-Personal Log: Entry #011-
It has been three solar cycles since I betrayed the Maximals.
Blackarachnia suggested a Predacon Challenge to be sure of my loyalty, but none were brave enough to face a beast mode with a weapon like my sonic refractor. With that idea down the drain, I instead removed my virus from the Darkside's computer network. After a lunar cycle of wreaking havoc with their scanners, Megatron was only too happy to have it gone, and welcomed me with open arms, in that cold way that only a Predacon Commander can.
However, I still have my doubts. And I still wonder about that dream I had, so long ago.
Ravage was working at the computer, looking for anything that might resolve his self-doubt. He had just found something when Inferno floated up behind him.
"The royalty commands your presence, mutant."
"And I'd give them to him, but I haven't wrapped them yet," Ravage said, without turning around.
From far away, Inferno thought he could hear a set of drums, but quickly shook it off. "I will not have you plotting behind the royalty's ba--"
Ravage turned and grabbed the firebug's throat.
"You got something you want to say to me, Blender-butt?" he asked quietly, thoroughly enjoying choking the insect. "Megatron can wait until I've finished my work."
Ravage released Inferno's throat and punched him in the chest plate with his other hand at the same time, knocking the ant into the wall, offline.
The dark cat clicked a trigger on his torso plate, and it opened to reveal a navy-blue computer-book, with the Autobot insignia on the front. He pulled it out and opened it, pointing it at the computer screen. "Download file."
The hardware on the console shifted slightly, shooting beams of computer data into the book screen. In a few clicks, the console announced that the download was successful. Deciding he'd read it later, Ravage closed the book and returned it to its socket.
"I do not like to kept waiting, Ravage. No. Do not let it happen again, or I shall tear you limb from mismatched limb."
"I would not have done so in the first place, Megatron, but the fire ant neglected to mention your location," Ravage replied, not in the least intimidated. "Now, do tell. What's so important that it's worth my attention?"
Ravage didn't even have time to blink before he found himself pressed against the wall, with Megatron's tyrannosaur mouth aimed directly at his chest plate.
"Optimus may have accepted you as you are," Megatron growled. "But I will not tolerate such audacity."
"I-I meant no disrespect, sir. I only wondered why you need me specifically."
"Call it a test of loyalty. I have a job for you and Inferno."
"It is done," Inferno said, pulling the wire taut.
"Yep. Took us long enough, but it's done."
It was now the dead of night. The ivory moon was the only source of light at the moment, throwing deep shadows through the forest. Ravage and Inferno had been setting a trap. Megatron had the idea that if it was triggered, the effect would draw Tigatron out. Ravage knew Megatron was right; no one loved the forest like Tigatron did.
"I don't see why this is so important anyway," Ravage said.
"To do a task in the service of one's queen is an honor and a gift," Inferno replied. "I will return to the colony and inform the royalty. You make sure this thing is ready for the tiger."
"Yes, sir, Major Suck-up, sir."
Inferno fired his afterburners and took off, heading back to base. Ravage made sure he was alone, and then activated his com-link.
"Nightshade to Tigatron."
"I thought you were Ravage now," Tigatron said, and disengaged the link.
Undaunted, Ravage tried again. "Black Cat to Big Cat."
"You dare to use those names, traitor?"
"I thought it might help me get your attention. I need to talk to you."
"I have nothing to say."
"Then say nothing. But I still need you to listen to me."
"Nothing you could say would warrant my ear." Tigatron closed the link again. Ravage was becoming frustrated, but made a third attempt.
"It doesn't matter how many times you call," Tigatron answered immediately. "You threw me at my brother, and I do not forgive treachery so easily."
"Your fury is fully justified," Ravage replied. "And I'm not asking for forgiveness. I ask only that you follow my signal, meet me in person, and hear what I have to say. Your forest is in danger."
"All right," the tiger said to empty space, ten cycles later. "I'm here. Come out of hiding, Ravage, and speak."
A shadow detached itself from a nearby tree. Ravage extended one of his laser swords, kneeled to the ground, and took hold of the wire that Inferno had placed there.
Tigatron heard only a sharp twang as Ravage cut the wire loose. "What was that?"
"I just disarmed a trap that could have had this whole area up in flames in twenty cycles," Ravage replied. "I wanted to make sure you were here to see it."
Getting up, he extended his other ninjaken, and took a fighting stance. "Now will you please pounce, or something? Inferno could be back at any time."
Transforming, Tigatron pulled out his frost cannon and fired. Ravage jumped aside and responded with a missile, knocking away Tigatron's weapon.
Suddenly finding himself without a gun, Tigatron rushed forward. The two of them tussled over the forest terrain, talking quietly.
"Whose side are you on anyway?" Tigatron demanded, grappling at Ravage's arms.
"My own," Ravage said, trying to bring his blades forward. "But I like you, and I know your love of the wild. Which is why I took this risk talking to you."
"I don't understand."
"It's simple, really. For the moment, at least, I'm just like Dinobot. An honorable Predacon."
"Then it is as Little Cat suspected?"
"Suspected what?"
"That your betrayal was a set-up."
"Did I say that?"
"But you--"
"Still have a job to do." Ravage pushed Tigatron away, retracted his blades, and fired a quasar bolt into the tiger's chest plate. The half-breed transformed to fly away, but seeing the white cat still functional, remained long enough to give a parting word.
"What took you so long?" Megatron shouted. "I told you not to keep me waiting!"
"I ran into the very Maximal you were hoping to draw out," Ravage replied. "He engaged me in combat almost immediately."
"Why did you not call for reinforcements?"
"It's difficult to activate your com-link in the middle of a tussle. Besides, I knew I could take him. My relative lack of damage should attest to that."
"So where is he?"
"I lost him."
"What?"
"He escaped."
"ESCAPED?" Megatron bellowed. "WHY DIDN'T YOU GO AFTER HIM?"
"Because you told me not to keep you waiting," Ravage said, once his ears had stopped ringing. "Bit of a catch-22, isn't it?"
"Get out," Megatron growled.
"On your word, Commander." Ravage gave a quick salute and left.
-End Chapter Eleven-