CHAPTER 7
Her first solar-cycle wearing the insignia of the Maximals went along wonderfully and Blackarachnia finally felt accepted for the first time since she gained her techno-organic form. Primal had sent her on a patrol without a senior warrior, just with her little friend Cheetor. As always, he was hyperactive, the excitement of Blackarachnia officially joining the crew didn't quite help calm him. Nonetheless, they had fun.
As the Maximals had given Blackarachnia more and more trust and acceptance, more and more of her amiable original personality had emerged. Now, the only thing making her different from her primary form of Elita-1 was the techno-organic state of her body. In fact, she had almost managed to forget most of the actions she regretted.
A few solar-cycles had passed since that day, probably a little over a quarter deca-cycles. It was currently morning, with sunlight brightly illuminating the base. The Axalon was relatively tranquil, save for the sounds of Cheetor and Airazor in a play-scuffle and Rhinox trying to get them to quiet down some.
Blackarachnia had just awoken from her recharge cycle. The new Maximal got up slowly, there was no rush. She stretched her lithe form to get the feel of her circuitry before heading leisurely to the control room to see what Primal wanted her to do this solar-cycle.
The spider-bot ran into Rattrap on the way. The miner was eagerly packing up a cache of explosives that would be rather difficult to carry for such a small 'bot. He seemed as psyched as always about blowing up the energon vein. Rattrap perked up even more, if it was possible, when he heard Blackarachnia approaching.
"'ey, if it isn't our new Maximal!" The rat-bot greeted with a wave. Blackarachnia tried to ignore the charge we held in that servo.
"Hey Rattrap," she replied, "How's the energon vein coming along?"
Rattrap grinned and gave her two thumbs up. Once again, the femmebot tried to ignore the explosives he was holding so close to her. "It's comin' apart nicely, wit'only a little struggle. Surprised th'Preds haven't used it yet to blow us to smith'reens." He shrugged.
"Keep up the good work, then," Blackarachnia encouraged, not wishing to get blown up by the enemy. She started heading for the control room.
"'Ey tanks, congrats on th'Maximal insignia too!"
She smiled at that. It was great being part of the Axalon's crew.
As the femmebot rounded the corner, she saw Cheetor and Airazor standing just outside the doorframe. The voices of Optimus, Rhinox, and Dinobot floated out, undoubtedly in a serious discussion.
"Are you two eavesdropping," Blackarachnia scolded gently in a whisper.
Cheetor nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah!" he whispered, voice full of excitement. His sister cuffed him gently over the head.
"Quiet, little brother," Airazor hushed, hazarding a quick glance around the corner to make sure they hadn't been heard. Anxiousness pierced her yellow optics. "They're talking about the Predacons—they haven't made a move in a while. Dinobot thinks they're up to something," she explained quickly to Blackarachnia.
Even though she knew it was wrong, curiosity got the better of Blackarachnia. She joined them in listening.
"…they must think we're plotting to destroy them, they know that they're wanted for theft, murder, so many dishonorable things. They're definitely coming in to our territory to check and see if they're right. Probably offline us, too," Dinobot growled darkly.
Rhinox sighed heavily and Primal remained silent. "You're sure of this?" the rhino-bot questioned.
Dinobot snarled, his typical response to any question. "I was protoformed a Predacon, and stayed under Megatron's command long enough, I should now," the velociraptor-bot grated, "It clearly wasn't the correct path for me."
"And we're grateful to have you on our side, Dinobot," Optimus responded. "We'll have to brace for attack if you are so sure."
"I suggest having a 'bot or two in to infiltrate the territory—when the sun is highest so their assassin Onyx Primal will not be out. He cannot stand the sunlight; thank the AllSpark that the skies are clear today. Our 'bots can alert us of any troop movement," Dinobot offered.
"That's a good idea," Optimus complemented. "Who would be best, you think?"
Rhinox sounded reluctant, but his decisions were backed by smart, strategic thinking. "I'd say Tigatron. He spends so much time out in his beast mode that he knows the Earth like nobody's business. Sometimes I think he's let his beast instincts take over his primary functions at times! And if we needed an aerial view…oh, by the Magnus hammer, I'd hate to send her… our only flier is Airazor."
When the femmebot hear her name, she stiffened. Cheetor found her hand and gripped it hard.
"I don't want to send her on such a dangerous mission, but her beast mode blends perfectly into the natural wildlife of the Predacon's territory. She wouldn't be suspected."
"She's trained as a warrior, she can hold her own," Optimus said, almost sounding like he was trying to comfort himself. "Plus Tigatron will keep her safe, we know that." Both he and Rhinox laughed quietly.
"Dinobot, tell Rattrap not to mine the vein today… I have the feeling this solar-cycle will end with a battle, we can't risk to lose one of our 'bots when we need them most," Optimus said, suddenly serious.
"Yes, Primal," Dinobot responded, sounding almost delighted, either about the battle or delivering the message to Rattrap.
"You're dismissed, then. Rhinox, call in Tigatron and Airazor, we need to send them out ASAP."
"Yes, sir."
The three listeners had darted down a hallway away from the corner to avoid detection by the counseling Maximals. Airazor was clearly full of apprehension, but was bravely trying to conceal it. Cheetor had his arms wrapped tightly around her torso.
"You can't go into the Predacon territory like that," he mumbled into her chassis.
Airazor pulled him back gently, their identical optics staring in to the other's.
"I'll be fine," the falcon-bot reassured her brother. "Tigatron will look out for me. And I've received some combat training too—I'll make sure I'll come back, 'kay?"
Brave words, Blackarachnia thought. The young femmebot certainly had a large reservoir of courage, although she wasn't used to using it in warfare.
Cheetor nodded, and Airazor pulled him close to her chestplate. Siblings among Cybertronian were rare, but what few there were shared extremely close bonds. These two Maximals were no exception.
Finally, Cheetor reluctantly backed from the embrace. "Rhinox'll be looking for you now. You have to come back," he said sadly.
His sister nodded. "I'll go find him."
"Good luck," Blackarachnia called after her. Airazor smiled gently in response, then left her companions.
Cheetor stood stock-still for a few kliks after Airazor departed before turning to Blackarachnia with arms outstretched. She knelt down and held him. He was incredibly worried for his sibling, and any 'bot of his age shouldn't have to be troubled with things like this. No one deserved this.
A good three mega-cycles had passed since the departing of the infiltrators. Optimus Primal had gathered all of the Axalon's crew into the control room, ready to depart at the first notice of an oncoming Predacon strike force. Primal had taken on his role of military commander, optics dark and faceplate serious as he handed out his final orders before their departure.
"Rhinox, Dinobot, Rattrap, you'll join me on the front lines; Tigatron too if he's got enough power. Cheetor, Blackarachnia, hold back and keep up steady fire against the Predacons. They've got a few fliers and we need you to keep them back." Optimus glanced at Cheetor. "I'm sorry I didn't get to train with you too much with the rifle. I was planning on it, but I waited too long. You know how to use it, right?"
Cheetor nodded solemnly. The rifle looked so awkward in his servos.
"Good. Airazor will join you if she's got enough strength. Only enter the mêlée if we become overwhelmed. I hate bringing you two along, but we need all the help we can get." The commander turned to Rattrap. "Rattrap, no explosives unless we're out of the range of fire."
The rat-bot waved his arms in a defense movement. "'ey, I'd never t'row anyt'ing explosive if dey'd blow you guys up wit'em."
"I know, but I just want to make sure you're careful. We can't risk losing anyone." Straightening up, Primal commanded, "All right everyone, beast modes. Let's roll out."
The assortment of techno-organic creatures left the safety of their base into a now dangerous environment. The Maximals wordlessly traveled to the boundary line where they would wait to receive their comrades and face the Predacons when the word arrived. Slowly, but surely, the border grew closer and closer. Anxiety coursed through the circuitry of some of them, excitement in others. One thing was certain—no Maximal would abandon their position, no matter what happened.
A spark-wrenching amount of cycles passed before a message was received through Primal's comm-link. The Axalon's crew waited in tense silence as the commander listened.
"The Predacons are coming," Primal said simply.
Not even a cycle later, the Maximals sighted a large falcon speeding towards them—Airazor. Further in the distance, a creature that strongly resembled a tiger drew nearer.
"Here's they come," Rhinox said, sounding relieved, although anxiously pawing the ground with a huge foot.
In mere kliks, Airazor made an ungainly landing on the dusty ground, chest heaving as she sucked in air to supplement her organic components. Cheetor stood over her fretfully with Optimus right alongside him.
Suddenly the femmebot's eyes flew open. "Primal, sir, they've dispatched all of them!" Airazor panted, "All nine!"
"Nine?" Primal sounded slightly surprised. "They must have found another…"
"Oh, we're so dead—us 'gainst nine Preds? Fuggedabout it!" Rattrap despaired.
Dinobot rounded on him with a vicious snarl. "Hush, vermin!"
The rat backed from the raptor's ferocious teeth. "'ey, 'ey! Dose Preds are expert fighters, an' what're we? A bunch o' scientists an' maintenance 'bots who were never meant to fight! Plus, dat Megatron an' Rampage, are worth a'least two, t'ree 'bots a piece!" he squeaked, "Face it! We're all gonna die!"
Dinobot was preparing to attack the little rat-bot when Primal furiously shouldered his way in between of them. "Stop it, you two! Now's not the time for this!" His teeth were bared in a frustrated scowl.
"Tigatron's here!" Blackarachnia called over the commotion. The white tiger's flanks were heaving as if he'd been running for a full solar-cycle.
"They're only about…. Half a mile…. Behind me," he gasped. "Should be here in… no less than five cycles."
Rhinox lumbered over, gently pushing Tigatron into a laying position. "Rest up. We need all the help we can get against the Predacons."
"I'll be fine in a moment," the tiger-bot whispered, closing his vibrant green eyes. Airazor, nearly recovered from the exertion, leaned against her younger brother's leg and watched over Tigatron as Rhinox explained their plans to the two Maximals.
The tiger-bot's words were true, and in the suggested time, the Predacons force was in sight. They bore down with frightening speed, led by a gargantuan Tyrannosaurus Rex. He was followed by two large scorpions, a giant lizard, a bulky spider, and a monstrous crab. In the air, a pteranodon and a large wasp flew with alarming speed.
"Predacons, Terrorize!" the giant dinosaur shouted as they drew closer.
At the same time, Primal yelled a similar command: "Maximals, maximize!"
"Best of luck to all of you," the commander wished as both side took to their 'bot forms and charged.
