratchet and Optimus watch as Ironhide storms out, Ratchet turns to Optimus
" He has a point Optimus, how DO you plan on convincing Earth's leaders to align with Decepticons? "
" Hopefully they will understand that Unicron is the bigger threat and this is the best option for Earth's survival " Ratchet nods, bugles start to play an old Cybertronian funeral song.
" We should head out to Trax's funeral " Says Optimus, Ratchet and Optimus leave the room and head towards the city courtyard.
