Disclaimer: Still the same as the first chapter
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Chapter Four - Feast
"It would appear that some of the Predacons have survived," Optimus Prime's deep rumble filled the hanger, "And it seems they have gone rogue."
"That was my assessment as well." nodded Ultra Magnus. They had returned with enough energon to keep them well fueled for at least six months, a year if they rationed. While their energon situation was much improved and Ratchet was pleased that he didn't need to repair anyone, the news of the mines condition was met with shock and worry.
"Great! Something else we have to worry about!" snarled Ratchet, throwing his arms in the air. "As if Decepticons, our energon supply, our lack of decent equipment and spare parts, this shack we call a base and keeping Miko out of trouble wasn't enough."
"Hey!" came a small shout from around Bulkhead's ankle.
"And let's not forget we haven't seen plate nor antenna of the Insecticons for some time. Who knows what they're up to." Ratchet added, ignoring the tiny female glaring at him.
"Calm yourself Ratchet." Optimus said, hopeing to soothe his volatile CMO.
Ratchet snorted, "Easy for you to say. Let's see how calm you are when a Predacon chews on your leg and I don't have the parts to replace it! You'll be stomping around here like one of those pirates on TV with an I beam for a wooden leg. Calm myself."
Deciding it was best to let the fuming medic grumble to himself, Optimus turned back to his gathered troops. "Suggestions on how to handle this situation."
Bulkhead spoke up, "I say leave them be. If they keep hitting energon mines like they did that one, they'll wipe out the whole Con army for us."
Arcee chimed in, "Not a good idea. What if they change their minds and return to the Cons. We can't let something that powerful ally themselves with the other side."
"Don't forget." perched on one of the catwalks along the wall, Jack drew everyone's attention, "Those things are wild animals. Animals that have just been dropped into a world they have no clue about. How long will it take before they come across humans?"
"Wonderful, more pictures for me to hunt down." sighed Raf from his spot near Ratchet's medical corner, head buried in his computer but listening to everything said.
"Not just that." continued Jack, clearly worried, "What if some idiot shoots at one of them and pisses it off?"
"Beasts on a rampage!" chimed in Miko, sounding just a bit too excited, "Jurassic Park Robo-style!"
Wheeljack groaned, "I dealt with rampaging Dynobots once, I'm not helping with runamuck Predacons."
Miko looked up at Bulkhead who stage whispered, "I'll tell you about it later."
"It seems that our options are limited." Optimus drew everyones attention back to him, "The Predacons can not be allowed to roam free. They pose a risk not just to us but to all life on this planet."
[So, what's our orders?] beeped Bumblebee
"Rafael will monitor the Web for signs of the Predacons." Optimus nodded to the boy, who just waved and went back to tapping away, "Ratchet will contact Agent Fowler to inform him of the situation."
"Fowler's gonna have a field day with this one." Bulkhead chuckled, "How do you explain to the military brass that a bunch of mythological metal monsters are loose somewhere in the country?"
Optimus continued, "And the rest of us will monitor as many of the Decepticon dig sites as possible. These creatures will surely raid another one once their supply of crystals runs out."
"Great, hiding outside Con mines hopeing one of these monsters shows up, sounds like fun." grumbled Smokescreen as the meeting broke up and everyone moved off to ready themselves, "My luck I'll run into the one that spits acid and get my bumper melted off."
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Not that far from the emptied mine, at least by Cybertronian measures of distance, the Prediaons feasted. Surrounded by tall trees, the rocky clearing they had found wasn't much but it had cover and afforded them some privacy.
For the first time in their short lives, the air was filled with happy grunts and clicks. The raw crystals were stomped and smashed into small chunks, just the right size to swallow. Quickly they gorged themselves, instinct telling them that if they didn't eat fast something might take their fuel away. Not that they would steal from each other. They were kin, a clan and that meant watching out for and fueling each other. But instincts were strong and deeply rooted. One never knew when something bigger, stronger might try to take what was yours.
Not that they had encountered anything stronger then themselves yet. Those strange creatures that all shared the same face had not stood a chance. They had learned quickly that what a Predacon clan wants, they take.
Sprawled out at one end of the clearing, their leader rumbled contently, one of the largest crystals clasped in his claws. Snapping off another piece of energon, he enjoyed the feel of a nearly full tank, specially designed to brake down raw fuel. They had done well, his kin. They had worked smoothly, removing all resistance with a speed that made him proud. Only a few scratches had been left on their plating from the pitiful creatures they had killed. As if such puny things could harm a Predacon.
Extra crystals were tucked away, hidden under some logs and rocks as tanks filled. More sounds of contentment filled the evening air as the Predacons yawned and stretched. This had been a busy day and the next promised to be busy as well. While they had enough fuel for several days, their new home was lacking in comforts. They would have to fix that soon.
Settling down, their leader vented a large sigh, sending a cloud of dust up as recharge tugged at his mind. Just as he felt himself slipping away, something nudged the back edge of his wing. He growled as that something wiggled it's way under the flexible metal membrane and curled against his side. Lifting his wing slightly, he caught sight of one of the grounders, a bundle of white and blue plating, snuggling against his side.
Lifting his massive head, he looked to the other end of the clearing, to see if any others dared to cuddle their leader. He instead found the other flier in a similar situation. The other two grounders were pressed to it's sides, wings draped over them and all three already in recharge.
With a grumble, he settled his head back on his claws and let his companion be. After all, they had already been threw so much all ready, he could not begrudge them a little comfort.
For tonight at least.
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Notes: Aww, even big bad Preds need a cuddle now and then. Just writing that scene made me all warm and fuzzy.
My thanks to those who reviewed, your support makes me want to write more. I wish I had more to give this week, but real life handed me a aft load of extra hours (people on vacation) and this was all I could manage. Next weekend doesn't look much better, but I hope to have at least one more chapter up then. After that I hope to be back to two or three each weekend.
