#12 - Double Jeopardy: Loyalties

Starfeather was beginning to suspect that Tarantulas wasn't really working on finding a way to change her back and send her home. She had tried to ask a few times and he wouldn't answer, just yell at her to mind her own business. Disheartened, she could do nothing but accept that she was going to be stuck like this for the rest of her life. Though she decided that being a Transformer wasn't bad, she just hoped that she wouldn't have to fight the rest of her life. This being the case, she needed to completely rewrite her plans for her future. Before she made any permanent decisions, she would need to find out more about the transformers' home. All she knew so far was that it was another planet known as Cybertron.

One thing she would like to do was when she got to this Cybertron, she would get some proper education and find a job. Maybe she would go into the medical field seeing as she already had some skills in that area. Maybe she would find a nice guy and settle down. Or maybe she could do what she always fanaticized of doing, becoming a singer. Sure, she had some confidence issues, but she would get over it. All great singers and speakers got nervous sometimes, right?

At any rate, Starfeather was beginning to come to terms with the fact that she may never see her friends and family again. It was a hopeless thing, like being thrown in prison for life, but she knew she had no choice. Life went on and she needed to follow.

-x-

At the Maximal base, things weren't going so good. The stasis pod that Starfeather had informed them about had landed in generally the same area she had specified, but they were unable to retrieve it. They had been outnumbered and it was as if the Predacons knew exactly when and where they were going to be.

"All this seems mighty suspicious," Rhinox said, mostly to himself.

"Like some rat slipping info," Cheetor put in. This comment naturally offended a certain shorter Maximal. "Speaking meteorically that is," he quickly added. Rattrap huffed.

There was a pause before Dinobot made his own opinion. "It was Rattrap who led us into the canyon and nearly to termination."

"What're you trying to say, you big lizard head?" Rattrap retorted.

"That's ridiculous!" Rhinox exclaimed at the implication.

"Rattrap wouldn't do that! I say it was Starfeather!" Cheetor replied.

"Well, I'm not so sure," Optimus said. "We didn't tell Starfeather a thing about our strategy to get the pod." He knew for a fact that it wasn't the raven or Rattrap that was doing this, there had to be something else...

"But she's the one who warned us about the pod landing in the first place," Cheetor countered.

"And she didn't give precise coordinates and she wasn't even at the attack," Optimus pointed out. Before anyone could argue, he ordered to speak with Rattrap alone, leaving the others to wonder.

-x-

Later that afternoon, Starfeather had retreated to her private place after having yet another catfight with the new Predacon, Blackarachnia. She was very attractive and she made sure to rub your face in it though wouldn't let you touch. She was smart too and made sure you knew that.

The raven was pulled from her thoughts when she heard jets in the distance. When she looked up, she saw Optimus Primal coming. She watched him land a few feet in front of her and revert to his beast mode.

"Hey Optimus, sir!" she greeted with a salute. "Sorry about you not getting the pod, but I don't think you missed much," she said.

"Yes, about that," he began. "You wouldn't happen to know if the Predacons are hacking our communications or anything, would you?"

"Yes, they are... but I don't know how exactly they're doing it. Megatron just calls it "code breaking", using some kind of decoding chip or something," she explained the best she could.

"Would you know where to look if I was to request that you uninstall it and bring it to us?"

"I'm really not sure."

"That's alright, I'm planning on sending in Rattrap to take a look so you be on the alert," he said with a nod.

"Yes, sir," Starfeather returned the gesture.

-x-

That evening, Terrorsaur had been sent out to take care of a Maximal trespasser. Starfeather knew who it was and had requested to also go on the mission, but Megatron refused. She just hoped that her wingmate wouldn't blast Rattrap to scrap. So you can imagine she was quite surprised when Terrorsaur brought him back in one piece and listened to what he had to say. He had come to her and Waspinator first, away from everyone else.

"This is the perfect chance to take Megatron out of the picture and make me the new leader!" Terrorsaur was saying, Rattrap standing beside him. "I will ensure that Megatron will go out with as much suffering as you deem worthy, Starfeather. And you Waspinator, you will finally get the respect you deserve. You name it to me, I'll give it to you." Starfeather thought on this for a second.

"Yeah, suffering by my hand..." she muttered and let her imagination take over, clasping her hands together and smiling smugly. Her optics dimmed dangerously and Waspinator took a step back from her.

"W-wazzpinator want to be Zzecond in Command," he requested.

"Very well," Terrorsaur agreed. "But first we need to take care of Megatron and this is how we're gonna do it."

-x-

They were all in beast mode and in the main control room. Terrorsaur had requested a hearing so the others were all waiting to see what he had in store this time. Terrorsaur had Rattrap in a cage for the time being. He began his speech.

"Hear me Predacons! I present to you that which will tip the balance of power in the battle against the Maximals. I present you my Lieutenant, Rattrap," he announced, drawing his outstretched wing aside to make his Lieutenant visible to the others. Rattrap gave a tiny wave and Terrorsaur continued. "With the added power of Blackarachnia, who was retrieved by my skill, and Rattrap, who has sworn personal fealty to me, we shall defeat the Maximals."

Starfeather noticed that Rattrap was making subtle hand indications as her wingmate spoke. She had to pretend to be preening her flight feathers in order not to laugh.

"But my gifts to you do not come freely," Terrorsaur added. "In return, I shall become your leader!"

"You sniveling idiot," Megatron growled then gave his answer. However, he failed to notice that Rattrap was noiselessly opening the cage door. "This Maximal is not your Lieutenant, no. He must be a spy, yes. He cannot be trusted!" No sooner said than he was overcome with an energy surge and collapsed to the floor. Terrorsaur laughed triumphantly.

"Shouldn't have turned your back, big mouth. Now you'll find your servo circuits scrapped," Rattrap chided. Just to enforce the point, he jabbed the device into the downed Predacon leader's side, causing him to convulse again.

"Transformation has been disabled as well," Terrorsaur snickered.

"The better for you to worship your new leader, hehe. And his Lieutenant," Rattrap stated.

"All hail Terrorsaur!" Starfeather and Waspinator cheered as Terrorsaur chuckled proudly before he went on.

"Megatron is obsolete! All Predacons will swear fealty to me!"

Of course, the others weren't so easily swayed. The first to voice his disagreement was, you guessed it, Scorponok.

"Not Scorponok! Scorponok loyal to Megatron!" he hissed.

"Then you are an even bigger fool than you look," Blackarachnia commented bitterly. That was followed by Tarantulas stating how direct she was as well as lovely. Starfeather made a soft 'pfft' noise. The two spiders glared at her before Tarantulas continued.

"We should debate this in private, not in front of the Maximal."

"Very well," Terrorsaur grudgingly agreed. "Waspinator, take Megatron to the brig. Starfeather, accompany Rattrap and take him out of audio shot."

Once they were gone, the remaining group began arguing. Blackarachnia seemed to remain neutral about the situation, finding faults with both leaders. Tarantulas merely agreed with her. Scorponok would only follow Megatron. While this was going on, Starfeather let Rattrap wander the base until he found what he was looking and he came right back. He gave her a wink, letting her know that he got what he needed.

"You fools!" Terrorsaur interrupted their bickering. "With the Maximal spy and Blackarachnia, we will defeat the Maximals once and for all!"

"I will not follow you, Megatron is our true leader!" Scorponok continued to be stubborn.

"Enough! I am your new leader!" Terrorsaur tried to sound anything but anxious. It seemed like every reason he could think of for them to abandon Megatron and follow him was thrown right back in his face. He turned to Waspinator and ordered him to check for any Maximals in the area or see if they were making any sort of transmissions. However, they all somehow failed to notice that Tarantulas had slipped away. They continued to bicker, oblivious to the Maximals that were about to attack. Starfeather and Rattrap knew that they were coming, but stayed silent.

Waspinator, who had returned and reported no signatures or transmissions detected minutes before, was the first to a computer to see what was wrong.

"Maximal attack!"

"What?! Why were we not warned by the code breaker? Where's Tarantulas?" Terrorsaur questioned. Blackarachnia looked around.

Yes, where is Tarantulas? she thought.

"Maximal code breaking deactivated. Shields damaged," Waspinator continued. Just when Starfeather was going to ask for a plan of attack, Megatron came out of nowhere. Her beak fell open in surprise. How in the world did he get out? He glared at her and the rat before turning to Terrorsaur.

"Well, leader, how shall we respond?" he requested silkily.

"Me-Megatron! You- ...you will allow me to lead?" Terrorsaur asked shakily, not believing his audios.

"A wise tyrant always allows the fool to take the lead in a crisis," Megatron replied. Starfeather had to bite back a snappy retort. She just settled with glaring him and ruffling her feathers angrily.

I'm not a fool! I'll show you, Terrorsaur thought.

"Release my Lieutenant a-and prepare to counter attack! Predacons: Terrorize!" he ordered, his voice high with nervousness. Everyone did so. Scorponok did because Megatron was there. Shortly, everyone was outside and firing upon the Maximals, even Rattrap. Starfeather couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same way she had the very first time she fought against them.

Terrorsaur commanded Rattrap to fire on Optimus. Starfeather was close enough to hear what they were saying and gasped. She looked up after blindly shooting at Dinobot. No! Rattrap hit him! Blackarachnia was there to meet him once he fell. She was about to blow his head off when Cheetor came up, plasma cannon blazing.

Starfeather watched in awe as the she-spider took the hits without even flinching. When Cheetor was close enough, she kicked him down but left him and ran off. She was stronger than Starfeather was! She narrowed her aqua green optics.

"I'll show her," she hissed.

She should have been paying more attention because Dinobot had slipped past her and reached Terrorsaur and Rattrap. Megatron was there and took hold of Dinobot while he was distracted. He tested the rat's loyalty to the Predacons and he showed his true colors by blasting at Terrorsaur rather than Dinobot. Optimus called off the attack and the Maximals left. That didn't stop Starfeather from taking a shot at the rat's backside. She stuck her tongue out at him when he glared back. Optimus also gave her a stern look about her inappropriate behavior.

She sighed as she stepped away from her sheltered spot and joined the others as they gathered around Megatron, who in this may lay, had lost a front tooth. Terrorsaur was clinging to his armless sparking shoulder when Megatron began speaking.

"Now, which of you glorious victors would still follow this fool's lead?" he questioned, forcing himself to stay calm.

The others backed off, but Starfeather stood at the front of the line. She glanced from Terrorsaur, who was staring at her in disbelief, to Megatron. He was beginning to narrow an optic at her. She could back down and be a coward, but no. She was stronger than that. She clenched her fists and stared back at him defiantly.

"He stood up for me once... so I'll stand up for him. I'll still follow his lead, no matter what you say or do," she declared knowingly. "I am not a weakling."

The others behind her gasped. Terrorsaur continued to stare at her. He couldn't believe she was doing this for him after such a miserable loss. Megatron just grinned and crossed his arms.

"You are a bold one, Starfeather. I like that in a femme. Sadly, in this case, it will not help you."

She knew that she might be forced to fight Megatron but she had barely been damaged in the battle so she thought she had a chance. She had knocked him out once so she could do it again. She squared her shoulders and willed her throwing star dispenser to open.

"You're right, it may not help me. But I won't be a coward this time." She raised her arms and pointed them at him, baring her fangs, murder flashed in her optics. "Bring it on, Mega-glitch."

Overconfidence brings down the greatest warriors. Before she could react, he shot a plasma beam at her middle. She was blasted back against a rock, crying out in pain and shock. She forced herself to raise an arm again and shot several stars at him. One stuck him in the chest, the rest missed him and lodged into the rocks behind. Her one hit didn't even phase him.

Fortunately, the beam didn't go completely through her, but it did leave a pretty good sized hole in her waist. Severed wires hung out, giving off sparks. Her internal systems were exposed, some were damaged. Alarms blared in her head as she slid off the rock and curled up in a ball on the ground. Megatron smirked again and continued.

"And thus ends the glorious reign of Terrorsaur: a lost battle, missing spiders, a single injured follower, and who knows what damage inflicted by the Maximal spy!" While he was saying this, he brought his face closer to Terrorsaur's to stare him down. Terrorsaur couldn't return the glare. His gaze came to rest on his downed wingmate. He didn't understand. Why had she stood up when he had lost?

-x-

Everyone else had gone inside, but not her. Starfeather stayed at the foot of the rock, wallowing in dejection and pain. She had been humiliated in front of everyone when she tried to be strong. She couldn't move anyway so, unless someone came to her aid, she was pretty much stuck until she had an energon surge.

Speaking of which, that same substance mixed with oil and other of her bodily fluids was pooling around her from her open wound. She had to stay curled up in order to slow the bleeding. She sighed shakily as tears threatened to fall. No. She would not cry. She shut her optics shutter tight to hold them back, but they leaked out anyway. She began to feel faint. Her internal computer was telling her to seek a CR tank and get repairs or she would go into stasis lock. She would rather go into stasis and die than face Megatron again.

She was slipping away, into the welcoming world of cool dark unconsciousness. Her limbs were relaxing from their tense state. Her optics where dimming but she could see someone coming. Her scanners where too disoriented to tell who it was, but she could tell it was someone friendly. Her sight was blurred now, but she could still make out the figure coming. When it reached her, she blacked out.

-x-

When she came to, she found herself fully repaired and resting in her quarters. She opened her optics further and looked around. She saw someone in the room with her, sitting beside her bed. She stared at the red mech.

"W-what're you doing here?" she asked. "Shouldn't Megatron have quarantined you?"

"He said my failure was a better punishment," Terrorsaur answered darkly, but changed the mood. "And I'm just giving you a little something for you loyalty," he said with a small grin.

"Are... are you the one that came to me?"

"Eh, don't mention it kid." He shrugged it off. She smiled.

"I'm not really a kid anymore, you know."

"Have it your way."

With that, he got up and reached out a hand to help her up. She took it gratefully and stood before him a bit more closely than she would have liked. They glanced away and she eased off to the side. She had to get away.

"Well, thank you for helping me, but I think I have to go, uh... check something. Later," she said in a rush and slipped past him and out her door. Terrorsaur was left standing in the middle of her room, dumbfounded. Why did that keep happening to them? What was going on? He sighed. At least he had one 'bot he could count on when he needed it. He just wondered if it would ever get either of them killed.