#9 - Decisions and Confrontation

Megatron was very pleased with Starfeather's training. She wasn't about to become his best flier, Terrorsaur still held that position until he proved otherwise, but she certainly was useful. Unlike Waspinator, she was not expendable or clumsy. She was very careful when it came to tasks, delicate or not, even though she did make mistakes. She learned quickly and was becoming a fine soldier.

Her training was basically complete and she would begin unassisted routine duties tomorrow morning. However, Megatron wished her to pass one more test.

-x-

Starfeather was spending her free time at her clearing, drawing in her sketch pad. She was working on a picture of a wolf overlooking a forest from where it sat on a cliff. The view of the picture was from a point above the wolf, looking down into the sea of gray fur trees below. The hardest part for her was doing all of the trees.

Ever since the incident with Rattrap, she had made it a point to gather long, straight sticks to build a fence on the edge of her clearing to show others that this place was taken. So far, she had a good quarter finished. Instead of nails or screws to hold the sticks together, she used discarded fiber cord from the base waste bins.

Finally, finishing her sketch, she was going to try shading her picture when she heard someone clear their throat. She gasped and looked up to see-

"Optimus Primal?!" she exclaimed, alarmed. "W-what do you want?"

"I only wish to speak with you," Optimus said calmly then looked around. He was standing just outside the part of the fence. "You did a fine job of fixing this place up," he commented.

"Uh, thanks... What do you want to talk to me about?" she asked. Starfeather was taken aback. Why does he want to talk to me? she wondered. She wasn't sure what she should do. Her training told her to blast his head off, but her better judgment told her to listen to him. He didn't offer an answer other than looking back at her thoughtfully.

"Mind if I come in?" he asked.

"...no, go ahead."

With that, Optimus jumped over the fence and landed in front of the rock mound.

"What are you doing?" he wondered, seeming to try and sound conversational.

"Just... doodling." She tentatively held up her picture so Optimus could see the picture. He admired it.

"You're quite an artist," he complimented.

"If you say so." She bit her lip sheepishly, feeling her face heat up, but she quickly got over her embarrassment. She set down her sketch pad and began to get serious. "I don't think you came just to say hi, did you?"

"No, I didn't," he shook his head. "I came to talk about you."

"About me?" She gave him a questionable look.

"Yes," Optimus nodded. "I know you probably don't trust me, you have no reason to, but I need some questions answered."

Starfeather looked away.

"What does it matter to you? That's my business and I don't want to talk about it with you. Could you leave now? I don't want the others to find you. We'd both get in real trouble." He looked at her as she spoke, watching her body language.

"You're quite considerate for a Predacon," he noted.

"I've noticed," she muttered, crossing her arms and hugging herself. Optimus paused before he went on.

"I realize that you may have those you call 'friend' among the Predacons, but according to Rattrap, you said yourself that they are not the ones to be with. We will treat you with respect if you come to us. You would be an equal rather than a subordinate. What logical reason do you have to stay with them?"

Starfeather tried to get her thoughts together and straighten them up before she spoke. She sighed with the weight on her heart and began.

"I want to stay with the Predacons to help them. They're people just like me and just like you with their own personalities and problems. They need the same things we do: energy, shelter... companionship." She closed her optic shutters to stop the fluid from leaking out. "I don't know my history very well, but I do know that life isn't fair. We just have to suck it up and deal with what we're given. I know what's right and wrong... It's wrong to abandon someone who needs you."

By this point, her voice was quivering. She turned away and hid her face in her hands. Optimus's face was grim. He knew that the Predacons were transformers just like himself and his crew, but this was a war. Beliefs may have to be compromised for the greater good. He sympathized with her, even though he believed her cause was in vain. He slowly went up and sat beside her. He watched her sob for a long moment before putting an arm around her shoulders. He knew she wasn't one of his troops, but he could see that her spark was pure and that she needed some comfort, something the Preds probably wouldn't provide.

Starfeather flinched when she felt an unfamiliar arm come around her, but she soon relaxed and leaned into the embrace. She didn't care what side she or Primal were on right now. She just wanted someone to be there for her. She would admit that it felt good to be comforted like this. Finally, she calmed down and took a deep breath.

"...thank you," she murmured.

"Don't mention it," Optimus replied. She smiled slightly and looked up at him. He sure wasn't as bad as the Preds made him seem.

"You'd better go. The others might detect yo-" she didn't get a chance to finish as her comm. link came on.

"Starfeather, where are you?" That was Scorponok. Starfeather said nothing of Optimus and he wisely stayed quiet.

"I left to scout. Megatron told me to."

"Megatron wants you to come back now," Scorponok replied.

"Why?" Starfeather questioned.

"How should I know? He never tells me anything unless I need to know. Now get back here or you're going to be in trouble. Scorponok: out."

Starfeather closed the channel and absently glanced down at her sketch. She didn't feel ready to go back yet. Though it was slightly awkward, she was enjoying Optimus' company. Besides, she could barely get a moment's peace as it was.

"We both need to go," Optimus said.

"Yeah. I guess I'll see you again... at the next battle," she replied sadly and with a hint of fear. He noted her unease.

"There's really nothing I can do about that," he said, to which she nodded.

"I know..." she mumbled. "This is so complicated." Optimus nodded and, standing up, helped her up. She put her sketch pad back in storage space below the rocks and, saying their final goodbyes, went their separate ways.

-x-

"So, how'd it go?" Rattrap was the first to greet Optimus.

"A lot better than your interaction," Optimus said, more to joke with him. "And since I know you won't stop pestering me until you get an answer, she told me the same thing only with an explanation," he continued.

"And just what was her explanation, I'd like to know?"

"She said that it wouldn't feel right to her if she left them."

"Ha! What a load of slag."

"Rattrap, you must remember that she's just a young femme. I think she feels that some of the other Predacons are her friends." Optimus shook his head. When the shorter Maximal still scoffed, he went on. "Say the situations were reversed and Cheetor was in her place. How do you think he would feel?" That got the rat stumped so he simply changed the subject.

"So... what're we gonna do about ole Megs's plan?" Rattrap wondered.

"I've been thinking about that too and I have come up with a plan of action," Optimus answered

"Enlighten me."

"I'll tell everyone at once." With that, Optimus called a strategy meeting and told the others his plan.

-x-

When Starfeather got back to base, Scorponok was there to meet her, to her annoyance.

"You're gone too often for my liking," the scorpion said suspiciously.

"So? You're not Megatron. I don't need to answer to you," the raven retorted.

"No, but I'm Second in Command under Megatron," he shot back.

"Ha! Waspinator could do better than you," she scoffed. That did it. Scorponok aimed his claw missiles directly at her.

"Say that again, I dare you."

Starfeather knew that she had gone too far. Way to go, Star. Just open your big mouth... again, she thought as she took a step back.

"No please, I'm sorry. I didn't-"

"You'd better watch your mouth you little glitch, or I'll blast your head clean off your shoulders." Scorponok tensed as soon as the words passed his lips. Someone had come up behind him and pointed their own gun at his head.

"Do that and I'll blast your own head clean off," retorted the figure, his crimson optics glowing in the dark as he smirked. Starfeather smiled a little at realizing who it was.

"I've got you covered," confirmed the figure.

"Thanks, Terrorsaur." With that, Starfeather hurried past the two to where Megatron was waiting in the main control room. When Terrorsaur lowered his gun, Scorponok whirled around to face him.

"What was that for?" he demanded.

"Mess with one flier, you mess with us all," Terrorsaur replied and walked away, leaving Scorponok to fume.

Meanwhile, Starfeather reached the main control room. She was a bit surprised to see that the only other being in the room was Megatron. When she made her presence known, he turned to her. He wore the usual smirk that he did when he was satisfied with a task performed properly.

"Your training is complete Starfeather," he announced. "I have decided that it is time to promote you, yes. You are now in my favor under Scorponok. However, Terrorsaur is still your superior among the fliers."

Starfeather was completely and utterly shocked. She didn't know why Megatron would give her such a high authoritative position, one that she didn't deserve with her feeble skills. She didn't object yet but wanted to know why he thought her capable of this status.

"Um, th-thank you, sir but... may I ask, why?"

"You deserve it, my dear," he replied, giving her a long look.

He's never called me that before, she thought. The look he was giving her made her rather uncomfortable.

"I... I don't understand, sir."

"Do not fret, my young Predacon," he soothed. "All will be revealed in time. Now, I want to see you again before you retire to your quarters for the night." Megatron instructed.

"Yes, sir." Her voice squeaked. She walked quickly away. She met up with Scorponok again, but on more peaceful terms. He told her to get on monitor duty and so that's what she did.

She stared blankly at the screen, thinking about what had just happened to her. She then pulled out her diary from her subspace and began writing.

Date N/A

Dear Diary,

Megatron is treating and talking to me very strangely. He called me "my dear" and knocked me up to be in command after Scorponok. He's also been acting 'too nice' to me. Recently, he's been letting me do just about anything I want and doesn't make me do much around the base besides my morning sessions, just monitor duty (which is what I'm doing as I write this) and maintenance. I think he's either babying me or he wants me to do something very dangerous for him at some point. Or he could want me to like him. Why doesn't he come out like a man and just say it? He must know that I don't bite by now. Maybe he thinks I'll say no, which I will, but still.

She put her diary away before she was caught, not like they could read English. At least she hoped they couldn't, but she didn't want to be seen not doing her job. When her shift was over, she gave her report and went to find Terrorsaur or Waspinator to see if they could play Uno. She wanted to get her mind off of things for a while.

-x-

It was nearing time to retire for the day and Starfeather was very tired, but she had to meet with Megatron once more. She didn't know what else he could possibly want to talk to her about. She couldn't help but remember the way he had looked at her... She was very nervous as she entered the main control room once again. Megatron had his back to her but he soon turned around.

"I was wondering if you were going to comply with my request," he murmured. She got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She swallowed hard.

"What... what do you want of me, sir?"

He got up from his command chair and came toward her leisurely.

"Not here, no. We don't want to be disturbed now do we?" he said smoothly. Starfeather's optics widened and her breath caught in her throat.

"What do you mean... sir?" she managed to say. She began to feel very sick at the thought of what Megatron might be thinking. Her spark raced.

"Come and see my dear, yes." With that, Megatron eased her in front of him as he left the control room and led her toward his quarters. She seemed to lose control over her own legs, allowing him to push her along.

Starfeather felt numb and like she was going to lose her daily intake of energon at the realization. Why is he doing this to me?

I've done nothing but carried out all his orders as best I can... Does he really think this is a reward?! she thought.

Plucking up her courage, she swallowed her sickness and stopped in her tracks, crossing her arms and putting on a very stern air.

"So, I don't get a say in this? I mean, this is about my personal space, isn't it?" she stated. Megatron suspected that she might resist him at first.

"If you do not come quietly, I may not be so forgiving with you," he replied, grabbing her arm and turning her to face him.

"Did you ever consider how I might feel about this? I've only ever had one boyfriend and all we did was sneak a kiss or grope once in a while. How is this going to affect me? What would it do to me as a human once Tarantulas finds a way to change me back?" He scoffed mentally. Did she honestly think that after so much time and training that Tarantulas was working on a way to change her back?

"Whether you like it or not Starfeather, you are going to be here for a very long time. Why not enjoy your stay with us? It's been a long time since I've last seen a femme with such attractive features."

"You're disgusting!" She tried to retreat, but he still had a grip on her arm. He then forced her to look directly into his optics.

"You do not have a choice," he hissed lustfully. Her optics widened in terror.

"No, please!" she begged, struggling to pull herself free but he held her fast.

"I am warning you, Starfeather," he growled, taking her other arm.

"I'll scream!" she threatened. Megatron smirked mockingly.

"No one will come to your aid if that's what you think will happen."

I know someone who will, she thought then began screaming at the top of her vocal emitter. She hadn't been screaming for two seconds before Megatron covered her mouth with his hand, releasing one of her arms in the process.

"Enough," he ordered.

-x-

Waspinator and Terrorsaur were talking in the hallway outside their rooms when Starfeather's cries echoed throughout the base before they stopped abruptly. They looked at each other.

"What that about?" Waspinator wondered.

"I don't know but I'm going to find out," Terrorsaur said then left and headed for where he heard his friend's cry. Waspinator stood where he was, not sure if he should follow or not.

-x-

Megatron lifted Starfeather up by the neck and held her against the wall. He glared at her and she clutched his wrist, trying to loosen his grip so that she could breathe. Her mouth was open in a silent scream as Megatron moved his face closer to hers and bared his teeth.

"You will do as I say or you will suffer. Now, submit to me and I might forget your insubordination," he whispered and trailed his other hand along the side of her face. She tried to snap at his hand but bit into nothing but air. She hoped that something would happen to draw his attention away from her. To her relief, something did happen. Someone stepped into the hallway where they were located and squawked in shock. Megatron looked at the newcomer and growled.

"What are you doing here Terrorsaur?" he demanded. Terrorsaur paused before answering.

"I came to see why my wingmate was yelling and I see now that she has good reason to be."

"You'd better watch your mouth, needle nose, after what you pulled a few days ago," Megatron warned. "Now, leave us and forget you ever saw this."

Starfeather gazed at Terrorsaur with pleading optics as she tried to call to him. She was unable to speak. Terrorsaur saw this and glared back at Megatron.

"No." He knew that he would be beaten after this, but if Starfeather, a femme and an ex-human nonetheless, could stand up for him, it was only fair to stand up for her. But wait a minute... when did he ever care about fairness? Megatron looked from the frightened raven in his tight grasp to the rebelling pteranodon to his right.

"Do as I command!"

"Not until you let her go!" Terrorsaur replied. He still wasn't sure about what he was doing, but he was going to help his wingmate.

"Please!" Starfeather managed to gasp. Suddenly, the alarm went off, warning that the Maximals were approaching. Megatron released Starfeather and she fell to the floor, coughing and wheezing and rubbing her aching neck.

"Battle stations, now!" he barked. She painfully scrambled to her feet and stumbled behind Terrorsaur to the bridge, Megatron following more slowly. Waspinator and Scorponok were already there when they entered.

"Report," Megatron demanded, taking a seat in his command chair.

"I'm not sure what they're doing sir, but the Maximals aren't attacking the base," Scorponok answered.

"Where are they then?"

Starfeather had reached her position at a computer and brought up a visual on her screen.

"They're attacking Tarantulas's lab!"

What is Optimus doing?! Tarantulas is my only ticket out of here!

"Predacons: attack!" Megatron ordered. Everyone cleared out of the base and met head-on with the Maximals, but it was already too late. Rhinox, Rattrap, and Dinobot were already inside. Cheetor and Optimus Primal were ready for their attack.

Megatron met with Optimus and Scorponok was taking on Cheetor. The fliers were hanging back until Rhinox, Rattrap, and Dinobot came out. Then they leaped into the sky and dove down, blasting as they went. Starfeather aimed blankly, missing every time. Terrorsaur noticed this.

"You're aiming too low! Go for their heads!" he advised, shouting over the sound of firepower, but her aim didn't improve. Terrorsaur still noticed this but said nothing for now. The Maximals, having what they needed, finally retreated and the Predacons went back into the base, leaving Tarantulas to pick up the pieces in his mostly trashed layer. Starfeather avoided Megatron and headed for her quarters before he said anything. Terrorsaur followed her, wanting answers.

"You do fine in practice, why were you slacking off back there?" Terrorsaur questioned. She thought for a moment for an excuse, but came up with none, so she told the truth.

"I'm distracted, that's all," she answered quietly, refusing to look at him. "Megatron scared me."

"What was he trying to do anyway?"

She didn't want to tell him.

"I don't want to talk about it... Listen, I just want to go to sleep." With that, she continued down the hall alone to her room. Terrorsaur could plainly see she was upset. She didn't even thank him for earlier. He watched as she went into her quarters and heard her lock the door. He still wondered what Megatron had been trying to do. He didn't know of anything that she had done wrong to deserve that kind of treatment.

-x-

Starfeather pressed her back against the door. She was scared about what had almost happened to her. Megatron had just tried to rape her and her only way of becoming human again and going home might have been destroyed. She didn't know what to do. Curling up on her bed, holding tightly to Squishy, she began considering her options. She could sneak out that night and go to the Maximals, even though they had trashed Tarantulas's cave. Maybe it was for some other reason than the thing that brought her here. But if she joined the Maximals, she would have to fight Waspinator and Terrorsaur. She couldn't do that, but what else could she do?