Primal Hunter
by: Takashidaimao
Chapter 5: Hunting Party
Things seemed to calm down considerably over the next few weeks as everyone got used to the idea of Dinobot having the little scrapling. Tigatron and Airazor were eventually told, at which point Tigatron immediately bolted for a patrol duty he'd just come off of. Airazor on the other hand found it absolutely adorable. She'd been doting over the raptor like a mother hen in anticipation of the little one, much to his vexation. In fact the day was not complete until the phrase 'Stop pestering me, woman!' was heard echoing through the halls. Today he had managed to escape without too much of the hawks 'cute' talk. It seemed Optimus had finally stepped in and asked her to lay off a little. Of course he'd have only done it because of how much it was pissing the warrior off, as he himself found it just as amusing as everyone else did.
Dinobot was currently standing at the circular table on the bridge, tail flicking back and forth as he glared at the holographic projections in front of him. Since he'd been barred from combat and patrol duties he'd been given the task of updating the ships records to keep him occupied. It was a boring and monotonous job, one the raptor had quickly come to loathe. Still it was something to do, and better than sitting around doing nothing. Even so, there would always come the point where he just couldn't take it anymore. He was about at that point now. The telltale clicking of a large talon tapping against the steel of the floor served as a warning to all present that it was probably best to keep ones distance. It was only moments later that the large lizard finally became fed up with his task, slamming a hand down to shut off the projections. Tail still whipping back and forth behind him the raptor left the bridge, likely to look for their commander to provide an alternate source of entertainment.
"I think Dinobot's been in beast mode too long. He's getting antsy again." Cheetor commented once he was sure the raptor was out of audio range. Surprisingly it was Rattrap who offered an explanation for the behavior. "Ah, leave 'im be. He's only stayin' in beast mode 'cause it's easier ta hide his growin' gut that way. It's been what? Three weeks? Trust me, we see what he looks like right now an' he'll prolly maul us outta embarrassment." The rat spoke casually, his optics never leaving the game of poker he was playing with the computer. The other two stopped what they were doing to stare at him. Well, he was rather informed, now wasn't he? Rattrap only looked up when he felt the stares from either side of him. "What? Hey, don't give me those looks! I ain't got no brats!" he added, holding his hands up defensively. He didn't think it was that hard to guess. It was about the same time that Optimus had walked out to the bridge one morning looking like he'd just lost a fight with a wheat thresher that Dinobot started refusing to be seen in his robot form. Still, it seemed a proper explanation was needed to get those two off his back.
"Alright! Alright! Thing is… Well, my sisters never did know how to keep their chassis' closed." Rattrap admitted with a weak laugh, shrugging his shoulders. "You never told me you were an uncle." Rhinox replied with a sly grin, at which point Cheetor finally got what the rat meant. "Yeah, well… I didn't tell Optimus either. And if ya don't mind I'd like ta keep it that way. I'll be damned if I get stuck with babysittin' duty again after all these years!" To Rattraps horror, he then felt a heavy hand slap down on his shoulder. He looked up, catching optics with their fearless leader.
"Well, it's good to know someone here has experience." Optimus teased with a slight smirk. "Noooo! Oh Primus, please no! Don't make me do it!" The commander couldn't help but laugh at the rats seemingly exaggerated reaction, shaking his head as he turned towards the back of the ship. It seemed he was only passing through to check on everyone's status. Cheetor stared for a while as Rattrap leaned back in his chair with his hands over his face, chanting the word 'no' over and over as if it were supposed to make the idea disappear from Optimus' mind. The young feline let out an amused chuckle. "Oh c'mon! Babysitting isn't that bad, is it?" That simple question caused the rat to sit bolt upright in his chair before being sent into a tangent.
"Kid, most old geezers get war flashbacks. Me? I'm gonna get babysittin' flashbacks! Oh, Pops thought it was great! Used ta use it as a punishment! 'Oh, ya wanna go screwin' around with girls!' he says, 'Just go watch yer niece for a few hours an' we'll see how much ya wanna screw around then!'" Rattrap paused his ranting only to give a shudder of reminiscent horror. "I tell ya, those kids'll scare ya gay! In fact, I think that's what happened ta my older brother. I know they damn near scared me inta wantin' ta get fixed! And mark my words, if my li'l nieces an' nephews were holy terrors, then tha thing that's gonna be crawlin' outta Choppaface in six weeks has gotta be tha slaggin' Anti-Primus!" The other two bots were already dying laughing by the time Rattrap finished. "Oh, you two think I'm jokin'!Just you wait! You'll see! An' don't ya dare say I didn't try ta warn ya!"
Optimus could hear the roar of laughter from the bridge even as he proceeded down the halls. Well, this was a pleasant change for once. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood for the first time in what seemed like ages. He couldn't help but smile to himself. And here he was worried everything would be awkward after he told them about his relationship with Dinobot.
Of course, speak of the Devil and he shall appear… As Optimus rounded the next corner the sound of impatient talons against steel echoed past him. He let out a reluctant groan, hanging his head slightly. It just couldn't last, could it? He turned to face the raptor, doing his best to hide his hesitation to do so. "Yes? I take it you'd like to speak with me?" A growl preceded the large lizards reply showing how irritable he'd become. "I cannot stand it any longer! If I don't get off this ship soon, I'll go positively insane!" The commander shook his head at that, rolling his optics slightly. "You know you can go outside whenever you want."
"Perhaps, but only so long as I remain in this sector! When was the last time you've seen any prey larger than a gopher around here?" Ah, so that was it. He was pining for a hunt. Wasn't that what started all this in the first place? Optimus never did understand the carnivore's fixation with chasing down and killing his food. Of course the mental image of a fully grown velociraptor scratching around in the dirt after gophers like a chicken after worms was sure to keep him amused for days.
"Oh, so you want something more challenging? Like a lion or a crocodile? Oh, wait… How about a bear? That way we can ensure that you're completely torn to shreds." The raptor lowered his head at the mocking sarcasm, baring his fangs menacingly. "Sorry, sorry! Couldn't resist! My point is… I know you're bored, but that's no excuse to go around being reckless, especially while you're-""The next person to remind me of how gravid I am will have their vocal unit removed through their exhaust port!" Dinobot practically screamed, which threw Optimus off quite a bit. Okay, maybe he was going a little stir-crazy from being inside too long. The raptor seemed to calm down just as quickly as he'd snapped, however. "That is… I have no intention of going after dangerous prey this time. I'll stick to deer. I'll even avoid the bucks if I must." the dinosaur offered somewhat sheepishly, a complete flip of his mood just a few seconds ago. As relieved as he was to see a non-volatile disposition in Dinobot for once, Optimus still shook his head firmly.
"Your prey is only half of my problem. What if the Predacons found you out where we couldn't help in time? You of all people should know what they'd do to both you and the protoform!" the commander scolded, folding arms over chest plate. The raptor could be seen rolling his eyes at the warning. "Would that be before or after Megatron suffocates himself laughing?" "Dinobot, I'm trying to be serious here…" "You think I wasn't?" At that Optimus shook his head again, venting a sigh. This was getting him nowhere fast. Finally, he threw his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright! I'll let you go…" Dinobot let out a reptilian purr, tail flicking behind him in delight. The ape found the behavior so unusually adorable that he almost didn't have the heart to continue what he was saying. Almost. "On one condition…"
"One afternoon of privacy… That's all I wanted. Surely that wasn't too much to ask?" Dinobot grumbled to himself as he glared at the yellow and black spotted tail that swayed to and fro in front of him. Yes, it was the young cheetah of all bots that Optimus saw fit to look after his expectant mate, much to the raptor's dismay. Of course he was the only choice left after Tigatron and Airazor, the former not wanting to have anything to do with the raptor in his current state, and the latter far too likely to annoy him so severely he'd come back in a worse mood than before. Still, despite the boy being the lesser of evils, the dinosaur wouldn't let that keep him from complaining about it the second he got back to base. At the moment Dinobot was just hoping he would spontaneously gain the power to deactivate another bots' vocal processors at will, as the feline hadn't shut his mouth since they left the Axalon.
"Gosh, I can't tell ya how great this is! I haven't been on a hunt with someone since Tigatron took me up north. He caught this huge caribou! I only got a snow hare, and even that was hard in all that snow!" Cheetor only paused his jabbering to glance behind him to make sure his fellow Maximal was still following. The raptor had slowed his pace, his head lowered as too better peer through the underbrush as he sniffed around. The feline stopped, tilting his head to one side. "Hey, whatcha doing?" The large lizard never looked up from his task as he casually spoke the answer. "Locating a suitable ditch into which I might toss the body once I've eviscerated it." Cheetor let out a nervous laugh at that. "You're talking about the deer, right? R-right?" The reply was a steely gaze in the cat's direction. The young scout's ears pinned back against his head, eyes wide. "I'm just gonna shut up now…" "Wiser words were never spoken."
After that, the cheetah had trotted off with his tail between his legs, no longer feeling safe around the raptor. Besides, he didn't see the harm in letting Dinobot roam around alone for a while so long as they remained in the same area. Soon enough the incident was forgotten as Cheetor caught the scent of a nearby doe on the air. He immediately crouched down low, weaving through trees and bushed on silent paw pads. Soon, his target came into view. The whitetail deer stood out in the middle of a large clearing, her head to the ground as she picked through the grass. The cheetah remained veiled behind the tall grass, his eyes fixed wide on his prey. Just as he prepared to pounce her head shot up, causing the cat to freeze. Suddenly, she bolted. Cheetor gasped, scrambling to get out of the way as the doe charged right at him. The feline could only stare as she leapt clean over the spot where he'd been perched before dashing off into the woods. That was weird… If it was him that had spooked her she'd have run in the opposite direction. So if not him, what did? The young scout trotted out into the clearing, sniffing around curiously. Unfortunately, the culprit was heard before he was seen.
"For the glory of the Royalty!"
"Oh no…" Cheetor squeaked out, pinning his ears back again. Just then, Dinobot came sprinting through the brush. "Fall back, you witless dolt!" the raptor snarled as Inferno emerged over the tree line laughing like a madman as was his custom. The Cheetor took just a second too long to move for the raptor's liking. As the dinosaur sprinted past he snatched the young cat up by the scruff with his jaws, earning a pained yowl from the boy. He was then tossed over a large fallen log, Dinobot vaulting over just as a roaring blaze cascaded overhead.
"Aw, slag! What're the Preds doing out here?" Cheetor whined as he shifted into robot mode, readying his weapon at his side. "Likely the same as us; hunting. Though I highly doubt they're after organic prey if they're out here." The scout looked over to see Dinobot already in robot mode retrieving a generic pistol from the holster against his lower back. His optics lingered on the warrior's midsection for a moment. Wow, Rattrap was right after all. He averted his optics to ensure he wasn't caught staring. "You just stay here. I'll take care of the flying freak!" Cheetor announced, puffing up his chest with misguided confidence. "No, you imbecile!" the raptor hissed just as the boy leapt from their cover. He let out a growl, slamming a fist against the log he still crouched behind. The fool didn't stand a chance against Inferno! He was outclassed in nearly every area! Dinobot knew he couldn't do much to help, not while he carried the unborn protoform at the very least. He was a master at hand-to-hand combat. He was used to fighting in close quarters while this particular situation called for attacking at a distance, something he wasn't ideally equipped for. The tactical disadvantage was such that the raptor felt he had no choice but to call for backup. However, he refused to give Optimus the chance to say 'I told you so'! It would damage his pride too severely! Still, what good was ones pride when they're dead? Reluctantly, the warrior activated his communicator…
"Burn, feline! Buuuurn!"the crazed ant cackled as he chased down the young scout, spraying the trees below with searing flames. Cheetor was just thankful it had been raining a lot recently, the brush still too waterlogged to catch fire easily. The Maximal dodged from tree to tree, firing a few shots whenever there was an opening. He knew he didn't stand a chance, but taking Inferno down wasn't his priority. He just wanted to lead the Predacon away from Dinobot.
By the time the raptor emerged from his shelter to provide Cheetor with cover fire the cat had already led the maniac away. He let out another aggravated snarl, vaulting himself over the log towards the clearing. He kept close to the cover of the trees with his pistol at the ready, knowing better than to venture out into the open while the enemy was around. His caution was justified as he felt a gunshot burn into the back of his shoulder. He let out a furious roar as he turned to face his attacker, aiming his sidearm just in time to be tacked to the ground further out in the clearing. Dinobot immediately moved to stand when another bot's foot was slammed into his chest plate, pinning him to the ground. A loud screech of victory echoed through the forest as Terrorsaur aimed his gun at the warrior's face.
"Haven't seen you around in a while, traitor! I was beginning to think-" the Predacon taunting was suddenly cut short, as his focus had drifted downward. Dinobot let out a low defeated growl as the pterosaur's optics widened. Then came the laughter. "Ahahahahaha! No slaggin' way! Hahah! I always thought ya were ornerier than a bitch in heat! Guess I must be psychic or somethin'!" At that the raptor snarled viciously, baring his fangs. Another gunshot was the response, leaving a smoldering hole in the ground just inches from the warrior's abdomen. "Ah, stuff it! Wouldn't want anything bad to happen to yer little brat, would ya?" Terrorsaur threatened coarsely. Dinobot glared at his former teammate, but could do little else. Any attempt at an attack would only endanger him further unless he could disable the Predacon with a single blow. Powerful though he was he knew such a thing was beyond his capabilities, especially under the current circumstances.
"Now you just gotta tell me… Whose is it? The rhino? Oh, wait… The rat, right? Hahaha! No, no, I bet ya don't even know! That's it! I bet ya went around linking with every last-" Terrorsaur's words were cut short once more, but this time by a gunshot to the back. The Predacon immediately redirected his aim towards the tree line, though he couldn't see whoever had fired the shot. "Alright, who has the bearings to-" For the third time the pterosaur was interrupted, though his attacker had ensured it would be the last. Terrorsaur let out a wheezing screech, dropping his gun to clamp his hands over the area between his legs. An area he'd left so irresistibly wide open when he let his attention drift from the pinned Dinobot. One more shot to the jaw was all it took to fell the stunned bot.
"Not you, apparently." The warrior rumbled out as the Predacon fell to the ground next to him. He shoved the unconscious bot to the side just as Rattrap emerged from behind the trees, returning his pistol to its holster as he approached. "Ya just can't go a day without causin' all kinds of trouble, can ya Choppaface?" he teased lightly, offering a hand to help his fellow Maximal up. Normally Dinobot would have refused his help, but accepted as to not suffer the embarrassment of being seen trying to get up by himself, his current state having made him quite unbalanced. Needless to say he returned to his beast mode the instant he was on his feet. "And what of the boy?" he asked, referring to Cheetor. Rattrap dismissed the question with a wave of his hand. "Already taken care of. Ran into tha kid on my way ta you. I set a couple charges a few yards out an' told him were ta lead tha ol' Firefly. Should be getting' there any-"
Rattrap's explanation ceased just as a resounding boom blared over the forest, the crest of smoke and fire visible over the trees several yards away. Dinobot couldn't help but give a nod of approval at how the rodent handled the situation. The rat could be heard venting a sigh. "Now that that's over… You owe me big time fer this one, Dino-breath! Do you have any idea how hard it was ta give Big Green an' tha Boss Monkey tha slip?" Rattrap scolded, folding his arms over his chest plates. Honestly the raptor was surprised he bothered to maintain secrecy at all. Calling the rodent was a desperate measure, but it was the only chance he had of keeping all this beyond Optimus' notice. "You… Have my thanks…" Dinobot offered reluctantly, turning his eyes away as he did.
"Hey, it ain't like I'm doin' this 'cause I like ya or nothin'. If Optimus finds out about this, he's not gonna let you outside Sentinel's shield range 'til that kid of yers is old enough ta buy high grade! An' if you get cabin fever from just a couple of days stuck inside, I don't wanna be around ya when ya don't see daylight fer a month!" Rattrap replied defensively, earning a small chuckle from the raptor. "I suppose now you have proper evidence with which to blackmail me." It was true; this was a far worse thing to be revealed than what the rat tried to get him with before. At least for the moment. Surprisingly, Rattrap shook his head.
"Nah. I think I'll give ya a freebie just this once. I told tha kid ta keep his mouth shut, too. Just do me a favor an' try ta keep that li'l scrapling safe from now on, alright Big Momma Rex?" he teased, tapping the back of his hand lightly against the dinosaur's abdomen and earning a particularly nasty growl. A growl to both remind the vermin of his aversion to touching, as well as warn him to never, ever call him that again.
It took the two an hour to make it back to base. Dinobot was confident he could hide his damaged shoulder until he could find a way to covertly repair it without his mate noticing. Unfortunately, all hopes of hiding the day's events were immediately dashed once they emerged from the entrance lift, a furious Optimus already standing there waiting. He had his arms folded across his chest plate, fingers tapping impatiently against his forearms, narrowed optics demanding an explanation they were sure he already knew. The raptor immediately glared at the young cheetah sitting behind the commander, his head dipped low and his ears pinned back apologetically. "He cornered me…"
Terrorsaur was already dying of laughter by the time the lift raised him out of the repair tank. The image of the Predacon traitor actually carrying a child was just too hilarious for him to care that he got his tail handed to him. Blackarachnia let out a groan of disgust, shaking her head at the sight. Honestly, these bozos were getting stupider the longer she knew them. "And just what is so funny?" It took the pterosaur a moment for his laughter to subside long enough to reply. "Just the single most hilarious joke in the galaxy!" he explained before bursting into hysterics once again. The black widow curled her lip, giving the male a glare of annoyed loathing. "Oh, okay. Well, here's one for you, Chuckles. Now stop me if you've heard this one before; Megatron wants to see you… In his quarters!" Terrorsaur nearly choked at that. Aw crap…
The pterosaur had to ball his fists at his sides to keep them from visibly shaking as he entered the commander's quarters. The Darksyde's dim lighting cast an ominous shadow over the hulking Predacon leader, his bright red optics burning through the darkness. Inferno was standing off to the side, a pleased grin plastered across his face. The tyrannosaurus dismissed the soldier ant with a wave of his hand. "You may leave now, Inferno." The ant immediately stood at attention and saluted. "As you wish, my Queen!" he replied before marching out, leaving his 'royal highness' to shake his head at the way the psychopath insisted on addressing him. Once they were alone, Megatron was free to turn his full attention on Terrorsaur. "So, I hear you've learned a most interesting secret about our lovable little turn-coat. Yes…"