-Look at chapter 8 for disclaimer.
Chapter 9: I'm Your What?! (Optimal Situation)
Plink.
Plink.
The hell?
There was a pause, and then the sharp metallic noises continued. It made my head hurt, and that's all the motive I needed to rouse myself from my slumber. I feel like I'm forgetting something… still in a daze, I drowsily stood to my feet and walked around the rock that was to my back for a reason, as I had soon found out. I stopped dead in my tracks as I watched Rampage tie metal cords onto a few of the arachnoids. Although he had his back to me, I still found myself stone-still. Huh, so that's how they did it… I wanted to stop him, but the gorge between us was a really good deterrent. That and the cords that connected the arachnoids to the ship were far from my reach. Sometimes, being five-one really sucked. I had my energon knife at the ready too, and by Primus I felt stupid for doing so. At the corner of my eye, I saw Rampage shift suddenly. I dove back behind the rock, keep cool it's not like he spotted you or anything-! But considering that (at times) the Beast Wars universe hated me more than Waspinator, he had seen me, and the heavy round that blasted the area mere feet from me proved that.
"Oh this is cute! A scared little Maximal playing hide and seek!" Rampages' deep voice easily traveled across the gorge. Damn the guy had vocals.
He hadn't really seen me, if he had; he would have likely addressed me by a pet name. I was thankful that it wasn't his three-barreled rocket launcher he had used earlier.
"Come out, come out and plaaay"
I flew out from behind my cover like a scared little bird, my hands out in surrender. Hey, I had my non-heroic moments too you know. I wobbled a little, still shaken jeezum, I should have known that one round would have quite the blast radius, I winced as my left leg trembled some more. I couldn't see Crabby's expression, so I only guessed that he had a smug look.
"You surprise me again!" Rampage stroked his chin "Shouldn't you be with the Maximals?!"
"They thought I'd be safer here!" I yelled back. Confident that I could project my own voice well enough, and that Rampage had really good audios "Took too much damage earlier!". The transmetal crab shook his head.
"I strongly suggest you leave then!" he aimed what closely resembled a harpoon gun at me, or my general vicinity. But that was enough for me to duck the hell down.
Plink.
He…warned me?! I watched as Rampage handed the cord to a group of arachnoids, and as they grabbed it, he transformed. Only after he entered tank-form did the little buggers tie the cord securely to him. I noticed that every one of the mechanical spiderlings had their own connection. I wonder how long they waited for Megs' signal… I smacked my forehead and made a grab for my radio. I don't care if this might screw with the plot! I'm not gonna let Rampage pull the Axalon down! And I pressed that button with a purpose. "Optimus you read?!"
The reply was almost instantaneous, :"Cassandra what's wrong?!":
Gee you might already know, I faintly heard Megatron gloat in the background, shit! "Rampage is going to pull the Axalon into the ocean!"
:"…by the Matrix…":
"My thoughts exactly! Please get your shiny Transmetal butt down here!" even when I gave the guy a hard time I was polite. After I clipped my radio back on, I ran/jumped to the lift and called Sentinel. I couldn't stand still for the life of me because the seconds that passed as the lift ascended were so achingly slow. Come on come on come on –yes! As soon as I entered the command center I went straight to the weapon cache and grabbed my weapon of choice…a sniper rifle. Yes I was aware that it would be difficult handling it but I wasn't thinking straight. Using a maintenance shaft I quickly clambered onto the top of the Axalon. Gotta make these shots count…should I try to shoot the cable that connects Rampage to the ship? Or should I just shoot the arachnoids…? I shook my head and focused onto my target, who am I kidding, my aim isn't that good! I'll have better luck shooting near Rampages' fat ass! I chuckled as I imagined Rampage frowning because he was called fat, but had to regain my composure quickly. I took a deep breath, corrected my posture and fired the first shot. It was close (ish)…I hit his tank tread. I rolled my eyes; by Primus I suck…I thought people did better under pressure! And what made things more intense was when he started pulling. So with a colorful word or two, I continued shooting.
It wasn't long before Optimus showed up and cut the cables, it only felt long because I had to brace myself and dodge falling rocks ranging in size from basketballs to small houses. I cannot express just how fun that was. As I had foreseen, he engaged Rampage, the crab not at all intimidated by his size. I watched on with nervous eyes though as the Maximal leader moved his attention onto me shortly after he knocked Rampage back, which was a bad move on his part. I urgently pointed to where Crabby was picking himself up from the ground, ready for round two. But as fate would have it, Primal had no time to dodge the rocket…so he made due with deflecting it as he had done before. And of course, I clung onto the slick metal of the Axalon as best I could as I climbed toward the aft of the ship as it lunged forward, then began to teeter. Whelp its official –I'm completely and utterly useless! My fingers dug into whatever nook they could find as the second half of the Axalon (the one that landed on solid ground mind you) finally fell over the edge. I held my breath as I waited, and released it as soon as I found an opportune time to jump. Crazy? Perhaps, but my boots were also equipped with adequate shock absorption.
I yelped once I hit the water.
Though the force was still enough to send a searing pain through my legs. Luckily, I was still strong enough to keep myself afloat and swim to the nearest bit of land. Or rather a jagged pinnacle, I was happy anyway. Oh my aching body… I dragged myself onto the portion of the formation that wasn't ninety degrees vertical. Sure I tried to save the Axalon, but I just made myself look stupid –and damn it I KNEW what was going to happen! I peeked around my resting spot to see two bots observe the fate of the Axalon.
One looked distraught.
The other laughed maniacally with satisfaction and then leaped off the cliff.
Uh oh, I swallowed the lump in my throat once I realized I was in the water…with Rampage. I smacked my forehead. Don't stress out dummy –that's how he finds people! He probably didn't see you! I recalled that moment where I had thought that same exact thing, and nearly got blown up. I sighed; get a grip and call Optimus! I pulled off my radio and pressed the button and got zapped. Apparently I never had the chance to upgrade to a water-proof radio, and because of my poor planning I was stuck. And now there's no way to hear from Optimus even though he's right there! And Cheetor too! This just –wait! I resorted to a much simpler method: yell and wave. Even though my voice cracked (a lot) and my arms were sore.
"Hey! Down here damn it!" I started waving both arms, appearing to be a deranged seal "Optimus, Cheetor! Gemme outta here before I'm crab chow!" I had to stop to rub my throat. "Owowowowow, okay that hurts –where was I? Oh yeah –Hey!" I crawled on my belly, but something prevented me from going any further.
I gasped as I was dragged underwater, that something revealing itself to be someone. Ah too late, I'm crab food, I mused bitterly and shut my eyes, not wanting to get saltwater in my eyes (even if it was diluted by the freshwater of the waterfall). An arm secured me close to a torso, while a hand clamped over my mouth, which I found unnecessary because it wasn't as if I was going to scream underwater. He's obviously hiding me from my friends…that jerk… and so I waited.
Once we broke the surface, I sucked in fresh oxygen. I didn't hyperventilate, but I was pretty damn close to doing so. I kept my body curled as he backstroked toward whatever shore he could find, that took a little while because the patch of sea we were in was framed by steep seventy to ninety-degree cliffs. As we arrived on a softly sloped incline, Rampage placed me on firm ground and transformed. I felt his claw grip -Primus he's going to kill me!- then drop me onto the cold smooth surface that was his shell, …or not. I gripped whatever little contour I could find as he shifted into tank mode and revved up the slope. I remained curled, still trying to keep any body heat in but also because I was sore, so very sore.
I continued to keep quiet as Crabby crossed two different terrains, but eventually I had to yawn; and shortly after that, I passed out.
"…frrr…iends…?" I woke up groggily once I heard that all-too-familiar voice.
"Transmutate!" I hopped off of the back of Rampage (figuring it'd be rude to walk on his head to get off) but fell on my face on my way toward my deformed friend. Ruby optics beamed with delight and worry "…Cass…An…Dra" as a three-digit hand rested on my head, "…cold…hurt"
Although the 'hurt' part was obvious I had also noted that despite being completely dry after hours of travel, that I was very cold. I thanked Primus that Rampage was fairly warm despite being a marine animal "I'll recover…" I looked over my shoulder to see that Rampage had switched to bipedal mode. The marine-based Predacon sat on a rock and studied us thoughtfully.
"So uh…thank you…?" my eyes nervously eyed the space behind him. "For saving me, but I could have had Optimus give me a lift…"
"You're welcome" he replied blandly.
Blink.
"But you know…you were responsible for…" I trailed off once he started to adjust "…pulling the ship into the water…and…" guess he only wanted to get comfortable. His green optics bored into my reddish-brown eyes, encouraging me to go on. This is so weird, talking to one of my favorite characters…who just so happens to be a mass-murderer, I smirked nervously, and he's perfectly calm "You did pull me under when I was so close to getting Primal's attention. So I must ask…why?"
"What if I wanted to bring you here? Seemed like a good opportunity"
"Opportunity…for what?" oh dear Primus is he going to torture and kill me in front of Transmutate –oh don't be over-dramatic!
"For Transmutate to see you again…"
I stared, dumbfounded.
"…and I have a question for you-"
"Will you kill me once the questioning is over?!" I blurted. Smooth…asshat…
Emerald optics widened, amused "No…unless, you want to die"
"Nope!" I squeaked as my face went into my palms, I locked my eyes back on an amused Rampage "…go on…I won't interrupt anymore" because the last thing I want to be in Rampage's company is rude…out loud anyway
"How nice of you…" he stroked his chin "very unlike how you were that night. You said some fairly rude things"
Damn he remembers that…awkward "Yeah…er, sorry about that…I was really stressed out that day…"
He hummed/chuckled "I figured". Transmutate began to pat me, I let it happen. "I wanted to ask: How did you stumble into this war?"
"I…"
"Infernos' report claimed you appeared shortly after an anomaly correct?"
Why's he so interested? That was months ago! Guess he must be in his curious mood "Yes…I woke up in a forest"
"'You woke up in a forest'?"
"Yep"
He eyed me skeptically.
"I don't want to be rude -again- but why ask? You're a Predacon and I'm with the Maximals…I'm surprised you haven't brought me to Megsy". He stifled a laugh.
"'Megsy'?"
"Yes, it's one of my nicknames for him" I down-casted my eyes and rolled my wrist "Sorry, resume". With an unidentifiable sparkle in his optics, Rampage stood up from where he was sitting and lumbered slowly toward me. Please be a quick, painless death I didn't shut my eyes as he kneeled/ leaned over; "No, I have nothing else to ask you"
"Really? No more?"
"I did say I wanted to ask 'a' question"
"Excellent point" I nervously wriggled "Um…if it's not too much of a hassle I wish to ask-"
"You can go"
"Okay but why don't you-"
"Because I consider you a friend"
I'm your what?! I gaped like a fish, and then shook my head. "Wow, this is…a surprise…is that why you've been so…"
"Just go before I change my mind"
"Actually…I'd like to stay a little longer. I can tell Transmutate's missed me" I felt multiple locks of my hair being twirled about.
We spent a while in blissful silence, Rampage kept an eye on the entrance (and glanced at us when he thought I wasn't looking) while I taught Transmutate how to play Rock-Paper-Scissors and various other hand-games. Eventually though, I did feel a pressure build in my chest, oh why not "I would like to share a small detail with you though" because having Rampage as a friend kicks some serious ass
"Oh?"
"I'm going to assume you won't tell Megatron, or any of the Predacons?"
The look he shot me confirmed everything.
Hmmmm… "I…haven't told anyone else-" I squeaked as he shot an annoyed glance at me "I remember going to bed after I watched the world news. I got such a headache I went straight to bed afterward thinking my world had gone to hell-"
"Language" he pointed at Transmutate, who listened intently.
"Sorry. When I woke up-" I purposely left out the watching of the Beast Wars videos on Youtube. I wouldn't confide that much in him "-I was in a jungle. As you have already known…"
Green optics darted away from the entrance and locked onto me with a bored glint.
"-and from there, there's not much to tell. Just that the Predacons found me first, but it was the Maximals that saved me"
"Lucky you" Rampage snorted "If Megatron had gotten his hands on you, he would have no doubt made you a mindless pet"
"Thanks for the reminder" I said dryly.
"You're welcome, anymore details?"
"Not really, just that before I went to bed I was inside…and in an area that was nowhere near a jungle" I sighed and rubbed my temples. I felt someone prod my back.
"…Frrrieeend…ooookaay…?"
I rubbed my eyes and pushed myself up. Patting my mutant friend as I did so "So it was nice seeing Transmutate again…but…"
"You wish to leave"
I rubbed my arm and nodded timidly.
"And where would you go?"
Wait so earlier he said I could go –oh wait, I see what he's doing "Can I at least try to radio Optimus? Far away from the cave of course" I knew very well that my radio was trash but that didn't mean I wouldn't try to fix it. It was difficult to read his expression, though I was sure he was smiling.
"…with-" he casually pulled out remnants of my walkie-talkie "-this?"
My jaw dropped as he kindly deposited the pieces of the communication device on the ground "You can try"
"You're a real friend Rampage" I plopped myself back down on the rock I had previously occupied.
"Why thank you"
I felt my face heat up, why am I so easily flustered? Primus and he knows it too "Am I a prisoner now or what?"
Rampage tilted his head wryly "Why of course not. You're free to go whenever you wish"
Like you said before smartass, where would I go? I wiggled my nose at him, stood up and strutted right past him (because I'm stubborn). Once I was at the cave entrance, I stopped in my tracks, I almost forgot "Thank you…for not killing me" I thanked him while I also waved goodbye "And it was good seeing Transmutate again". Transmutate mirrored the wave and gave a smile.
"…byyyye…"
And with another quick wave I bounded off. Still very aware that I was still aching and without communication…I was strangely okay with such a condition, probably because (as much as I adored Transmutate) I couldn't stand the awkward tension in Rampages' company even if he claimed that he thought of me as a friend. That was strange I crashed through thick foliage as I made a blind effort of heading toward my old home. I'll just have to wait and see…
The soles of my boots scraped across the ground as I reached the edge of the overhang, fascinated how I was able to navigate all the way back to the site of the Axalon (minus the Axalon) using stars and landmarks. The distance from the hideout to the bluff the longest distance I had ever traveled in comparison to my patrol routes. Yippee I did it! And so I fell right on my ass, too awake to fall asleep but too exhausted to stand. I need to triple my routine "Heh" I flopped onto my back panting; my eyes gazed at the barely visible stars as they were blanketed by the coming of dawn. Hope I didn't miss the search party I wheezed/chuckled "I would be all kinds of screwed" I continued to lie on my back, the crashing of waves distantly heard as well as…-
I shot up.
The distant whinny of an equine, my eyes scanned every conceivable angle before they finally rested on a large red transmetal horse as it galloped in my direction. 'Bout time! I signaled, waving my arms like a mad-woman even though I was already spotted, I wonder if he would have dove into the sea…
"There's my beloved steed!"
As he closed in, Trailblazer whickered. But once he got close enough, I could see the worry and relief in his beast modes' optics. The maximal too overjoyed to speak as he beckoned for me to get on by repeatedly butting his head against my body. Once I got on, adjusting for maximum comfort, I then patted his neck "Ride like the wind Bullseye!"