Sorry it took so long. School and stuff has been slag. But, here it is the next chapter, we finally get to meet Razorgear for real.

~Love ArcMaximal

CH 4 Truth Be Told

Dinobot watched silently as the maximal leader interviewed the new transformer. The engineer attempted to convince her that she needed time in the CR chamber.

"Razorgear, if you don't give us any information we can't help you." Rhinox calmly stated.

She shoved the rhino away from her, "Fine then! Get away from me you filthy Maximals!"

Optimus Primal rolled his optics, "Please you're badly damaged. We're not going to hurt you. Trust me," Offering his hand to her.

She smacked the hand away, "Trust hasn't been in my favor recently." her voice was soft, barely above a whisper, and it was shaky as well.

"Alright," the maximal leader threw his hands in the air, "If you don't want repairs then fine. Rhinox take her to the holding chamber." The engineer nodded, carefully grabbing the femme by the arm. She tensed at his touch.

Dinobot spoke up as he stepped into the command center, "I will take her, Primal."

The Leader looked astonished, and upset. "You're supposed to be confined to quarters, Dinobot."

Razorgear's head lifted, her optics lit up at the mention of the saurian's name. She repeated the name to herself again; to make sure had heard it correctly.

Rhinox released her arm, looking at his leader, "Optimus? What happened?"

"It is none of your concern," Dinobot snapped at the medic with a snarl. The raptor took a step toward the group in the center of the room. "Well, Primal, your answer?"

Optimus let out a sigh of disgust, "Fine, I'll allow it but come see me right after words. Got it?"

The velociraptor nodded, "Affirmative." He stepped closer to Razorgear. In less than a nanoclick, she ripped her claws across Dinobot's face, moving faster than anyone had seen her move. Energon gushed from the newly opened wound.

Both Optimus and Rhinox acted at the moment, each grabbing one of Razorgear's arms, pulling her away from Dinobot. She started screaming at him, attempting to break out of the Maximals' grasp. "You, Bastard! You backstabbing pathetic saurian! I'll send you to the pit myself when I get my claws on you!"

Dinobot stood motionless, staring at the femme who just attacked him. He lifted his hand to his face, his fingers wet with his own fluids.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Razorgear hissed, her eyes wet with tear, continuing to struggle against her holders.

Optimus loosened his grip, "Dinobot, I recommend answering her." the warrior didn't move, nor respond. "Answer her now!" the leader's voice boomed through the Axalon.

The ex-Predacon stared at the ground, "I don't deserve to speak for myself . . . other than an apology. Razorgear," he stared right into the small femme's optics, "I'm sorry, and I do not deserve to be forgiven."

The femme stopped struggling, and stared at him. "He said these Maximals," Razorgear attempted to hold back her tears; "These Maximals killed you. He said they ripped you apart and killed you."

Rhinox laughed, "Well I guarantee that Dinobot isn't dead, and we sure didn't kill him," the medics attempt to lighten the mood worked brilliantly. Razorgear smiled and let out a small laugh.

Optimus Primal on the other hand wasn't so calm, "Who told you that Dinobot was dead?" Razorgear avoided his optics.

"Three guesses, Primal." Dinobot stated bluntly, looking at Razorgear, "I warned you not to trust him."

The rouge femme crossed her arms across her chest, "A little late for that," her voice barely above a whisper.

"Megatron," Rhinox spat the name like a curse, his optics locked on Razorgear. She nodded, but refused to speak. Her mind was lost in her own memories.

"Razorgear," Optimus stared questionably at her, "Razorgear?" No answer. "Razorgear? Are you alright?"

Returning to the present, Razorgear looked up. "Huh? Oh yeah. Sorry, I'm fine. Just fine."

The maximal leader nodded, "OK, Dinobot please take Razorgear to an empty room." The Raptor nodded and motioned for her to follow him.

The two left the command center silently, walking toward the rooms. Rhinox looked to Optimus, "That was . . . Interesting. I think she's lying to us."

The maximal leader smiled, "I know, she'll tell us when she's ready."

"How do you know?"

"She's just like Dinobot; she'll eventually let us in." Optimus stated, "She just has to figure out on her own that she can trust us."

Rhinox sat back on the monitors, "Razorgear is a Predacon, and she's bent on it more than Dinobot was. I don't think she'll ever come around."

Smiling, "We'll just have to see then." Optimus Primal started to type on the main table.

. . . . .

They walked silently through the halls of the Axalon. Dinobot slowed his pace so that Razorgear walked beside him. She slid her arm threw his, and they walked arm and arm. The two didn't speak; they didn't even look at each other. The warrior felt as f he were again a Predacon walking the halls of the Darksyde instead. He missed this, his daily chats with Razorgear, their little arguments about strategies to stances. No one questioning his orders, it was perfect. Except it wasn't, Megatron took advantage of the warrior's lust for battle, and with it his honor and pride

He stopped abruptly and was pulled back into reality when the youngest member of the Maximal crew walked out of his room and straight into Dinobot and Razorgear. "Jumpin' gyros', sorry about that, guys."

Dinobot quickly unhooked his arm from hers and snapped at the cat, "Watch where you are going! You'll offline someone like that!"

The kid laughed and smiled at the warrior, "Cool your jets, Dinobutt. I didn't mean to run into you." His optics fell to Razorgear, "Sorry I never got to introduce myself." He extended his hand to her, "I'm Cheetor."

Smiling softly, Razorgear shook his hand, "Pleasure." Dinobot growled under his breath "I'm Razorgear."

Cheetor nodded, "Well, um . . . err I gotta' um go. Bye." He smiled at her and started toward the command center.

"Ha, jealous much?" Razorgear questioned the warrior standing beside her.

Dinobot stepped back, "I never said that!"

She stepped in front of the raptor, "You don't have to say anything to me. You know that."

Ignoring her, Dinobot took a few steps forward and opened a door to an empty room. It had a single desk and chair, along with a medium sized berth. She followed him into the room. "This will be your quarters, if you need anything please inform me." He then turned to leave.

"Quit with all this professionalism," She grabbed his arm. "I thought you were dead. I'm not about to let you walk away now." Her voice hitched, "I missed you. Please stay."

The warrior let out a sarcastic sigh of disgust, "Fine, I'll stay for a few clicks." He pulled out the chair and sat down in it. "How did Megatron react when he found you?"

She collapsed in the berth and took a long moment before she answered. "Well, at first, he was normal. He talked to me, like every day. Then he started following me around, and then he . . ." she cut her sentence short.

Dinobot's head lifted, "He what?"

"Nothing, never mind."

"Gear, come on tell me." The raptor stood and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Razorgear smacked his hand away, "Don't touch me!" She snapped viciously, "Just let it be . . . Please."

He stood motionless, hurt, confused, and worried, "I do not understand, what happened?"

"I said let it be, Dinobot! I . . . I don't wanna' talk about it" She hesitantly muttered.

Nodding, Dinobot backed away from, "Oh OK, I did not mean to-"

"Didn't mean to what?" She jumped to her feet, "Knocking me out? Putting me in a stasis pod? Leaving me? Forgetting about me? Letting Megatron-" she couldn't hold in her tears anymore, she burst into tears. "Just get out! GET OUT NOW!"

Dinobot walked slowly to the door, after opening it said, "I am sorry," then left. He was still able to hear Razorgear's muffled cries behind the closed door. Getting Razorgear to trust him again was going to be difficult. Dinobot allowed his mind to begin to wander. What she really upset with him or was this them getting back together? He shrugged it off, at least for now.

After making his way back to the command center, Dinobot stood in the doorway and waited for the maximal leader to see him. Optimus Primal glanced up from his work at the control panel; he nodded to the raptor. They left the command center and walked to Optimus' personal quarters.
The maximal leader let out a harsh sigh, as if he was holding back a snap. "Well, Dinobot, I let you talk to her. Details, now!"

"She was a part of Megatron's crew, with me. As you know I was his former . . . lieutenant, but Razorgear was always his obsession, after taking over the universe, of course." Dinobot began to pace, "for a long time we three worked together. And after we stole the golden disks, I told Razorgear that she should stay on Cybertron. But she . . . well, somehow made her way on to the Darksyde."

Optimus Primal raised an eyebrow, "Really? How come we have never seen her before now?"

"Ehe, ehe, well." Dinobot hesitantly continued, "She was in a stasis pod on the ship. I put her there."

After a brief moment of silence, the maximal leader continued his interrogation. "With all due respect, Dinobot, what was your relationship with her? I can tell something was going on between you two. And I need to know if her being here would be a problem." Optimus Primal stated; the leader watched the raptor cautiously.

Dinobot tensed at the suggestion, "Do you doubt me, Primal? I am a warrior; there is nothing to distract me!"

The maximal leader nodded, "Dinobot I've gotten to know you quite well since you joined us. I know when something gets under your skin. Most of the time that's just Rattrap." He smiled at his own attempt of a joke, but quickly continued after he noticed Dinobot's uneasiness. "What I'm saying is if there is going to be an issue, and if something happened, I going to ask you to try and leave it in the past. And keep it there, for the sake of everyone."

The ex-Predacon's fists clenched, and bared his teeth. "You think I would hold a grudge in war?! I would never put my comrades in danger over my personal vendettas!"

"Of course, I just wanted to remind you. You're dismissed."

The velociraptor turned to leave, and then stopped in the doorway. "We were nothing more than comrades in arms, maybe friends. Though there was an attempt for it to be something . . . else. But we both agreed it would not work out." Relaxing a bit, "I think of Razorgear like a sister, and I will treat her as such."

"Thanks, Dinobot." Optimus smiled, "Go ahead on a patrol."

Dinobot bowed his head and left Optimus Primal's quarters. Doing exactly what the leader had suggested, he left the Axalon. Transforming into his velociraptor form, he ran out into the open land. Hoping that he'd run into a pack of animals to hunt or a Predacon to rip to shreds, either would be a shimmer of light in Dinobot's terrible day.

Razorgear awoke in a room she didn't recognize. The last thing she remembered is arguing with Dinobot, who joined the Maximals. She couldn't believe that her friend turned his back on the Predacons.

The young pred pushed herself out of the berth, standing up as fast as her damaged body could move. Razorgear stared at the wall memorized by her reflection. She didn't see a bot she recognized. After wiping a tear from her optic, she left her room.

Dinobot was standing just across the hall, waiting for Razorgear. "Morning how was your recharge?"

The young femme pushed past her former friend, "Fine. How do I get out of here?"

"Not before you go speak with Primal," the raptor explained.

"Why he said I just need to stay here for the night. Then I could leave!" The young pred stepped to Dinobot pointing a short knife at him.

The warrior smiled, pushing the blade away. "Gear, he just wishes to speak with you. That is all."

Muttering under her breath, Razorgear nodded to Dinobot, following him to see the Maximal leader. She slipped her hand into the warrior's. "What does he want to talk about?"

Dinobot smiled and continued walking, "Don't worry he just needs to how what happened."

The young femme pulled the larger raptor to a stop, "But Dinobot, do you trust him?"

He wasn't expecting that question. Dinobot stared into her glowing apple red optics, "I owe Optimus Primal my life, and this crew is beyond trust worthy."

She smiled, "OK. Let's go talk to him."

The large ex-pred led Razorgear to the maximal leader's private quarters. Dinobot knocked in the door before it slid open. He extended his hand into the room gesturing for Razorgear to enter.

"You're not coming in?!"

"I'm afraid not, I do apologize. But Primal asked to speak with you alone. Go on, we can talk later." Dinobot nodded at her, and turned and walked away.

The maximal leader looked up from his desk, "Razorgear, glad you could join me. Come in have a seat." He pointed to the two chairs in front of his desk.

Cautiously she entered the room and took a seat. "Hi."

The transmetal gorilla smiled, "Hi. I'm sorry we got off on a bad foot yesterday. I'm Optimus Primal. But we need to make sure that you were safe."

"Safe?" Her voice rising, "I was safe out in the wild! Not here!"

Optimus let out a sigh, "I understand that you're a fine warrior, like Dinobot. But I don't think you would be able to fight all 8 Predacons, when they go looking for you."

"What are you talking about?"

The leader of the Maximals tapped his fingers on his desk, "Megatron came to our base looking for you. About a week ago, and he was willing to end the Beast Wars, in exchange for you, of course."

Razorgear stood up, "No! You can't do that!" She was screaming now. "I can't go back to that monster!"

Optimus stood as well, "Razorgear, please calm down. That negotiation was never an option. We only wanted to ensure that you were safe from him." The leader's voice never rose, though it remained firm. "I just wanted to let know the stakes. We will never trade a life, especially to Megatron. Though, I would like to know why he is so interested in you," sitting back down calmly.

Razorgear slowly sat back into the chair, looking away from Optimus. "I don't wanna' talk about this. Ask me something else."

"OK, let's start with something simple. How old are you?"

She stiffened, "Umm, I'm 22, um, Sir." Big fat lie.

Optimus smiled, "Right. And how long have you been out by yourself with no alternate form in the wild?"

"About a week and a half, maybe, I think." She explained, rubbing her hand over her arm.

Nodding his head, "That's not good; energon is very unstable on this planet. Prolonged exposer without an alternate form can be extremely damaging to your structure. I am going to suggest that you get one before you leave. That is of course if you still want to." The leader let out a sigh, and wiped his hand across his face. "What I'm saying is that you are welcome to stay here as long as you like. And I encourage that you do stay here since Megatron is after you."

Razorgear remained silent, not looking at the maximal leader. Optimus pulled a data pad out of a drawer in his desk, and set in front of her. "We have some organisms already scanned. So you have a look and let me or Rhinox know if you like any of them." He stood up and walked toward the door, "Please follow me." Razorgear grabbed the data pad and followed Optimus Primal.

. . . . .

The medical bay was smaller than Razorgear expected. There were six medical berths up. The rhino maximal was typing on a computer near one of the empty berths.

"Good morning, Rhinox," Optimus greeted. "Razorgear is here to see you.

Turning from the computer, Rhinox smiled, "Nice to see you." Rhinox extended his large hand to the smaller femme.

"Hi," she didn't take the medic's hand, and the datapad was held tightly in her arms.

Rhinox pulled his hand, then extended it to the nearby berth, "Please have a seat." Razorgear stepped gingerly to the berth, and then sat down on it.

"Do I need to stay?" Optimus Primal whispered to the medic.

Rhinox shook his head and whispered back, "I should be able to take care of her."

The Maximal leader turned to Razorgear, "Rhinox is going to give you a checkup. Do you need anything before I go?"

Razorgear thought for a brief moment, "Where's Dinobot?"

"He's going on patrol. Unless—"

"No," Razorgear quickly interrupted Optimus. "I was just wondering that's all."

"Alright, I'll see you later." The maximal leader left, leaving Razorgear alone with Rhinox.

The massive mech pulled out a scanner that was connected to the nearby computer. It seemed tiny in the medic's hand. "Could I have that?" Extending his hand, and pointing at the datapad. She looked down at it in her arms. Then, slowly she passed it to Rhinox. He thanked her as he set it by the computer. "I need you to lie down, please."

Razorgear did as the medic asked, without saying a word. She stared silently at the ceiling and folded her arms over her body.

The medic powered on the machine; bringing the scanner across Razorgear's body. His optics were fixed on the computer screen, reading the information it showed. Every few places he paused and held the scanner still. Clicks ticked by. There was no sound between them other than the hum on the machine.

Suddenly, Rhinox froze. He stared at the scanner in his hand. Slowly, he set it down on the counter beside the computer. Razorgear began to push herself up off the table. "Am I done?"

Rhinox typed for a few moments, and then closed the program. Then, faced her, "Officially, yes"

"So, can I leave?"

"Not yet," Rhinox pulled a chair out, placed it close to Razorgear's table, and sat in it. "We need to talk, and whatever you tell me now will not go into my report." His arms crossed over his armored chest. "Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I guess so. But why does that matter?" Razorgear muttered softly.

Rhinox sighed, "That means you can answer my questions, and not worry if I'll say anything." The Predacon femme dropped her optics, fixating them on the ground. "I realize that you probably don't want to talk about it, but we are going to anyway."

Razorgear glanced back up, and then again dropping them back to the ground.

"Do you know what I'm talking about?" Rhinox continued to question, and still she didn't respond. The rhino leaned forward, closer to Razorgear, "I'm a medic. You can't hide many thing from me." He stated flatly.

Her gaze shifted further from Rhinox. Though, she didn't give any other type of response.

"I was trying to be subtle with this, but that's no really working, is it?" Rhinox stood, and turned his back to Razorgear. "But I know a forced panel when I see one."

Her head shot up and stared at him in shock. She didn't know what to say. How could he have known? Terrified, Razorgear pulled her legs closer to her body. She was not going to talk about this. Not to this maximal, not to anyone.

He turned back to face her. "Am I wrong? I begging you," The tone of his voice flipped from professional to almost desperate. "Please tell me I'm wrong." Razorgear looked back down, confirming Rhinox's suspensions. "Slag, just slag." He muttered, "What happened?"

She lifted her head, shook it, and then finally spoke, "I'm not gonna' talk about this."

"Alright, we won't." Rhinox let the topic go, then grabbed the datapad from beside the computer and handed back to her. "But remember, you can talk to me about it."

Extending her hand to take the pad; Razorgear nodded. "Yeah, OK." She stared at the pad, tapping it a few times.

"Have you decided which form you like yet?" Rhinox questioned.

She pushed herself off the table, "I've narrowed it down. I still have to decide between two." She continued to tap the pad.

Rhinox stepped closer to the rouge Predacon and took a glance at the datapad. "Which two are you down to?"

"A lynx or a horse, I think I like this hunter a bit more." Razorgear explained as she read though the lynx's profile.

Smiling, Rhinox started walking out of the Med Bay, "Well, take your time with your choice." He opened the door and waited for her to follow.

Cautiously, she stepped out of the med bay and walked back to the command center.

The maximal leader had his head in his hands leaning on the control table. Across from him, Dinobot and Rattrap were arguing with each other, standing toe to toe.

Dinobot's razor teeth were bared, his fists clenched, and his voice continued to rise. "You, Vermin! You pathetic garbage-eater! I was almost killed because you!"

Stepping closer to the ex-pred warrior, Rattrap snapped. "If your slaggin' aft didn't get in my way, ya' wouldn't've gotten shot! Ya' frag face!"

"Language!" Optimus muttered, sighing with disgust. It was hopeless with those two.

Razorgear smiled, sitting in one of the monitor chairs. As Dinobot and Rattrap continued to argue, she mumbled something in a different language.

The raptor stopped midsentence; he turned to face the femme. "What was that?!" The snarl in his voice visibly sent a chill down Rattrap and Optimus Primal's spines. Though, Razorgear simply smiled back at Dinobot, without a drop of fear. Dinobot growled viciously. "Say that again!" He stomped right in front of her and glared down. "Well?"

"I didn't say anything." Standing slowly, she smirked evilly.

Optimus stepped up and quickly grabbed Dinobot's shoulder, and pulled him away from Razorgear. "What is going on?"

The warrior pushed his leader away, and pointed a clawed finger at the smaller femme. "Did you not hear her?!"

"No, I didn't. Enlighten me." Optimus crossed his arms over his chest.

Dinobot's red optics fell on the transmetal gorilla, then to Razorgear. She was still smiling. "Nothing. Nothing at all." The raptor spat, and then he stomped out of the room.

After Dinobot was out of earshot, Rattrap began to laugh. He walked over to Razorgear and threw his arm over her shoulders. She froze at the touch. "Sweetheart, I like ya'." The spy smiled at her. "Makin' Choppa' face run off like dat, way to go, Sweetheart. Way to go."

She smiled and pushed his arm off of her, "Thanks, I guess."

The rat turned his head to the side, smirking cheezally. "So, Sweetheart, what's ya' name? I'm Rattrap."

She glanced at the Datapad in her hands and introduced herself.

"Razorgear, dat's a nice name ya got dere, Sweetheart."

"Thanks, and please make so sort of an effort to use it." She snapped.

The spy held his hands up defensibly, "Easy dere, I just thought—"

"Shut up, Rattrap. Leave her alone." Optimus called, "Get filing your report."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever ya' say, Boss Monkey. Later den, SWEETHEART." The spy mocked before sulking off. Razorgear stared at the rat, offended.

"Sorry about him, he likes to push buttons. And it looks like he just found yours. You'll get use to him." Optimus began to type on the table.

"What's with him and Dinobot?" Razorgear questioned as she spun in the chair like a child.

Scoffed, the leader smiled, "We're not exactly sure." The conversation went silent. Optimus continued to type, but spared a glace to Razorgear every few moments. Pausing, finally, Optimus stepped in front of her and leaned of the control table. "So, Razorgear, how long have you known Dinobot?"

She looked at the maximal leader and shrugged, "I don't know for sure, a long time I guess. He was the one who allowed me to join Megatron's crew." She explained, turning the datapad over in her hands. "I picked one." She held it out to him, changing the subject.

"Great choice!" Optimus Primal smiled at the datapad. "Alright, step into the CR-Chamber and we'll get you your new form." He clicked a button on the table and one of the chambers opened. He motioned his hand toward it.

She stared at it, wide eyed, "In there?"

Optimus place his hand on her shoulder, "Completely safe, I promise."

"But it looks like a torture chamber." Razorgear stammered and took a step closer.

"Don't worry. It isn't," he insisted. "Go in, please."

Razorgear stepped into the CR-Chamber and it closed behind her. The machine turned on, Razorgear's optics blinked off; she slipped into a deep recharge.

End of Chapter 4

Chapter 5 might be a while, sorry. It will be up as soon as possible.

~ArcMaximal