The harsh desert wind sliced into the dust-covered ground, causing tiny whirlwinds of sand to drift about aimlessly. No life could be found for miles, for this was a sector in Predacon territory that had been utterly stripped of organic existence.

[This pitiful planet…]

He didn't mind that the flecks of airborne sand dulled the metallic red coat of his armor, for Terrorsaur often spent time in this area, even if it was just to ponder a recent harsh reprimand from Megatron. The barren landscape reminded him a bit of his role right now in the Beast Wars.[A mindless pawn who follows a merciless tyrant with no insight into our non-existent future.]

It really was depressing, and the red/silver flyer had witnessed enough of the Maximal/Predacon struggles to know how far they were from certain victory. But even then…what would be the point?

[All this…the so-called war we're fighting…it all comes to nothing.]

Looking back on his earlier hopes for leadership, he recognized what foolish notions he had in his head. [I had thought the way to victory would be through the extermination of all Maximals. But now, I realize how mistaken I was. The true victors would be the first ones to get off this Primus forsaken planet.]

Megatron was a shrewd and cunning leader, but he showed no interest in the future investment of his troops. There had long been talks of dissension among the ranks, but what lacked was initiative to carry it out. Or more precisely, Terrorsaur had made futile attempts, which resulted in continuing smirks and mockery from his comrades.

[Weak-minded fools.]

Sure, they would laugh at his apparent foolishness and capitalize on any of his misfortunes, but they were unwilling to take that certain step themselves. A message via comlink alerted him to the fact that he was supposed to be on surveillance.

"Terrorsaur," boomed the authoritative voice of his commander, "why haven't you started for Grid Veta yet? That energon patch must be secured for our purposes."

"I'm on my way,"

"Well hurry up! I want that energon supply for my latest endeavors."

"Yes, Megatron," he responded with nothing short of a sneer, and cut out before he had to hear that detested voice again. [Yes Megatron, I may not match up to you in power or trickery yet, but try letting your guard down. Yes, just try letting your guard down, because I'll always be here, unseen in the shadows… waiting to crush you at that exact moment.]

******************************************************************

His joints sore after several endearing megacycles of heavy transport, Silverbolt stepped back to admire his handiwork. Everything he'd managed to haul, including the two-ton CR unit that had put a permanent dent in his sacroiliac, was in a position that Maybelle had previously outlined. [An interior designer I'll never be, but Mabe's going to like it. Well, after this much work she'd better…]

Strolling through the ivory colored interior, with light emitters that had been implanted every few meters, Silverbolt become increasingly amazed as unnoticed details about the cave, overlooked before, caught his attention.

The cascading falls didn't simply cover a cave, further into its depth was an extensive network of tunnels leading to other smoothly formed, marble recesses. This intricate hideout, judging from how long it took the fuzor to travel its entire length of intricately twisting depths, extended deep into the mountain cliff off which the water falls channeled.

[This supposed 'cave' most likely isn't a result of natural erosion.]

Tracing his index finger along the cave wall, he marveled at the exquisite beauty the whole area, cave and surroundings, reflected. It was as though the entire scenic setting was pre-constructed, a haven of its own, meant for no other purpose, other than to shelter its occupants in a heavenly paradise to live out carefree days. [Well, I'll just leave now and wait for her delighted response…] His musings were cut short, as a rather inconspicuous, jutting-out piece of the wall tripped him on his sauntering way.

"Geezes!"

He cursed while crashing into the opposite cavern wall. However on impact, a soft, crumbly surface met his outstretched hands instead of the expected hard slate rock. He was in the inner recesses of the cave network, and leaning on an obscure section that he hadn't noticed before. With both palms resting lightly on the indented surface, he realized that this particular section of wall was constructed with loosely packed earth that had apparently settled to seal the area over time. Applying increasing pressure to the sinking construction, Silverbolt watched in amazement as the entire section of wall collapsed backwards, revealing a dark entryway barely large enough for a transformer of his size.

Temporarily petrified, the Maximal warrior stood, gaping at the predicament before him.

[To enter, or not.]

He shook his head in defeated resignation. [Better go check it out. Maybelle's going to be practically living here, wouldn't want to leave any nooks in this place overlooked.] Switching to night vision, he found it still unnervingly dark, so activated the infrared light beacon on his wrist as well. Crooked, lichen-covered steps tunneled deeper into the lowering mountain recess, yet Silverbolt followed them, prepared for anything.

The steps stopped, as a larger, exposed chamber met his vaguely scanning optics. The musty smell of age penetrated his sensitive olfactory sensors, as he tentatively stepped forward to examine this mysteriously hidden room. Unsuspectingly, he stumbled over a heavy obstruction, causing a metallic clatter that set his audios on full alert.

Reflexively bending to uncover what he had somehow clumsily discovered, Silverbolt found himself examining the body of a deceased transformer. This, of all events that had come his way in the past few cycles, was most shocking. It wasn't possible, given the lighting conditions, to exactly determine the individual's form and coloring, but the Decepticon symbol, etched prominently on the broad chest plate, revealed the bot's origins.

"Primus…" the fuzor exclaimed, turning the form over for closer inspection. Rust tinged the metal finish, where a bright polish should have been. And judging from the body's loose limbs, several major connective cables have been severed. [Rough condition he was in before terminating.]

The Decepticon had been carefully constructed with a strong build, but its form took on a longer, lither shape than that of Silverbolt. The tucked away, but prominent wings on the back plate marked the transformer to have been a flyer. Scanning the other parts of the room with his beacon, Silverbolt located a metallic desk with some outdated console resting on its corroded surface. [This poor guy must have lived here.]

The light beam suddenly traveled over the wall piece behind the desk. A series of Cybertronian characters ran across the stone expanse, crudely carved into the hard material, but still decipherable. Only familiar with late Cybertronian text himself, Silverbolt frantically searched his data tracks for a translator program.

"PROGRAM FOUND"

"Run,"

The meaning behind the columns of haunting scripture was immediately processed to his alert imaging screen. A formal, but fairly disquieting message, was relayed:

[You, who have discovered my hidden resting place, must be a descendant from either a line of courageous Decepticons, or noble Autobots. In spite of which, you are entrusted now with the task of ensuring the propagation of our kind. In return, I offer you the chance to become the most powerful transformer, next to the Dark-god Unicron himself. If you are one who is righteous and honorable enough to be have such an immense burden set on your shoulders, you may access the computer terminal to receive my further instructions. After you have completed your task, only one more favor do I ask of you. I request that you bring my sparkless body back to our beloved home world of Cybertron, and deliver it into the hands of a Autobot warrior by the name of Skyree. I would be eternally grateful, even while in rest among the Matrix. Good luck, and till all are one.]

"Legion Subterfuge Commander Lennix"

The overwhelming information he had just been plagued unwillingly with greatly disturbed the Maximal warrior. [If this Lennix was a Decepticon, then his knowledge dated back quite some time.]

The name didn't ring a bell for him, not in any of the history records he'd browsed contained mention of such a being. [And Skyree, who is that? Well, if this guy's been here as long as I think he has, Skyree's probably already joined him in the Matrix by now.]

Deciding it was best to consider everything carefully, Silverbolt placed the Decepticon carefully against the stone wall, and retreated back up to the main level. [Why should I do anything? I have no desire to be the most powerful transformer.] Sighing, he spent the next megacycle covering up the discovered entrance using the original dirt and soil. How the heck did he get here in the first place? Patting the synthetic covering back into place, he muttered to himself.

"Maybe some questions are best left unanswered,"

[This power that Lennix offers, it could be easily abused if in the wrong hands. If there is some formidable power source down there, it's best if no one, especially the Predacons, finds out.]

******************************************************************

"Optimus to Rattrap, you there?"

"Yup, we're here alrighty,"

"Hold your position with Tigatron, I'll update you on our situation at the energon site."

"You got it, Boss-monkey!"

"Optimus out,"

He faced Maybelle, who was avidly listening to an extraction tutorial delivered by Dinobot. She had denied the chance to fit herself into a beast form, and had to take extra precaution so as not to be affected by energon interference. So far, she was having no trouble at all, even with the high radiation that no doubt was present.

[Amazing, I have to get Rhinox to find out what adaptation her form has taken.]

The bored velociraptor, who personally thought his prized combat skills were needed elsewhere, was grudgingly demonstrating the use of Eo- level scanner when Optimus interrupted them.

"Alright, let's head over there now. And Maybelle, if we do happen to meet any Predacons, no firing without my command." Hot indignation flashed through her circuits, but she gave no outward sign of this internal progression.

"Fine then," she muttered through clenched teeth. If that was the way he was going to order her throughout the mission, then so be it. She followed Optimus' lead via air, while Dinobot made he way in beast-mode, using the fantastic speed that was characteristic of velociraptors.

The pulsating aquamarine field was found in a deep valley twenty more clicks north, but the actually salvageable, stable patch was located just over the edge of that sharp crevice. Someone would have to be lowered into the narrow opening to manually remove energon pieces, and then be pulled up to place the valuable pieces into containment. For the time being, no Predacons had shown up to challenge their claim of the resource, thus Dinobot and Maybelle proceeded to the process without delay. She had just hooked the extending cable and utility belt around her waist, when Optimus' comlink went off in a series of urgent beeps. Rattrap's frantic voice on the other end called for their immediate attention.

"Hey Big guy, we've got some nasty Pred visitors here that really wanna give me and poor Tigatron a death wish!"

"How many? Are you holding up?"

"Huh-lo! I wouldn't be wasting my voice whinin' to ya if we could handle 'em. OW! Man, that Needlenose is vicious with that thing! There's four of dem, but one's gone now."

"Hang on, I'll be right there."

Hastily, he activated his prime jets for take-off, intending to leave without postponement.

"Do you need backup?"

Optimus shook his head at the Autobot femme. "You're duty is to finish extracting that energon here with Dinobot. I can take care of a few Preds."

Dinobot's impatient growl called her focus back to the task at hand. Sighing, she couldn't help but wish she were going with Optimus, to finally see what these infamous Predacons exactly were.

With the last precious energon particle dusted off her hand into a sealed container, Maybelle glanced up at her particularly silent co- worker. "We haven't heard anything from the commander, maybe he's in more of a dilemma than he predicted."

"What do you suggest?"

"We should go check it out,"

"Against orders?" His harsh reply seemed to be edged with scorn.

"Well, would you rather wait here in suspenseful anxiety for that certain order?"

His cold optics focused on hers for a few tense nanoclicks.

"No, I suppose not," he replied at long last, "let us go now." Carefully, they each hooked a container of the energon into their back compartments. They were only a dozen meters away from the extraction site, when several laser shots soared dangerously close to their heads.

"An enemy," bellowed Dinobot as he quickly transformed, "show yourself, coward!" From her position behind the saurian warrior, Maybelle noticed a robot she had never seen before. [A Predacon, no doubt. But I was expecting them to be more…menacing?]

This one, that faced them now, was a dark lavender color, and sported two giant pincers in the place of hands. But other than that, it didn't exactly look like he was about to claim their lives.

"Scorponok," hissed the Maximal warrior, eager to face off with an old adversary.

She leaned forward, whispering into his auditory receiver. "You're familiar with him?" The warrior grinned savagely.

"Of course, we're 'beyond' familiar. But I'll handle him, easily. You, continue on to see how the others are faring." She longed to stay and join him in destroying the Pred, but concern for her other comrades moved her. And judging from Dinobot's bloodthirsty look, she didn't particularly want to witness his fervor during an intense battle.

"I'll be seeing you soon then, good luck." She transformed into jet-mode and took off, leaving the two foes to square off against one another.

"Not needed," hissed Dinobot, as the silver jet disappeared from his line of sight. Then all of his focus was directed upon the unfortunate Scorponok, who would soon be feeling the presence of his sword through that thick, protective shell. "Shall we begin, 'old' comrade?"

Unruffled, Scorponok sneered while removing a vial from his side compartment.

"Maybe another time, 'Traitor'. I have everything I need, and Megatron will be more pleased with this than with the meager amount of energon you carry."

With a smash, the Predacon second-in-command shattered the fragile vial between them, causing a concentrated amount of sulfurous gas to be emitted. The potent substance caused Dinobot's optics to agitate, eliciting a furious cry on his part. Charging blindly through the smog, uncontaminated air eventually met him as a wash of relief relieved his pained visual receivers.

"Scorponok, this will not go unpaid for," he cursed venomously, as only an empty setting met his renewed optics.

******************************************************************

The mayhem that was occurring up ahead reawakened the warrior instincts that had been buried for so long. The battlefield simulations and reality she had participated in previously were no doubt history, but that didn't stop the streaking sense of wild exhilaration that soared through her circuits.

Undergoing the transformation sequence, it was possible to make out Optimus and Rattrap up head, shooting on a large, red/blue robot who appeared to have bursts of flame releasing in long sequences from his weapon. Two other forms, Cheetor and Tigatron by the looks of it, were occupied against two other flyers further down.

"Maybelle," yelled Optimus over the noise of his own shotguns, "you do have my order to fire!"

1 [ No kidding…]

She leveled her blaster at the unsuspecting Predacon, and fired dead-on while Rattrap and Optimus watched from the ground. The laser blast drove a hole through his back plate, momentarily stunning the agape ant- bot. Following it up with another shot, she fired four blasts in total through his tough alloyed armor before deciding that it was enough. [Optimus and Rattrap will be able to finish you off.] Putting away her blaster, she accelerated again and glided expertly to where Cheetor and Tigatron were holding their own against two Pred flyers.

******************************************************************

"Dactyl-bot, help Wazzpinator! Wazzpinator shot,"

Terrorsaur stopped briefly from his task of bombarding Cheetor with missiles to catch his wing-mate hovering dangerously, on the verge of altogether falling. [Damn, his jet motors must be short-circuited.] Launching two last missiles from his shoulder-mounted cannons, he crisscrossed the string of laser blasts to fire directly on Tigatron.

"Always counting on me to save your skidplate, huh Bug-face?" He slimly dodged an oncoming bullet from his left. "Huh? That wasn't from either of the felines,"

Another blast from behind skimmed the surface of his arm, leaving a slight scorch mark, as he muttered a shrill curse.

"Waspinator, you useless piece of scrap, where are you?!"

Instinct told him that the other had probably already been shot down by the array of the bullets and laser beams that now rained on him with deadly accuracy. Too busy dodging hazardous shots to scan his surroundings, Terrorsaur was stunned to see Optimus Primal swiftly appear beside him.

"Time's up, Predacon…" The aerial commander felt the rapid, burning pain as two bullets lodged themselves into his thigh plate. The injury disabled his flight ability, as he struggled to maneuver against any further attack. A squawk escaped from him as a sudden, more imminent threat presented itself to in the form of a flaming, swiftly approaching object.

"Eat this, Pred scum!" A verbal threat, and sudden impact to his chest were the only signs of disaster, before the detonation ended all of his awareness.

******************************************************************

Stunned, Maybelle watched as the red/silver Predacon fell helplessly from the glowing sky. He had suffered two direct blows from Optimus' twin guns, and a detonated explosive courtesy of Rattrap. She had been present, behind him on the right, when she saw his attempt to help his fellow comrade.

As far as she knew, Decepticons and Predacons alike should exhibit an "each bot for himself" type of philosophy. Endangering your own hide to aid another was virtually unheard of.

His fate surprised her, but what affected the Autobot even more, was the contemptible sight of his retreating comrades. The wasp and ant were pulling quickly away from the shots, pursued by Optimus and others who tried to prevent their withdrawal. Looking back at the smoking form of the injured Predacon, she felt a deep loathing for the wasp, and all those who in turn abandoned their comrades. And the Predacon before her, he had triggered a buried emotion that she had almost forgotten: pity.

He was an enemy, but before this momentous fact registered, another voice within was urging her to help him.

The others were quite some distance away, busy with the remaining Predacons. Before the Maximals could notice, Maybelle moved cautiously to where the Predacon had fallen. His damages were severe, she noted, the exposed circuitry in his spark cavity revealed his precarious state.

"That explosive sure packed a punch, " she muttered. He needed a CR chamber, and possibly more; she would have to take him to her hideout. [Let's just hope Silverbolt was kind enough to have already moved the new stuff there.]

Groaning, she struggled to carry his armored and larger-built body. She finally found that if she supported him over her left shoulder and strapped the extendable utility belt around the two of them, she could barely manage a take off. It took every last power thruster she possessed to manage flying all the way to Grid Klyma.

"G281withSpringer" At her voice-expressed password, a mid- section of the waterfall gave way to an opening large enough for a transformer. Once inside the dimly lit cave, she searched for the CR unit. It appeared in its own section of the cave, restored and ready for use in a cylindrical basin of flowing fluid. [May Primus bless your spark, Silverbolt.] Grabbing an additional first-aid kit, she settled the comatose Predacon down, and began the lengthy repair procedures.

******************************************************************

"Hey Optimus," yelled Cheetor after the Predacons had fully retreated, "where's Maybelle?"

The leader transformed back into his gorilla beast-mode.

"What, she was present when we dealt with Terrorsaur. And with her training and background, I don't believe that she would leave a mission without permission unless she had a pretty good reason."

"Maybe she's hurt," cried Cheetor while reloading his phasar rifle.

"Let's head back to base then. Try contacting her via comlink." The feline bot was about to ask more, when Dinobot's echoing curses drew their attention away.

"Slag!" he screamed, "where is that coward's confounded body?"

"Something bothering you, Chopper-face?" The velociraptor whirled around to stare at Rattrap who was grinning up at him cheekily. Amusement did not shine through Dinobot's features.

"The enemy Terrorsaur! I saw him land somewhere behind those mounds. But curses, where is he now??"

"Maybe another Predacon recovered him when we were occupied," suggested Optimus in an attempt calm down his soldier.

Dinobot shook his head. "Drat, we could have salvaged a prisoner."

"Hey," added Rattrap, who had been smirking the whole time, "we could lock you in a cell and poke ya for fun!"

"Shut up, Vermin!"

"Guys, cut it out! I wanna get through to Mabe," snapped Cheetor. After several unsuccessful tries, he lowered his head resignedly.

"Optimus, let's head back to base…"

******************************************************************

Maybelle felt a strange sensation as she gently cleaned his deep wounds. [This shouldn't be happening…completely unacceptable.] There was some familiarity to this whole scenario. Sudden images flashed across her mind. Shots of past friends, comrades, enemies… The recollection made her cringe.

[I don't know why I'm saving him.]

Was it some sort of an attraction? Impossible, she didn't even know his name. She just knew he had suffered immense damages and needed immediate treatment.

[Bravery, righteousness, compassion, those were traits that the Autobots valued the most…]

However, her focus kept returning to his face. It was a remarkable shade of white, perfect in contrast with his red coloring. Embarrassingly, she found his features rather handsome. Too bad she couldn't get any character out them cause he was temporarily out. You silly bot, she scolded herself, your mind's losing it. It was impossible for the two of them to be even the most remote of friends.

[You pathetic traitor…]

The accusation came from within, as though a part of her was berating the actions she had taken. Ironically, with each repetition of the phrase, she found herself agreeing with the forceful, negative voice.

2 [Pathetic traitor…]

[I only saved him because that would be too unsatisfactory of a death,]

[ Liar, you saved him because he showed some wavering Autobot characteristic.]

[That's not true…]

3 [ Then prove it!]

Complying, she gradually activated the wrist-mounted laser in her possession, and slowly aimed the weapon at his unmoving head.

[Shoot him…he's a Predacon…descendant of your sworn enemies.]

His helpless condition stopped her from firing that shot, and her arm began to tremble. A rare feeling of vulnerability and defenselessness overcame her. Sighing, she immersed his body into the harmoniously glowing lavender CR fluid.

[I'm only saving a casualty of war…]

This she had to repeat to herself over and over.



******************************************************************

"Why hasn't Terrorsaur returned from our last mission?" Megatron, still obviously furious with their recent failure to secure the energon supply, demanded those assembled in the spacious command center. All present shrugged, not remembering or wanting to volunteer what had happened to the smart-mouthed pterodactyl during the confrontation. Of course except Waspinator, who either didn't notice Megatron's foul mood, or decided for once that he would be the brave one to talk.

"Bzzzzz, Wazzpinator saw Terrorsaur get shot by Optimus. Didn't see him after that…" Megatron glared at the oversized insect, who may have done better to simply keep his mouth shut.

"Fool! Let's hope that he wasn't captured by those insolent Maximals. That idiot would disclose every secret we have." In disgust, he dismissed his units.

[ Then again, Terrorsaur's untimely disappearance might prove more useful to me than I thought.]A smug smile eventually spread across that malevolent faceplate, as his aerial commander's absence no longer concerned him as it had before.



******************************************************************

[What I wouldn't give for a hefty recharge session…]

This was the second day that she had treated the Predacon. Much of the work she had done involved delicate instrumental surgery, especially when it came to the vital system located around his spark. Precision from her was crucial, and only within the last two cycles had he shown evident signs of recovery.

[Wake up, please!]

The beeping of her desk comlink startled her from the cleanup of equipment. Exhausted, she turned to switch the annoying contraption on.

"Maybelle here," she said into it.

"Mabe," came the relieved voice of Silverbolt, "are you alright?! Your sudden disappearance had everyone ready to conduct a planet-wide search."

"Everything's fine," she replied, feeling a twinge of guilt for lying, "I just had some minor damages to take care of."

"You should have returned to base for that. Never mind, report back immediately! Optimus is about to launch a search party, and there's an update that needs to be discussed."

She was about to agree, when a weak moan escaped from her Predacon tenant's lithe form. Involuntarily, she gasped in surprise.

"What's wrong?" demanded Silverbolt in alarm.

"N-nothing," came her awkward reply, while she scrambled to collect herself, "I'll be there in half a cycle."

Quickly switching off the comlink, she slid gracefully over to where the occupant lay. His hands were moving slightly, showing that he was finally coming around. Hesitantly, she gazed abruptly at the recovering Predacon.

"You're going to make it," she almost whispered, "I'll return you to your own faction. I may be a fool, but I can't choose whose life I end up saving." She hurried to lift him so he could be transported back to where she would no doubt forget him and the whole incident.

Terrorsaur felt himself come-to with the worst headache he could ever recall having. [What the slag happened?] Last thing he remembered was a sharp pain in his chest region while a glowing mass hurtled towards his temporarily suspended form.

He tried flexing an arm, but it caused every sensory strand in that area to sting with explosive complaints. Unable to bear it, he groaned in pain. To his immense surprise though, a voice was heard in the shady background.

[The voice belongs to…Silverbolt??]

Shocked beyond compare, he began to panick. [Where the pit am I???]

Suddenly, Silverbolt's voice was replaced by one that sounded characteristically female. He couldn't associate it with any Maximal or Predacon he knew. With great effort, his auditory sensors detected the crisp steps of the speaker who approached him. He desperately tried to focus his visual system, but the strained optics still projected an image that came out fuzzy and static. All he could make out was a slender form that bent over and seemed to observe him.

The sound of her voice, clear as purified energon resonance, filled his sensors.

"You're going to make it," he heard her say. Although he couldn't identify her, the words he heard were comforting and calmed him immensely. He longed to see the owner of that voice, but a sudden pain spasm rippling across his vital system sent his mind reeling. He slowly blacked out as he heard her whisper, "I can't choose whose life I end up saving…"

******************************************************************

[ This is a good spot.]

The Darkside was still quite a few paces away, but her cloaking armlet only worked to a certain extent. [Have to see Rhinox about that when I get back.] A smooth molten boulder lay in front of her, a trademark of the volcanic environment the Predacon base so happened to have chosen as its resting place. Carefully, she placed the body onto the earthen surface, hoping desperately that no Predacons could see her.

With a final glance at the one who owed her life itself, she transformed seamlessly into her jet mode and left.

[One of your comrades will find you, Predacon. And the next time we meet, our only method of communication shall be through gunfire.]



******************************************************************

"Megatron, good news!" An excited Scorponok barged into the almost empty command center, eager to please his leader with fresh news.

"What are you babbling about?"

"Inferno has discovered Terrorsaur's body just 20 meters east from the base!" As if on cue, a pleased-looking Inferno marched in, dragging Terrorsaur's unconscious form behind him.

"Hmph, the idiot must have somehow crawled back. Very well, at least now I won't have to waste time prying him from Maximal clutches. Inferno! Take him to the CR Chamber. I want him online as soon as possible!" The large fire ant bowed, and left again dragging his comrade's limp body with him.

Megatron dismissed the issue, not giving much care at the moment to his aerial commander. There were much more important things at hand…