Primal Hunter
By: Takashidaimao
Chapter 3: Gamblin' Rat
The pitter-scratch of bald paw pads against cold steel made the small gray-furred animal twitch with each step. The noise was inaudible beyond a few feet, but that wasn't quiet enough for the rat. As a sniper and infiltration specialist he'd always followed one principal rule; if you can hear you, the enemy can hear you. Silence was golden in Rattraps line of work, which is predominantly why he got all his wise cracks out of his system when he had a full audience. Right now he was on a mission. Coming to a viewing port the rat stood on his haunches to peer outside through thick tempered glass. It was still dark. He should have time. He scurried off down the hall hoping everyone on the ship was still too deep in sleep mode to hear his little claws scraping against the floor. He slowed his pace as his destination came into visual range, now being the worst time for him to be discovered. He glanced around, checking all corners. This may be the Axalon, but considering what he was planning he might as well be deep in the smoldering bowels of the Darksyde.
Approaching the door the rat stood on his haunches again, sliding a small panel upwards on the wall to the left side. Those little pink hands worked quickly, tugging at wires and rearranging circuits. Seconds later he heard the door locks disengage. He was in. He took a deep breath. Into the snakes den, such as it was. Slowly as to not wake the resident of the room the intruder slid the door apart. A little black nose was the first to enter, sniffing the air instinctively for signs of predators. His ears perked up scanning for the telltale sound of ragged reptilian snoring. Nothing. Ears immediately folded back. That couldn't be good. The raptor was awake. He just knew it. Pulling his nose back, eyes snapping shut, Rattrap curled up in a little ball to await the inevitable gutting that was sure to come. After a few seconds a single obsidian eye popped open. What's this? He was still alive? Cautiously he advanced forward, poking his head through the doorway and glancing around. The entire room, the bed especially, was vacant. No way…
Rattrap scurried in leaving the door open a crack. Wherever Choppaface was he didn't expect him to stay very long this time of night. He had to work fast. He started with the console on the Saurian's desk. Security was easy enough to get past. Ol' Lizard Lips probably didn't figure anyone would be suicidal enough to break into his quarters, much less go through his files. Much to the rodent's disappointment, the former Predacons external database was used surprisingly sparingly. There was little to be had besides old repair logs. Well, that was no fun. Looks like he'd have to do this the old fashioned way.
That little black nose was put back to work sniffing around the floor for something, anything that could give him a lead. An out of place scent lead him on a winding trail leading towards the raptors bed. He scurried underneath for a few moments before finding the source of the smell. At first it looked as if nothing was there. He focused his eyes, optical scanners zooming in and highlighting what appeared to be several strands of synthetic black fur.
Before Rattrap got the chance to wonder how something like that even got there, a dull metallic thud just on the periphery of his audio scanning range caused his eyes to widen and his ears to fold back. "Oh slag…" he mumbled aloud to himself before making a break for the door. After squeezing his body through he slid it shut and took off down the hall. He'd return later to fix the wires behind the side panel. He only came to a stop once he'd rounded the corner to the next hall. Panting to catch his breath, the mouse chanced a peek around the corner. All was silent down the hall. That was strange… He could have sworn he heard something just now. Suddenly there was movement to his left. The rat darted around the corner and pressed his back against the wall just as a door slid open. Rattrap recognized the heavy footsteps of the large brown raptor as he stepped out into the hall, a low growl reverberating off the walls. The rodent remained frozen in place as the tip of a long leathery snout emerged past the corner, long fangs visible behind slightly parted lips. Miraculously Dinobot never fully peered around the wall. Rattrap let out the breath he'd been holding as the tip of a long thin tail whipped around into view before slithering out of sight. As heavy steps faded off down the hall, the rat chanced a glance around the corner just in time to catch a weary raptor wandering into his quarters. He didn't seem to notice the fact that his door locks weren't operational. That or he was just far too exhausted to care from the looks of it. Once the coast was clear Rattrap lowered back down to all fours, emerging out into the corridor once again. It wasn't until he looked up at the door Dino-breath had come out of that he realized which end of the hall he was on. "Holy tap-dancin' Primus… That's Optimus' quarters!"
Rattrap was unusually silent the next morning at monitor duty, brass digits clacking against keyboard being the bulk of his conversation. Cheetor had tried many times to start their usual banter only to be dismissed with often single-word replies. Rhinox made no attempt himself, as he intended to enjoy the peace and quiet for once. It was pushing noon when Cheetor finally decided to force the rat into some form of conversation, even if it had to be an argument. "Hmph. Big Bot should go a round with you like he did Dinobot. Maybe then you won't be acting so weird…" The reaction was, needless to say, quite a bit more explosive than the feline had planned on. The shorter bot slammed his hands down on the console in front of him before jumping up to his feet, jabbing a finger of warning just inches from Cheetors nose.
"Don't… you… EVER so much as joke like that! Do you have any idea just how wrong even tha thought of that is?" Rattrap shrieked, earning the attention of the entire room. Cheetors optics were wide in shock, genuinely having no idea what he said to set off his teammate like that. Rhinox was prepared get up out of his chair to aide the young scout if needed. Optimus, having been out of range of the felines comment, marched over to get an explanation for the sudden outburst. "Is there a problem over here?" the commander questioned sternly, his ape-like fists resting against his waist. Rattrap stared up at their leader for a long moment before finally settling back down into his chair. "Ain't nothin' you gotta worry 'bout, Boss Monkey. Just a weird nightmare I had last night… Or somethin'…" he mumbled before turning around to continue his work. Optimus narrowed his optics down at the rat, but didn't pursue the subject further.
It wasn't long after that when the entrance lift activated, its hydraulic whine practically echoing through the silent command deck. Rattrap glared back over his shoulder plate as the large lizard strode in looking a shade browner than he normally did. The raptor shook his long body, spraying the rest of the crew with muddy water and earning several groans of complaint. "Patrol of Sector Four complete." Dinobot reported, one slitted eye staring ruefully up at the commander. Optimus vented out a sigh, brushing the filth from his fur-covered shoulder plate and shaking his head. "Thank you. Now go clean yourself up." The reply was a low growl of compliance as the dinosaur made his way towards the back of the ship. Once the raptor was gone Cheetor turned around in his chair.
"Hey, how'd you manage to convince Dinobot to patrol Sector Four for the past three times in a row?" the young scout asked with an amused grin. Rattrap turned to look at their leader as well, arms folded loosely over his chest plate. He'd like to hear the answer to that as well. Sector Four was a mess of swamps and marshlands, and arguably the most undesired area to patrol on foot right after the lava pits of Sector Seven. Normally if Airazor was too preoccupied to do it, the rest of them were so unwilling they'd have to resort to drawing lots to decide who went. Optimus merely shrugged the question off.
"I asked him nicely." He stated simply, causing Cheetor to tilt his head in confusion. After that, everyone returned to their work, the feline shaking his head as he did. "Since when did 'asking nicely' work on Dinobot?" he questioned aloud, mostly to himself. Rattrap shook his head, optics remaining on screen, though he didn't seemed focused on it. "S'like I told ya, kid. He starts actin' normal, that's when I worry…" And worry he did. Enough to risk breaking into the raptors quarters at night. It was just too fishy. Dinobot acts like a rabid wolverine for weeks, then Optimus gets into one little scuffle with him and magically everything's kosher? There was no way he was buying that steaming pile of slag. The most troubling part of it all was how obedient Dinobot was acting. Every time Optimus gave him an order since their 'fight' a month ago, he'd obeyed with little if any protest. You don't just flip someone like that overnight, yet their fearless leader seemed to have done just that. Rattrap had a fairly good idea of how he did it. Problem was, he had no proof to go on, just hints. Perhaps it was time he got something more concrete.
It was late, going on midnight. The Axalon had fallen into a serene stillness as most of its crew had already retired for the night. Most of the crew. A door slid open, a tall bot stepping out into the hall. The warrior scanned his surroundings briefly with his optics before casually starting down towards the other end of the barracks. He didn't get far, as the first door he passed slid open behind him.
"Hey there, Dino-breath… Goin' ta get yer bearings waxed?" Dinobot stopped dead in his tracks, optics wide. He turned catching sight of the rat-faced bot as he leaned against the outer threshold of his quarters, a smug smirk plastered across his lips. The raptor bared his fangs, a low growl emanating from his vocal unit. "I beg your pardon?" he hissed out, narrowing his optics at the pretentious little vermin. Well, that certainly got his attention. Now he just had to run with it. "Oh, it's nothin', really. I just been… noticin' some things. Like how you an' tha Boss Monkey been spendin' a lotta time together lately… At night… In his quarters…" At that the raptor let out another growl, taloned fists clenching at his sides. Rattraps grin widened. The little fishie had taken the bait. Now to reel him in. "Y'know, have ya ever noticed how well sound carries in tha Axalon at night? I tell ya, you could hear a pin drop. Or a Saurian moanin'…" Yes, it was a bluff. Probably one of the biggest he's ever tried to pull. It was a high-risk bet, and if he were to lose…
Dinobot lurched forward with a vicious snarl, wrapping his long fingers around Rattraps neck. The rodent could practically feel the chips rattle loose in his head as it was slammed against the wall with a sickening crack. One of the raptors dual thumbs pressed hard against the rats jaw, forcing him to look up into the livid cobalt face of a warrior twice his size. 'That's it. I'm gonna die.'Rattrap thought, turning his optics offline. He didn't want to have to watch the carnage in addition to feeling it.
"Who have you told?" It was spoken in a hushed tone, a low rumble the only lingering hint of the threat to snap his neck. One optic blinked back online, staring up at the now averted glare of the violent Saurian. Wait… It worked? And it was true? Somewhere deep down Rattrap was hoping he was completely off the mark for once, but no. For the past month Dinobot and Optimus had been… Uhhgg, he didn't want to think about it! Still, this little confrontation wasn't over. He had to maintain control of this, which meant not showing his surprise at the revelation. He had to keep his composure.
"Who, me? Spread a nasty rumor? Why, Choppaface! You otta know me better'n that!" Rattrap replied in a tone so ostentatious that Dinobot nearly snapped his neck on principal. The rat let out a light chuckle that betrayed a bit of his nervousness. "I ain't told no one. Yet. But, ehh… Who knows? My memory ain't what it used ta be. If I ain't reminded every now an' then, I might just 'forget' how important a secret this is to you…" The raptor narrowed his optics. So, that was his game after all. Blackmail. He had to admit, a move like that required bearings of chrome-plated steel. Rattrap was slid up the wall to optic-level with the warrior, which again was about twice his normal height. The rat flinched a bit as another growl rumbled just inches from his face.
"You gamble with high stakes, Vermin!" he hissed out, earning another squeak from the mouse. "I must confess… I find myself impressed." Wait… what? Suddenly the rat felt himself plummeting to the floor as the raptor released his grip. Dinobot backed away a few steps as Rattrap picked himself up off the ground. He folded taloned hands together behind his back, red optics narrowed at the small bot. "I never dreamed a plot of this caliber could develop from the processor of a rodent, yet here we stand… However, I do believe you've overlooked a few key elements." He spoke calmly and evenly, never baring his fangs, never growling with pent-up aggression. Rattrap raised a brow plate. What was he up to now?
"Firstly, you seem to be under the impression that the revelation of this secret is the worst dishonor I could face. Yet I would sooner boast to the Predacons of my relations with Primal than relinquish myself to the likes of you!" The last part was snarled as usual, lips curling instinctively to reveal dagger-like fangs. He soon returned to his calm demeanor. "Secondly… While you may 'forget' this is a secret of my own, you seem to never have acknowledged that it is also that… of Optimus'…"
A pleased smirk wafted across Dinobots face as the rat froze mid-vent. Rattrap could be seen glancing around, rethinking his stance on the whole deal. Soon he straightened himself up, folding his arms across his chest plate. "Y'know, ehh… I gotta say ya make an interestin' point there, Choppaface… I mean, I wouldn't wanna embarrass our Fearless Leader or anything. Heh! An' let's face it, hookin' up with you's gotta be one of tha most damaging things a guy can do to his reputation." Rattrap admitted slowly, scratching the back of his neck. Dinobot raised a brow plate. "I'm glad we've come to an agreement…" The rat nodded furiously at that. "Right! We'll just keep this li'l chat to ourselves then…" With that, Rattrap slipped around the Saurian and back into his quarters, the door snapping shut. Dinobot was left to linger in the silence of the hall, a single quote from the rat prominent in his mind. He then turned on his heel to proceed down the hall, but in the opposite direction he was originally traveling.
Optimus found himself pacing back and forth in his quarters, glancing every few seconds at the time display on his computer monitor. He was over an hour late. That wasn't like him. Finally, as the clock neared two hours past their scheduled meeting, the commander's patience ran out. He marched out of his room and down the hall heading straight for the raptors quarters. There was no need for him to go digging through a control panel as Rattrap had, as he was the only other one granted access. The door slid open to reveal a vacant room. The ape could be heard letting out a frustrated growl, though nowhere near as vicious as that of whom he sought.
"Computer; locate unit Dinobot." He could hear the Axalon's scanners ping to life in his head as the computer found his target. "Unit Dinobot located. Current position; Sector Zero." The monotone voice informed before prattling off coordinates as usual. Sector Zero? That was the area around the ship. He was close, but… Outside?
Dinobot was doing some pacing of his own, but along side the river located several meters below the crash site of the Axalon. His tail whipped back and forth behind him as he recalled the rats words once again. 'Hookin' up with you's gotta be the worst thing a guy can do for his reputation.' A furious roar resounded off the canyon walls, the small hands on his forelimbs clenched into tight fists. How dare that vermin wound him so! Yet, why did he feel that was the case? Rattraps insults had never stung him so badly before. Still, he could not deny the painful truth of the statement. If the others were to discover what the two of them were doing behind closed doors their respect of their leader may well falter, a scenario the warrior knew all too well Megatron couldn't leave be. The Maximals didn't stand a chance against the Predacons if their faith in Optimus wavered in the slightest.
The raptors pained cry seemed to have summoned the source of his anguish, as he could hear Optimus' jets as they slowly lowered the bot to the ground behind him. His tail whipped violently as his fists clenched tighter. "Go!" he barked before the commander had the chance to take a step forward. "Just… Just leave me be…" he added, quieter this time. Optimus stared at Dinobots back, brow plates rising with concern as the lizards head dipped low. Depressed; that was another new face he'd not seen the proud warrior take before. "Dinobot… Has something happened?"
The dinosaur glanced briefly behind him with a single slitted eye before quickly averting his gaze again. He couldn't look at him. Not now. "We… are not to see each other any longer…" he rumbled out reluctantly, snapping his eyes shut. Optimus was quite taken aback by the sudden announcement. He instantly began to wonder if he'd perhaps done something to upset the warrior without realizing. He took a step forward, opening his mouth to speak, but was cut off again before he could. "I said leave!… Please…"
The commander vented a sigh, keeping his distance. "If you really want this to end… Fine. I'll respect your decision. However I refuse to leave until I've gotten an explanation." At that, Dinobot glanced back at the stern Maximal leader, his arms folded defiantly over his chest plate. The raptor couldn't help but smile a little, but only for a second. "I cannot in good conscience allow our relationship to jeopardize our operations. When the others discover us – and they will discover – your standing with them will suffer. The mission will suffer. As a soldier under your command, I-""Enough!"
This time it was Optimus cutting Dinobots words short. The raptor froze, eyes wide at the Maximal leader's sudden outburst. "That's what this is about? You're worried for my reputation? That's ridiculous! What brought all this on all of a sudden?" The raptor cast his gaze away, turning to face the ape. He was hesitant, but would elaborate if need be. "We were… caught already… I was confronted just a few hours ago." He explained, earning a sigh from Optimus. "By whom?" the commander demanded. Dinobot puffed his chest up at that, emanating a rather offended growl. "It is not in my nature to go about spouting the misdeeds of others."
Optimus scoffed, shaking his head. His code of honor. How could he have forgotten? "Rattrap?" he guessed. The raptor let out another low rumble. "Was I that transparent?" At this point the ape thought it safe to approach a bit closer to the Saurian. "I may have initially had him on my team for his experience in demolition, but Rattrap's a spy by nature. It's practically in his programming to snoop where he's not welcome." Dinobot couldn't contain a small chuckle. "In other words a rat weather a bot or beast."
"Look, Dinobot… I know this team. While they might find our relationship strange at first, I trust them not to judge us by it. You've got nothing to worry about, and to prove it I plan on coming clean with all this first thing in the morning." The raptor looked over the Maximal leader for a moment, noting his posture. He was serious, and there would be no changing his mind. The lizard let out a sigh. "Very well… Just so long as I am permitted to enjoy our last night of secrecy to its fullest." Optimus smirked at the hint. "I'll see what I can do about that."
The instant Dinobot reverted to his robot form he found himself pressed against the wall of the canyon. Optimus worked quickly, his lips pressed hard against the warriors. He knew by now that that's how the raptor preferred it; with no shortage of rough play. A hand soon pressed against the abdomen of the larger bot, urging him to open up. Their kiss was broken as Dinobot stared down at the ape. "Already?" he questioned, a tinge of complaint in his voice. He was used to a little more foreplay than that. "Unless you'd like to explain to Rhinox in the morning why you had to drag me back to base in stasis lock." The warrior nodded, opening up his torso plates. He'd nearly forgotten about the energon exposure out there, as well as the fact that Optimus had been in his robot form a lot longer than Dinobot had. Neither of them liked to rush things, but circumstances called for it in this situation.
Their link felt a bit more charged than usual. Perhaps it was due to the energon exposure to their bare sparks. Who knew? Dinobot was just glad he didn't necessarily have to keep his outbursts quiet while outside the ship, as he found that he was rather vocal while interfacing with his commander. Optimus was finding it harder to keep control of his output, the energon surges making it near impossible to contain himself for long. Still, he tried to hang on as long as he could. That is, until the computer flashed a message across his processor; Upload Complete. His optics widened. "Wh-what?"