Okay, before I continue, just want to discuss about recent TFP news. See, they premiered the movie 'Predicons Rising' on the Hub and released it on DVD. Course I didn't watch it due to the fact that I'm trying to catch up with the Beast Hunters episodes. But I did put it on my DVR so I can have a chance in watching it in the near future. Still though, there are some people who wrote in their stories and spoilers of the movie in which Optimus, and this is what I can put together, sacrificed himself to revive Cybertron. Now I don't know how these writers managed to watch the movie before it came out, but I think that was a shocker if I do say so myself. Still though, it leaves a lot of gap holes from both the movie and the third season. And besides, with Optimus out of the picture, who will lead Cybertron to peace since a Prime needs to be in command? Perhaps they might make a series that took place after Transformers Prime but I find that highly unlikely. Well until the forth Transformers movie next year, I guess we have to wait and watch Transformers on Netflix. Taking a look at what happened to the last chapter, it's as still strong as ever. Twelve reviews and 481 hits in total, plus even more from the first chapter. Still though, with the exception of the people that read my first story, I'm beginning to wonder if there were others that haven't read my first episode yet. I state this because the second chapter have less hits then the last and maybe some readers would be a little confused by my second episode and I don't think they read the first one. Maybe it's just me but I think a little clarity is in order. So if anyone is reading the second episode and didn't read the first, I suggest you start reading 'Rebirth' first, otherwise you will get confused by all of it. Just saying… Anyways, back to my story. On this chapter of Prime, the Autobots got news that their leader is alive and being held captive. So they have to come up with a plan in rescuing Optimus. But at the same time the Decepticons welcome a dangerous ally into their team, one that the Autobots can't defeat. What's bound to happen? This is going to be an interesting chapter.

Chapter Notes

I know I promised that I don't want to add anything from Beast Hunters. But there is one thing that interests me and would make a really good boss at the end of the episode. I'm pretty sure you already know who it is judging by the title of this chapter or you knew it from the start. But hey, just need to give you the heads up on it anyways. So here we go!

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime

Chapter Three: Predaking

In the command center of the Autobots new base of operations underneath Lake Erie, everyone gathered around Rodimus as he talked to them about the news, leaving a few details behind. As soon as he finished his story, the others were in complete shock and couldn't believe what they heard. Arcee then stepped in and tried to piece it all together.

Arcee: "Whoa, whoa! What are you talking about Rodimus? You're saying that Optimus is alive?"

Jack turned to his partner and answered back.

Jack/Rodimus: "What, is there an echo in here? Yes, Optimus is still online!"

Ratchet heard that and shook his head, not believing what he was hearing.

Ratchet: "That's not possible! Optimus was blown to pieces when our old base was decimated by the Cons. Fowler said it himself."

Jack turned to him and explained that it was half the truth.

Jack/Rodimus: "Correction. Fowler only saw the base get destroyed; he didn't see Optimus get killed. If he was dead, then there would've been proof that his body was within the wreckage."

As the talk was going on, Professor Sumdac, his daughter Sari, and her friend Sam Witwicky, were back at the observation area still rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. But they heard this news too and were a little confused by it. It was then that Sari turned to Bulkhead, who was close to the three, and asked about that.

Sari: "Um… Sorry if I'm a little confused by all of this, but who is this Optimus guy?"

Sam Witwicky: "Yeah. And why haven't we heard of him before, let alone seen him around."

Bulk turned to the three and explained to them about their leader.

Bulkhead: "Optimus was the leader of the Autobots, and the last of the Primes. He was destined to stop Megatron and end this war that left our planet, Cybertron, in ruins. That was until the Cons decided to move in to your planet and attack our base. We all managed to make an escape and scattered throughout the states, trying to avoid capture. But Optimus stayed behind and destroyed the ground bridge controls to prevent Megatron from finding us. None of us believed that Optimus would go offline in our base until just two weeks ago. Still though, I never really thought that our leader could have survived that."

The wrecker turned to the former teen and wanted to know how Optimus managed to survive. But Jack looked at him and tried to explain without revealing too many details.

Jack/Rodimus: "Well he did. But that's the good news. The bad news is that he is badly injured and being held captive by the Cons. We have to save him if we are to end the war and save this world."

There was a bit of shock within the group, as the team couldn't believe that their leader is not only alive, but also taken by Megatron and is being held against his will. Still though, there were questions about how Rodimus knew this. Smokescreen asked him about it.

Smokescreen: "Hold on a nano click. How do you know all of this stuff? Who told you about Optimus?"

He turned to the Elite Guard member and was a little worried at first. He couldn't let them know about his meeting with Vector Prime or things could get more complicated than it already was. So he avoided that subject as best he could.

Jack/Rodimus: "Who cares who told me about that news? What matters is that Optimus is in trouble and he needs our help. If we don't save him soon, he will go offline and Megatron will win the war."

There was a bit of silence within the team and they knew this was much more serious than they thought. If the Prime dies, then the war would be lost. That's the last thing they all wanted. So Arcee nodded in agreement and got serious quickly.

Arcee: "Rodimus is right. If Optimus is alive then we need to save him! We have to reach the citadel and rescue Prime."

Ratchet heard this and was shocked and angry about this.

Ratchet: "Absolutely not! You're planning to break into a Decepticon fortress without knowing where they're keeping Optimus? That's suicide!"

Rodimus headed to the medic and told him it's the only way.

Jack/Rodimus: "It's a big risk, yes, but it's our only choice in the matter. And unless you have a better plan than this, I believe it's our only chance."

Ratch stared at the young mech and argued back.

Ratchet: "Well, give me one other good reason why we should head down there, besides this notion of rescuing Prime. One other good reason…"

As Rodimus was thinking about that, Bulkhead realized something and started to get the medic's attention.

Bulkhead: "I can think of one. Those Omega Keys weren't the only ones we surrendered to the Cons."

The two looked right at the Wrecker and were a little confused by what he was saying.

Ratchet: "Excuse me?"

Bulk looked at them and gave off a little explanation.

Bulkhead: "Back on Cybertron we had to give up the Iacon relics to ensure the safety of our friends. I'm sure that the Cons managed to retrieve those relics to put them someplace in that fortress of theirs. Without those relics in our possession, we won't stand a chance against them. If we can get them back, we might have a shot of winning this war."

Smokescreen turned to him and nodded in agreement.

Smokescreen: "Hey that's right! Those Iacon relics were a big help to us when we were taking on an army of Cons and retrieving the keys. Without them we would be completely vulnerable. I mean, I feel a little naked without my Phase Shifter."

Jack nodded and turned back to the medic with a grin on his faceplate.

Jack/Rodimus: "How's that for a good reason?"

Ratchet then turned back to him and still didn't like it.

Ratchet: "Even if that's the case, I still think that this is madness!"

Arcee walked up to him and told him that they had to do it.

Arcee: "Whether you like it or not Ratchet, we have to get down there and save our leader from total termination. You know it as much as the next bot."

Ratchet lowered his head down and knew that she had a good point. If Optimus is still alive, then they need to rescue him. But there are still obstacles blocking their path that Ratch needs to address, so he looked up to them and told them the issue they might have.

Ratchet: "Even so, this is still too dangerous for all of you. Breaking into a few MECH facilities is one thing, but a heavily fortified Decepticon base with Primus knows how many troops or weapons they possess? That's a whole different story! And besides, Fowler said that they have a barrier that's covering both the citadel and the town of Jasper, making it impossible to break into. Even with the firepower we have, we can't breach their defenses."

Everyone remained quiet as Miko, also called Kaosu for her codename, looked back at the ground bridge behind her and had a really good idea. She turned to the medic and told him about that while waving her servo to it.

Miko/Kaosu: "Uh, Ratchet? Why don't we use this? If we can't blast our way through the dome, then maybe we can bridge our way past it."

Wheeljack approached the Wrecking Cadet and looked at the tunnel too, feeling impressed by her thinking.

Wheeljack: "So, a sneak attack within the dome without the Cons knowing it. I like it…"

Ratchet looked at the bridge too and thought that was wise as well, but there is a drawback on it.

Ratchet: "A wise idea Kaosu, but there is a flaw in that plan."

He then approached the console and activated the mapping grid for the ground bridge.

Ratchet: "Take a look at this."

The moment he pushed a button, the screen showed the map of the planet with possible bridging locations. The group gathered around and wondered what the medic was showing them.

Ratchet: "While all of you were busy dealing with those MECHicons, I was looking at the bridging map to see if it's all operational. With the exception of interference due to storm anomalies, I've encountered something within Nevada."

Typing a few key sequences, he did a close up within the Nevada area. The team noticed a huge circle where Jasper was located with Cybertronian words that states, 'undetermined'. Jack took a closer look at the map and asked the medic about it.

Jack/Rodimus: "Ratchet, exactly what are we looking at here?"

Ratch looked at the circle too and told them about it.

Ratchet: "That is the dome that is covering the Decepticon base and Jasper. From what I could piece together, this force field the Decepticons are using to protect themselves is emanating some kind of energy frequency. That frequency is blocking the bridge's location marker, making it impossible to get a bridge within the barrier."

Arcee: "And you're saying this to us because…"

He turned to the group and gave them a straight answer.

Ratchet: "Because that dome is making bridging into the citadel impossible to breach. Even if I could recalculate the location, there's no telling the risks of an unstable bridge."

The group heard that and tried to think of another way in getting into the barrier. But as they were thinking about it, Raf, or Firewall, came up with an idea and told the medic about it.

Raf/Firewall: "Maybe there is a way of getting through the shield. I have an idea."

Ratch looked to him and was curious about that.

Ratchet: "You do?"

The hacker nodded and explained his theory.

Raf/Firewall: "Like you said before, Ratchet, that barrier is creating an energy frequency that is blocking the bridge's teleportation signal. If I can modify the energy field of the ground bridge to match that of the force field, then maybe we get through it without any risk of getting hurt or worse."

Looking back and forth between the tunnel and the hacker, Ratchet was interested about Raf's offer.

Ratchet: "You think that's doable?"

Firewall smiled at the medic's question and responded to it.

Raf/Firewall: "I managed to bring the ground bridge online and hack into MECH's security system to bypass the torrents. I think I can handle a little modification."

Ratch nodded and understood the idea that Raf had in mind and smiled a little. But then went back to his usual emotion and discussed another problem with the rescue.

Ratchet: "Still, we're going to have the issue of that army that will be waiting for us."

Bumblebee came in and asked about that.

Bumblebee: (And why's that?)

He turned to the scout the explained to him the situation.

Ratchet: "Because those wretched Cons are still hunting us, Bumblebee. Though we might now have those EDs installed, they could still see us if we're in close range. If any one of us is spotted, they won't hesitate to take us down. Not to mention that there's no telling what kind of weapons they have in their possession since they created that fortress of theirs. It might be impossible to get in!"

The team thought about it too and realized that he did have a point. Though they have the Energon Dampeners and Scramblers to help block their location from the Cons, they could still be at risk of being seen. Arcee thought that too and agreed with the medic for once.

Arcee: "You're right for once, Ratchet. We can't just walk into the fortress and ask Megatron to give our leader back. There's got to be a way of getting into that base without getting spotted. But how?"

The team thought about it and wondered how to get into the citadel without the Cons noticing them. Even Jack thought this through and didn't have a clue on how to sneak into enemy territory. But as he rubbed the temples of his helm, he looked right at his servo and realized something. The Decepticons were searching for the Autobots and their human companions. But looking at his own servo, he realized that he, his friends, and his mother are no longer human. They were all now Cybertronian with little resemblance to their old selves. Knowing this, he looked to Arcee and asked about that.

Jack/Rodimus: "Hey Arcee, what about us?"

The two-wheeler looked at her partner and was confused about this.

Arcee: "Come again Rodimus?"

Jack/Rodimus: "I meant what about Kaosu, Firewall, and me? You said it yourself that the Cons will notice all of you the moment you enter the fortress. But maybe if we go in there, they won't suspect anything."

Both Miko and Raf realized it too as they agreed with their friend.

Miko/Kaosu: "You're right Rodimus! We are recruits within the team and we're not on the Decepticreep's wanted list."

Raf/Firewall: "Not only that, but it would be easy to get in there without getting caught."

The team looked at each other and had mixed reactions to all of this. Half good and bad. So the femme looked at them and told them that's not a good idea.

Arcee: "Don't know if that's wise, you three."

Jack turned to her and asked why.

Jack/Rodimus: "Is there a problem with that, partner?"

Arcee: "You could say that. See, even as good an idea as it is, there could be some drawbacks."

The others soon joined in and explained the situation at hand.

Smokescreen: "Yeah. For example, you don't have any Autobot or Decepticon insignia on you. Which pretty much make you all Neutrals, Cybertronians that have no side in the war."

Bulkhead: "That's right. During the war, most of the Neutrals got killed if they didn't join the Decepticon cause."

Wheeljack: "Let's not forget that all of you are recruits to begin with. We know you did a heck of a job taking on those MECHicons. But they had little experience with their Cybertronian bodies. These Decepticons though, are a lot more different from MECH. From their firepower to their forces, you three recruits wouldn't stand a chance against them."

The three looked at them and were a little confused by this. Miko then looked at the Wrecker that talked about the situation with the Cons and couldn't believe he said that.

Miko/Kaosu: "Really Jackie? You said that it's too dangerous to take on Decepticons when you jump right into the action many times. Aren't you being a little over protective?"

Wheeljack looked towards her and explained about it.

Wheeljack: "That's completely different. Of course, we Wreckers risk our protoform skin to protect our planet, but you are a cadet. Not all cadets could make it through the first firefight. You of all cadets should know this."

The Wrecking Cadet looked at him and had a strange look to her.

Miko/Kaosu: "You must have been talking to my dad as of late, were you?"

But Arcee just told the three that this was a no-go.

Arcee: "Still, It's too dangerous for you three to take on an army of Cons all by yourself. You wouldn't last nano clicks from the first one you see."

The three were surprised that Team Prime was so leery about letting them go by themselves into the Decepticon citadel. But Jack insisted that they needed to go.

Jack/Rodimus: "Oh come on Arcee! You can't be serious about this!"

But the femme insisted that they shouldn't go.

Arcee: "No Rodimus! We're dead serious! You can't just go in there and think you can take on these Cons by yourselves. You've got another think coming!"

June, Altra, then came in and told his son not to do it as well.

June/Altra: "Arcee's right, Rodimus. If you go in there to fight Decepticons then that's the last thing you would ever do. Believe me when I say this, you would be more then grounded when this is over."

Jack looked right at his mother and couldn't believe what he heard. Not only that his mother didn't want him to take part in the rescue, but also the entire team! He felt really upset about this. But he remembered Vector Prime's words, saying that he has to save Optimus from his spark being extinguished. So he looked at everyone and told them what he thought.

Jack/Rodimus: "Listen, I know you are all unsure about the three of us going to take on Decepticons on our own. But you should think about this for a moment. If all of you decided to rescue Optimus, then none of you would last against a huge army. And besides, we managed to hold our own after the MECH incident. If it wasn't for us, then the Director would've done more than just extract Intel from you. So be thankful that we saved your sorry afts! So if you have any other idea for rescuing our leader, I would love to hear it."

The group remained quiet throughout the whole thing and began to wonder. Sure, they needed to save their leader. But they can't just go in there, guns blazing against an army of Cons. Besides, who knows what surprises they would have in store for the team? Bringing recruits though, is a whole lot worse. Still, Rodimus must have something planned for the rescue mission. So Arcee looked at her partner and asked about it.

Arcee: "Okay Rodimus, if you're going to go rescue Optimus, what are you going to do?"

Jack thought this through and wondered what to do in this rescue mission. Almost immediately, he came up with a good plan and told the team about it.

Jack/Rodimus: "Okay… It's obvious that the Decepticon citadel will have an army, and they will likely have defenses protecting the base against any hostile attacks. But maybe there won't be much in the way of defenses within the fortress. If we could find a way into the fortress without encountering those defenses…"

That's when Sari perked up and knew what he was planning.

Sari: "You can easily access the base without getting into too much trouble. Then you can contact the team to bridge into the fortress so you can start the rescue!"

She turned to her dad and was proud with what she had done.

Sari: "Do you like how I put that together dad?"

The professor sighed to himself and agreed with his daughter.

Professor Sumdac: "Yes Sari… You certainly know how to piece things together."

Arcee heard that plan and was intrigued by it.

Arcee: "So what you're saying that the three of you will head into Con territory to reach where Optimus is being held captive and then call us for a bridge so we can conduct a surprise attack from within the fortress?"

Rodimus shrugged his shoulders and responded.

Jack/Rodimus: "Uh huh. Pretty much…"

Arcee rubbed her chin and had a coy grin to her face.

Arcee: "Hmm… That doesn't sound like a really bad plan, partner. Maybe you could be leader some day."

Jack just blushed a little, and felt a little embarrassed by that. Ratchet then thought of it as a really good idea, but there is one thing missing.

Ratchet: "Though that plan would work, there is still the issue of contacting us. From what Fowler said, there were people in that town that didn't make it out of there. And with that barrier, communications to the base would be severed. How are you going to contact us once you reach enemy territory?"

There was some thought to it until the former teen figured out how to contact them.

Jack/Rodimus: "We take over the enemy's communications."

The team was silent about this as Wheeljack talked about it.

Wheeljack: "Breach enemy comms? That sounds like a long stretch. How are you going to pull that off?"

Jack turned to the Wrecker and told him his theory.

Jack/Rodimus: "If I were to guess, I would say that the fortress the Decepticons have set up has a communications facility. If we were to gain entrance into that facility, then we should be able to contact you guys to bridge there, right into the heart of the place."

Bumblebee: (And what would happen if the Cons find out that you are in the place?)

That's when Firewall came in and told his best friend about it.

Raf/Firewall: "They won't… With my hacking ability I can plant a virus into the mainframe, making sure that the Cons don't find out we're in there. Plus I will make sure Soundwave doesn't trace any call that is suspicious."

Bee looked right at the hacker and was a little unsure about that.

Bumblebee: (Are you sure you know what you're doing Raf? I don't want you to get hurt.)

Raf smiled and told his best friend he got it.

Raf/Firewall: "Don't worry about me Bee. I've been through worse, remember?"

The scout listened to him and remembered the time that Raf nearly got killed by Megatron's dark energon blaster. Nodding in agreement, he remained quiet as Arcee decided to ask them if this was a wise idea.

Arcee: "Rodimus, we're taking about three rookies that have only been in training over the past vorn taking on an army of Decepticons and a fortress that could be filled with weapons of unimaginable power. Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Jack looked to her and responded with a nod and a serious look.

Jack/Rodimus: "Of course, Arcee. Even if we're not more experienced than the rest of you, we are ready to take on anything that stands in our way."

The femme lowered her helm and sighed very deeply, worried that her third partner and best friend could do something as risky as this. But being that they have little time, she must let him go on this mission in order to save Optimus. So looking up to him she smiled slightly and gave out a slight pun.

Arcee: "Then this could be the smartest plan you ever had, or the most stupid. I just hope that you get through it alive."

She then turned to the others and told them what to do.

Arcee: "All right, you heard the recruit; we have to prepare ourselves for a rescue mission. Get everything ready for the coming battle! The mission starts two weeks ago. Move!"

Almost immediately, everyone left the command room to get themselves armed up and ready for the mission ahead. At the same time, Raf approached the ground bridge controls and plugged his cables in his arm compartments to start matching the energy frequency between the bridge and the Con's dome while Ratchet observed. Once everyone left, Arcee and Jack were alone. She approached him and placed her servo on his chest plate. Looking up to his optics she had a concerned look on her face as she told him what she really thought of this mission.

Arcee: "Jack, listen… I know you want to rescue Optimus as much as any of us. But this is a big risk you're taking and it may cost you your life. I mean, why go to such lengths just to save him?"

The moment she asked that question, the teen remembered the words Vector Prime told him in his dream.

Vector Prime: "I foresee a great destiny ahead of you. The path is uncertain, but this destiny you will face will ultimately change the course of this war."

Remembering those words, he smiled to himself and answered the two-wheeler's question trustfully.

Jack/Rodimus: "Let's just say, I have my reasons."

As that was going on, everything was quiet at Darkmount, with the exception of jets flying around the tower, keeping watch. Within the fortress, Megatron and Starscream were walking down the hall, approaching the main elevator that would take them to the top. The second in command still remembered the interrogation of the Autobot leader and said out loud to his master.

Starscream: "Got to admit, for a Prime he's certainly quite a stubborn bot."

Megatron overheard that and agreed with his commander.

Megatron: "Indeed he is Starscream. It is obvious that Prime will drag this out until his demise. But that will not come, as I want him alive, for he does have information regarding the whereabouts of the Autobot's locations."

Scream was a little quiet about this as he looked to his leader and asked about it.

Starscream: "Yes… A pity that we need him online since neither our forces nor our Intel officer can locate the team's energon signatures. Shutting him down would've been the wisest of options when we found him in the rubble."

Megatron: "Perhaps you're right. But being that Optimus holds vital information, we don't have a choice in the matter. The Autobots must be found and dealt with quickly, before they could save their precious leader."

Starscream: "But of course my lord."

He then immediately stopped walking and realized what the leader just said. Find the Autobots before they could free their leader? That sounds completely preposterous! So he talked to Megatron about it.

Starscream: "Er… Run that by me again master."

Megs turned to his second in command and spat back.

Megatron: "Idiot! We haven't heard a word from the Autobots since they left their base and they've hidden their signatures all too easily. Suppose they managed to regroup after all of these solar cycles. That could spell trouble for my plan. Even as we speak, they may be planning to rescue their Prime. I cannot let that happen."

The commander listened in and found it highly unlikely.

Starscream: "Even if they attempted a rescue mission my lord, I don't think it's possible. Darkmount is a heavily fortified base, armed with the latest weaponry that could flatten an entire army. Plus the barrier that is over us protects this fort from the humans outside. No one could get in, not even the Autobots."

Megatron looked at him intently and let him know about their enemy.

Megatron: "Are you forgetting something Starscream? The Autobots don't give up so easily. Sooner or later, they will bypass our barrier and breach our defenses. And when that happens, they will stop at nothing in saving their only Prime. If I am to rule this planet, the Autobots need to be destroyed. What I need is a game changer."

Just then, they heard the comm in his helm beeping and wondered what it could be. He placed his digit on his helm and responded.

Megatron: "Yes, what is it?"

He heard the sound of Knockout through the comm channel as he told him important news.

Knockout: "Forgive the interruption my lord, but Shockwave called. He said he completed his weapon and is ready to present it to you."

The leader smirked and was pleased to hear this bit of news.

Megatron: "Excellent. Have Soundwave lock the spacebridge coordinates from his lab on Cybertron to my throne room. I would like to see his weapon with my own optics."

He then ended the communication as Starscream overheard the conversation between the leader and the doctor.

Starscream: "So, Shockwave has finally completed this ultimate weapon you wanted. He definitely took his sweet time. For a scientist like him, he should know better than to keep you waiting this long."

The leader turned to his commander and told him about Shockwave.

Megatron: "You are right about Shockwave taking his time in creating this weapon for me. But he is my most loyal of subjects and a key factor when it comes to making the most dangerous of weapons. I am certain that whatever he created, it will tip the scales in our favor."

With that said, he turned away and headed to the main elevator that will take him to his throne room. Starscream though remained quiet as he grunted to himself.

Starscream: "Humph… For a scientist noble to our cause, he's certainly a suck up to Megatron."

He then started to follow his leader and headed up to the throne room.

At the top of the tower, things were a little quite. Megatron was continuously tapping his one pointy digit on his huge throne with Knockout on his right side and Soundwave and Starscream in front of him. Just then, a green energy portal came to life and appeared on the other end of the throne room with a couple a Vehicons close by. Slowly a huge figure was coming out of the portal, taking its time in getting out. Once it fully came out, Megatron was pleased to see who it was. Stepping out of the space bridge was a Decepticon with a big, bulky frame, a mix of dark purple and dark gray armor with glowing purple markings in some places, a huge cannon attached to his left arm, and a huge red optic that covered the front of his helm. This huge Con was none other than Shockwave, the Decepticon's leading scientist and most loyal servant to Megatron. The leader looked at him and smiled with utter delight.

Megatron: "Ah, Shockwave… So nice of you to come back after a long absence."

The scientist bowed down graciously and responded to his leader's welcome.

Shockwave: "Lord Megatron, it is an honor to serve under your leadership."

Starscream though was a little irritated by his presence and decided to cut to the chase.

Starscream: "Yes, yes… Nice that you've come back after leaving that town a desolate wasteland. But we're not here for your formalities. We are here to see this weapon of yours after spending two Earth weeks building it."

Shockwave turned to the first lieutenant and asked him about something.

Shockwave: "And it is an honor to see you Starscream. I am hoping that you managed to locate the Autobot survivors while I was away."

There was a bit of silence with the second in command as he chuckled a little trying to explain to him about it.

Starscream: "Uh… Yes, well we've been working on locating the Autobot vermin and snuff out their sparks. But they've been in hiding for a long period of time and all of our efforts and resources have been proven fruitless."

The scientist looked at him with his one red optic and wasn't pleased with the results.

Shockwave: "So you have failed in capturing and destroying the Autobots. That's highly illogical…"

That got the commander's rage boiling as he spat back to him.

Starscream: "Highly illogical? And where were YOU while we were searching for THEM?! Do you have any idea how hard it is locating a few Autobots on a planet this HUGE?"

Megatron noticed the fight and decided to break it up before it could get a little ugly.

Megatron: "Enough Starscream! I do believe he has the solution for our situation."

The commander looked up to his leader and knew he meant business and didn't want to suffer from his servos. So he cautiously stepped back and decided to leave this argument to a later time. Megatron then looked down at his leading scientist and apologized.

Megatron: "Forgive my second in command, Shockwave. Starscream has been a little aggravated after his long exile many decacycles ago. Though he does make a compelling case in the matter. Even if the Autobots have scattered after the destruction of their base, they managed to mask their energon signatures quite well. None of my forces have found them on land or in the air and Soundwave here is unable to get a lock on any of their signals. And due to this failed search and destroy mission, I fear that the Autobots have managed to regroup and are planning a rescue attempt of their leader, Optimus Prime. I'm hoping that this weapon you created will solve all of our problems."

Shockwave listened to the situation the Decepticons are in and had the solution for it.

Shockwave: "Of course. But what I've created is no ordinary weapon."

The leader looked at him oddly and was curious with what he's up to.

Megatron: "It's not?"

The scientist nodded and decided to introduce his latest creation to him.

Shockwave: "No… I present to you, my liege, the ultimate Autobot hunter."

He then turned his attention to the portal that was still there as something huge slowly came out of the portal. Its monstrous claw clanked on the metal floor with a huge thud as the metallic beast gave a low growl. The Vehicons stumbled back as his metallic monster went past them with its tail whipping from behind. Starscream and Knockout stepped back in complete and utter fear of this brute, as Soundwave remained silent as he looked at the creature before him. But Megatron remained where he was as he stood up from his throne and was amazed by this monstrosity before him. Shockwave could tell that he'd gotten everyone's attention now as he introduced the latest addition to the Decepticon armada.

Shockwave: "Allow me to introduce to you my latest and greatest creation. Predaking!"

The moment he said that, the creature known as Predaking roared out loud with its wings spread high into the air. Every Decepticon, no matter their rank, cowered in fear at this beast. But for Megatron, he stood his ground as his state of shock changed into a gleeful grin. He knew that this monster was what he needed to end the Autobots. He had found his game changer.

Oh snap! Now that's the mother of all cliffhangers. Now I saw the Beast Hunters episode 'Scattered' and had to extend the last scene of it just to make my episode more interesting. As for Predaking himself, I will keep him on hold until near the end of the episode. Think he would make a good boss for the end along with another surprise I'm keeping to myself until I reveal it. Until then, stay tune for the next chapter where the Autobot recruits prepare to leave to save the Autobot leader as Optimus gets a vision, and a message that can ultimately change the face of the great war. Please Review.