Hey, hey, hey. ArcMaximal here to bug you again. I really, really need you to review. Please. I want to know what you think, especially with my new character coming in this chapter. I hope you like her. Yeeesssss~ And yesss, this is going to be a long chapter.
CH 3 Fear of Loss
Optimus Primal awoke to the sound of blaring sirens and flashing red lights. That could only mean one thing. The Predacons were attacking. The maximal leader jumped from his berth and ran to the command center. He was the last one to arrive.
"What's shaking Big Bot? Other than this base?" The kid maximal, Cheetor smirked.
The leader smiled at the attempted joke, but focused on the issue at hand. "Dinobot what's the situation?"
Dinobot turned to face his leader. The raptor look exhausted, "All seven Predacons, minus Blackarachina, are lined up just out of range of the auto guns."
"And?"
"That's it Primal, they're just standing there. Waiting." Dinobot explained, pointing to the monitor.
"What the pit is going on?" Rhinox gasped, "We've got a message coming through!"
All the monitors on the Axalon went static, then blank. "Play it!" Optimus ordered. Rhinox clicked a button. Megatron's face appeared on all the screens.
"Good morning Maximals, sorry to wake you up this early. But I have a matter to discuss with you Primal, yesss." The Predacon warlord stated calmly.
The transmetal gorilla looked at Rhinox. "Is this transmission up for both sides?'' The medic tapped a few keys, then nodded to the leader. "And what would that be Megatron?"
Smirking, "Well, Primal, the issue at hand needs to be discussed properly. Yesss. And in private. Yesss."
"No way, Megs! Do you really think we'd fall for that!" The young maximal laughed.
"Cheetor! Be quite!" Optimus snapped, looking a back to the monitor. "What would we be negotiating?"
"Yes, we might negotiate. But right now we need to discuss someone."
The maximal leader glanced at Dinobot, while Silverbolt swallowed nervously. "Alright," looking back at the screen, "But I decide where we meet."
Megatron's villainous laugh echoed through the Axalon, "That won't be necessary, Primal. We can meet just outside your base. It is only a simple matter. Yess."
After a moment of hesitation, "Ok, I'll be down in a click."
Staring at the leader, Rhinox asked, "Are you seriously going down there, Optimus?"
The maximal leader opened the lift. "I have to, for we must try for peace before war. And Megatron knows that."
Rattrap spun in his chair to face Optimus, "But what if it's a trap?" It was the first thing he had said all morning, and everyone was surprised.
"It's a risk I am willing to take."
The medic sighed; "Be careful." The rest of the maximal threw in similar responses.
Optimus stepped onto the lift. It lowered the leader down as Sentinel's shield powered down.
The transmetal Predacon warlord stood a few meters away from the edge of the Axalon's lowered shield. Optimus Primal walked toward Megatron. They stood, face to face. "Your com-link?" Megatron inquired.
"My com is off. What is this all about Megatron?" The transmetal gorilla snapped.
The warlord laughed, "Yes, Primal. I was wondering if you have come across a rogue Predacon. Might they be with your crew?" He paused, "I would like to negotiate their return, and possibly end the Beast Wars. I'll hand over both golden disks if you hand the rogue over. Right now, yes." Megatron pulled both disks from the compartment behind his transmetal t-rex head.
Optimus held back his gasp of surprise. The Beast Wars could end right now. But he had no idea who this transformer was. "Megatron, I would consider the offer, but I only know of a single 'rogue' Predacon, and that would be Dinobot."
A snarl escaped Megatron's lips, and he turned away from Optimus to talk to himself aloud, "I must find her as soon as he can."
Her?! Optimus wondered.
Turning back to Optimus, "This is quite a disappointment Primal yess. We will be in contact further. But for now . . . Predacon fall back!" He yelled, over his shoulder, "You'll be hearing from us Primal. Yesss!"
The warlord transformed into his transmetal beast mode, flipped open his jets, and powered away.
Optimus Primal stood motionless for a few nanoclicks before turning back toward the Axalon. When he entered the base, all the Maximals were crowding the entrance, waiting for their leader to explain what had just happened.
"Well Primal," Dinobot questioned first, "What did Megatron want?"
Letting out a sigh, Optimus explained, "Megatron is looking for someone. And he is willing to sacrifice anything to get them back."
The youngest Maximal asked, "Even the Golden Disks? I saw them on the monitors." Optimus nodded.
Rhinox stepped toward the transmetal gorilla, "But who is he looking for?"
"I don't know," Optimus walked through the Maximals. "But we need to find her first."
"HER?!" Dinobot spun to face Optimus, taking a step closer. The raptor's optics were wide with something that could be mistaken for fear.
The Maximal leader gave the warrior a questionable glance. "He didn't directly say it to me, but he said her while he was talking to himself. So we can assume."
"Do you think it's Blackarachina?" Rhinox posed.
Silverbolt stiffened at the mention of her name. Could Megatron be looking for his secret lover? No, it must be the femme I ran into. Silverbolt wasn't sure if he needed to tell Optimus about it or not.
"No, I doubt he would negotiate for Blackarachina." The leader explained. "So we need to keep an eye out for this femme. Has anyone seen anything suspicious recently?" Rattrap, Cheetor, and Rhinox answered with a quick negative. While Dinobot and Silverbolt answered more slowly. "We need to keep our surveillance up, maybe increase patrols. Rhinox, comm. in Airazor and Tigatron, tell them to spend a few more days out looking for this bot." The medic nodded, sitting at a monitor. Optimus looked to the rest of the crew. "I want everyone to double check the scanners, and make sure we haven't missed her."
The youngest Maximal walked over to the monitor beside Rhinox, and began typing on it. Rattrap and Dinobot followed without out saying a word to each other. The two sat as far apart from each other as possible.
The maximal leader noticed the silence. He would prefer to have Dinobot and Rattrap argue, then them ignoring each other completely. Optimus made a mental note to find out what had happened, but that wasn't the main objective at the moment. He stepped to the control table, and began typing.
The Fuzor stepped up hesitantly beside Optimus, "Sir, I need to speak with you."
The leader looked up from the table, staring at Silverbolt, "What's wrong?"
"It's about this rogue Predacon." Silverbolt let out a sigh; his wings drooping. "I think I might have seen her before."
Optimus slammed his fist on the table. "And you never reported it?!" The whole maximal crew spun in their chairs to look at their leader. "Where?" His were fists clenched tight, but Silverbolt didn't answer. "Well?"
The bird dog lowered his head in shame, "In the dead zone Sir."
"Let's go get her then! Maximals-"
"Primal, I do not advise going after this Predacon right away. Megatron most likely has surveillance of the Axalon at the moment. If we all left the base in a rush, he'll suspect something." The raptor explained with a deep growl.
"And just leave this bot out in the wild, with Megatron looking for them? And possibly damaged? Not happening!" The transmetal gorilla's voice rose with anger, taking a few steps toward the raptor.
Dinobot stood his clawed fists clenched, "I am not suggesting that we abandon her! I am saying that we need to plan this through, and then go after her!" He snarled.
"Optimus," Rhinox stood calmly, "Dinobot has a point. We need to figure this out before we rush in."
" . . . Alright," the maximal leader breathed. "Fine. But we're planning this rescue right away." He looked back down at the table and again started typing.
The cave was dark, cold, and wet. But at least she felt as if she was finally safe. The rogue Predacon wrapped her arms around herself to try to keep warm. She had little to eat, and the energon nearby was unstable. It was messing with her circuits. The cave protected her from most of the buildup, but she knew if she was out for much longer bad things could happen.
But being out in the middle of an unknown planet with abundant unstable energon, with no alternate form, was still better than being with Megatron.
"I swear, I'm never going to fight with him again." She vowed to herself, aloud.
About a week had passed, and Dinobot was pacing around his quarters, unable to relax. In the next few cycles the rescue mission would commence, and Optimus Primal had still not informed Dinobot of his duties for the mission. Many thoughts were spinning through the warrior's mind. "Who was this rogue Predacon Megatron is so desperate to find? Is it her? I hope not. What if Optimus-"
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door. Glancing at it, Dinobot called, "Enter!"
The door slid open, and Rattrap stepped in. Dinobot stiffened at the sight of the rat. The small mech stared straight through the Raptor. "Optimus would like to see ya'." Then he started to turn out.
Dinobot grabbed Rattrap's arm, "I would like to speak with you, vermin. I wanted to-"
Quickly breaking out of the ex-Predacon's grip, Rattrap yelled, "I don't wanna' talk y to ya', so leave me alone!" And he feld Dinobot's room.
After a few clicks, Dinobot stomped to Optimus's quarters. The door was open, so Dinobot simply stepped in. "You wanted to speak with me, sir?"
Optimus looked up from his desk, "Yes, come in. Please, shut the door."
He stepped up to the maximal leader's desk, "So, what is this about, Primal?"
"I have a feeling that you more about this femme Predacon than you're telling us," The leader explained, "and I would like you to tell me all you know, right now!"
A growl rose in Dinobot's throat. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you anything."
"Do you know anything at all?"
"I do not know. I may, and I may not." Dinobot muttered, his red optics fixed on Optimus.
"Are you refusing to tell me?!" Optimus Primal yelled. The leader was stressed. This mission meant something to him.
Dinobot denied it, "No, I am not refusing you information. But I am not confirming that I know anything."
Optimus stood up rapidly and slammed his fist on his desk. "Slag, Dinobot! What the pit are you saying? Do you, or do you not know who we are looking for?" The leader glared at the ex-Predacon warrior, waiting for an answer. Except, Dinobot didn't speak at all. But the raptor's optics fell from the leader to the floor. "Great! You have no one but yourself to blame for this, especially not me. Dinobot you're confined to quarters till further notice."
"But Primal, I am an asset on this mission!" The raptor exclaimed, taking a step toward Optimus.
Optimus shook his head. "For all I know, you might want to kill this bot. You being on this mission is a hazard." The transmetal gorilla covered his face with his hands. "Now please to your quarters."
Dinobot turned to leave, then stopped. "If this is the bot I know, she won't fight unless you scare her. So don't, OK? And do try to bring her back in one piece." The raptor exited his leader's quarters and sulked to his own.
Falling back into his chair, Optimus laid his arms on his desk and buried his face in his hands, "Well isn't this going to be just Prime."
. . . . .
After a knock on his door, Silverbolt opened his it. Dinobot stood in the doorway. "May I enter?" the expred asked.
Silverbolt nodded, gesturing with his wing. "Of course, my comrade."
The raptor stepped inside, and thanked Silverbolt. "I have certain matters to discuss." The room door slid shut behind him.
Silverbolt turned to face the warrior. "And what would that be?"
Dinobot stepped directly in front of the Fuzor, glaring down at him. "I would like to discuss this rescue mission. Mainly about whom we are looking for." Silverbolt shifted on his feet, uneasy. "Though, I will do the talking." The raptor growled. "Sit down."
Silverbolt pulled his chair from his work desk and obeyed Dinobot's command. "I already told Optimus everything I know about—"
"Shut up and listen!" Dinobot snapped, sighed, and then growled. "This Predacon, she was small; Taller than the Vermin, but shorter than yourself."
"Yes but—" Silverbolt began uneasily.
Growling viscously, "Silence or I'll rip out your vocalizer!" Dinobot threatened, his razor sharp teeth bared at the Fuzor.
"Sorry . . . please continue." Silverbolt stuttered out.
Dinobot took a deep breath. "She was short tempered. She most likely pulled a blade on you, and possibly threatened to rip out your spark." The raptor glanced at Silverbolt, who gave a small nod. "She is fast on her feet. An amazing fighter. Slag! Gear has handed my aft to me a few times." Dinobot smiled, Silverbolt gave him a questionable stare. "But slag, she's clever too. So watch out. And her amour is that light tan and light purple. She—"
"Stop! Dinobot!" Silverbolt jumped from his seat. Dinobot halted abruptly and stared at the Fuzor. "How can you describe this bot more than I can? And I only met her once!"
"She is a Predacon, yes? So was I. I know who she might be." Dinobot calmly stated. "And she does not deserve to be harmed. So don't let anyone do so!" The warrior's face showed compassion, though he let out a sharp growl.
"But why come to me? Why can't you help her yourself? Why not Optimus?" Silverbolt questioned desperately.
The raptor snarled. "Primal has forbidden me to go on this mission. So, Fuzor, I trust you with her safety at the moment."
"Dinobot, I thank you for your trust, but why me?"
Another snarl. "I merely trust you because I know your 'little' secret . . . and I can only assume that you would like to keep it secret." Dinobot smirked evilly.
Swallowing nervously, Silverbolt nodded, "OK, don't worry I . . . I'll take care of it."
The raptor relaxed and smiled. "Thank you." He nodded at the Fuzor, and left the room leaving Silverbolt alone.
Cheetor ran into the command center. He was going to be late. The youngest member of the Axalon crew slid in beside Rhinox. Everyone was tense, the rescue mission was about to begin.
Optimus nodded to the cat. "Cheetor, I want you to head out and meet up with Tigatron and Airazor, and start looking in the Dead Zone. Can you do that for me?"
The youngest transmetal smiled. "No problem big bot! You can count on this cat!" Running to the lift, Cheetor turned back to the Maximals. He nodded his head, indicating he was ready to go. As he was lowered to the ground, he transformed. "Flight mode!" His jets sprang out and powered up. The cat flyer soared through the sky toward the Dead Signal Zone. Within a cycle, Cheetor arrived just outside the zone, and lowered himself to the ground.
The two maximal scouts, Airazor and Tigatron, were waiting on the ground. The falcon and tiger waved as Cheetor landed.
Transforming into his robot form, Cheetor hugged Tigatron. "Hey, Big Cat! Missed you!"
Hugging him back, Tigatron smiled, "Missed you too, Little Cat."
Cheetor broke the hug with Tigatron, and then hugged Airazor. "Good to see you, Cheetor!" She exclaimed.
The young maximal stepped back and began to informing the two of the mission. "So Optimus wants us to go into the dead zone and look for a Predacon that could be in danger, find her, and bring her back to base."
"Do we have description?" Airazor questioned.
The kid shrugged, and then explained, "We don't have much, other than it's a femme. And she's a bit shorter than me. And she's a bit aggressive. And that's all from Silverbolt, by the way."
The two older scouts nodded, Airazor glanced to Tigatron, smiled, and then took off into the air while transforming into her beast mode.
Following suit, Tigatron transformed into his beast mode, "Be careful in there, Little Cat."
Smiling playfully, Cheetor called. "Always am, Big Cat!"
And the two cats went their separate ways; Cheetor to the air, and Tigatron through the trees on the ground.
Airazor landed in a large clearing near a Cliffside, followed by Cheetor. She folded her wings to her sides; scanning the area with her sharp vision. The femme scout was uneasy; something wasn't right with this clearing.
"Airazor, did you see something?" Cheetor asked as he transformed, then looked around the clearing.
She transformed as well, and continued to look about, "Something isn't right, I picked up a high energon signature. It shouldn't be like this." Airazor's optics fell on the Cliffside. "Oh no, I just found a heat signature. But it's dangerously low. I think we found her." She looked to Cheetor, "Try and contact Optimus with these quadrants; tell him to meet us here. And tell him to hurry!"
"I'm on it!" Cheetor jumped into the air, transformed, and zoomed through the air.
Airazor approached the brush in front of the cliff face; she stopped when a cave entrance became visible. Pushing further into the brush, she stood in front of the small cave. "Hello," The femme scout called out. "I'm Airazor. You can come out now. It's safe." The transformer in the cave didn't respond, but she looked out at Airazor. "We can help you, really. Trust me."
The femme's arms were wrapped around herself, the colors of her tan and purple protoform were dull. Her head drooped down; her energy reserves were extremely low. "No, go away." The femme's voice was barely above a whisper.
Airazor took a few cautious steps to the smaller femme. After the rogue didn't move, Airazor knelt in front of her. "Please listen. Just come out, we really can help you."
The Predacon's eyes were just as dull as the rest of her body, "Shut up, and leave. It's better that you go."
"Well, I'm not leaving you here." The maximal scout stated bluntly, inching closer to the Predacon, and extending a hand to her.
The smaller femme smacked Airazor's hand away. "Leave now, it's not safe."
After a soft sigh, Airazor stood and walked out of the cave. She saw her mate walking toward her. After he transformed, Tigatron gave Airazor a questionable glance, "What's wrong? I saw Cheetor fly off?"
"We found her; she's living in the Cliffside. She could offline if she is out here much longer." Airazor explained wrapping her arms around her mate in a hug. "I tried to get her out, but she's terrified of something."
Tigatron squeezed her back. "Do not worry my lady, we will succeed."
After about 30 clicks, the rest of the maximal crew arrived at the Cliffside. Optimus Primal and Silverbolt landed first. Rhinox and Rattrap rolled in through the brush. Tigatron greeted the maximal leader extended his hand. "Optimus Primal, always a pleasure to see you, sir."
"Too bad we couldn't have met on better terms." Optimus forced a chuckle.
"So, bird lady, what's da word?" Rattrap called transforming out of his beast mode.
Airazor pointed to the Cliffside. "She's in there, and she won't come out. She's in pretty bad shape."
"Well, let's get her back to base right now!" The leader exclaimed.
"It's not going to be that easy," Airazor sighed heavily. "She's terrified. I don't think she'll just let us help her."
Silverbolt stepped up, *fanfare* looking to Optimus, "I shall attempt to speak with her."
A blade flew past the Fuzor's face, lodging itself into a tree. Silverbolt's jaw dropped, the rogue predacon femme stepped out of the brush. She was thinner than she was before, Silverbolt noticed.
"You—you almost hit me!" the Fuzor stepped back, looking offended.
The femme pulled out another blade, taking a few wavering steps toward the center of the clearing. She glared at the maximals, standing her ground firmly.
Leaning toward Optimus, Rhinox muttered, "She's barely functional. I'm surprised she's still standing."
"Alright, you fithly maximals, you wanna' fight? Let's go." The predacon femme spat, her body slightly shaking, but she slid into a fighting stance.
Optimus stepped, forward extending his hand. "Please, we don't want to fight you! We want to help."
The femme's grip on her weapons tightened. "Liars! Maximals are evil! You are not to be trusted."
Airazor pleaded. "I promise, you can trust us. We won't hurt you."
The Predacon femme ignored Airazor. "You maximal's should rot in the pit!" She charged at the Maximal leader.
Optimus Primal stood his ground. "Maximals, do NOT engage! Defend but don't shoot her."
She jumped into the air, hooking her foot at Optimus Primal's head. An energon surge blasted through her body, just before her foot collided with Optimus raised arm. She collapsed to the ground, attempting not to scream in pain.
Kneeling beside the female Predacon, Optimus Primal offered his help. "It's an energon surge. You've been out in your main form too long! Let us help you!"
"NO!" She screamed through gritted teeth, and pulled her body tightly together. She looked at the Maximal leader with fear.
Silverbolt knelt beside her as well, "Gear, please!"
"Don't call me that!" She spat. "My name is Razorgear! Use it! Not Gear!" She froze immediately after she realized what she had said.
"Please, Razorgear, in the name of Primus! You can trust us!" The Fuzor begged, his golden wolf eyes staring caringly at her. Another wave of energon plused through her body, she was unable to hold back a scream. Silverbolt grabbed her hand, "We are going to keep you safe. I promise," He whispered softly.
The surge faded. Razorgear was breathing hard. "Okay." And she slipped into stasis lock.
Silverbolt slid his arms under the female predacon's body, lifting her up as he stood. "May I fly her to the base?" The Fuzor questioned the leader as he stood.
"One question before you go, how did you know her name?" Inquired Optimus.
The Fuzor's wings opened, slowly lifting his body into the air, and he responded, "Dinobot."
The leader let out a sigh of disgust. "Of course." The leader pointed as he called out his orders, "Cheetor stay on Silverbolt. Airazor, Tigatron, Rattrap stay behind and cover our tracks. And Rhinox you're flying with me. You might need to be at base for medical purposes." The Maximals followed their orders. Rhinox, Optimus, Cheetor, Silverbolt, and the injured Predacon arrived back at the Axalon in record time.
Silverbolt was the first one in the base, next was Rhinox. "CR-Chamber?" Silverbolt asked the medic.
He nodded, "Yeah, she'll need it."
Razorgear shifted in Silverbolt's arms and he froze. Her optics blinked on. "Put me down . . . NOW!"
Carefully, the Fuzor set her on the ground. "Welcome to the Axalon." He smiled at her.
She growled with disgust and muttered. "Filthy Maximals."
"Silverbolt, Cheetor go to your quarters!" Optimus commanded as the lift opened and he stepped into the command center. He turned to Razorgear after they were alone with Rhinox. "I would like to speak with you."
End of Chapter 3!
Well? Do you like her? Hope so. Thanks for reading!
