Razor's Edge

Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

Early. Much to early to be up, but the ground shaking and rocks landing on his head was an unpleasant wake-up call. Optimus Prime pulled away from his bunk mate, a confused-looking Hot Rod.

"Stay here until I find out what's going on," Optimus said, giving the other mech's shoulder a quick squeeze.

The Autobot leader exited his quarters, heading toward ops, not even stopping to answer his pinging comm. He entered, only to find Teletraan-1's screen showing Megatron outside, ranting, hovering near the Ark.

"What is he saying?" Optimus asked Blaster, and the communication specialist turned up the volume. But they watched as Megatron fired his cannon, volley striking the blast doors, reverberating down the corridors of the Ark, shaking the ground and knocking more rocks loose.

"Come out, Starscream. Return him to me, Prime, or I'll bring this mountain down on your heads," Megatron bellowed.

Optimus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I'll go deal with this," he said, heading outside. He paused at the blast doors, waiting for Megatron's blast to dissipate, then exited as the doors parted.

"Prime, give me back my Seeker," Megatron said, landing a few feet from the Autobot leader, pointing his cannon at him.

"Leave, Megatron," Optimus said.

"Not without Starscream," Megatron said.

"Starscream is in no condition to leave the Ark," Optimus said. "And even if he was, I would not relinquish him to you, not after what you did to him."

"After what I did?" Megatron said. "Starscream deserved the treatment he received. That was his doing, not mine."

"Megatron, I'm giving you one last chance to walk away," Optimus said.

"Fine," Megatron said, firing one last volley at the Autobot leader. "If you won't let me have him, I'll take back what is mine."

The blast knocked Optimus back into the Ark's partially open blast doors. He hit the ground, barely able to raise up on his knees in a feeble effort to stop the Decepticon leader before lapsing into unconsciousness.

Inside the Ark, alarms blared, doors slammed shut, Autobots raced to their battle posts. In the med bay, dealt with a frantic Starscream. The Seeker attempted to stand, but he fell forward, monitors falling to the floor with him.

Ratchet was by his side in an instant, trying to get him back on the berth.

"What is wrong with you?" he asked, gently trying to pull the other mech off the ground.

"Megatron is coming, and I will not let him take me alive," Starscream managed.

"He'll never make it here," Ratchet said, seating the Seeker back on his berth. "You've injured yourself again."

"It doesn't matter," Starscream said. "You should have let me die."

Ratchet stood, grabbing the Seeker by the chin, forcing him to look at him.

"You will not die on my watch," Ratchet snapped. "You survived what he did to you, and I will not have you giving yourself up to him. Prime promised you and your brothers a safe haven here with us. Starscream, Optimus will keep his word, and I will give you mine-nothing will happen to you while you are in my care."

Starscream sighed, meeting the medic's optics one last time before laying back on his berth. It was enough.

Ratchet's prediction Megatron would not make it as far as the med bay was correct. The Dinobots and several of the others fought Megatron, forcing him out. The medic received assistance from First Aid and Wheeljack in patching up those least injured while he tackled Starscream's injuries again. Then there was the matter of their errant Prime wandering off in the middle of it all, and Hot Rod showing up, asking after Optimus. Curious, that, but Ultra Magnus had probably sent the young mech to find out their leader's condition. Regardless of Optimus' whereabouts, Prowl and Ultra Magnus had the situation under control.

88888

Optimus Prime sat at the desk in his quarters, head in his hands. The damage to the Ark would take weeks to repair, and would halt construction on the city, further taxing their resources. Starscream had aggravated his injuries, and Ratchet would have his head when he caught up with shoulder hurt, and hell, he hurt all over. Making it all even better was the ring his door chime.

"Enter," Optimus said, dismayed yet relieved it was Hot Rod entering his quarters. The Prime stood, facing the other mech.

"I should take you to the med bay," Hot Rod said. "Ratchet said you weren't there when I went looking for you, and said to bring you in if I found you."

"I'm fine," Optimus said.

"You nearly got yourself killed," Hot Rod said. "No weapon, no backup, facing down Megatron by yourself, what were you thinking?"

"Megatron is mine to face," Optimus said.

"Kup told me every Prime to bear the Matrix has died in battle," Hot Rod said. "Would you like to join their number?"

"If that is my fate, then so be it," Optimus said.

"I. . .the Autobots need you," Hot Rod said.

"Maybe I've been Prime for too long," Optimus said.

"Don't say that," Hot Rod said, reaching out, fingers brushing Optimus' face.

Optimus grabbed Hot Rod's wrist, pulling his hand away.

"Your concern is appreciated, but I'm fine," he said. "I just need some recharge. I'll go see Ratchet in the morning."

"I'd seek out First Aid if I were you," Hot Rod said, slipping his hand into Optimus', drawing closer, wrapping his arms around the bigger mech. Optimus tensed at such close contact. Pointless, considering their recent nocturnal activities, but he sensed a change in Hot Rod's intentions. Not just a quick, hurried interface like before. No, he hoped the other mech's concern would allow them to forge a more intimate connection, a better understanding of one another. He felt his spark flare with desire, and the Matrix came to life with it. Maybe it was agreeing with him? He'd consider that later. Much, much later.