Disclaimer: Beast Wars, Beast Machines and all characters related to those series are the property of MainFrame Entertainment and Hasbro Incorporated. The Transformers and all characters related to that series are the property of Hasbro Incorporated. This fan fiction is dedicated to the cast and crew of all three Transformer generations.
The following story, the personal histories of the characters, the history of Cybertron both past and future, and the briefly mentioned Valnatron are all my creation.
Special thanks goes out to Ben Yee of www.bwtf.com for the use of his "Cybertroninan Dictionary" and reviews of the episodes of Beast Wars and Beast Machines; to Gemini83 for his persistence in making sure I stayed on my schedule; to the talented voice actors who brought the characters to life and the people who worked behind the scenes to give those voices a frame to dwell in and adventures to endure.
Beast Wars: Basic Program
Chapter 4; Deciding Factors
The walk back to Axalon has been strange.
Dinobot had remained silent the whole trip, eyes fixed on the ground in front of him and at least two deci-klicks behind the others. Cheetor's emotions were a cross-breed between anger and shame, and when spoken to he said very little. Rhinox, on the other hand, kept asking questions which Tigatron and Air Razor did their best to answer.
By the time the Maximals reached Axalon, Rhinox' memory glitch was cleared up but he was confused. How did could he have forgotten? He hadn't sustained any damage because he hadn't fought and he hadn't hit his head or anything.
"I must be getting old." Rhinox groaned as he laid the sleeping Optimus on his bed.
"Ya no olda den me." Rattrap said, leaning on the door frame with his arms cross over his chest "En I ain' dat old."
"I'm YOUNGER than you, which is why I'm worried." Rhinox snorted to himself as he exited Optimus' room with Rattrap. The two started down the dark corridors towards the Control Room, one the perfect foil of the other.
"Ahh, don' cross ya wires ova dis, Rhinox." Rattrap waved off the subject with a smile "Naht like it will eva happen again. Glitches happen, even ta da best a us."
"I don't know." Rhinox said. He stopped at a cross point, where the hall they were in connected to the quaters' hall. Rattrap stopped too and looked up at Rhinox with narrowed eyes
"I'm gonna run a diagnostic of my systems," Rhinox said "just to make sure."
"Wastin' ya time." Rattrap said
"My time to waste. Will you be all right on your own?"
Rattrap smirked "Dinobot's in 'iz room sulkin', Cheetor's catchin' up on 'iz readin', en Stripes en Lady-Bird are playin' chess in da Control Room. Nuhtin' I can't handle. 'Sides, I'M da leada now, which means you don't gotta worry 'bout nuhtin'....I do!"
Rhinox nodded and started towards the Med-Bay. Rattrap watched until Rhinox disappeared around the corner and then he started towards his own room. He was the only one who locked his door, which was more of a habit than a form of distrust.
Rattrap stepped into his room and shut the door, not bothering to turn on the lights. Taking a deep breath, he threw himself onto his bed, buried his face in his pillow and closed his optical sensors. He stayed that way for about two micro-clicks.
Rattrap snorted, frustrated for a reason he wasn't about to admit, and rolled over. He gazed at the ceiling for a cycle, letting his mind wander; but when it started to ask questions he sat up and pulled a box of his belongings out from under his bed. He searched and found his sonic-sphere and proceeded to bounce it off the wall.
That killed about two cycles.
Rattrap tossed the sphere aside and got up with a frustrated snort. He left his room and started to walk, going where ever his feet lead him. To the training hall, to Med-Bay, to the storage rooms, to the now empty Stasis Chamber. Finally, his feet lead him into the Control Room, where he paced until Air Razor told him he was making her dizzy.
That's when the temporary leader couldn't stand it any longer. Rattrap HAD to know why Dinobot accepted Megatron's challenge! Under normal circumstances, Rattrap wouldn't have given a flying saucer about Dinobot's reasoning process -- or lack there of --, but this, for some reason, was frying his logic circuits!
It was so NOT Dinobot!!
Though his honor was something Dinobot held to like Rattrap clung to his memories of Cybertron -- desperately -- his code of honor was basic. It wasn't so complex that it couldn't be taught, but it wasn't something one could find on a data track about codes of honor. One could never second guess Dinobot. There were no loop-holes in his honor code. Everything was black or white. That's what made him such a mystery.
Because if everything was either honorable or dishonorable, why did Dinobot accept Megatron's challenge? There was no honor to be gained by fighting Megatron unless Dinobot had destroyed Megatron, and the chance had presented itself...but Dinobot did not take it.
And what about the Challenge?
Dinobot had said that the Challenge was sacred to the Predicons, that challenging a Maximal for Predicon honor was disgraceful, and -- from what transpired between him and Cheetor -- that the Challenge was fought ONLY between the challenged and the challenger. From personal experience, Rattrap could add that it was also disgraceful for Maximals to witness such battles....but he didn't know why.
There were actually two Challenges. The Predicon Challenge, which was huge event held every so often, kinda like the Cybertron Games where one achieved fame and glory, and then Challenges held outside the Arena. When held outside the Arena, Challanges were usually fought to reclaim lost honor or to cleanse tainted glory. There were the fighters, who fought with weapons or hand-to-hand until one went into stasis lock or crash, and their witnesses. Each fighter had to have at least 3 witnesses.
But, if this Challange was as sacred as Dinobot believed it to be, why did he allow the Maximals to watch? And why hadn't Megatron come with his own witnesses? Two taboos had all ready lowered the honor Dinobot could have gained, and he knew that the Maximals weren't going to stand by while he got scraped by Megatron...if it came to that, which it did. So, there was the threat of another taboo that quickly broke.
Rattrap couldn't image the dishonor and the torture Dinobot was putting himself through because Cheetor and the others had saved him....he also couldn't see why Dinobot would do that to himself. Having the Maximals willing to risk their lives for him should have been seen as a compliment, that they thought of him as one of their own, as a part of their team.
And what the slag was wrong with the Maximal emblem?
Rattrap rubbed the back of his neck as he saw the answer to one of his own questions. Chopper-Face was still seeing things in digital technology. He still saw himself as a Predicon living from day to day by the grace of Optimus' forgiving nature. Did he even consider himself a part of the Maximal team? Or did he think he was just a POW doing what he had to do to survive? It was clear, though, that Dinobot was NEVER going to forget his basic program.
So the real question was, what did Dinobot see in the challenge that Rattrap and the others missed? Maybe it wasn't the challenge that got Dinobot so worked up. Maybe it was the insults Megatron had thrown at him before the fight. And what about those insults? Who was Valnatron? And the business with Silicon Valhan? It made no sense.
Another thing that was really bugging Rattrap's main-frame was what Dinobot had said about history being flawed. Censorship wasn't a problem the Transformers had...or was it? Rattrap did have a few hot-tracks from the Underground, but those were old human stories the Maximal Elders thought were too...too...well, Rattrap wasn't sure why they were pulled from circulation.
Then there was that whole thing about the Decepticons fall from grace. When Obliviscor forced the Great Change, the Overseers tried to deviate the Predicons' program from the Decepticons' so as to prevent a future war...but like Optimus had said, both programs had evolved over the centuries. But was it evolution that caused the Predicons to become so war-like, so dangerous...so Decepticon? Or was it that basic program, that fated matrix, that kept the cycle of war and peace going?
Rattrap shock his head in disgust. Now was not the time to get philosophical. He was a spy, not a visionary. But, was there really that big a difference between finding universal truths and cracking codes?
Rattrap's processor spun these and several dozen other questions around in his head as he pounded on Dinobot's door. He was determined not to stop until the Pred opened up....or his hand fell off.
"Hey! Choppa-Face!" Rattrap shouted, banging on the door "Open up! Dat's an orda!"
The door opened and Rattrap entered, trying to look as stern and as in control as he could. He was greeted with darkness and a rush of cold air that froze the lubricant in his system.
Dinobot's quarters were Spartan. A bed, a table, and a chair were all that made up Dinobot's room....and those had come with the ship. The skin of his clone was tacked up above his bed and a few of his personal data tracks he managed to recover from the Darkside were stacked up on the table. At first glance, one had to wonder if Dinobot planned on staying or not. First thing Cheetor had done, when he got his quarters, was decorate the walls with pictures (Rattrap and Rhinox were guilty of the same action, but they would deny it to the bitter end, with lazer fire if necessary). Maybe it was part of the Warrior's Code, that a warrior never get too attached to a place or to a group of people because both my be lost in a battle?
The sudden appearance of one item proved Dinobot intended on staying. A few days after Dinobot had joined the Maximals he disappeared for about ten deca-cycles. No one saw him go, no one saw him return, there was just this gap in time when no one could find him. Later that evening, Cheetor passed by Dinobot's door and noticed it was open. Cheetor peeked inside. He could see Dinobot polishing and sharpening his rotary sword. When the Pred was satisfied with his work, he place the sword in a newly built wooden rack, designed to hold at least four swords.
Further prove of Dinobot's intention to stay was when he programmed the Mattertron to make the necessary components for a rotary sword. Not the actual sword, but the raw components. Making one of those rotating monsters took a full day and that was a day Rattrap left Dinobot alone. The last thing he needed was to spend a day in the RC tank because his frame had been used to test the blade's sharpness.
The sword rack, holding two of the three existing swords, was just to the right of the port window. Except for a few stray beams of daylight that crept through the broken blinds covering the port window, the room was jet black.
The rays pierced the darkness. Dinobot's knelt frame was a mute silhouette against this mock twilight.
"All right, Choppa-Face, I'm gonna ask en I'm only gonna ask once!" Rattrap snapped, taking a few steps towards the meditating Pred "Wha'ta slag were ya thinkin' fightin' Mega-butt! Ya TRYIN' ta get scraped or sumtin?"
"My actions are none of your concern, Vermin." Dinobot's voice rumbled through the room, but he didn't move.
"Oh, it's nonna my concern of course it's my concern, cuz t'anks ta you I'm in charge 'a dis circus till Fearless Leada comes to! Now don' make me pull rank on ya, cuz I will in a nano-click!"
Dinobot took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Ansa my question! Dat's en orda!"
Still no response.
Rattrap rolled his eyes and began to tap his foot. Anger wasn't working and even though Dinobot respected the role of leader and obeyed who ever filled that role -- with in reason -- he wasn't bending to commands this time. Rattrap bit his lip and decided to try the most painful approach he could think of; he was going to ask nicely.
"Look, Choppa-Face," (he said try, didn't he?) "I ain' askin' ta harass da lubricant out a'ya, I'm askin' cuz....cuz as leada I have a right ta know. If Optimus 'ad asked~"
"Had Optimus made the inquiry I would still remain taciturn." Dinobot growled "Your welcome is wearing thin, Vermin. Stay any longer and I will not be responsible for my actions."
"Threats don' work wid me, Scale-Belly." Rattrap snapped
"Nor Inquisitions with me."
Rattrap looked down at his feet and clicked his tongue a few times, trying to come up with some way to get the Pred to talk. Maybe, indirectly?
"Okay. Ya won' say nuhtin bout taday. Fine, dat's coolant in da engine. I won' ask. Buh could ya least explain why ya tried ta slag Spots!"
"He interfered with the Challenge, tainting its honor and making the victory unclaimable."
"Huh." Rattrap snorted "En 'ere I thought ya let Mega-butt go cuz ya wuz too chi~"
Dinobot began to thrill. A deep, threatening sound that echoed through the room. Rattrap cut himself short and said "Wuz so great bout dis Challenge dat ya'd wanna slag one a ya teammates?"
Dinobot's optical sensors slowly opened, filling the room with a hellish red light and bathing his frame with the color of rage. He stood and started towards the door, saying "The Challenge is a sacred tradition. I shall not defile that which I am the master."
"Look, PAL!" Rattrap snapped, grabbing Dinobot by the arm and forcing him to a stand still. Rattrap was about to lose his cool. "I could care less 'bout your traditions! All I'm askin' is wha'da slag happened. Ya owe me dat much!"
"I owe you nothing!" Dinobot growled, pulling his arm free and continued on to the door "I do not need to justify my action to you or any one else!" He swung the door open and took a step out.
Dinobot jerked to a halt, but not by his own free will. It was as though a hand had grabbed him by the shoulders and forced me to a stand still. Dinobot gazed out into the hall with narrowed eyes, his face twisted in rage and remorse.
Rattrap seized the moment.
"Ya right, ya don' 'ave ta justify anythin' ta me, Choppa-Face, cuz I could careless, buh whadabout ta yaself? Ya kin shrug me en my questions off, buh ya kin't do dat wid ya consciences...if ya got one!"
Dinobot took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Sumtin's got ya steamed." Rattrap continued "Sumtin Megs said really fried ya circuits en I wanna know why en what. Mind ya, naht so I kin use it. Slag, if I wanna harass ya, I kin get my own material, buh dis ain' like you. Fa Primus' sack, jist ansa my questions en I'll leave yalone. I won' harass ya until...until Fearless Leada's back at da helm. Okay?"
"Quite an incentive." Dinobot snorted and closed his eyes
Dinobot continued to stand in the doorway, fighting off his own demons as they clawed at his consciences and sense of honor. Images of the past, great competitions and honored comrades washed over his memory banks like a tidal wave. When his memory defied his orders and his equal appeared, Dinobot snarled and opened his eyes.
"If I answer your questions, will you swear never to repeat a single word to anyone as long as your processor is functional?" Dinobot demanded
Rattrap's engine turned. Something about the way Dinobot had said that didn't sit right.
"Why da slag naht?" Rattrap finally said, shrugging his shoulders. After all, what was the worst that could be told?
Dinobot slowly closed the door and his eyes. The room went black. Dinobot stood like that for a click before he turned the lights on and opened his eyes, turning to face Rattrap with a very serious look on his face.
"To understand what happened, you must understand the Challenge." Dinobot said "The Predicon Challenge is actually a modern term for The Elite Competition, a sacred competition among the ancient Deceptions. Its origins date back to the rule of the Quintisons, when we were nothing but battle drones and servants."
"WOW! TIME OUT!" Rattrap said, waving his hands "I took History 101 when I wuz a Spark, Choppa-Face. I don't need a refresher course, alls I need ta know is why ya steamed."
"If you would be patient, I shall answer your questions." Dinobot said "During the time of the Quintisons, the victor of the Challenge was granted his freedom from the gladiatorial ring. During the generations of Decepticon rule, when time allowed for it, the victor became the leader's apprentice, thus StarScream; finally, when the Autobots regained control of Cybertron and you Maximals became our' lords, the Challenge became the one relic from our past the Elders could not destroy. It was our link to the Decepticons, our ancestors, that enabled many to endure Maximal rule."
"Aww, come on!" Rattrap snapped, offended "We ain' dat bad!"
"With all due respect, I must say the jury is still out on that statement." Dinobot snorted "When it comes to a peaceful existence, you Maximals are excellent scientists, explorers and the like....but in times of war you are pathetic warriors."
"Oh yeah? Well, whataya call dis li'le group a ours, Choppa-Face?"
"The exception."
Rattrap blinked and took a step back.
Dinobot smirked "I'm no fool, Vermin, I know talent when I see it. While on Cybertron, I taught the younger generation of Predicons the Predicon Code of Honor, as well as how to battle on the field and in the ring. Some of the greatest warriors were trained by my hand and disciplined with my sword!.....But, there are some even I could not teach. Megatron was one such bot."
"Da plot thickens." Rattrap said
Dinobot nodded "I attempted to teach Megatron, but the fool was so proud of his name and heritage that he refused to listen. He believed his connection with the Decepticon Megatron made him my superior. He left training after a week, and I was glad to see him go."
Rattrap smiled "So all dis is just da old Teacher/Student plot. Okay, I get it."
"If you are satisfied with only HALF the story, by all means you are welcomed to leave."
"Half?"
"I still live, do I not. Stories do not end until the characters are dead."
"Oh, there's a happy thought for ya." Rattrap moaned
"I have been fighting in the Challenge since I was a Spark, but have only been Bellator Maximus for thirty five stellar cycles. Megatron's first attempt to claim the tittle as his own was my sixth Challenge, during which he nearly took my best student off-line in a daring display of stupidity and rage. We were later pitted against each other in the semi-finals....during which I made him pay for her injuries."
"Her? Dis best student a yours....dis dat Valnatron Megs mentioned?"
Dinobot took a deep breath and hesitated. He didn't want to answer that question. After a few clicks, he managed "That is correct."
"Name sounds familiar." Rattrap muttered, rubbing the back of his neck
"When Megatron and I fought he showed no remorse for his actions and had he not been ordered to stop by the TriPredacus Council Valnatron would be dead. Megatron ultimately lost at my hands, her honor was partically restored, but that was a battle I will never forget. My seventh and final challenge, for this "adventure" has kept me from the most recent, also had me pitted against Megatron. It was his reliance on weaponry rather than his own strength that cost him that victory. He has not learned that a true warrior's strength exists in his mind, in his spark, not in the weapons he carries."
"As interestin' as dis is," Rattrap interrupted "it still don' 'splain why ya'septed Mega-butt's challenge, unless ya reason was revenge."
"Fighting Megatron to regain one of my student's honor would be disgraceful to that student. It would suggest that I had little faith in them as warriors and in my skill as a teacher. Unless given the student's permission, I can not fight for them...any of them."
"Okay, den stap circling my question like a lion does a wounded antelope!" Rattrap snapped "Why'd ya fight Megatron? Naht ta teach him a lesson, naht fa revenge, den fa what?"
Dinobot snorted, "You have heard of Silicon Valhan?"
"Yeah, dat's where ya store da remains 'a ya dead heroes, right?" Rattrap cringed and shivered in disgust "En might I add, on a personal note, jist how disgustin' dat is?!? Honestly, kin't ya jist build monuments like we do. Ya 'ave ta go en leave deir remains out fa every bot ta see!"
"It is an honor to be admitted into those sacred halls!" Dinobot snapped
"So long as sumbody goes in ta dust every now en den." Rattrap moaned
"Only the greatest warriors can be admitted into the halls! Warriors of great virtue and military genius! Warriors who have brought to the Predicon name and Decepticon heritage glory, fear, respect! Warriors who have lived and died by the code of honor burned into their basic program!"
Rattrap blinked. He was beginning to wish he had just let Dinobot leave the room. This was getting into the whole "whose right/whose wrong" argument Rattrap never really enjoyed thinking about. He was used to hearing the Maximals' version of history; Decepticons were evil, so Preds were evil and should never be allowed to rule because they are evil. But now Dinobot, a Pred who wasn't all that bad (though Rattrap was NEVER going to admit that to ANYONE), was showing another side of history; Decepticons were warriors by program. They had to fight, so Preds had to fight. It was their basic program. They couldn't change that. But Dinobot seemed to be getting along pretty well in a non-bellicose environment and the Maximals were turning out to be great...okay warriors, so~
Rattrap didn't like the pictures the two histories were painting. Neither one was right. He also didn't like this sudden openness on Dinobot's behalf. Never, never had Dinobot spoken about his past, or anything for that matter. If it wasn't related to the war, he didn't say anything. The Pred was a warrior, a introspective loner and it appeared he had always been that way. So why was he talking? Something wasn't right.
Dinobot's face, animated during his speech by ancestral pride, faded back to its look of apathy and the fire in his eyes died. He turned his eyes towards the table next to his bed and let his gaze fall on a corroded data track, bent by time and nicked from use. Dinobot walked over, picked up a the track and turned it on. The track didn't hum, it purred, and the screen sparked a few times before it lit up, casting a green light on Dinobot's face.
"Megatron was never a brilliant warrior," Dinobot said "never one to follow codes of honor. He always wanted to take the short way to victory, the less rewarding but simpler way. That was why he stole the Golden Disk, it was a short way to his domination of Cybertron."
Dinobot skimmed the track for a moment, his eyes echoed with sorrow and regret. He sighed in disgust and threw the track down on his bed. It bounced and rolled to a stop, face down, but Rattrap had caught a glimpse of the screen. Just a glimpse, and then it was gone.
"I'm still here, ya know." Rattrap said
"That fact is hard to forget, Vermin." Dinobot snapped as he started back towards the door, glaring at Rattrap as he passed him "I trust, in vain, that you will keep that trap of yours closed, Rat! The fact alone that I have entrusted you with a part of my history is enough of a punishment than to have the entire ship know my weakness."
"Weakness?" Rattrap asked "Ya ain' said nuhtin dat interestin', Choppa-Face."
Dinobot stopped at the door and turned to face Rattrap, his eyes narrowed and his face stern.
"En ya still haven' answered my question."
The look on the Pred's face told Rattrap the answer to his question had been given...but was hidden in the fragmented history lesson.
Rattrap clenched his fists and snapped "I ain' one fa riddles, Choppa-Face, en I don' 'ave time ta solve yours! Now tell me straight out why ya fough' Megatron!"
Dinobot opened the door, his eyes focused on the enraged Rattrap as he stepped out...and ran head long into Cheetor, who was storming into the room with a data track clenched in his hand.
"By the Pit, will I never be rid of you!" Dinobot demanded "What do you want?"
"An answer! Why are you so steamed at me for savin' your skidplates?"
"You interfered with a Challenge!" Dinobot growled, stepping out into the hallway.
Cheetor took a few steps back until his back was against the wall. He glared defiantly into the warrior's eyes as Rattrap followed them out and leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed over his chest.
Dinobot continued "The Predicon Challenge is not a game, Cheetor! It is not something to be taken lightly! It is an event that draws hundreds of the most accomplished warriors to Cybertron and the honors bestowed on the victor are honors seconded only by a glorious death on the battle field! Your interference was an insult to my skill and heritage."
"I've been doing some research on this Challenge of yours," Cheetor said, handing Dinobot the data track then crossing his arms over his chest "and this is what I found!"
Dinobot took the data track angrily and glared at the screen. His expression softened as he read the data track. He sighed and handed the track back to Cheetor, saying "I am the Master of the Challenge, Cheetor, I know the rules by heart."
"Like ya got one." Rattrap said, rolling his eyes
"You know the rules, then tell me what they say about weapons." Cheetor demanded, taking the track from Dinobot "From memory!"
Dinobot turned away.
"I found this information in an Econ Report, so you can't say the Challenge is sacred to the point of secrecy!"
"No need to be rude." Dinobot snapped
"If YOU won't tell ME, then I'LL tell YOU!" Cheetor snapped "The rules state 'any weapon can'....No wait, 'any weapon may'...Hang on." Cheetor scrolled down the track until he found the passage "Here it is 'Along the lines of weapons, let it here by be known that any blade may be used, any blaster may be fired, any energy based or formed weapon may be brought into the ring so long as the remains of the loser, should the battle result in termination, can be properly recycled'.....and there's another rule somewhere that says the bot who deletes his opponent is disqualified, but that's not part of my point."
"Geez, Cheetor," Rattrap said "dis whatya been doin'?"
"Megatron was using an energon crystal to directly boost his lazer power by fracturing the energy source," Cheetor continued "separating the weaker frequencies from the stronger ones! That method of energy fracturing was outlawed over two centuries ago because the stronger frequencies, without the weaker ones to nullify them, give off radiation that caused deadly mutation in sparks and frames."
"Where, exactly, is this going?" Dinobot asked
"With all that being said," Cheetor said "how can you claim I did you a dishonor by interfering when Megatron all ready tainted that honor by cheating! Twice!"
Dinobot was silent. His eyes were narrowed, his face stern. He seemed to be thinking, piecing together everything that he knew with what he was told.
"Come on, Dinobot," Cheetor urged "what's really frying your circuits? What gives?"
Dinobot blinked, then quietly started off down the hall towards the Command Center. Rattrap and Cheetor watched Dinobot until he disappeared around the corner, then turned towards each other and shrugged. This was going to be a long day.
Maybe Optimus could get the Pred to talk in something other then riddles.
Optimus tossed and turned in his bed. His mind twisted and turned, trying to find an exit to the void in which he swam. His memories were blurred, his history track hidden, and his reasoning hindered.
Who was he? Where was he? Why was he there?
He remember water, blue and glowing, surrounding him and filling his body as he tried to take a breath to call for help. He remembered the jungle, lush and green, and the swaying trees that cooled the ground. And he remembered...his kind. The gorillas...the Silverback...his family...A raptor attacking a young male and a cheetah and snow white tiger crouching near by. His family was in danger! He had to get back! At all costs.
Optimus' eyes shot open and he sat up with a yelp. He looked around at the alien room and cautiously got off the bed. On all fours he crept around the room, looking each object over with the curiosity of a child. Nothing looked familiar.
How he knew where the door was and how to open it were questions Optimus chose not to answer. He didn't what to know. He crept down the hall, looking the walls over with a sense of awe and fear. Suddenly, he heard voices and from around a corner came the white tiger accompanied by a giant hawk.
Optimus let out a loud bark of surprise as the animals faced him.
"Optimus," Air Razor said "you're up. You must be feeling better."
"How are you feeling, Friend?" Tigatron asked
Optimus slowly back away, teeth bared and growling. Tigatron and Air Razor looked at each other in confusion.
"Optimus, is something wrong?" Air Razor asked
Optimus continued to back away.
Tigatron took a few steps towards Optimus, saying "Optimus, what has happened to~"
Optimus let out a loud howl and charged at Tigatron, ramming into him and sending him flying into Air Razor. The two tumbled back into a heap as Optimus rose to his hind legs and pounded his chest in triumph. Tigatron and Air Razor untangled themselves from each other and changed into their robot modes. Frightened at the sight, Optimus took off down a near by corridor.
"Optimus, wait!" Air Razor shouted
"Tigatron to Optimus, come in please!" Tigatron said into the comlink, but there wasn't even the sound of static
"His communicator must have shorted out." Air Razor said
"That is not the only thing that has suffered damage." Tigatron said grimly, changing the comlink's wave "Tigatron to Rattrap, we have a situation."
Optimus raced down the corridor, passed open and shut doors, passed control panels and alien message boards. A terrifying maze of metal was laid out before him as he turned this way and that, trying to find a way out. Suddenly, Cheetor lept out from the shadows and blocked his path. Optimus let out a howl and rose to his back legs, pounding on his chest in hopes of scaring Cheetor off.
"Cool it, Big-Bot, it's me, Cheetor!" Cheetor said, holding up and out his hands
Optimus dropped to all fours and turned to go back the way he came. There stood Rhinox.
"Easy, Optimus. It's only Rhinox. No one dangerous." Rhinox said, taking a few steps closer to Optimus.
Optimus growled and turned to go down the hall to his left. Tigatron and Air Razor blocked his path. To his right was a solid wall of metal.
"Just keep it together, Big Bot." Cheetor said "We won't hurt you." Cheetor advanced towards Optimus snorted, but made no threatening movements.
"Don't get too close, Cheetor. We don't know what he'll do." Rhinox warned
"Ah, come on, Rhinox!" Cheetor protested "He's not an animal, he's our old pal Opti~"
Cheetor's protest was cut short as Optimus lounged and knocked Cheetor flat on his back, then took off down the corridor. Air Razor and Tigatron raced after Optimus as Rhinox stood over the dazed Cheetor with a frown on his face.
"Any thing else you'd like to say?" Rhinox asked
"Yeah. What the heck's going on?" Cheetor groaned
Optimus raced down the hall and into the Command Center. Dinobot stood in front of elevator, sword in hand and eyes glowing. Optimus took two steps back and stopped, looking Dinobot over with narrowed eyes.
"Come, Optimus Primal!" Dinobot challenged "The only exit is through me, and I am not about to move!"
Optimus started to advance towards Dinobot, taking short, slow steps. Had he looked up he would have seen Rattrap hanging up-side-down by his legs on one of the over head pipes, waiting for Optimus to get beneath him. In his hand he held a tranquilizer gun.
"Come on." Rattrap said quietly as Optimus crept onwards "A li'le ta da left...., my left....dat's it....hold...it....GOTCHA!"
Rattrap fired, hitting Optimus right in the back of the neck. Optimus rose to his hind feet and howled angrily. Rattrap fired again but the dart whistled right passed Optimus' ear and lodged itself in Dinobot's left arm. Dinobot winced and shot an angry glare at Rattrap, who smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
Optimus grabbed a near by chair, tearing it up from the floor, and hurled it at Dinobot. All ready the tranquilizer was blurring Dinobot's vision, but he still had enough sense to knock the chair away with his sword, cutting it in two. Optimus charged and knocked Dinobot through the glass paneling that covered the elevator. Dinobot's arm hit the control panel as he slammed into the back of the elevator and it started to descend. Once Optimus caught sight of the outside he lept off the still descending lift and raced off.
As the elevator hit the ground, a very dazed Dinobot forced himself up on one elbow and watched Optimus race off towards the jungle. The sun was setting in the distance, casting shades of red and black over the land.
Dinobot groaned as he pulled the dart out of his arm. Though one dart was only as long as Dinobot's longest talon, there was enough juice in them to put Devistator in stasis. Dinobot snorted at his worsening luck as he forced himself to his feet.
Rattrap dropped from the ceiling and raced towards the elevator shaft. He skid to a halt at the edge of the shaft and, peering down, said "Uhh.....sorry."
Dinobot snorted and collapsed.
AUTHOR'S HISTORY: (here's an explaintion to some of Rattrap's thoughts, based on a Cybertronian history I created.)
The Obliviscor Virus was a human computer virus that affected both the Autobot and Decepticon program, deleting thousands (similar to our Black Plague). It was created by Samantha Claus, step-daughter of Daniel Witwicky, to avenge the wounding of her half-brother Chris. She became a Purist, a human who believed mankind should not have contact with alien life forms because it hindered humanities own growth by handing them technologies rather than letting them discover it for themselves, and hated the Autobots and Decepticons equally.
At the height of this "plague", a committee of Autobots and Decepticons was chosen. They were called the Overseers, and it was they who initiated the Great Change; the reprogramming of all Autobots to Maximals and Decepticons to Predicons. A side effect from this up-grade was the creation of the Spark.
The general idea for the Spark, the essence of a Transformer's being, was nothing new. However, their essence was spread through out their bodies, like the human soul. The up-grade pulled all the essence together into an orb which gave the transformer the spark they needed to live.
The Overseers did not stop at the up-grade. They also decided to cut off all contact with the humans to avoid any further "plagues" from happening. The Overseers also began censoring history tracks, to ensure peace between Maximal and Predicon. As time passed, the Overseers split into the Maximal Elders and the Tri-Predacus Council. The Maximal Elders continued to censor history, attempting to deprive the Predicons of any knowledge about their Deception heritage, but this also ment editing Maximal history. One set of pure history files were kept in the Archives on Cybertron under priority one security measures, while edited versions of these files were released to the public.
This censoring of history crossed a lot of bot's circuits and so a group of Predicon hackers got together and created the Underground. They managed to break into the Archives and copy all the history files. They downloaded these files into a unit they called Optica. Optica was then hidden in an underground city called The Datastream, some thirty or forty deca-klicks from Cybertopolis. The Underground originally kept the information to themselves, but as history was edited more and more, even these Predicons couldn't take it. Decepticons wouldn't have cared, but Predicons were programmed for honor.
The Underground branched, creating two other sites called Octocon and Sierra. Octocon was located just beneath Iocon and using the ancient archive of Iocon as a channeling tool, Octocon became the starting point of the Forbidden Data Stream. The stream, called FeDS, worked like this. Octocon, through the Iocon archive, would tap into the Archive in Cybertropolis. Since the wavelength of Iocon's archive was so old it was hard to detect by Archive security and thus made hacking much easier. The Octocon team would copy the newly forbidden files, or files in demand, and send them to The DataStream. At the Stream, Optica would make sure the history was pure, then send the uncorrupted data to Sierra. There the data was downloaded onto data tracks and through a chain of Undergrounders (called The Chaingang) so complicated even Obsidion couldn't track it the Predicons would get the tracks to Cybertropolis and sell them...but not for cheap.
The following story, the personal histories of the characters, the history of Cybertron both past and future, and the briefly mentioned Valnatron are all my creation.
Special thanks goes out to Ben Yee of www.bwtf.com for the use of his "Cybertroninan Dictionary" and reviews of the episodes of Beast Wars and Beast Machines; to Gemini83 for his persistence in making sure I stayed on my schedule; to the talented voice actors who brought the characters to life and the people who worked behind the scenes to give those voices a frame to dwell in and adventures to endure.
Beast Wars: Basic Program
Chapter 4; Deciding Factors
The walk back to Axalon has been strange.
Dinobot had remained silent the whole trip, eyes fixed on the ground in front of him and at least two deci-klicks behind the others. Cheetor's emotions were a cross-breed between anger and shame, and when spoken to he said very little. Rhinox, on the other hand, kept asking questions which Tigatron and Air Razor did their best to answer.
By the time the Maximals reached Axalon, Rhinox' memory glitch was cleared up but he was confused. How did could he have forgotten? He hadn't sustained any damage because he hadn't fought and he hadn't hit his head or anything.
"I must be getting old." Rhinox groaned as he laid the sleeping Optimus on his bed.
"Ya no olda den me." Rattrap said, leaning on the door frame with his arms cross over his chest "En I ain' dat old."
"I'm YOUNGER than you, which is why I'm worried." Rhinox snorted to himself as he exited Optimus' room with Rattrap. The two started down the dark corridors towards the Control Room, one the perfect foil of the other.
"Ahh, don' cross ya wires ova dis, Rhinox." Rattrap waved off the subject with a smile "Naht like it will eva happen again. Glitches happen, even ta da best a us."
"I don't know." Rhinox said. He stopped at a cross point, where the hall they were in connected to the quaters' hall. Rattrap stopped too and looked up at Rhinox with narrowed eyes
"I'm gonna run a diagnostic of my systems," Rhinox said "just to make sure."
"Wastin' ya time." Rattrap said
"My time to waste. Will you be all right on your own?"
Rattrap smirked "Dinobot's in 'iz room sulkin', Cheetor's catchin' up on 'iz readin', en Stripes en Lady-Bird are playin' chess in da Control Room. Nuhtin' I can't handle. 'Sides, I'M da leada now, which means you don't gotta worry 'bout nuhtin'....I do!"
Rhinox nodded and started towards the Med-Bay. Rattrap watched until Rhinox disappeared around the corner and then he started towards his own room. He was the only one who locked his door, which was more of a habit than a form of distrust.
Rattrap stepped into his room and shut the door, not bothering to turn on the lights. Taking a deep breath, he threw himself onto his bed, buried his face in his pillow and closed his optical sensors. He stayed that way for about two micro-clicks.
Rattrap snorted, frustrated for a reason he wasn't about to admit, and rolled over. He gazed at the ceiling for a cycle, letting his mind wander; but when it started to ask questions he sat up and pulled a box of his belongings out from under his bed. He searched and found his sonic-sphere and proceeded to bounce it off the wall.
That killed about two cycles.
Rattrap tossed the sphere aside and got up with a frustrated snort. He left his room and started to walk, going where ever his feet lead him. To the training hall, to Med-Bay, to the storage rooms, to the now empty Stasis Chamber. Finally, his feet lead him into the Control Room, where he paced until Air Razor told him he was making her dizzy.
That's when the temporary leader couldn't stand it any longer. Rattrap HAD to know why Dinobot accepted Megatron's challenge! Under normal circumstances, Rattrap wouldn't have given a flying saucer about Dinobot's reasoning process -- or lack there of --, but this, for some reason, was frying his logic circuits!
It was so NOT Dinobot!!
Though his honor was something Dinobot held to like Rattrap clung to his memories of Cybertron -- desperately -- his code of honor was basic. It wasn't so complex that it couldn't be taught, but it wasn't something one could find on a data track about codes of honor. One could never second guess Dinobot. There were no loop-holes in his honor code. Everything was black or white. That's what made him such a mystery.
Because if everything was either honorable or dishonorable, why did Dinobot accept Megatron's challenge? There was no honor to be gained by fighting Megatron unless Dinobot had destroyed Megatron, and the chance had presented itself...but Dinobot did not take it.
And what about the Challenge?
Dinobot had said that the Challenge was sacred to the Predicons, that challenging a Maximal for Predicon honor was disgraceful, and -- from what transpired between him and Cheetor -- that the Challenge was fought ONLY between the challenged and the challenger. From personal experience, Rattrap could add that it was also disgraceful for Maximals to witness such battles....but he didn't know why.
There were actually two Challenges. The Predicon Challenge, which was huge event held every so often, kinda like the Cybertron Games where one achieved fame and glory, and then Challenges held outside the Arena. When held outside the Arena, Challanges were usually fought to reclaim lost honor or to cleanse tainted glory. There were the fighters, who fought with weapons or hand-to-hand until one went into stasis lock or crash, and their witnesses. Each fighter had to have at least 3 witnesses.
But, if this Challange was as sacred as Dinobot believed it to be, why did he allow the Maximals to watch? And why hadn't Megatron come with his own witnesses? Two taboos had all ready lowered the honor Dinobot could have gained, and he knew that the Maximals weren't going to stand by while he got scraped by Megatron...if it came to that, which it did. So, there was the threat of another taboo that quickly broke.
Rattrap couldn't image the dishonor and the torture Dinobot was putting himself through because Cheetor and the others had saved him....he also couldn't see why Dinobot would do that to himself. Having the Maximals willing to risk their lives for him should have been seen as a compliment, that they thought of him as one of their own, as a part of their team.
And what the slag was wrong with the Maximal emblem?
Rattrap rubbed the back of his neck as he saw the answer to one of his own questions. Chopper-Face was still seeing things in digital technology. He still saw himself as a Predicon living from day to day by the grace of Optimus' forgiving nature. Did he even consider himself a part of the Maximal team? Or did he think he was just a POW doing what he had to do to survive? It was clear, though, that Dinobot was NEVER going to forget his basic program.
So the real question was, what did Dinobot see in the challenge that Rattrap and the others missed? Maybe it wasn't the challenge that got Dinobot so worked up. Maybe it was the insults Megatron had thrown at him before the fight. And what about those insults? Who was Valnatron? And the business with Silicon Valhan? It made no sense.
Another thing that was really bugging Rattrap's main-frame was what Dinobot had said about history being flawed. Censorship wasn't a problem the Transformers had...or was it? Rattrap did have a few hot-tracks from the Underground, but those were old human stories the Maximal Elders thought were too...too...well, Rattrap wasn't sure why they were pulled from circulation.
Then there was that whole thing about the Decepticons fall from grace. When Obliviscor forced the Great Change, the Overseers tried to deviate the Predicons' program from the Decepticons' so as to prevent a future war...but like Optimus had said, both programs had evolved over the centuries. But was it evolution that caused the Predicons to become so war-like, so dangerous...so Decepticon? Or was it that basic program, that fated matrix, that kept the cycle of war and peace going?
Rattrap shock his head in disgust. Now was not the time to get philosophical. He was a spy, not a visionary. But, was there really that big a difference between finding universal truths and cracking codes?
Rattrap's processor spun these and several dozen other questions around in his head as he pounded on Dinobot's door. He was determined not to stop until the Pred opened up....or his hand fell off.
"Hey! Choppa-Face!" Rattrap shouted, banging on the door "Open up! Dat's an orda!"
The door opened and Rattrap entered, trying to look as stern and as in control as he could. He was greeted with darkness and a rush of cold air that froze the lubricant in his system.
Dinobot's quarters were Spartan. A bed, a table, and a chair were all that made up Dinobot's room....and those had come with the ship. The skin of his clone was tacked up above his bed and a few of his personal data tracks he managed to recover from the Darkside were stacked up on the table. At first glance, one had to wonder if Dinobot planned on staying or not. First thing Cheetor had done, when he got his quarters, was decorate the walls with pictures (Rattrap and Rhinox were guilty of the same action, but they would deny it to the bitter end, with lazer fire if necessary). Maybe it was part of the Warrior's Code, that a warrior never get too attached to a place or to a group of people because both my be lost in a battle?
The sudden appearance of one item proved Dinobot intended on staying. A few days after Dinobot had joined the Maximals he disappeared for about ten deca-cycles. No one saw him go, no one saw him return, there was just this gap in time when no one could find him. Later that evening, Cheetor passed by Dinobot's door and noticed it was open. Cheetor peeked inside. He could see Dinobot polishing and sharpening his rotary sword. When the Pred was satisfied with his work, he place the sword in a newly built wooden rack, designed to hold at least four swords.
Further prove of Dinobot's intention to stay was when he programmed the Mattertron to make the necessary components for a rotary sword. Not the actual sword, but the raw components. Making one of those rotating monsters took a full day and that was a day Rattrap left Dinobot alone. The last thing he needed was to spend a day in the RC tank because his frame had been used to test the blade's sharpness.
The sword rack, holding two of the three existing swords, was just to the right of the port window. Except for a few stray beams of daylight that crept through the broken blinds covering the port window, the room was jet black.
The rays pierced the darkness. Dinobot's knelt frame was a mute silhouette against this mock twilight.
"All right, Choppa-Face, I'm gonna ask en I'm only gonna ask once!" Rattrap snapped, taking a few steps towards the meditating Pred "Wha'ta slag were ya thinkin' fightin' Mega-butt! Ya TRYIN' ta get scraped or sumtin?"
"My actions are none of your concern, Vermin." Dinobot's voice rumbled through the room, but he didn't move.
"Oh, it's nonna my concern of course it's my concern, cuz t'anks ta you I'm in charge 'a dis circus till Fearless Leada comes to! Now don' make me pull rank on ya, cuz I will in a nano-click!"
Dinobot took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Ansa my question! Dat's en orda!"
Still no response.
Rattrap rolled his eyes and began to tap his foot. Anger wasn't working and even though Dinobot respected the role of leader and obeyed who ever filled that role -- with in reason -- he wasn't bending to commands this time. Rattrap bit his lip and decided to try the most painful approach he could think of; he was going to ask nicely.
"Look, Choppa-Face," (he said try, didn't he?) "I ain' askin' ta harass da lubricant out a'ya, I'm askin' cuz....cuz as leada I have a right ta know. If Optimus 'ad asked~"
"Had Optimus made the inquiry I would still remain taciturn." Dinobot growled "Your welcome is wearing thin, Vermin. Stay any longer and I will not be responsible for my actions."
"Threats don' work wid me, Scale-Belly." Rattrap snapped
"Nor Inquisitions with me."
Rattrap looked down at his feet and clicked his tongue a few times, trying to come up with some way to get the Pred to talk. Maybe, indirectly?
"Okay. Ya won' say nuhtin bout taday. Fine, dat's coolant in da engine. I won' ask. Buh could ya least explain why ya tried ta slag Spots!"
"He interfered with the Challenge, tainting its honor and making the victory unclaimable."
"Huh." Rattrap snorted "En 'ere I thought ya let Mega-butt go cuz ya wuz too chi~"
Dinobot began to thrill. A deep, threatening sound that echoed through the room. Rattrap cut himself short and said "Wuz so great bout dis Challenge dat ya'd wanna slag one a ya teammates?"
Dinobot's optical sensors slowly opened, filling the room with a hellish red light and bathing his frame with the color of rage. He stood and started towards the door, saying "The Challenge is a sacred tradition. I shall not defile that which I am the master."
"Look, PAL!" Rattrap snapped, grabbing Dinobot by the arm and forcing him to a stand still. Rattrap was about to lose his cool. "I could care less 'bout your traditions! All I'm askin' is wha'da slag happened. Ya owe me dat much!"
"I owe you nothing!" Dinobot growled, pulling his arm free and continued on to the door "I do not need to justify my action to you or any one else!" He swung the door open and took a step out.
Dinobot jerked to a halt, but not by his own free will. It was as though a hand had grabbed him by the shoulders and forced me to a stand still. Dinobot gazed out into the hall with narrowed eyes, his face twisted in rage and remorse.
Rattrap seized the moment.
"Ya right, ya don' 'ave ta justify anythin' ta me, Choppa-Face, cuz I could careless, buh whadabout ta yaself? Ya kin shrug me en my questions off, buh ya kin't do dat wid ya consciences...if ya got one!"
Dinobot took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Sumtin's got ya steamed." Rattrap continued "Sumtin Megs said really fried ya circuits en I wanna know why en what. Mind ya, naht so I kin use it. Slag, if I wanna harass ya, I kin get my own material, buh dis ain' like you. Fa Primus' sack, jist ansa my questions en I'll leave yalone. I won' harass ya until...until Fearless Leada's back at da helm. Okay?"
"Quite an incentive." Dinobot snorted and closed his eyes
Dinobot continued to stand in the doorway, fighting off his own demons as they clawed at his consciences and sense of honor. Images of the past, great competitions and honored comrades washed over his memory banks like a tidal wave. When his memory defied his orders and his equal appeared, Dinobot snarled and opened his eyes.
"If I answer your questions, will you swear never to repeat a single word to anyone as long as your processor is functional?" Dinobot demanded
Rattrap's engine turned. Something about the way Dinobot had said that didn't sit right.
"Why da slag naht?" Rattrap finally said, shrugging his shoulders. After all, what was the worst that could be told?
Dinobot slowly closed the door and his eyes. The room went black. Dinobot stood like that for a click before he turned the lights on and opened his eyes, turning to face Rattrap with a very serious look on his face.
"To understand what happened, you must understand the Challenge." Dinobot said "The Predicon Challenge is actually a modern term for The Elite Competition, a sacred competition among the ancient Deceptions. Its origins date back to the rule of the Quintisons, when we were nothing but battle drones and servants."
"WOW! TIME OUT!" Rattrap said, waving his hands "I took History 101 when I wuz a Spark, Choppa-Face. I don't need a refresher course, alls I need ta know is why ya steamed."
"If you would be patient, I shall answer your questions." Dinobot said "During the time of the Quintisons, the victor of the Challenge was granted his freedom from the gladiatorial ring. During the generations of Decepticon rule, when time allowed for it, the victor became the leader's apprentice, thus StarScream; finally, when the Autobots regained control of Cybertron and you Maximals became our' lords, the Challenge became the one relic from our past the Elders could not destroy. It was our link to the Decepticons, our ancestors, that enabled many to endure Maximal rule."
"Aww, come on!" Rattrap snapped, offended "We ain' dat bad!"
"With all due respect, I must say the jury is still out on that statement." Dinobot snorted "When it comes to a peaceful existence, you Maximals are excellent scientists, explorers and the like....but in times of war you are pathetic warriors."
"Oh yeah? Well, whataya call dis li'le group a ours, Choppa-Face?"
"The exception."
Rattrap blinked and took a step back.
Dinobot smirked "I'm no fool, Vermin, I know talent when I see it. While on Cybertron, I taught the younger generation of Predicons the Predicon Code of Honor, as well as how to battle on the field and in the ring. Some of the greatest warriors were trained by my hand and disciplined with my sword!.....But, there are some even I could not teach. Megatron was one such bot."
"Da plot thickens." Rattrap said
Dinobot nodded "I attempted to teach Megatron, but the fool was so proud of his name and heritage that he refused to listen. He believed his connection with the Decepticon Megatron made him my superior. He left training after a week, and I was glad to see him go."
Rattrap smiled "So all dis is just da old Teacher/Student plot. Okay, I get it."
"If you are satisfied with only HALF the story, by all means you are welcomed to leave."
"Half?"
"I still live, do I not. Stories do not end until the characters are dead."
"Oh, there's a happy thought for ya." Rattrap moaned
"I have been fighting in the Challenge since I was a Spark, but have only been Bellator Maximus for thirty five stellar cycles. Megatron's first attempt to claim the tittle as his own was my sixth Challenge, during which he nearly took my best student off-line in a daring display of stupidity and rage. We were later pitted against each other in the semi-finals....during which I made him pay for her injuries."
"Her? Dis best student a yours....dis dat Valnatron Megs mentioned?"
Dinobot took a deep breath and hesitated. He didn't want to answer that question. After a few clicks, he managed "That is correct."
"Name sounds familiar." Rattrap muttered, rubbing the back of his neck
"When Megatron and I fought he showed no remorse for his actions and had he not been ordered to stop by the TriPredacus Council Valnatron would be dead. Megatron ultimately lost at my hands, her honor was partically restored, but that was a battle I will never forget. My seventh and final challenge, for this "adventure" has kept me from the most recent, also had me pitted against Megatron. It was his reliance on weaponry rather than his own strength that cost him that victory. He has not learned that a true warrior's strength exists in his mind, in his spark, not in the weapons he carries."
"As interestin' as dis is," Rattrap interrupted "it still don' 'splain why ya'septed Mega-butt's challenge, unless ya reason was revenge."
"Fighting Megatron to regain one of my student's honor would be disgraceful to that student. It would suggest that I had little faith in them as warriors and in my skill as a teacher. Unless given the student's permission, I can not fight for them...any of them."
"Okay, den stap circling my question like a lion does a wounded antelope!" Rattrap snapped "Why'd ya fight Megatron? Naht ta teach him a lesson, naht fa revenge, den fa what?"
Dinobot snorted, "You have heard of Silicon Valhan?"
"Yeah, dat's where ya store da remains 'a ya dead heroes, right?" Rattrap cringed and shivered in disgust "En might I add, on a personal note, jist how disgustin' dat is?!? Honestly, kin't ya jist build monuments like we do. Ya 'ave ta go en leave deir remains out fa every bot ta see!"
"It is an honor to be admitted into those sacred halls!" Dinobot snapped
"So long as sumbody goes in ta dust every now en den." Rattrap moaned
"Only the greatest warriors can be admitted into the halls! Warriors of great virtue and military genius! Warriors who have brought to the Predicon name and Decepticon heritage glory, fear, respect! Warriors who have lived and died by the code of honor burned into their basic program!"
Rattrap blinked. He was beginning to wish he had just let Dinobot leave the room. This was getting into the whole "whose right/whose wrong" argument Rattrap never really enjoyed thinking about. He was used to hearing the Maximals' version of history; Decepticons were evil, so Preds were evil and should never be allowed to rule because they are evil. But now Dinobot, a Pred who wasn't all that bad (though Rattrap was NEVER going to admit that to ANYONE), was showing another side of history; Decepticons were warriors by program. They had to fight, so Preds had to fight. It was their basic program. They couldn't change that. But Dinobot seemed to be getting along pretty well in a non-bellicose environment and the Maximals were turning out to be great...okay warriors, so~
Rattrap didn't like the pictures the two histories were painting. Neither one was right. He also didn't like this sudden openness on Dinobot's behalf. Never, never had Dinobot spoken about his past, or anything for that matter. If it wasn't related to the war, he didn't say anything. The Pred was a warrior, a introspective loner and it appeared he had always been that way. So why was he talking? Something wasn't right.
Dinobot's face, animated during his speech by ancestral pride, faded back to its look of apathy and the fire in his eyes died. He turned his eyes towards the table next to his bed and let his gaze fall on a corroded data track, bent by time and nicked from use. Dinobot walked over, picked up a the track and turned it on. The track didn't hum, it purred, and the screen sparked a few times before it lit up, casting a green light on Dinobot's face.
"Megatron was never a brilliant warrior," Dinobot said "never one to follow codes of honor. He always wanted to take the short way to victory, the less rewarding but simpler way. That was why he stole the Golden Disk, it was a short way to his domination of Cybertron."
Dinobot skimmed the track for a moment, his eyes echoed with sorrow and regret. He sighed in disgust and threw the track down on his bed. It bounced and rolled to a stop, face down, but Rattrap had caught a glimpse of the screen. Just a glimpse, and then it was gone.
"I'm still here, ya know." Rattrap said
"That fact is hard to forget, Vermin." Dinobot snapped as he started back towards the door, glaring at Rattrap as he passed him "I trust, in vain, that you will keep that trap of yours closed, Rat! The fact alone that I have entrusted you with a part of my history is enough of a punishment than to have the entire ship know my weakness."
"Weakness?" Rattrap asked "Ya ain' said nuhtin dat interestin', Choppa-Face."
Dinobot stopped at the door and turned to face Rattrap, his eyes narrowed and his face stern.
"En ya still haven' answered my question."
The look on the Pred's face told Rattrap the answer to his question had been given...but was hidden in the fragmented history lesson.
Rattrap clenched his fists and snapped "I ain' one fa riddles, Choppa-Face, en I don' 'ave time ta solve yours! Now tell me straight out why ya fough' Megatron!"
Dinobot opened the door, his eyes focused on the enraged Rattrap as he stepped out...and ran head long into Cheetor, who was storming into the room with a data track clenched in his hand.
"By the Pit, will I never be rid of you!" Dinobot demanded "What do you want?"
"An answer! Why are you so steamed at me for savin' your skidplates?"
"You interfered with a Challenge!" Dinobot growled, stepping out into the hallway.
Cheetor took a few steps back until his back was against the wall. He glared defiantly into the warrior's eyes as Rattrap followed them out and leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed over his chest.
Dinobot continued "The Predicon Challenge is not a game, Cheetor! It is not something to be taken lightly! It is an event that draws hundreds of the most accomplished warriors to Cybertron and the honors bestowed on the victor are honors seconded only by a glorious death on the battle field! Your interference was an insult to my skill and heritage."
"I've been doing some research on this Challenge of yours," Cheetor said, handing Dinobot the data track then crossing his arms over his chest "and this is what I found!"
Dinobot took the data track angrily and glared at the screen. His expression softened as he read the data track. He sighed and handed the track back to Cheetor, saying "I am the Master of the Challenge, Cheetor, I know the rules by heart."
"Like ya got one." Rattrap said, rolling his eyes
"You know the rules, then tell me what they say about weapons." Cheetor demanded, taking the track from Dinobot "From memory!"
Dinobot turned away.
"I found this information in an Econ Report, so you can't say the Challenge is sacred to the point of secrecy!"
"No need to be rude." Dinobot snapped
"If YOU won't tell ME, then I'LL tell YOU!" Cheetor snapped "The rules state 'any weapon can'....No wait, 'any weapon may'...Hang on." Cheetor scrolled down the track until he found the passage "Here it is 'Along the lines of weapons, let it here by be known that any blade may be used, any blaster may be fired, any energy based or formed weapon may be brought into the ring so long as the remains of the loser, should the battle result in termination, can be properly recycled'.....and there's another rule somewhere that says the bot who deletes his opponent is disqualified, but that's not part of my point."
"Geez, Cheetor," Rattrap said "dis whatya been doin'?"
"Megatron was using an energon crystal to directly boost his lazer power by fracturing the energy source," Cheetor continued "separating the weaker frequencies from the stronger ones! That method of energy fracturing was outlawed over two centuries ago because the stronger frequencies, without the weaker ones to nullify them, give off radiation that caused deadly mutation in sparks and frames."
"Where, exactly, is this going?" Dinobot asked
"With all that being said," Cheetor said "how can you claim I did you a dishonor by interfering when Megatron all ready tainted that honor by cheating! Twice!"
Dinobot was silent. His eyes were narrowed, his face stern. He seemed to be thinking, piecing together everything that he knew with what he was told.
"Come on, Dinobot," Cheetor urged "what's really frying your circuits? What gives?"
Dinobot blinked, then quietly started off down the hall towards the Command Center. Rattrap and Cheetor watched Dinobot until he disappeared around the corner, then turned towards each other and shrugged. This was going to be a long day.
Maybe Optimus could get the Pred to talk in something other then riddles.
Optimus tossed and turned in his bed. His mind twisted and turned, trying to find an exit to the void in which he swam. His memories were blurred, his history track hidden, and his reasoning hindered.
Who was he? Where was he? Why was he there?
He remember water, blue and glowing, surrounding him and filling his body as he tried to take a breath to call for help. He remembered the jungle, lush and green, and the swaying trees that cooled the ground. And he remembered...his kind. The gorillas...the Silverback...his family...A raptor attacking a young male and a cheetah and snow white tiger crouching near by. His family was in danger! He had to get back! At all costs.
Optimus' eyes shot open and he sat up with a yelp. He looked around at the alien room and cautiously got off the bed. On all fours he crept around the room, looking each object over with the curiosity of a child. Nothing looked familiar.
How he knew where the door was and how to open it were questions Optimus chose not to answer. He didn't what to know. He crept down the hall, looking the walls over with a sense of awe and fear. Suddenly, he heard voices and from around a corner came the white tiger accompanied by a giant hawk.
Optimus let out a loud bark of surprise as the animals faced him.
"Optimus," Air Razor said "you're up. You must be feeling better."
"How are you feeling, Friend?" Tigatron asked
Optimus slowly back away, teeth bared and growling. Tigatron and Air Razor looked at each other in confusion.
"Optimus, is something wrong?" Air Razor asked
Optimus continued to back away.
Tigatron took a few steps towards Optimus, saying "Optimus, what has happened to~"
Optimus let out a loud howl and charged at Tigatron, ramming into him and sending him flying into Air Razor. The two tumbled back into a heap as Optimus rose to his hind legs and pounded his chest in triumph. Tigatron and Air Razor untangled themselves from each other and changed into their robot modes. Frightened at the sight, Optimus took off down a near by corridor.
"Optimus, wait!" Air Razor shouted
"Tigatron to Optimus, come in please!" Tigatron said into the comlink, but there wasn't even the sound of static
"His communicator must have shorted out." Air Razor said
"That is not the only thing that has suffered damage." Tigatron said grimly, changing the comlink's wave "Tigatron to Rattrap, we have a situation."
Optimus raced down the corridor, passed open and shut doors, passed control panels and alien message boards. A terrifying maze of metal was laid out before him as he turned this way and that, trying to find a way out. Suddenly, Cheetor lept out from the shadows and blocked his path. Optimus let out a howl and rose to his back legs, pounding on his chest in hopes of scaring Cheetor off.
"Cool it, Big-Bot, it's me, Cheetor!" Cheetor said, holding up and out his hands
Optimus dropped to all fours and turned to go back the way he came. There stood Rhinox.
"Easy, Optimus. It's only Rhinox. No one dangerous." Rhinox said, taking a few steps closer to Optimus.
Optimus growled and turned to go down the hall to his left. Tigatron and Air Razor blocked his path. To his right was a solid wall of metal.
"Just keep it together, Big Bot." Cheetor said "We won't hurt you." Cheetor advanced towards Optimus snorted, but made no threatening movements.
"Don't get too close, Cheetor. We don't know what he'll do." Rhinox warned
"Ah, come on, Rhinox!" Cheetor protested "He's not an animal, he's our old pal Opti~"
Cheetor's protest was cut short as Optimus lounged and knocked Cheetor flat on his back, then took off down the corridor. Air Razor and Tigatron raced after Optimus as Rhinox stood over the dazed Cheetor with a frown on his face.
"Any thing else you'd like to say?" Rhinox asked
"Yeah. What the heck's going on?" Cheetor groaned
Optimus raced down the hall and into the Command Center. Dinobot stood in front of elevator, sword in hand and eyes glowing. Optimus took two steps back and stopped, looking Dinobot over with narrowed eyes.
"Come, Optimus Primal!" Dinobot challenged "The only exit is through me, and I am not about to move!"
Optimus started to advance towards Dinobot, taking short, slow steps. Had he looked up he would have seen Rattrap hanging up-side-down by his legs on one of the over head pipes, waiting for Optimus to get beneath him. In his hand he held a tranquilizer gun.
"Come on." Rattrap said quietly as Optimus crept onwards "A li'le ta da left...., my left....dat's it....hold...it....GOTCHA!"
Rattrap fired, hitting Optimus right in the back of the neck. Optimus rose to his hind feet and howled angrily. Rattrap fired again but the dart whistled right passed Optimus' ear and lodged itself in Dinobot's left arm. Dinobot winced and shot an angry glare at Rattrap, who smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
Optimus grabbed a near by chair, tearing it up from the floor, and hurled it at Dinobot. All ready the tranquilizer was blurring Dinobot's vision, but he still had enough sense to knock the chair away with his sword, cutting it in two. Optimus charged and knocked Dinobot through the glass paneling that covered the elevator. Dinobot's arm hit the control panel as he slammed into the back of the elevator and it started to descend. Once Optimus caught sight of the outside he lept off the still descending lift and raced off.
As the elevator hit the ground, a very dazed Dinobot forced himself up on one elbow and watched Optimus race off towards the jungle. The sun was setting in the distance, casting shades of red and black over the land.
Dinobot groaned as he pulled the dart out of his arm. Though one dart was only as long as Dinobot's longest talon, there was enough juice in them to put Devistator in stasis. Dinobot snorted at his worsening luck as he forced himself to his feet.
Rattrap dropped from the ceiling and raced towards the elevator shaft. He skid to a halt at the edge of the shaft and, peering down, said "Uhh.....sorry."
Dinobot snorted and collapsed.
AUTHOR'S HISTORY: (here's an explaintion to some of Rattrap's thoughts, based on a Cybertronian history I created.)
The Obliviscor Virus was a human computer virus that affected both the Autobot and Decepticon program, deleting thousands (similar to our Black Plague). It was created by Samantha Claus, step-daughter of Daniel Witwicky, to avenge the wounding of her half-brother Chris. She became a Purist, a human who believed mankind should not have contact with alien life forms because it hindered humanities own growth by handing them technologies rather than letting them discover it for themselves, and hated the Autobots and Decepticons equally.
At the height of this "plague", a committee of Autobots and Decepticons was chosen. They were called the Overseers, and it was they who initiated the Great Change; the reprogramming of all Autobots to Maximals and Decepticons to Predicons. A side effect from this up-grade was the creation of the Spark.
The general idea for the Spark, the essence of a Transformer's being, was nothing new. However, their essence was spread through out their bodies, like the human soul. The up-grade pulled all the essence together into an orb which gave the transformer the spark they needed to live.
The Overseers did not stop at the up-grade. They also decided to cut off all contact with the humans to avoid any further "plagues" from happening. The Overseers also began censoring history tracks, to ensure peace between Maximal and Predicon. As time passed, the Overseers split into the Maximal Elders and the Tri-Predacus Council. The Maximal Elders continued to censor history, attempting to deprive the Predicons of any knowledge about their Deception heritage, but this also ment editing Maximal history. One set of pure history files were kept in the Archives on Cybertron under priority one security measures, while edited versions of these files were released to the public.
This censoring of history crossed a lot of bot's circuits and so a group of Predicon hackers got together and created the Underground. They managed to break into the Archives and copy all the history files. They downloaded these files into a unit they called Optica. Optica was then hidden in an underground city called The Datastream, some thirty or forty deca-klicks from Cybertopolis. The Underground originally kept the information to themselves, but as history was edited more and more, even these Predicons couldn't take it. Decepticons wouldn't have cared, but Predicons were programmed for honor.
The Underground branched, creating two other sites called Octocon and Sierra. Octocon was located just beneath Iocon and using the ancient archive of Iocon as a channeling tool, Octocon became the starting point of the Forbidden Data Stream. The stream, called FeDS, worked like this. Octocon, through the Iocon archive, would tap into the Archive in Cybertropolis. Since the wavelength of Iocon's archive was so old it was hard to detect by Archive security and thus made hacking much easier. The Octocon team would copy the newly forbidden files, or files in demand, and send them to The DataStream. At the Stream, Optica would make sure the history was pure, then send the uncorrupted data to Sierra. There the data was downloaded onto data tracks and through a chain of Undergrounders (called The Chaingang) so complicated even Obsidion couldn't track it the Predicons would get the tracks to Cybertropolis and sell them...but not for cheap.