Chapter Text
Rattrap shot up as his internal alarm blared. A heavy servo pulled at Rattrap’s waist and it pulled him back to the berth. The transmetal rat let out a soft sigh as he allowed the servo to pull him. “Seams we’ve switched from our usual routine.” The larger frame continued to pull Rattrap closer. Rattrap couldn’t hide his content smile that plastered itself on his face plate.
The soft growl of the mech behind Rattrap vibrated through his frame. “It seems so, Rodent.” One of the clawed digits brushed the outer back panels of Rattrap’s transmetal beast mode. It traced the edges of the new transformation seams and silence returned to the room, they were content with just being in each other’s servos. It was like the rest of the universe no longer existed.
“I never thought I would say this,” The servo paused its movements near Rattrap’s hip. “I think I miss your fur.”
At that, Rattrap began to giggle, his laughter shook his entire frame. He hugged his servos to his chassis and laughed until his vocalizer began to glitch. “Primus, Choppa Face, ya’ can’t be serious?” Rattrap rolled to face his berthmate. Dinobot’s ruby optics were still dim, but they shined with Dinobot’s happiness.
“I do not miss it alot, just-” Dinobot’s optics flickered as he searched for the words. “It was familiar, the fur. Everything has changed so much, I only wish that some things would not have.”
It was the first comment that Dinobot made about Rattrap’s frame. Actually, it was one of the few comments Dinobot had made since waking from the CR Chamber.
Rattrap was in the command center with Rhinox and Silverbolt, giving their report on the synthetic energon that the Autobots had produced. When the CR Chamber opened, the warrior gave the room a once over before his dangerous optics locked on Rattrap.
The kiss surprised everyone, with Rattrap being the most surprised. Dinobot had closed the distance in a spark pulse and had pulled Rattrap into the briefest kiss.
“Uh, hey ‘der, Choppa Face.” Rattrap stumbled to speak, he desperately wanted to just jump at Dinobot to continue the kiss. Thankfully, Dinobot had grabbed Rattrap’s servo, and pulled him out of the command center. Rattrap remembered the knowing smirk that Rhinox had given them as they left. Convinced that Dinobot was going to pounce on him the moment the door slid shut behind them, Rattrap was surprised when Dinobot had released his servo and leaned over the desk with heavy vents.
He reached up and rubbed a servo on Dinobot’s shoulder plating, and the warrior then turned to embrace Rattrap. Dinobot didn’t release him, and his processor began to race. Something was very wrong. Rattrap didn’t miss the way Dinobot’s frame trembled. “Dinobot?”
The embrace continued even after Dinobot pulled Rattrap onto the berth.
Then, the tears began, Dinobot buried his helm in Rattrap’s frame and cried into it. They remained there, with Rattrap comforting Dinobot, until recharge had claimed the both of them.
“I’m sorry, Choppa Face.” Rattrap brushed a servo on Dinobot’s face plate. “I shouldn’t have laughed.”
Leaning into the touch, Dinobot let his optics power off. “Do not apologize.” Dinobot pulled Rattrap until their chassises touched.
Rattrap had slag to do, but Primus, the only thing he wanted to do was stay with Dinobot. “Listen, Dinobot. We got two options.” Dinobot growled in confirmation for Rattrap to continue. “Ya either let me get up , so I can work on syncing the Axalon’s systems with the Autobots’ base. Or we can stay here, but if we stay, we’re gonna talk about what happened to ya.” He knew what Dinobot would choose. The frame under his servo froze and the ruby optics shined brightly back at him. They searched Rattrap's faceplate for the tell of the joke, finding only the truth, Dinobot sighed. “I want to tell you, Rattrap.” He looked away, no longer able to look at Rattrap’s faceplate. “But, I am afraid that I cannot at the moment.” So, he released his servo from Rattrap’s side.
Knowing that this would be DInobot’s answer, Rattrap was still disappointed hearing it. “I know, Dinobot.” The transmetal emphasised his partner’s designation. “Just know dat ‘m here for ya.” Leaning forward, Rattrap pressed a kiss on Dinobot’s forehelm. He stretched his arms over his helm as he stood, “Want me to grab ya a ration?” Rattrap turned to watch Dinobot curl into himself on the berth.
“Negative, I will retrieve it myself, soon.” The warrior’s optics flickered off. “Do not leave to aid Primal without me.”
“Right,” and Rattrap exited Dinobot’s quarters and headed to the command center.
The halls of the Axalon had been uncomfortably quiet since Cheetor had left on the mission that nearly offlined him. Rattrap felt the guilt build in his spark. Being able to lay with Dinobot again, was the happiest moment he had experienced since the Maximals arrived in this universe. Pain shot through his spark, Rattrap remembered that he had said that he would give anything to get Dinobot back. Now, Cheetor might not ever come back online. It wasn’t what Rattrap had in mind.
“Up already?” The familiar rumble of Rhinox’s voice shook Rattrap out of his guilt filled spiral. The joy that was in Rhinox’s vocalizer in his greeting disappeared when Rattrap’s optics flickered at him. “Is everything alright?”
Rattrap straightened as he stepped closer to his best friend, “Sorry, Rhinox, ‘m good.” The glare that Rattrap received forced him to continue. “Just worried ‘bout our flyin’ furball.”
The frown on Rhinox’s faceplate only became more prevalent. “And Dinobot?” Rhinox had been the only Maximal that Rattrap had spoken about his relationship with Dinobot.
Shrugging, Rattrap answered. “He’s as ok as ya’d expect.” He didn’t look at Rhinox, but he could feel his friends optics burrowing in him. “He seems,” Rattrap searched his processor for the word to describe how Dinobot had been acting, but nothing seemed quite right. “Distant, I guess. He’s just got a lot on his processor.” He shrugged as if there was nothing else to talk about.
The frown on Rhinox’s faceplate deepened. “I wouldn’t worry if had just returned from a fight with the Predacons, but Rattrap, we don’t know what he’s gone through.”
He knew Rhinox was right, Dinobot would sometimes go quiet after a battle with the Predacons, as if he had to analyze every moment of the fight. What Dinobot was doing now, was something Rattrap had never seen. He watched as Dinobot retreated into himself, and he didn’t know what he could do to help. Dinobot had always been a solitary mech, and he would take any offer for help as an insult to his pride.
There was nothing else to do but wait for Dinobot, Rattrap offered a smile to his best friend, “I gotta get da’ rest of my tools ready to help da’ boss monkey.” He’d figure out what he could to help Dinobot.
The Prime stared at his old friend and the leader of the Maximals. Ratchet was on the road to recovery from his injuries he’d received from fighting the Decepticons. Optimus Prime had been concerned of the white Maximal that was brought into the base with Ratchet. But Primal had sent him back to the Maximal base with the femme. Optimus Prime had nearly lost his best friend by nosing into Ratchet’s business.
Primal wasn’t as damaged as the Prime had expected, his gleaming frame had only a few scuffs and singes. And none of the visible injuries seemed to cause Optimus Primal any pain, but the small mech kept his servo over his chassis. His spark had been strained by the strange bond it shared with Ratchet. The Maximal hadn’t said much of anything since he had returned, he kept a quiet vigil at Ratchet’s side.
The two leaders were silent for a long time before Primal finally looked away from Ratchet to the Prime. “What changed his mind, why did he come alone?”
“I’m afraid that was my doing. I was unaware that you left on a rescue mission.” Optimus Prime returned his stare to the main console. “I only understood that the two of you had argued over something. The Matrix was unhappy with that fact, and I encouraged him that he should make amends.”
Primal tried not to snarl his response at the Prime, but he couldn’t control the anger in his spark from nearly losing Ratchet again. “You had no business interfering,” Optimus Primal rose to his peds and pointed down at the still white and orange frame. “Ratchet could have offlined!” Primal felt his spark pulse with anger, and it was painful.
“I am aware of what could have happened.” The Prime sighed down at the Maximal. “I became aware of the bond that was growing between you. I merely brought Ratchet’s attention to it.”
The anger in the smaller frame faded, but a frown etched itself on his faceplate. “Does anyone else know about Ratchet and I?” Primal seemed more nervous now, and the Prime found it strange that the Maximal was able to show his emotions so easily. Being the Prime meant that now only was Optimus Prime the leader of the Autobot forces, but also a symbol of their hope.
“Only us and Ratchet.” The Prime explained, “I would prefer for you and Ratchet to decide what information you will share with our joined forces.”
Primal nodded his helm, “Most of my crew is aware of my relationship with Ratchet, but we’ll wait to discuss anything until Ratchet is up and about.” Optimus Primal let the silence burn between them, and his processor searched for some topic that would ease the tension in the air. “Are you aware that Ratchet is bonded?”
It was something that Ratchet had stopped talking about since the start of the war. Optimus Prime had missed the times his friend would gush about his conjunx endura. Prime nodded for the Maximal to continue.
And Primal did just that, he explained that since Ratchet had taken the synthetic energon, the medic’s spark energy had increased. Which also increased the energy that flowed between spark bonds, and when there was no more synthetic energon flowing Ratchet the energy output returned to normal. But it accelerated the growth of Primal and Ratchet’s creator bond and Ratchet’s conjunx endura was coming to Earth.
The Prime smiled at the Maximal’s attempt to hide the identity of Ratchet’s bond, but sharing that he knew that Ratchet was bonded to Wheeljack might not be the calming thing to mention. Instead, the Prime placed his servo on Ratchet’s shoulder for a brief moment before he dismissed himself.
Rhinox stood at the control table and his typing stopped when he looked up to smile at Dinobot. “Welcome home, Dinobot! I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner, I was a little busy with Cheetor.”
Dinobot felt his servos clenched tightly, his clawed digits dug into the palm of his servos. “How is our furball faring?”
Looking back to the console, Rhinox typed for a few moments before answering. “We’ve done what we could. He’s in the CR now, but I don’t know how long it will take.” He pulled up some scan results on the main display. Dinobot’s frame was projected and spun in the center of the table, “The CR gave some weird readings on your codes, have you had any new errors?”
He hesitated, he hadn’t seen any errors codes but something felt off. “I have lost time, and my processor has been logging memories incorrectly.” Dinobot said as he stepped closer to the control table and his scan results. Rhinox stared at the report again for a click or so, and shook his helm, “That kind of error doesn’t really exist.”
“Of course it does, I am experiencing it!” Dinobot snapped and his whole frame tensed.
Rhinox turned to face the warrior, “Are you going to let me finish?” It took DInobot too much of his focus to force his frame and processor to relax. After letting out a few vents, Dinobot nodded for Rhinox to continue. With a frown Rhinox explained, “Those symptoms are not part of an error, my concern is that you’ve developed a glitch. Which might explain the new lines of code.”
A glitch? Dinobot ran through his recent memories to see if anything could explain the new code, but nothing stood out. There were sections of his memory that were just blurs when he called them up. “Can you delete that code?”
Shaking his helm, Rhinox closed the medical program. “I’m afraid not, it’s hard coded. It would just cause more damage if we deleted it and -”
The Dinobot frame again tensed, but his normally steady servos trembled slightly. He wanted to return to his berth and never leave it again. Pain in his spark shot through him, and he slammed a servo on the table so the shout pain seemed to Rhinox to be one of frustration. Rhinox’s optics showed the concern that the medic was feeling, and Dinobot only saw it as pity. With another growl of disgust, Dinobot stomped out of the command center in search of Rattrap.
“He’s outside the Axalon, he’s organizing the last of the material he needs for Optimus.” Rhinox said as Dinobot started heading in the opposite direction of Rattrap.
Dinobot’s frame visibly relaxed as he turned to the elevator. Then, he paused before he called it, and he glanced back to Rhinox. “How?” was the only word that Dinobot could speak before Rhinox gave him a smirk.
It immediately disappeared, “You don’t remember when you woke up from the CR, do you?”
He remembered pulling Rattrap into an embrace in their quarters, but he couldn’t recall anything before, and after it was a bit scrambled. Though, the reason why was obvious. He looked back at Rhinox, “No. What happened?”
Waving his large servo at Dinobot, Rhinox tried not to visibly frown. “You should ask Rattrap.”
Once he was outside the Axalon, Dinobot’s tanks turned and the massive halls of the Harbinger began to spin. His vision blurred, he reached out a servo for something to steady his frame. Something firm brushed his shoulders, and his frame steadied but his legs could no longer hold him up. Dinobot’s spark again pulsed angry at him, and his vents came rapidly. The pressure remained on his shoulders, he used the pressure to recenter himself. After slowing his breaths, Dinobot reset his optics.
Rattrap’s faceplate was only inches from his own. “Choppa face?” There was no answer from the raptor in front of him, The normal bright optics were dim and lacked any focus. “I’m gonna grab Rhinox, I’ll be-” And he let out a yelp of pain when Dinobot closed his servo over his arm, and those clawed digits dug into his plating. “Easy there, I won’t leave if ya’ dont want me to.” He used the servo that wasn’t pinned by Dinobot to brush gently at his shoulder.
“I am fine,” Dinobot growled, his optics flickered with the green of his laser-optics then back to red. Rattrap frowned, and he continued. “I just spoke to Rhinox.”
The powerful grip released Rattrap’s arm, and he sent a private comm to his best friend. ::Yo, big guy, ya clear ole’ lizard lips for going with me to da Autobot base?::
The reply was instant. ::Did something happen? He’s not cleared for active duty, but he’s basically our liaison.::
Once Dinobot was on his peds, Rattrap showed him the location of the parts he needed, and continued with Rhinox. ::I don’t know, he like-::
::He glitched, didn’t he?::
“Vermin?” Dinobot stared back at his companion, Rattrap’s frame froze for a brief moment, but quickly recovered and waved a dismissal back.
::Frag. I think so. Want me to talk to him ‘bout it?::
Rhinox’s sigh was processed as static over the private comm, ::Don’t bring it up to him, but if he’ll talk to you, please.::
He sent back a quick affirmative then caught up with Dinobot. The last of the material and tools were packed into a large container. Dinobot took a step back so that Rattrap could double check that everything was there. He picked a smaller tool that hadn’t been packed, giving it a once over, then dropping it into the same container. “Dat should do it. Ya need anything before we head over.”
Dinobot just picked up the container as his answer and started toward the Maximal space bridge. Rattrap grabbed his own toolset and followed after. He stared at the back of Dinobot’s massive frame. There were new grooves in the warrior’s armor, and they were injuries that didn’t heal properly. His overall posture didn’t change, but Dinobot couldn’t hide the slight limp. Though, Rattrap admitted to himself, that the only reason that he had noticed was that he had started staring at Dinobot’s aft. It was still the best aft he’d ever seen. He felt his faceplate’s start to warm, and he let out a half hearted chuckle.
Dinobot paused and glanced over his shoulder, he didn’t say anything. And he didn’t have too, Rattrap had understood the questioning glance. Smirking back, Rattrap sped up his own pace to join at Dinobot’s side. “Oh, ya know, just enjoying da view.”
The annoyed growl that left Dinobot’s vocalizer echoed in the massive halls. They slid into a comfortable silence until they arrived at the location of the groundbridge.The newest Maximal, Silverbolt, if Dinobot remembered correctly, tapped at the ground bridge controls with his front talons. The odd mech didn’t have a normal beast mode, it was just that it was partially transmetal. It resembled two different creatures, one a hound and the other an avian of some sort. When Silverbolt saw the other two Maximals approach his post, he gave them the brightest doggie grin he could.
“Hello, Dinobot, Rattrap!”
Dinobot’s face plate twitched subtly, and Rattrap whispered, “He ain’t coming with us, don’t worry.”
He looked down to his rodent, “We’ll need to speak privately.” Dinobot had impeccable timing, since he had spoken just before Silverbolt trotted into Audial range.
The fuzor transformed to his root mode and extended his servo toward his fellow Maximal. “I’m Silverbolt! It is an honor to met you, Dinobot, I've heard-”
“We do not have time for chatter, pup. The rodent and I need to meet with Primal.” Dinobot rolled his optics, and brushed passed Silverbolt. The other mech’s wings dipped with disappointment, but he strode back to his post at the controls. He typed the commands and a familiar green vortex opened in front of them.
After a nod from Rattrap, Dinobot stepped through and Rattrap followed behind. The dry air brushed his frame and dinobot relaxed. The vortex ended at the plateau of the Autobot base. The heat of the desert relaxed Dinobot’s tense frame, and Rattrap turned around to face him.
“So, what did ya’ wanna talk about.”
Optimus Primal tapped his digits on the table he was seated at, a human that Raf hadn’t told him about, sat across from him. The older human leaned with arms on the table and glared at the Maximal leader.
“So, In your universe…” His dark intelligent eyes continued detailing Optimus Primal’s frame.
“I'm Ratchet's progeny.” Optimus sighed again, they hadn’t gotten far in their briefing. Agent Fowler, as he introduced himself, hadn’t been able to comprehend that the Cybertronians could have offspring, or at least that’s what Primal thought.
Fowler nodded, “Yes, that makes a bit of sense, but by Uncle Sam’s beard, who would marry Ratchet?!”
Optimus didn’t hide his smile that came over his faceplate, “Ratchet is just getting back, I would rather have him tell you.” Just as Primal finished, Ratchet stepped closer, his now healthy blue optics shined brightly at Primal. Agent Fowler turned and repeated his inquiry to the medic.
“What is ‘married’?” Ratchet asked.
“He’s asking who is your conjunx endura.” Optimus Primal leaned back in the chair and cast a smile at the mech who was the mirror of his own creator. The creator bond was still active, so Primal sent amusement over it.
Disgust filled the connection, and Ratchet’s voice glitched. When he recovered, Ratchet glared at Fowler. “That is private information, it’s not relevant.”
Agent Fowler stood to face ratchet, “Listen, you went crazy, and Optimus was confident in the data that he’s received saying you were basically running on both his and your wife’s spark energy.”
In order to hide his growing smile, Optimus Primal covered his faceplate with a servo. Ratchet asked Primal to define “wife,” and Primal could not hide the laughter in his vocalizer. “For organics, like humans, change their terms when they become conjunxed. For females, like Miko, that new term is wife.”
He nodded his understanding, and returned his gaze at the human, “So, you think my Conjunx is a female?” Primal returned his helm into the palm of his servo with a heavy sigh, Ratchet was so close to understanding why this was so funny to Primal.
“Like Arcee, right?” Agent Fowler was nearly as confused as Ratchet, he straightened his jacket and took a step closer to Ratchet and leaned on the mezzanine railing.
A laugh escaped Ratchet’s vocalizer, finally all the pieces clicked for him, “Oh, Primus, no. Mechs and Femmes are just frame types, like speedsters and two-wheelers.” Amusement filled the bond, and Primal looked back up to smile knowingly at Ratchet. “My Conjunx is a mech, if that really matters.”
Fowler’s intelligent eyes widened with realization as he spun back to the table returning to his seat across from Optimus Primal. He waited for Primal to confirm his thoughts, as if the Maximal could read his mind. “Two of any frame type can make new sparks.” Primal said with a genuine smile.
Falling silent, Fowler stared down at the table. His organic digits, fingers Primal thought they were called, tapped on the table in an erratic pattern. One hand rose to run through his hair as the other continued the assault on the table. Primal watched as Fowler’s eyes danced as he sorted through his thoughts. After a few long clicks of silence, Fowler’s tapping stopped and he nodded his head.
“Alright, I think I get it now.” He then turned in his seat to face Ratchet, “Does anyone else, other than Optimus know? That could vouch?”
“Yes, Primal knows as well, obviously.” Ratchet rolled his optics and waved at the two before he walked away.
Primal silently cursed his Ratchet for giving him his designation. “Both Optimus Prime and I know who Ratchet is bonded to.”
Agent Fowler threw up his hands dramatically then brought them hard against the table. “This is getting confusing, is there anything else we can call you?”
Just as Fowler finished his question, a booming voice echoed through the Autobot base. “Yo, fearless leader!”
Optimus smiled at a very confused Fowler, “That, I guess.”
The first voice was followed almost immediately by another, “You are not getting out of this, vermin!”
Primal didn’t realize how much he had missed the constant bickering of Rattrap and Dinobot until the two came barging into the Autobot base, as if no time had passed from their last moment together. Relief filled his spark, things were getting back to normal for the Maximals.
When Dinobot’s growl became more vicious, Agent Fowler rose from his seat. He watched the new Maximals walk closer to Optimus Primal and Fowler. Dinobot’s fanged teeth were bared at the smaller mech, “Listen, you garbage eater-”
“No, ya listen here, ya glitch. Ya need to-” Rattrap let out a shriek and he dropped his tool box. Dinobot had picked up Rattrap by the neck cables with a single servo and pinned him to the wall.
Another vicious snarl escaped Dinobot’s vocalizer, and Primal could hear Rattrap thrashing against the wall. Optimus Primal called out, “That’s enough of that bickering for now.” He didn’t even turn to face Rattrap or Dinobot.
Continuing to watch the confrontation, Agent Fowler returned to his seat. “That’s bickering?” He winced as a loud thunk echoed, Primal knew without even looking that Dinobot had just dropped Rattrap, and the rat didn’t land on his peds. Though, Primal was surprised that Agent Fowler hadn’t seen this side of Dinobot while he was with the Autobots. It seemed that Dinobot had no one to banter with, like he did with Rattrap on the Axalon.
So, Primal had to believe that the warrior was only on his best behavior when he was alone with the Autobots. It was going to be a shock to them when they discovered how sharp Dinobot’s wit and tongue were.
“Boss Monkey!” Rattrap threw one of his servos over Primal’s shoulder plating. “Heard you had some fun with da ol’ Hatchet!”
The leader patted the servo once, before he threw it off of him. “I had expected to see you sooner, what was the delay?” Optimus Primal fixed his optics on his good friend, Rattrap looked well rested. It was the first time in a long while he looked like he got to recharge.
Dinobot had joined the small group, and he shifted the container in his servos. “I am responsible for our tardiness. I needed to speak with Rhinox before we left.” He gave a slight nod of his helm to Agent Fowler, and a deeper nod to Optimus Primal.
Optimus gave Dinobot a quick once over, the warrior’s frame had been cleaned and some of the scarring in his armor became less prominent. Since Dinobot was one to be meticulously orderly, it was oblivious to Optimus that he had not gone to the wash racks for a polish after he got out of the CR. “Did Rhinox give you the all clear?”
He hesitated, and his optics flickered in that moment.
“Rhinox said he was good to come, but Choppa face here,” Rattrap pointed at the warrior behind him with a smile, “He ain’t supposed to be on active duty.”
Growling again, Dinobot grabbed Rattrap’s shoulder and spun the smaller mech to face him. “I can speak for myself, you insolent vermin!”
Rattrap smacked away the servo, and turned back to Primal and Fowler. The human had gone stiff in his seat, his bright eyes watched Rattrap like a hawk. It was a few moments before Rattrap noticed that he was being watched. Then, the transmetal rat smiled as he recognized the human.
“Ah, Fowler, right?” He gave his best smile.
After clearing his vocalizer, Optimus Primal extended his servo toward first to Rattrap, then to Agent Fowler. “This is Rattrap, he’s our communications expert. Rattrap this is Agent William Fowler.”
Agent Fowler stood and extended his hand to Rattrap, “We’ve met briefly. You caused me quite a bit of paperwork.”
Laughing, Rattrap carefully grabbed the extended hand and shook. “I get dat, fearless leader dere, gave me an audial full after.” He gestured toward the Maximal leader beside him. “Are ya the human that I’m workin’ with to link our systems?” A loud engine rumbled into the main section of the Autobot base. Bumblebee rolled in front of the mezzanine, and shifted into park.
“Dinobot!” Rafael burst out of the passenger seat of Bumblebee the second the door opened. He ran up the stairs and charged at the warrior. Dinobot had just enough time to set down the container he was holding before the tiny human jumped into his arms. He wrapped his soft arm’s around Dinobot’s neck cables, and the warrior could feel optical fluid drip from the human in his arm. Without hesitation, Dinobot wrapped his own arms around Rafael.
Rafael’s warm organic frame began to tremble as sobs escaped his vocalizer. “Oh Dinobot, you’re ok! I was so worried.” Rising one of his servos, Dinobot brushed it through Raf’s helm fur. Warmth pulsed through his spark as Rafael pulled himself tighter to Dinobot.
After a long moment, Raf loosened his grip on the warrior, and Dinobot returned him to the ground. He patted Raf on his head and smiled down at him. “Thank you, Rafael.”
Stepping to Dinobot’s side, Rattrap tried not to stare at the two. He had never expected that the warrior would have such a soft spot for the organics. but the joy that Dinobot was showing was one of the most real emotions that Rattrap had seen on him.
Raf pulled off his glasses and wiped at his dripping tears. Then he pulled Dinobot to the table that Agent Fowler and Optimus Primal had been ocupaining.
Once Dinobot was in his seat, Raf sat across and began telling the warrior the events of the previous day.
“You’ll be working with him, Rattrap, that’s Raf.” Primal muttered to his friend who’s optics were fixed on Dinobot and the young human.
“Your sayin’ dat this bitlet can maneuver through most of the tech, no da Cybertronian tech?” He waved his servo at the young human that had pulled Dinobot away to talk. The Maximal leader nodded as his own servo rubbed circles over his chassis. “So, he’ll be helpin’ us out?”
Optimus smiled briefly, “He already has,” and Rattrap snapped his attention back to his leader with a questioning look. “He was at the energon mine with Dinobot and Cheetor. They would have offlined without him” the two Maximals watched as Raf spoke ecstatically to Dinobot, his arms waved and his eyes shined as he told his story. It was clear that Dinobot was giving Raf his entire attention, those predator optics were locked. “I still can’t believe how much these humans love Dinobot.”
Suddenly, Dinobot’s frame straightened and the ruby optics narrowed when he looked at Optimus Primal. The warrior gave a miniscule twitch of the helm, and Rattrap elbowed Optimus to join Dinobot and Raf.
Rattrap leaned over the mezzanine to watch the movement of the Autobots. The Prime and the yellow speedster had already left for a patrol. The medic smiled as he stepped past the chatting human, and Primal returned the smile with a dip of his helm. They were all starting to mesh together as one group.
And it’s all cause of my Dinobot. Rattrap thought as he watched the Autobot sized ground bridge opened up. The exiting Autobot sped in with another human on the seat of their two wheeler form. The human removed himself from the seat after they came to a stop, and he removed his helm guard as the two-wheeler returned to her root mode.
The blue-purple optics of the femme Autobot locked on Rattrap, and he left the terror shoot through his frame. Not only had he threatened this Autobot’s human when he’d been in town with Cheetor. He had put her in stasis with only a few shots.
“You.” She snapped as she took a few steps from the bridge to the mezzanine, her bright optics shot daggers down at him.
Ever confident, Rattrap gave his most charming smile in return. “Uh, hey dere, nice to formally meet ya.” He extended a servo to her, “Rattrap of da Darklands.”
Her stunning optics flickered in surprise, “I’m from there too,” She extended her servo to meet Rattrap’s. “Arcee.”
This time it was Rattrap that was surprised. “You’re Arcee?! Like THE Arcee?” His much smaller servo grasped one of her digits briefly. She gave Rattrap a short nod.
Rattrap spun around to face his fellow Maximals, “Frag me, like frag me, ya didn’t tell me dat ARCEE is part of this group of ‘bots.”
The human that came in with Arcee stepped past Rattrap, and stood nearly face to face with Rattrap. “Watch your language.” He pointed at Raf still at the table. “There are kids here.”
Primal had laughed and made his way to Rattrap. “Jack, I believe you’ve met Rattrap.” his optics shined with a hint mischief that Rattrap wasn’t used to seeing in Optimus anymore.
“Not officially.” Jack crossed his arms and gave Rattrap a brief nod before he turned to join the other human.
“So, do you know me, in your universe, like Primal and Ratchet?” Arcee asked.
Rattrap raised his servos quickly in defence, “No, no, no ma’am. Not like boss monkey and da hatchet. Ya ain’t my-” Primal covered Rattrap’s intake with a servo, and removed it once Rattrap stopped talking. He took a step back to take-in the differences in her frame. It was mostly the color scheme that bothered Rattrap, her elegant features were more sharp with the blue.
“But you know a version of me, this is weird. Ratch, this is crazy.” Shaking her helm, the overhead lights shined off her frame, and Arcee placed a servo on her hip and frowned at Rattrap.
Being unable to stand it any longer, Rattrap straightened and looked up into the blue-purple optics of the two-wheeler. “Ya’ my great aunt, ya raised me.”
Rattrap didn’t know when Dinobot had joined him at the railing, but he nearly jumped out of his plating when the warrior spoke. “No wonder you were very anti-Predacon.” There was a hint of disgust in Dinobot’s voice, it was just enough for Rattrap to notice. Rattrap knew that a lot of his anti-Predacon sentiment came from the fact that his Arcee was very anti-Decepticon, which extended to their descents of the Predacons. When he was young, he didn’t think anything of it. He only started questioning the way he was raised because of Dinobot. Rattrap knew he was changing slowly for Dinobot.
“Aren’t the Predacons the ones aiding the Decepticons?”
“Why does it matter that he’s not a fan of Predacons.” Voices began to speak all at once. Questioning Dinobot’s statement.
“Actually,” Dinobot began, and every optic, organic and Cybertronian, locked onto his dark colored frame. He could feel the pressure from everyone looking at him. After a deep intake of air, he said. “I am technically a Predacon.”
Everyone else started speaking all at once. Dinobot knew that Primal and Rattrap would be quick to defend him, but the Autobots’ voices were louder and more abundant. He had known he had to tell the Autobots he was not a true Maximal, just a Predacon that wanted to stop Megatron. If they ever made it back to Cybertron, Dinobot doubted that the Maximal Elders would grant him any pardons. Dinobot knew he was never going to be a Maximal in the eyes of Cybertron.
The chattering continued for a few more clicks before Optimus Primal shouted, “ENOUGH!” The shout was tempered with a growl from his beast mode, and the room became silent. “Dinobot chose to leave Megatron’s Predacons, and since then he’s been a loyal member of my crew, Dinobot has been nothing but determined to stop him.” The anger in Optimus Primal’s vocializer reminded Dinobot of when the leader had been poisoned by Scorponok’s Cyberbee. “If anyone else has a problem with the members of my team, you can come to me.” It was a subtle threat, and Optimus Primal’s stance was prepared to act on that threat if necessary.
Pride grew in Dinobot’s spark, he had not seen Primal defend anyone so viscously before. He felt like he could do anything with Optimus Primal in his corner. Maybe he would have a chance becoming a Maximal when they returned to their Cybertron with Primal backing him.
“Ya didn’t have to say anythin’ ‘bout bein’ a Pred.” Rattrap leaned closer to Dinobot, as if the tiny transmetal frame would be enough to shield Dinobot. The bright orange-red optics of his Rattrap stared up at him.
And he was reminded of every time the rodent would call him a Predacon. Doubt began to build in Dinobot’s processor. If Rattrap couldn’t even trust him, he had no business being a part of the Maximals anymore. “If I recall correctly, you have said ‘Once a Predacon, always a Predacon.’” He turned away from the group.
Rattrap began to chase after his friend, but Dinobot’s long strides made Rattrap have to jog to reach him. So he shouted as he got closer to the warrior. “Listen, here ya slag-spoutin’ saurian, ya can’t just-”
“Shut up, Rattrap.” Optimus Primal raised his voice again and Rattrap froze in his tracks. He wanted to shout at his leader. CUrse him, maybe. But Rattrap knew that arguing with his friend right now would only make Optimus Primal look like a weak leader to the Autobots. So, he held his glossa, and obeyed after throwing up his servos and mumbling obscenities.
Well, isn’t that just Prime. Optimus Primal thought to himself, as Rattrap turned away from Dinobot without ignoring him or turning the argument at Primal. It concerned him that Dinobot had been so rough with Rattrap earlier, but now Optimus could tell there was a lot more going on between those two than he knew.
Maybe Rattrap, with how aggressive he had been recently to the rest of the crew, pushed more buttons on Dinobot than he had expected. And Dinobot was normally the one to reciprocate. Maybe Rattrap and Dinobot arguing already wasn’t the good omen Optimus Primal hoped it would be.
He missed their bantering, he missed the way that they would question his command just enough to determine better plans. Dinobot and Rattrap made Optimus Primal a better leader. It might be selfish, but Optimus Primal needed Dinobot back at 100% so he could be a better match against Megatron.
Watching Raf grab his bag, Primal returned to the table across from agent fowler. The young human waved back for Rattrap to follow him. And the two headed down the mezzanine. “What am I going to do?”
Megatron rolled into the lab in the Darksyde, his used is landing gear of his beast mode so he could maneuver around his ship. He enjoyed the alterations that were made to his frame. It became more durable, while lighter at the same time. And his new flight capabilities gave he a new edge in battle, and the wheels gave him another method of annoying the spider. He rolled past the table in the spider's lab again. The vials of different types of energon illuminated the scientist’s faceplate. "Tarantulus, how far's your experiment?"
The transmetal spider turned to face the Predacon leader. His clawed servos opened and closed rapidly. "With this new energon sample, I believe I can create the type of booster you desire." He continued to twitch his servos, Tarantulas was nervous.
Megatron knew when the spider was nervous, that he was coming close to his own plans. “Good, the Decepticons are moving into their next phase, and we need to be able to surpass them.” He leaned his massive beast helm nearly into Tarantulus’s faceplate. “Unless there is something else you have in mind.”
"No, Lord Megatron." The spider laughed nervously. If Megatron had not been so close to his face plate, he would have missed Tarantulas’s optics flick downs toward a datapad on the table beside him. The Predacon leader paused before he reached for the datapad. His beast mode’s arms couldn't reach far enough. Leaning back, Megatron returned to his root mode, and gave the teraterous spider a bright smile.
Taranulus’s bright yellow visor brightened with fear as the warlord picked up the data pad, and his fangs on his face plate twitched. The Predacon warlord rolled out of the lab and waved the data pad at Tarantulas as he left.
Once Megatron was back at his command chair, he made himself comfortable and became engrossed in the text. The text was familiar, and he didn’t suppress his laugh as he read familiar lines. But what in this text was important to Tarantulas.
Megattron didn’t know the answer. Maybe it wasn’t that it was the spider, maybe the spider made a prediction of what the Decepticons next move would be. He began to read again.
After his third time through, Megatron let out a heavy sigh at the data pad. He began to tap the data pad against his servo as he thought, he didn’t know what the Decepticon Warlord was planning. The transmetal knew it had something to do with ancient text. When he gave another glance to the datapad, and a line of text that he had nearly just skimmed over seemed to call out to him. Megatron cleared his vocalizer and read the verses aloud.
“‘When the forty-seven spheres align, a perpetual conflict will culminate upon a world forged from chaos. And the weak shall perish in the shadow of a rising darkness.’”
It was the end of the chapter, Megatron smiled at the copy of “The Covenant of Primus” in his servo; the text again had given Megatron a sign.
“Computer, calculate the current planet's alignment with Cybertron.” He leaned back into his command chair and watched as the display at his side began to show him the results.
“Planetary Alignment is approaching rapidly.” The computer spoke and projected the planets coming into alignment, Megatron couldn’t count the number of planets that were aligning. But he suspected that there would be forty-seven. He began to laugh.
His booming voice echoed in the Darksyde, he powered down the data pad and tucked it into his subspace. While there, he pulled a small shard of dark energon. He rolled the shard in his servos,
“Begin preparation for Operation: Harbinger,” Megatron called out to his Predacons.
There was a chorus of “yes sir”’s and a “yes, my queen.”
The transmetal spider rolled his optics and turned away from the command center and back toward his lab. His large claws clicked erratically. Megatron watched as his crew started the preparations for his end game.
Megatron was going to show the entire planet why he was the superior Cybertronian that had ever walked it. Superior to the Autobots, to the Maximals, to the Decepticons, to the Megatron of this universe. And most importantly, Megatron was going to prove he was far superior to the wretched traitor. He had already laid out the groundwork for Dinobot’s fall.
“Yes, Dinobot will be under my control once again.” Megatron said. All of his pieces were in place, and he only had to wait for the next move to be made. “The next move is yours, Megatron.”