Harbinger:
It had been a few days since their arrival. Currently both Dinobot and Blackarachnia were preoccupied with their own tasks. One had managed to gain access to the world wide web and was taking in all the information she could gain. As for Dinobot he was examining their weapons and taking stock of their stash of energon.
But unbeknownst to Blackarachnia, Dinobot had been going over what to do with the protoforms. He had already planed to use four of them to create some new allies who would help them. But one was to be used for an important task. One which may change events greatly.
So far the two have already changed events by their very presence. Add in that they converted the Harbinger into their new base thus removing any chance of Starscream creating his clones. But there in lays Dinobot's greatest fear. For every change there will be something worse ahead.
As he was going over how much energon they had Dinobot heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps.
Blackarachnia: I have to say, the information these humans have is mixed.
Dinobot: Considering how technologically primitive they are compared to us. But did you find anything of note?
Blackarachnia: Hardly.
Dinobot: Just give it time. Eventually you'll find something of value. Speaking of, how are things with the protoform?
Blackarachnia: There's progress, but it's slow. This is my first time doing something like this.
Dinobot: Which is why we're using only one of the protoforms. Your no Shockwave, but I have faith in your capabilities.
Blackarachnia: You actually believe I can accomplish this?
Dinobot: Why not? You did go to a university, which makes you the smarter of us.
Blackarachnia just put her servos on her hips.
Blackarachnia: Just because I had a good education doesn't exactly make me as smart as Shockwave.
Dinobot: I never said you were. And I doubt anyone is as smart as him.
Blackarachnia: Still though.
Dinobot: Never underestimate yourself Blackarachnia. Until those protoforms are activated, we are on our own.
Time skip:
Blackarachnia had returned to working on the protoform. As Dinobot had said, it wasn't a difficult task. But with the resources they had it would take time before the protoform was ready to be online. It still surprised her that someone would show so much trust in her. Especially someone who she knew little about. So far Dinobot had proven to be trustworthy, for if their paths hadn't cross she would still be on Cybertron.
As she continued her work, Blackarachnia began to think of how the protoform might turn out. Obviously, it will have a different alt-mode similar to her and Dinobot. But before that Blackarachnia still had to complete the change in the protoform.
As she is in the middle of her work, she gets an alert. Blackarachnia checks to see what the alert was and saw the unmistakable signatures of autobots. She saw a total of two and that they were heading towards their base.
Outside the Harbinger two autobots were making their way to the derelict ship. The two autobots were non-other then Optimus prime and Arcee.
Optimus: We should be getting close to where the signal originated from.
Arcee: But why all the way out here? What do you think it could be Optimus?
Optimus: There's only one way to find out Arcee.
It took the two autobots a few minutes to reach their destination. What they saw put them on heigh alert. Not far from them was a decepticon ship. At seeing this both Optimus and Arcee readied their weapons. The two began to make their way to the ship but they soon heard movement.
Coming from somewhere the two did not expect, they saw the only possible person who could have been the owner of the ship.
Dinobot: Ah, Optimus Prime. I wondered when we would meet.
Optimus: Who are you?
Dinobot: I am Dinobot. And to be honest, I expected the other decepticons to appear.
Arcee: So you were waiting for your friends to show up.
Dinobot: Hardly. I knew that eventually either you or Starscream would appear. And before we continue our conversation, I would respectfully ask you to lower your weapons.
Arcee: And why should we do that?
Dinobot: Because not all of us are like Airachnid, Arcee.
This got a shocked look from the smaller autobot. Arcee's shock was soon replaced by anger at being reminded of the one decepticon she hated with a passion. Thankfully Optimus was able to calm her down by placing a servo on her shoulder.
Optimus: What is it you want?
Dinobot: Simple. I wish to speak to you Optimus. For what I have to say is sadly for you and you alone.
Arcee: You expect us to trust the word of a con.
Dinobot: I'm not asking you to trust me. All I ask, is that you listen.
To this Optimus withdrew his weapons. Dinobot then began to re-enter the Harbinger with Optimus following behind. Arcee remained outside with her blasters at the ready. Inside the Harbinger Dinobot had led Optimus to a room where they would speak.
Optimus: Why have you brought me here?
Dinobot: As I said. What I have to say is for you and you alone. I was sent here to help you Optimus Prime.
Optimus: Sent by who?
Dinobot: Primus.
Optimus: Impossible.
Dinobot: Those were my exact words when I awoke on a dead Cybertron. Believe it or not, it was Primus who had told me to come and help you.
Optimus: If that is the case, then why did you not contact us?
Dinobot: Would you or any of your team believe a decepticon would help them.
Optimus: I see your point.
Dinobot: Besides. Despite what Primus said, I will not help you in the way that you might think. As it stands I am not on anyone's side.
Optimus: But why? With what you have told me you would be welcomed.
Dinobot: By you, not your team. Despite your own beliefs Optimus, not all autobots are as willing to gain allies who fought for their enemies. But as I said, I will help however I can. But I will not take any sides.
Optimus then began to ponder what was told. And then something caught his attention.
Optimus: How did you speak to Primus?
Dinobot: It was he who brought me back to life.
This surprised Optimus as he had never heard of such an act.
Dinobot: I know how it must seem. Even I still find it hard to believe.
Optimus: I take it you remember everything before your demise.
Dinobot: That and more. Now that I have told what needed to be said. You may return to your team. I would kindly ask that you erase any knowledge of this location. I don't want anyone to know of this place. Only you should know of it and that is all.
Optimus nodded and was led out of the Harbinger by Dinobot. Once outside the two saw Arcee, no longer wielding her blasters.
Dinobot: Remember what I have said Optimus.
Optimus nodded and began to leave. Soon enough a ground bridge appeared. Both autobots then made their way to the ground bridge. However they were stopped when Dinobot called out to them.
Dinobot: Before you leave. There's one question I must ask. Among your team, is there an autobot by the name Cliffjumper?
Optimus: Yes. Sadly he is no longer with us.
To the autobots surprise Dinobot showed remorse.
Dinobot: My condolences.
Optimus: Thank you.
Optimus then entered the ground bridge while Arcee stood still surprised. A few seconds later she soon followed Prime through the ground bridge. Once they were gone Dinobot sighed and went back inside the Harbinger.
Time skip:
Dinobot was currently resting in his alt-mode. It was late and both he and Blackarachnia decided to get some rest for the night. As he slept he had dreams of what transpired in the original Dinobot's life. He witnessed Dinobot in the gladitoral arenas on Cybertron to the inevitable war. The events gave him some idea of what "prime" Dinobot was like before he died.
Soon enough Dinobot began to wake. He looked around and saw Blackarachnia still sleeping. He found it rather peaceful. Sadly he reminds himself that he was in the middle of a conflict between autobots and decepticons. Dinobot then proceeded to leave the area of the ship and headed outside.
Once he was outside the Harbinger Dinobot was greeted to sight of the night sky. Seeing the night sky reminded Dinobot of his past life. It still felt strange to him, of how he was brought into this universe. He soon thought about his family and friends and how they were doing. Sadly he knew he would never see them again.
Elsewhere:
At the autobot base everything seemed to be going as normal. All expect for Optimus who was thinking about what had transpired. He still didn't know what to make of it. As Dinobot had asked, Optimus Prime had hid what was found and spoke with Arcee about keeping what they found secret. However Ratchet was suspicious of what may have happened.
It wasn't long till Optimus was met by his old friend.
Ratchet: Optimus. I wish to have a word.
Optimus: What is it Ratchet?
Ratchet: I would like to know what happened.
Optimus: As I said Ratchet, we found nothing within the area.
Ratchet: But surely there was something. The signal had to come from something out in that region.
Optimus: I wish I knew. Whatever it was either was found by the decepticons or no longer functions.
Ratchet: Even still, shouldn't we figure out what sent the signal?
Optimus: Perhaps, but it would be best to wait. At least till we are sure that it wasn't just a random occurrence.
Ratchet nodded and left to continue what he was doing. As he left Arcee soon appeared.
Optimus: Is everything ok Arcee?
Arcee: I don't know. Optimus, why must we hide what we found?
Optimus: Because what transpired there must remain a secret.
Arcee: But why? What exactly did the con say to you?
Optimus: As Dinobot said, his words were for me and me alone. I do not know why Arcee. But I feel when the time is right everything will be revealed.
Arcee sighed knowing that he was right. She still wondered just what Dinobot had told Optimus.
Harbinger:
Dinobot and Blackarachnia were nearing the end of changing the protoform. Now they had to figure out what alt-mode to give their new companion.
Blackarachnia: So, any ideas?
Dinobot: A few actually.
Blackarachnia: Then let's hope they'll be useful.
Dinobot then began typing on the terminal. Soon enough he settled on a form and knew a name for them. The protoform was soon covered in archs of electricity as it began to change. Soon enough the protoform is engulfed in a flash of light. Both Blackarachnia and Dinobot covered their optics from the blinding flash. Once the light faded both Dinobot and Blackarachnia saw something new laying where the protoform once laid. Laying on the table was a cybertronian who's body was a mix of black and purple. This new cybertronian had two distinct features. One, was the clear female features and the other was her insect parts.
Blackarachnia: An insecticon?
Dinobot: No. This one may appear similar to an insecticon, but they are most definitely like us.
Soon the new addition to their soon to be group began to stire. Dinobot walked over to the new cybertronian's side. Once he was next to the femme he saw her optics slowly open. She then began rise from the table that she was on.
Dinobot: Easy. Your just now coming online.
???: W-Where am I?
Dinobot: Your new home. Allow us to introduce ourselves. My name is Dinobot and the small femme is Blackarachnia.
Blackarachnia: Small!
Dinobot just gave her a smirk. However it did not last long as he looked back at their new friend.
Dinobot: Do you have a name?
Blackarachnia was about to say something till he put up a servo. The two then waited to hear a response.
???: I-I'm sorry. I do not.
Dinobot: That is alright. If you'd like we could give you a new one.
???: Really?
Blackarachnia: Well we can't just call you protoform since your no longer one.
Dinobot immediately knew what name to give her. Especially since he knew exactly who she was.
Dinobot: Why don't we call you, Antagony.
Blackarachnia: Antagony?
Dinobot: Why not. It fits given her alt-mode.
Antagony: Alt-mode?
Dinobot: Yes, the form you can change into. Blackarachnia if you would.
Blackarachnia then transformed into alt-mode which was a large cybertronian spider. She then proceeded to transform back into robot mode. Antagony got off the table and walked over to Blackarachnia. She then attempted to transform. Nothing happened on her first try. Her second attempt however was a success as she transformed into a large cybertronian ant.
Blackarachnia: Not bad. So, what's the purpose for this form?
Dinobot: Since her alt-mode is an ant, Antagony can help us find energon. Also she could help us with the base.
Blackarachnia: How?
Dinobot: Simple. By digging.
Antagony: Is this my purpose?
Dinobot: No. Your were brought online to help us as we'll help you in viversa.
Antagony transformed back to her robot mode. Looking at her, Dinobot noticed that Antagony was a bit taller then Blackarachnia. To him she looked to be around Bumblebee's height.
Blackarachnia: Since the process worked, should we work on the other protoforms?
Dinobot began to think wether or not they should bring the other protoforms online.
Dinobot: I would suggest we wait. At least until Antagony is probably brought up to speed.
Blackarachnia: Alright. Plus it will give me time to examine her.
At this Dinobot began to plan out who to bring about with the protoforms.