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CHAPTER 10: FEELINGS

On Nemesis' outside bridge...

Predaking was a formidable hunter, determined and ruthless. He had only one goal: to find the Autobots. Nothing and no one would stop him.

Shockwave finally broke the chain that kept him tied to the bridge of the Nemesis. Now the beast was free: he threw the muzzle back and let out a monstrous roar. He turned to Megatron as a sign of respect then threw himself overboard.

He landed with a loud noise right at the base of the high metal tower that overlooked Jasper.

The few Vehicons patrolling the city sought shelter, frightened by the look and the size of the monster.

But Predakin took no notice of them, because they were not his goal.

"Find Optimus... Find the Autobots... and bring them to Megatron ... Alive!" Shockwave's orders still echoed in his bestial mind. He had never failed before, hr would not fail this time.

All his instincts led him to flush out enemies. But his true nature was not just hunting. The beast longed energon ... the thought of being able to savor Prime's energon made him even more impatient.

Then he sniffed the fresh air of the morning and chose a direction. The choice was based on his instinct, a hunting instinct forged over thousands of years of war on Cybertron.

He ran, ran as fast as he could, angrier as he could.

Yes, within a short time he completed his mission …

On board the Nemesis ...

Megatron looked satisfied with the departure of Predaking. Then he went back inside the ship and walked slowly towards the main deck.

Upon entering the bridge, the leader was greeted by a loud cheer from the troops. If Megatron was taken aback and was somewhat astonished, is unknown. He kept the same hard expression on his face ever. Only a hint of a grin hid his lips.

"Lord Megatron ... troops cheering you!" Starscream made his way through the Vehicons, moving them to the sides "The victory is complete! "

The Decepticon leader, however, seized his commander by the throat and hit him violently against the wall.

"The victory will be complete only when I have the honor, the privilege and the great pleasure to have Optimus Prime at my feet" began Megatron.

He let go Starscream, who gasped for air.

"It will not be over until I will extinguish with my hands Optimus' spark!" He concluded with his back to his SIC and all his troops.

"Of course, Lord Megatron" merely mutter Starscream.

At the base Autobot...

"And who is this Predaking?" Said Miko.

For Optimus, time had stopped. It was as if he had not understood the young girl's question. And the others was very concerned about it.

Ratchet was to answer" Predaking is a beast bred and trained by the Decepticon with only one purpose in his miserable existence ..."

"Which one?" asked uncertainly Raf.

"Find and kill all the Autobots" was Prime's time to respond.

All the Autobots who were involved in the Great War on Cybertron knew the terrifying stories related to Predaking. Not only Optimus, now the others appeared to be in stasis too.

For their part, the kids, June and agent Fowlerere were quite confused.

"Come on guys" Miko began with his unfailing optimism, "No matter how strong may be the beast, he's just, you're so many!"

"You have no idea Miko" Bulkhead said "He is not only a beast... Predaking is a monster hungry of Autobots' energon "

"He will not stop until he will be satisfied" concluded Ratchet.

"Yes, but you have the Forge Solus Prime... and you also have the Starsaber... "Jack tried to encourage the group.

"Yes Jack" interrupted Optimus "But, you see, Predaking is not a conventional enemy ... no one has ever been able to even hurt him"

"I know what is his weak point",the conversation was interrupted by a new voice: Airachnid.

Everyone turned toward her.

"The point where the wings are joined on the back ... where his armor seems harder " the spider took the silence of all as an invitation to go" that's where you have to hit him Optimus!" she concluded, looking right at the Autobot leader.

"When?" asked then Prime.

"When what?" Miko was more and more confused.

"I think a few Earth days ... maybe three" Wheeljack was first to respond.

"I mean... are you saying that monster are going to find us?" June asked worried.

"For sure nurse Darby!" said Ratchet.

Fowler then inserted into the discussion "So... should not we run away and quickly?"

"You see Agent Fowler" began quietly Optimus "escape is not an option. It would only try to postpone the inevitable" Optimus then put his hand under his chin and took a thoughtful "We prepare ourselves to face the beast ... but not here! We can not sacrifice another safe place."

Then intervened Agent Fowler "I think I can arrange ..." and he went to the phone.

In the place where was Predaking ...

Predaking could feel it. He felt he was getting closer to his goal. It seemed even feel the fear of the Autobots ... and this gave him the impetus to run even faster, even more eager.

Evening at the Autobot base ...

The day had passed quickly. All, without exception, were involved in the preparations for battle.

Ratchet and Raf had finished the new ground bridge. Bulkhead and Miko, along with Arcee and Jack scouted the surrounding area as a precaution. Optimus, Smokecreen, Wheeljack and Bee were involved in the creation of new weapons through the Forge of Solus Prime. Airachnid lent a helping hand as she could. June tried not to worry too much, while Fowler spent hours on the phone with General Brice in trying to explain the situation.

Finally, in the evening the five humans sat down to consume dinner. Bee, Bulk and Smoke sat near them, making small talk. Wheeljack tried to finish repairs to the Jackhammer helped by Ariel. Ratchet was to monitor.

Optimus watched all the other form distance as usual.

"Always on the outside of the group..." His thoughts were interrupted by Arcee's voice .

"You know me, Arcee..." answered softly Prime.

"I know you very well!" now her voice became very hard " Emotional distance right?" She was now angry "You are a coward when it comes to feelings. You say you do not want to get involved to protect others when in fact in this way you protect only yourself ... " she was now desperate. She was crying.

Optimus knew that the femme was right. In all those years in which he was Prime, he had learned that the best management of relations was the emotional detachment. But he had learned it, sacrificing the most important thing he had: Arcee.

Flashback ...

Orion had read hatred and anger in Megatron's eyes. He had seen him kill in cold blood, he had heard his threats to the High Council, to the councilors and to him. He knew that to accept the post of Prime would have exposed him to high risks. He was willing to take those risks. But he could not allow those he loved were exposed to the same risk.

So he made a decision. A decision that would split his spark in two.

He knew that the only way to protect the femme of his life, the one for which his spark beat ... had to leave her.

Present day ...

That seemed the right choice at the time, but it had proved a double-edged sword. Optimus was so afraid of hurting the people he loved to break away completely from them.

Arcee was right: he had been a coward. Only now he understood that love was not a weakness, but a real force.

So he decided that he would not repeat the same mistake twice.

Arcee had moved away from him and stood with her arms crossed over her chest, close to all the others.

The Autobot leader slowly approached her. He touched her right shoulder with his hand. She turned and looked at him, curious and amazed: she could not decipher Prime's intentions. But all was clear to her in a moment.

Optimus caressed her face with his right hand. He stared so intently into her eyes and with so much love that the femme legs began to shake.

Then he did something totally unexpected: his face went closer to hers and their lips barely touched.

For Arcee time had stopped. She did not notice the others' puzzled, surprised and amused looks.

The only thing Arcee saw was Optimus.

When the kiss ended, Prime took her hands gently and whispered softly "Come with me!"

The femme just nodded her head, guided by her leader to the exit of the base.

No one dared to say a word. All were limited to watching the two coming out the front door.

"Well ... I do not expect them get up!" Wheeljack said mischievously, clapping his hands with a smiling and accomplice Smokescreen.

Then they heard a pair of metallic sounds followed by "Ouch" and " Ahia, doc!" Ratchet had struck again and laughed satisfied.

All the others joined in the doctor's laughter. Even Airachnid was smiling with them while gently stroking the neck of Wheeljack. The former wrecker was surprised and happy at the same time to receive attention.

The two stared into each other eyes, embarrassed.

"It 's late" June Darby's voice brought them back to reality "All to sleep."

How could anyone say no to mom?