Author's Notes: Bet no one expected to see this story again. Sorry about that. I feel bad that I waited so long to write this chapter, especially when we're so close to the finish line, but admittedly I was having trouble with the logistics of this story. Writer's block can be a real pain. Thankfully, a burst of inspiration came back to me, and I'm going to try to finish this story. Just another two or three chapters to go (depending on if you count the epilogue, which I do). Hope everyone enjoys this new chapter, and hopefully I can stop being slow as molasses when it comes to writing the next chapter ^_^'
Chapter 53
Only The Good Die Young
Part 3
Predaking's claws raked across the metal floor as he paced in front of the entrance. He didn't know who was trying to enter his lair, but whoever it was, he needed to be ready for anything. If Raf was correct however, then the intruder was little more than a mere Decepticon drone.
Two shadows fell over the doorway, and soon the owners of those shadows could be seen. One was indeed a Vehicon as Raf had predicted, and the other was a small blue-black creature that looked like a bite-sized Cybertronian. Predaking didn't know other Cybertronians besides Shockwave (and now Raf), therefore he didn't know what to expect from these creatures. So, instead of attacking, he hid in the shadows and observed their movements.
"This place ain't as dusty as I thought it would be," The little one commented, "I can't remember which way the cargo hold is."
"You think there will be berths to recharge on?" The Vehicon inquired.
"Probably not," The little one replied, "This was just a cargo hold. It's pretty big, but it wouldn't be where the crew recharged. We'll probably have to rough it until we can set something up ourselves."
Predaking listened, and his yellow optics narrowed in suspicion. So, these creatures were planning to stay. That meant they would likely find Shockwave's lab…and his fellow Predacons. He couldn't allow that to happen. Decepticons would kill his brethren without mercy. He had to protect his people!
Lunging out from the shadows, Predaking roared and pounced on the Vehicon! Both creatures screamed at his approach, and the little one froze in fear as the bigger one was pinned down.
"Go! I'll hold it off!" The Vehicon shouted to his companion.
The little one didn't respond, either through word or action. He just stood there, unable to move, and stared up in terror at the Predacon before him.
"What's going on?" Raf asked as he ran in, "Predaking, who is it?"
He stopped when he saw the two Decepticons, and how close Predaking's sharp talons were to the Vehicon's neck cables.
"It's you two," Raf said warily, "You were the ones that tried to kidnap my friends and I. How did you track us all the way here?"
"You're…one of the human kids," The Vehicon choked, "We weren't looking for you…actually. We were looking for a place to crash land, so to speak. Um, can you tell this big Dinobot looking thing to get off me?"
"Predaking, I think we should hear them out," Raf suggested, but Predaking made no attempt to move, "Um…please?"
Predaking snorted steam from his nostrils, and shook his beastly head in disgust. In his spark he knew Raf wasn't really a child, but he spoke and acted so much like one that Predaking felt conflicted about harming the intruders in front of him.
Predaking allowed the Vehicon to stand, and then he transformed into his robot mode. The Predacon was still tall and imposing, but in a more dignified way than before. This caused the Vehicon to gasp, and the little Cybertronian to finally step back a few paces.
"I cannot allow them to live," Predaking told Raf, "They will destroy my brethren."
"But Predaking, look at this guy," Raf gestured to the Vehicon, "He's one of us. Shockwave made him too. Please, let's just hear them out. I know they've done bad things, but…I'm just sick of people getting hurt. If it doesn't have to happen, then let's try to take a more civilized course of action."
There was that word, the word that kept Predaking up at night…civilized. Raf had only spoken to Predaking once, and yet somehow already knew the Predacon's weak point. Predaking wanted nothing more than to be (and be treated as) an intelligent being on par with Shockwave and other Cybertronians. He didn't believe his people were brutes, and he was determined to prove as much. Still, he couldn't deny an instinct inside of him that urged him to kill, to dominate, to rule. How could Raf already know how to weaponize his greatest insecurity? Surely these Vehicons had to be cunning creatures.
"Um…" Frenzy gulped, trying to speak despite his fear, "Um…we should probably leave now."
"I think that would be wise," Predaking rumbled.
"Before we go though," Frenzy hesitated, "Do you…do you have any energon you could spare? We don't know when we'll find any again."
"Don't the Decepticons have lots of energon?" Raf inquired.
"Yeah, they do…" Frenzy wheedled, "But…we don't."
"We've abandoned the Decepticons," Blaster elaborated, "Frenzy believes we will be safer away from them, and I am duty-bound to obey and protect Frenzy."
"Yeah, so um, can Blaster and me have some energon?" Frenzy pleaded, "We got a long drive ahead of us."
"Frenzy was the name of Soundwave's symbiote," Raf pondered, "Are you that Frenzy?"
"Yeah, what's it to you?" Frenzy asked challengingly.
"Soundwave is Megatron's most trusted officer," Raf pointed out, "Why would you just leave? You have more privilege and opportunity than most other Decepticons. It doesn't add up."
"You believe them to be spies?" Predaking growled menacingly.
"No, no! We ain't spies!" Frenzy shouted frantically, "Well, I mean, that used to be my job, but not anymore! I can't let them kill Blaster, so we ran away."
Predaking knelt down and snorted hot breath onto Frenzy, trying to intimidate a more logical answer out of him. Raf stopped paying attention however. There was something about the name Blaster that was trying to remind him of something.
Blaster…Blaster…
"…This is Blaster, The Voice coming in on WWBCT The Bot," Raf parroted his long buried memory.
"What did you say?" Frenzy asked, a cold chill snaking down his spinal struts.
"I…I'm not sure," Raf admitted, "But…Blaster is The Voice, isn't he?"
Starscream cackled in glee as he held up his formula, with Thundercracker stoically observing. They had done it! After trial and error (and a few explosions) they had finally done it! They created artificial energon.
Ratchet didn't even look at the celebrating seekers as he wiped grime and spills off the counter. He couldn't believe it himself. He actually helped these psychopaths. His son was trapped somewhere on this ship, and all he could do to save him was comply with whatever maniacal scheme Megatron was planning.
"With this elixir, Decepticon rule will be assured for generations!" Starscream exclaimed dramatically as he held up the vial of green glowing liquid, "I told you, Thundercracker! Everything is falling into place."
"When things fall, they rarely land in an orderly fashion," Thundercracker quipped, "Landing is order, falling is chaos. Allowing Megatron to dictate our trajectory is sure to lead to trouble. We should have taken our opportunity while we had the chance. Now we have no troops, no means of revolution, and no hope of any sort of control over our eventual descent."
"What are you trying to say, Thundercracker?" Starscream challenged.
"I am saying that Megatron will betray us," Thundercracker asserted, "He never liked us. He turned our own into worthless drones, he tested our loyalties constantly, and he only keeps us alive now because we are useful to him. He even forced us to work with an Autobot! How do we know this energon hasn't been sabotaged by the medic?! I'm telling you brother, something doesn't feel right."
Ratchet didn't defend himself against Thundercracker's accusations. He didn't see the need to, when it seemed as if the blue seeker's processor was throwing blame in every direction. This turn of events, however, was worth noting. Starscream and Thundercracker were not of one mind regarding their next course of action, and if Ratchet could play his cards right he might be able to save himself and his son. He just had to figure out which side to exploit.
As Thundercracker turned to put away some tools, Starscream walked over to Ratchet, fuming.
"Can you believe him?" Starscream snapped at Ratchet, "He thinks I don't know what I'm doing! He thinks I've gone soft! Doesn't that fool realize that Cybertron is more important right now than personal glory?"
"If I didn't hear it from your own mouth, I wouldn't believe you said that," Ratchet remarked, "All you've ever cared about is power, by any means necessary."
"This is different!" Starscream yelled in Ratchet's faceplate, "We can't afford infighting right now! Ugh, I never had to argue my orders before this! Skywarp would have never questioned me when I gave an order! Why does Thundercracker have to be so difficult?"
Skywarp…Ratchet heaved a sigh and turned away at the mention of the purple seeker. Skywarp's death was still fresh, but Ratchet didn't know whether to tell Starscream or not. Given his volatility, Starscream could either not believe him, accept his condolences at face value, or maybe even kill Ratchet for being the bringer of bad news.
"It's this Vehicon nonsense!" Starscream continued, "I mean, I never cared for Shockwave's little pet project, but no one could argue with the results. Replenishing troops with your enemy's dead? It's a genius plan, if I'm being completely honest. Sure, Megatron made a mistake by turning a couple of ours into drones, but that's been rectified. Everything is fine now! Thundercracker is just being too sensitive! We have larger concerns now."
"One mistake, huh?" Ratchet couldn't help but deadpan, "Sure, Megatron made a mistake. I'm sure he feels terrible about it."
"Don't take that tone with me, Autobot!" Starscream snapped heatedly, "You're just jealous that your leader didn't come up with this plan himself! Optimus didn't have the struts to exploit his enemies, and he didn't have the ball bearings to kill Megatron when he had the chance. Many chances in fact!"
Ratchet shrank back upon hearing those words, and couldn't help but turn away and pretend to clean the counter. He had heard that exact phrasing before. They were words he actually said to Optimus Prime, right to his faceplate. It was months ago, when he was high on synth en, but the vitriol in those words came from a true place. Ratchet hated Megatron, hated everything he'd done to their people and their world. He wanted the warlord dead, yet Optimus still held onto hope of redemption for his fallen friend for so long.
Ratchet's feelings of hatred were even stronger now, yet he likewise wasn't taking his chance. He could easily ignite the synth en, destroy the lab, and maybe even cause a chain reaction to destroy the ship, yet he didn't. What were his and Bluestreak's lives compared to stopping the war? Yet…he couldn't. He loved his son too much to let him die here with these monsters. Optimus likewise couldn't just look at Megatron and see a tyrant. That face once belonged to Optimus Prime's closest friend in the world. How could he put that history aside, even now? Ratchet realized the conflict Optimus must feel, and felt guilty for how harsh he was back then.
"Hey, Autobot!" Starscream barked, "Don't just stand there looking stupid. I need more beakers to store the energon!"
Ratchet didn't reply, but did as he was told and got Starscream what he asked for. He could so easily betray them, so easily kill them…
"Here you go, Starscream," Ratchet sighed as he handed Starscream a large box full of beakers.
"Took you long enough," Starscream grumbled, "Between your slow grounder pedes and Thundercracker's whining, it's a wonder we've managed to accomplish anything! We have to hurry if we're going to produce enough of this stuff for the Omega Lock. I never thought I'd say this, but I wish Knockout was on duty right now. He might be a prissy condescending bore, but at least he isn't actively sabotaging me!"
You don't know what sabotage is… Ratchet thought spitefully.
Ratchet continued to fetch items for Starscream while Thundercracker just sat around brooding. Ratchet was miserable, mostly because the entire time he was working his thoughts returned to Bluestreak again and again. How would he know if anything happened to him? Most Cybertronian parents could feel the sparks of their offspring, but the Vehicon assembly process severed those bonds. The only case of the bonds remaining were Klunker and Saline, but they were an anomaly. Ratchet wished he could reach out to his son, but alas, he could not.
After a few more hours of rushing around the lab, Ratchet had to sit down and take a break. Starscream complained, but Ratchet was too old and too angry to care. He just needed a moment to take in some air.
He found himself sitting next to Thundercracker, who was staring at a small cube of energon in his servo. He wasn't drinking the energon, just staring at it, which struck Ratchet as a little odd.
"Is something wrong with your drink?" Ratchet found himself asking.
"No," Thundercracker replied absentmindedly, "Just…watching the fizz."
"Fizz?" Ratchet wasn't familiar with the term.
"The sparks surrounding the bubbles at the bottom," Thundercracker explained, "The fizz. Skywarp used to swirl his digits to feel the fizz shock him. Starscream always waited for the fizz in his energon to dissolve before he consumed it. Starscream likes his energon low grade. Skywarp always wanted it fresh. If it was in his cube for more than 10 breems then he would ask me to drink it for him. So…I guess I'm waiting for the fizz to die down a little. Habit, I suppose."
"I can understand that," Ratchet commiserated, "Prowl liked his flat too. I never thought of him and Starscream having anything in common."
"I only just started waiting again," Thundercracker admitted, "As VS-5001 I didn't remember anything about them, so I just drank my energon whenever I got it. Everyone did. Eradicons don't have quirks like energon preferences. They aren't allowed to."
"Eradi- Wait, you were turned into a drone?" Ratchet asked, shocked.
"It was a just punishment, if you adhere to the Decepticon definition of justice," Thundercracker replied bitterly, "I released Jazz from prison. I betrayed Megatron. He did exactly as I would expect him to do. Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't just kill me. It would have been faster."
"You killed my son," Ratchet said stonily, "…but no. You didn't deserve to become a drone. No one deserves that. I…I see that now. Honestly there was a time I would have agreed and said you deserved it, that you and Skywarp both deserved it, but that isn't fair to you. You were young, and Megatron made you a lot of promises that were never delivered on. Megatron used the seekers for his own ends, and that includes you."
"I made a choice," Thundercracker growled, "I chose my life over his, and I have regretted it ever since. It isn't the only kill I regret. Now though…this is not my choice. Megatron has gone too far, and Starscream is enabling him. Cybertron was destroyed by Megatron, and now it will be enslaved by him. I wouldn't be surprised if he turns everyone into drones when the planet is revived."
"Thundercracker…" Ratchet paused, taking a deep breath, and Thundercracker looked at him quizzically, "…Thundercracker. I need to tell you something…about Skywarp."
"Skywarp?"
"Yes. You see, he died. Recently."
Thundercracker barked a laugh, though it was more from derision than mirth.
"Recently? Are you mad, Doctor?" Thundercracker guffawed, "Skywarp died ages ago. He crashed into the ground after a fight with a city-former."
"No, he didn't," Ratchet shook his helm, "He was alive. You can probably guess how."
Thundercracker was confused for a moment, but then he realized what the old medic was trying to say.
"You don't mean…?"
"Yes, I do. Skywarp was turned into a Vehicon," Ratchet told him, "His designation was VS-5000."
"VS-5000?" Thundercracker pondered, "I remember him. Soldier class, ground model, somewhat cowardly. That…doesn't sound like Skywarp. He wasn't like that when he was alive."
"I know, but then again, you didn't drink flat energon as a drone, did you?" Ratchet asked pointedly.
Thundercracker instinctively looked down at his cube, and saw that most of the fizz was gone. It was ready to drink, so he took a sip, trying to process what Ratchet just told him.
"You know his model number, so you must know what happened to him," Thundercracker reasoned, "Tell me Ratchet, was he tortured for very long?"
"He wasn't tortured at all," Ratchet replied somewhat defensively, "Skywarp came to live with us because we offered to give him his memories back. At the time we assumed he was an Autobot like all of the others. Once he got his memory back he ran away from us, but then came back when we were under attack. He…I…I wasn't there, but according to Optimus…Skywarp died saving Optimus's life. He gave part of his own spark so that Optimus could live. When he told me, I didn't believe it, but other people saw it happen. Skywarp died a heroic death saving another mech's life."
"The Prime's?" Thundercracker asked skeptically, "Yeah, that sounds like a load of slag."
"What possible reason would I have to lie?" Ratchet asked him, "I didn't even like Skywarp!"
Ratchet realized how insensitive that sounded, and cringed at his own words. Honestly, it was the kind of faux pas Skywarp himself might have done.
Thundercracker was tired of hearing his dead brother's name coming out of Ratchet's Autobot mouth. He swiped his claws against Ratchet's faceplate, creating three huge gashes and drawing energon!
Starscream saw the medic hold his wound and Thundercracker seethe as he readied himself to strike again.
"Thundercracker! What are you doing!?" Starscream screeched, "We need him!"
"Why don't you tell Starscream your lies, Autobot?" Thundercracker challenged, "Tell him what you told me about Skywarp!"
Ratchet heaved in deep intakes to calm himself, and looked up at Thundercracker from his slumped position on the ground. He needed to tend his wounds, and had no patience for this anymore. Starscream was confused, but Thundercracker offered no explanation as he stormed out of the room.
"Well…" Starscream put his servos on his hips, "Are you finished with your break?"
Ratchet wanted to roll his optics so badly, but he settled for a sigh of resignation before sealing off his face wounds and getting back to work.
Raf typed away on the computer, all the while Predaking kept a sharp optic on Frenzy and Blaster, who he forced to sit in the corner of the room. Neither Decepticon dared move a circuit. They weren't sure how a Predacon was suddenly alive in the modern era, or why it could transform into a giant mech, and neither one was brave enough to ask.
The tension in the room didn't seem to affect Raf however. He finally had a name to research, and a Cybertronian network with which he could seek out the answers he both wanted and feared. Despite knowing this information could destroy his life as he knew it, he owed it to his past self to find out the truth.
Blaster's life was apparently full of excitement and turmoil, both before and during the war. He was a radio host in Polyhex that covered everything from crime to social issues to local news. He wasn't afraid to speak his processor, even when elite mechs tried to silence him.
It was actually the Decepticons who tried to recruit Blaster first, but he didn't agree with Megatron's scorched earth policies. He also said in an interview with The Shaboom Network that he felt like the Decepticons were going to make Cybertron an unsafe place to live and raise sparklings, which was important to him since he had two symbiotes to take care of.
In the picture there was a caption. Blaster with his symbiotes Eject and Rewind.
"Rewind…" Raf whispered to himself.
That name felt right. Eject felt like a name he vaguely knew, but from an outsider's perspective. Rewind, however, felt like his own designation.
So, he was Rewind. Raf wished he knew more than that. His memories were locked up tight by his inhibitor chip. He could research his former name, and he definitely would, but the only way to actually remember was to go through the same painful process Bluestreak, Jazz, and the others went through. In order to have that surgery, he would have to admit he was a Vehicon. If he revealed himself, then Rewind might live again, but Rafael would die. He would never be able to return to his human life again.
Raf touched the old photo on the screen. He knew that wasn't a logical thing to do. He didn't miss these people. He didn't know them. Yet, there was a compulsion, a need to feel a connection with his past. These people existed. They mattered. They helped their fellow Cybertronians in any way they could, and they gave their lives for their friends and family.
"Hey, tiny!" Frenzy suddenly called out, "Could you tell tall, dark, and ugly that we need to refuel?"
"I am not a mindless brute!" Predaking shouted at them, "You will address me if you wish to speak to or about me."
"Yeesh, sorry!" Frenzy replied sarcastically, "Alright then, could you give us something to eat then? It's been half a joor!"
"You feed them," Predaking ordered Raf, "I will not leave these mechs unguarded."
"Um, okay," Raf replied somewhat nervously, "Just stay calm. Everything's fine. I'll be right back."
Raf quickly left the room to find energon, and Frenzy couldn't help but quick an optic ridge.
"Why do you have a human pet?" Frenzy asked Predaking, "You know those things like working for Autobots. I'm pretty sure that one is a code breaker. He could betray you."
"Not everything is as it appears," Predaking rumbled cryptically, "The inner workings of this ship are not yours to know."
"Sir, maybe we shouldn't talk for a while," Blaster suggested.
"Why? Because the Predacon is moody?" Frenzy huffed, "Look, I can only be scared for so long before I get bored. If I get bored, I might start seeing things. So, I gotta keep talking, okay? Just to make sure everything is real."
"Yes, sir," Blaster replied without further comment.
Predaking observed the two mechs, and remembered what Raf said about the Vehicons. They were basically slaves, tools to be used by Decepticons. They might have both claimed to be runaways from Megatron, but it was clear which one held the power to make that decision. Blaster did whatever Frenzy said, and treated the pint-sized twerp like he could do no wrong. Was this how Raf used to live? Was this how people assumed he behaved around Shockwave? It was disgusting.
Shockwave was a father, but not a master. At least, not anymore. Once his Predacon brethren were awakened, they would obey no modern mech, not even Shockwave. He promised himself that.
Raf found the energon, but he had trouble carrying it with his small human arms. He considered transforming just long enough to carry the energon cube, but he wasn't willing to break his disguise for something so trivial.
Instead, he resorted to pushing the cube down the hallway. He hoped this would be enough for Frenzy and Blaster to share. He didn't want to make another trip.
I wonder if Blaster remembers anything at all… Raf pondered as he pushed the cube. I wonder if he dreams sometimes, like I do. He was my host in our past lives. I should care about him more, so why don't I feel anything toward him? He might as well be a stranger to me. I wonder if Eject is still alive somewhere. He was my brother, my twin. I should at least care that he isn't here right now, so why don't I? Why can I only think about Mama and Papa, my siblings, and my friends Jack and Miko?
As Raf passed by the cargo hold with the cube, he looked up at the window, just to see a little daylight. Well, sort of. It was actually quite cloudy outside, which made everything look a bit colorless. Raf sighed, both tired and melancholy, and was about to resume his task. He stopped, however, when he saw a blue helm outside the window.
That helm didn't look like it belonged to a mech he recognized, but the blue optics painted a clear picture. There was a strange Autobot outside.
"I didn't know there was anyone else left," Raf said to himself.
Curious, Raf left the cube and ran outside to see what was going on.
He found the strange mech, blue and orange paint making for poor camouflage. Beside him was another mech painted orange and blue, but this one had Vehicon proportions.
Looking to the other side, Raf saw Smokescreen and Chromia sneaking around the ship's exterior. Did they follow Frenzy and Blaster here? Was there going to be a battle? The unborn Predacons could get hurt. He had to warn them not to attack the ship!
Raf ran toward Chromia and Smokescreen, not yelling to make sure Shockwave wouldn't see them. He still didn't want the Autobots to get in trouble. Despite reconnecting with his former creator, Raf still didn't consider himself to be a Decepticon or anything of the sort.
"Psst! Chromia! Smokescreen!" Raf hissed quietly.
Neither Autobot heard him however, and they ran around the corner of the ship while still crouched down. Raf tried to catch up with them, but then a servo reached out and grabbed him!
"Ah!" Raf yelped, abruptly cutting off his scream before Shockwave or Predaking heard him.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" The orange and blue Vehicon taunted, "Looks like this place has security. Really lousy security."
"Careful, Psyclone. We might need to interrogate this life form," The other blue and orange mech warned, "Alright human, I'm going to need your name, rank, and serial number."
"Serial number?" Raf gulped, "H-How…do you…"
They don't know, stop talking! Raf's mind warned him.
"Um…my name is Rafael Jorge Gonzalez Esquivel," Raf rattled off hesitantly, "I'm not with the Decepticons, if that's what you're asking. I'm being held here by Shockwave. What day is it?"
"Shockwave?" The Autobot repeated in mild surprise, "This is worse than I thought. Psyclone, hold the human. I need to comm. Arcee."
"Arcee is here too?" Raf inquired.
The mech didn't answer him however, and turned his full attention to his comm. system instead.
/Arcee, this is Ultra Magnus. Do you read?/
/Copy that, sir,/ Arcee replied, /I'm on the lower deck. You won't believe what I just found./
/I just received intel that Shockwave is on board this downed vessel./
/I know, sir. I see him. I'm on the ceiling. Shockwave appears to be cultivating some sort of…technorganic life. I don't know what they are, but they're huge./
/Chromia and Smokescreen will be there shortly to provide backup. Psyclone and I will go around the other side of the ship in case there are other Decepticons on board. Stay alert./
/Right. Arcee out./
Ultra Magnus cut off communication without a word, and shut his optics tight for a moment to compose himself. Shockwave. Of all the mechs they could have faced, it had to be Shockwave. Brutes and monsters Ultra Magnus could handle just fine, but with the mad scientist he never knew what sort of disaster they would have to clean up.
When Ultra Magnus turned around he saw Psyclone was messing up the human's hair with a finger, and the human didn't seem to appreciate that.
"We're going around the other side of the ship," Ultra Magnus informed his soldier, "Shockwave is confirmed inside the lower deck. He appears to be continuing his experiments to create life. What kind of life, we're not certain."
"Predacons," Raf interjected.
"Pardon me, soldier?" Ultra Magnus stared down at the little human.
"Shockwave is incubating infant Predacons," Raf explained, "He's already made one, Predaking, and the incubators contain about 40 more. I say about because we're not sure how many are viable."
"I see," Ultra Magnus replied neutrally, but then, /Arcee. I just received word that those creatures are Predacons./
/Predacons? Those have been extinct for millions of vorns./
/Well, this is Shockwave we're talking about. My source says one Predacon is already active, so be careful./
/Oh, great. It's always a party with the Autobots, huh?/
No response.
/Sorry, sir,/ Arcee backtracked, /Should I wait for backup?/
/No. Keep yourself hidden, but plant the bombs as quickly as possible. We have to keep those Predacons from ever reaching the populace. Billions of lives are at stake. Whatever happens, don't let those Predacons hatch./
/I understand, sir,/ Arcee replied soberly, /No matter what. Arcee out./
Arcee shut off the comm. on her end, and braced herself for what might be her final mission. Getting past Shockwave long enough to escape the blast was her plan, but even if she was discovered prematurely, the blasts had to be detonated. Predacons were so powerful that nothing from their own time could stand against them. There was no reason to believe a normal Cybertronian would stand a chance against such beasts, let alone small fragile creatures like humans.
For the sake of their new home, and the Autobots both here and trapped as Vehicons on Megatron's ship, Arcee knew she couldn't afford to fail. These Predacons would have to die, even if she and the others on the Harbinger went with them.