The True Difference

Optimus Primal, the commander of the Axalon crew, laid spread across on his lounge chair in his quarters. No lights were on in the room; the moonlight shone into the window, illuminating the small book he held in his right hand. It rested on his soft fuzzy belly as he looked at it with little interest. The book was nothing more than a momentary distraction. He needed a distraction, any distraction would do. For, at the moment, the great leader was consumed by feelings of guilt and failure. It had only happened a few days ago. That Cybertronian temporal probe passed by the planet they were marooned on. They never managed to contact the probe as it passed by the planet. The first time was due to not transmitting a signal the probe would respond too and the second time was the worst of them all that no one accepted easily. Megatron destroyed their signal array and effectively stranded them on this primitive planet for a second time. One time was enough, thought Primal. This probe was the only conceivable way of reaching out to his comrades back on Cybertron. This probe was the only way in which he could secure his crew, the people that he was responsible for, a safe way home.

Angry at Megatron for getting in the way of his most important mission ever since he stepped onto this primitive world, but most of all he was angry at himself.

He knew he could very well be overreacting about they’re failure to reach the probe, but he knew if only he did something different, fought harder, reacted quicker, or anticipated Megatron’s move somehow, they would be home right now.

He sat there staring at the book in front of him. The words blurred through his optics as he was deep in thought. Suddenly, the doors to his solitude of regret and anger flushed open and revealed the Maximal warrior Dinobot. The warrior stood there peering in at his commander. Immediately he could sense the tension that had built up in the room. He saw the weary eyes of failure upon the Maximal’s face. Perhaps this is not the right time for this, thought Dinobot.

The warrior cleared his throat and stepped into the room, allowing the door to slide shut behind him.

“Well, um Optimus,” he paused searching for the correct wording, “I have come to say that you are acting like a fool.”

Immediately as the words fell from his mouth, he stared at the maximal intensely, trying to detect what the reaction might be in order to brace himself correctly.

Dinobot stepped closer, “Do not take this as an insult, but you do not have the luxury of self- chastisement. There is a crew with very broken spirits outside of these four walls. They are in need of a leader,” He paused again to study the face of his silent commander, “especially at times like these.” Optimus’ face held a stone cold façade and so he continued on, “you can not afford to sit in this cave of misery any longer!”

Dinobot began getting annoyed with the depressed state of the maximal. He raised his fist in the air and shook it fiercely, “And not only do your maximals need your strength, while we sit in here, sulking about, Megatron is out there formulating his next move! You can not ignore that threat.”

Optimus stood up and looked out into the landscape before him, “I suppose you have a suggestion to offer?”

Dinobot’s eyes widened, “Revenge!” He settled a bit then continued, “Megatron took what was most important to you Maximals,” he paused, “A way home.”

Optimus turned around and sat back on his chair. He picked up the book and returned his optics to its meaningless words.

Dinobot’s body shook in frustrated disbelief, “No? What possible reason would justify a no?”

Optimus placed the book back on his chest and glared at the warrior, “I know what Megatron did was not right, but all the same, Maximals don’t take revenge. I’m sorry Dinobot.”

“Maximal ethics! Your ethics and morals will NOT win you this war Optimus Primal! And neither will this heavy guilt you obviously are carrying. Be rid of it Optimus and move on.”

Optimus sat there, letting the warrior’s last words slip right past him and replied, “Dinobot once we stop following what we believe we loose who we are. Our ethics and morals are what separate us from the Predacons that is the true difference between our two people. You of all people should know that.” He paused, “Maximals fight in defense and that is how it must remain.”

“If it will make you happy, take Rattrap and scout out the Preds. See what Megatron’s up to.”

Dinobot nodded with a thankful smile, “We will leave right away.” He turned quickly and exited the door, but quickly turned back around, “Oh, and Optimus…”

It was the beginning of the nightshift in the command center of the Axalon. Maximal procedure dictated that there were always to have atleast one bot manning the security monitors and Sentinel. On this night this responsibility fell upon Rattrap. It seemed, to the rat, that it was always his responsibility. The job always offer mega cycles of potential boredom and loneliness but, the rat often times kept himself occupied by playing virtual games on the ship’s computer. It was a secret he wished to remain hidden. He was really supposed to be focusing solely on possible Predacon attacks and such, yet to Rattrap; such a task was below a bot like him.

The rat sat down at his computer terminal and activated the security screens. All areas quiet, thought the maximal rat. Rattrap spun around in his chair and looked around the room. The lights were dim and the ship was quiet, save for the soft hum of the computers and power systems. It was rather relaxing and on some occasions, the rat would take the opportunity to catch a few cycles of sleep. This, though, was even worse than playing his games! He knew this, but it was rare that anything happened during his regular nightly duties and so it seemed alright to him to take a quiet nap.

The rat rested his feet on the center circular terminal and laid back in his chair; his arms folded, supporting his head. His optics dimmed to darkness as he let out a sigh. He felt completely relaxed, completely at peace. It was a rather long and tedious day for him. He had to scrub the power transfer conduits throughout the ship. Rhinox was a nut when it came to keeping “his” ship in perfect running order. And, yes, ofcourse, he always called upon the talents of his friend when there was dirty work to be done.

Rattrap’s mind floated along a stream of random images and thoughts. He could feel himself slowly shut down into sleep mode. He let it come.

Rattrap stood up, rubbing his bruised butt. Dinobot stepped towards the rat, menacing.

Rattrap began scanning the terrain around the base, appearing to be busy. The frustrated warrior turned around and activated a button on the center terminal. Suddenly, the rat’s chair spun around and flew towards the terminal. Rattrap, yet again, fell to the ground. The angered rat stood up quickly and pulled the lizard down to his level.

Dinobot grabbed Rattraps hand and threw it aside. He stood towering before his short comrade, eying him questioningly. “Speak!”

Rattrap slapped his hands together, “Oh, I’m not gonna say. ‘gonna make ya live in da fear fer a bit, eh.”

The two bots turned around to see Rhinox standing in the corridor. The maximal engineer walked in, appearing annoyed.

Rattrap relaxed and turned towards his friend, ‘Well, eh, I was mindin’ my own business den this leather faced fossil came in swinging and flinging!”

Rhinox rolled his eyes, “Guys, not now! Either shut up or get out. I don’t want to have to hear you two while I sleep. Now what’s it gonna be?”

The pair looked at each other and then back to the rhino. Dinobot stepped forward and calmed down.

“Truthfully, I came here to inform Rattrap that Optimus wants us to survey the Predacons in order to learn their most recent activities.”

Rhinox nodded, “Well, see that’s fine. Just next time, keep the noise down.”

Rhinox pointed to the elevator as he made his way to Rattrap’s terminal. He sat down and turned towards the screen.

Rattrap stared at his friend and shrugged, “Man I neva knew how grumpy ya got wit so little sleep Rhinox.”

The rhino looked back at the rat and sighed. “I’m sorry Rattrap. I just don’t react well when woken up from a deep sleep cycle.”

Dinobot stood waiting in the elevator silently. He let that one pass with no reaction. He was tired himself. It was getting late, but he’d been sitting around for so long, or so it seemed, that he was anxious to get some action. Rattrap entered the lift with him and the glass caging slid down. Rhinox nodded to the duo and received a salute from his rat friend. The lift then flushed downward. Rhinox was left alone. Silence retook its hold on the maximal command center. Rhinox let out a deep breath and looked at the screens. The two troublesome maximals appeared on the screen. They transformed to their beast forms and began their journey to Predacon territory.

Rhinox sat there, staring. He was tired, but still, the way he acted—he just wasn’t himself.

It was all because of that slaggin probe, thought the maximal. His hopes were so high. He, like the others, wanted to pick up his interrupted life where he left it. He was just beside himself. Guilt plagued his consciousness. His spark felt heavy and sank into his gut every time he thought about that day when the probe passed by without a blurp sent to it. He felt responsible. Everything was set into place. The others had all done their job. They built the signal array and held off the Predacons as long as possible. Then, his only job was to activate the array and input the signal. I was too slaggin slow. I had it in my hands! I was so close! He stood up and looked to the ground. This happened every time he thought about this. He tried to distract himself throughout the day and tried to sleep with his dream functions deactivated. He didn’t want to feel it or deal with it. And now, he was awake. He was alone and with nothing to do, but sit there with his loathsome thoughts. He couldn’t escape them. They were eating away at his core. He felt as if he contributed little to the war effort. Yes, he provided the Sentinel system and at times he provided cover fire, but rarely was he on the front lines. He often found himself sitting safe within the base, aiding his comrades from a computer. He felt guilty about that as well. And then, his only real possible contribution was a failure. Those few moments as he held the disc with their transwarp signal on it flashed over and over through his circuitry. He couldn’t escape it. Why had he acted as if he had a surplus on time? Why couldn’t he just have shoved it in? What was wrong with him? All the guilt swelled within him. He turned to the center terminal and slammed his fists into it. Like clay, the terminal became molded into an imprint of the angered bot’s bulky hands. He looked at the cracked machinery before him and sat back down. He bent over and put his hand to his head and sighed. “Get a hold of yourself.”

He felt somewhat better. The deep emotions that built up within his green exterior seemed to dissipate into a soft hum of regret and guilt. For now, he was free of them, but he was embarrassed; embarrassed of losing his composure. It was not like him.

“Well, I couldn’t really get to sleep and then I heard this loud bang or somethin’.”

The cat, with both amazement and disbelief, looked at his friend, “What happened?”

The two shared a moment of silence as thoughts of their home flashed through their minds. Rhinox turned to the kid and placed his hand on his shoulder, “Hey, cheer up.”

“As long as he’s functional, Optimus will do everything in his power to get us home, am I right?”

Rhinox smiled and removed his hand. “And well, if you can’t count on Optimus, who can ya count on, huh?”

The night air was cool and soothing. The maximal duo pressed onward through the rock and dust littered terrain. The area preceding the Predacon base was quite devoid of life. Dinobot closed his eyes. Smoke fizzled through the ground beneath them. Now he knew they were getting closer to the lava pits that housed the Predacon base. The clear night sky, with all its glittering masses became tainted with the rising smoke screen. It was only a slight haze, but enough to bother the lizard and the rat.

This scene is almost as depressing as the scene within Optimus’ quarters. This war will be over in a demoralizing end if the maximals do not rise up out of this muddled state of depression.

Dinobot shook his head. No, he wasn’t going to let Megatron succeed. He would fight against the tyrant single handedly to prevent such a thing; with or without the aid of the maximals.

Suddenly the silence was broken as the rat split the quiet with his sharp voice.

“I didn’t enlist to the Axalon so I could waste away on some grimy rock. I was just lookin’ for da next job. Da next thing ta come along dat would gimme a few extra bucks ta get me through da next few months.”

Dinobot looked down to his whining comrade. “It would seem your life was rather a,” he paused, thinking of the right wording, “erratic; living from one thing to the next, only in the pursuit of the next meal. It is odd that you seek to return to that so quickly.”

Rattrap shrugged and stopped walking. “Yeah, I dunno why, but I miss it. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I had tons ‘o fun on the streets. You wouldn’t believe some of da stuff I did. I mean man, there was dis one time and—“

The warrior transformed and brought out a small circular device. Rattrap transformed as well and brought out another of the devices.

Dinobot looked to his comrade, “I’ll take position on the opposite side of the ship. You stay here.”

Rattrap nodded. The rat smirked slightly as the lizard crept off into the distance. He felt good right now. Even though he missed home more than ever, he felt—good. Dinobot and him kind of had a moment. It was a refreshing change. Often times the way they argued and teased each other was their only form of communication, but tonight—they actually spoke. And it made the rat think.

It was a question that would have to be answered, but not now. The rat knelt down and set the circular device on the ground. The device’s top hatch opened into four covers and out extended a small signal array. Rattrap positioned the array towards the Predacon ship.

Through the comm. line Dinobot spoke, “As am I rodent. I suggest we go to radio silence.”

The night air danced across Optimus’ furry face. He stood at the window of his quarters, letting himself get lost in the sky above. The book he read did nothing but remind him of home. His mind, as he read, became filled with the vivid images of where he read it when he first read through it on Cybertron. He had to stop and so he stood up and decided to distract himself by looking at the sky and try to pick out some constellations by memory.

It was one of the reasons he pursued a career in exploration; his love for the unknown. He stared at the stars, finding a few constellations here and there. These were not his stars though. Cybertronians had little need for constellations, but some did however exist. It was always fascinating to him, the way the humans of earth made several groupings of stars into representations of their heroes. He remembered, when being first brought online, he would stand outside of his house, starring at the starry sky above. Ofcourse, Cybertron was not the best place to gaze at the heavens for there was a large amount of light pollution from the vast cities. Yet, he remembered back to a time, when he would sneak off to a secluded place where the light was not so encompassing. There, he could relax and see the stars and dream of his future.

Who would have thought that my harmless hobby would lead to me being in this war?

The maximal turned around and sat back on his chair. He felt as if the weight of the world was crushing down on his shoulders. He let his crew down. He let this world down, for if they did contact Cybertron, the Predacons would have been captured for good. Why did I volunteer the Axalon to track down Megatron? The maximal stood up and sighed. There were other ships in the sector, but no I wanted to be the hero. What would I have done if I knew what I know now? He shook his head and leaned his elbows against the sill of his window. Unfortunately I believe I’d do it all over again. How could I doom this world to complete subjugation to Megatron? Also, he could have gained all the energon resources necessary for his plans of domination. It was the right thing to do, but still…

Scorponok, followed by Waspinator and Terrasaur, enter the room on hover platforms. Terrasaur eyed the Predacon leader with annoyance. He yawned as he approached Megatron.

“What do you want?”

Megatron smiled elegantly, “Save the disrespectful dribble Terrasaur. We have no time for such things, no.”

Megatron sighed then began, “A stasis pod has fallen in grid Orion. I want you two to retrieve it. No mistakes. If you can not secure the pod for yourselves then destroy it. I do not want the Maximal forces to gain another member.”

They both nodded and turned around, “Oh and Terrasaur…” called Megatron, “Do not fail me.”

Terrasaur nodded. The two flyers left the room. Then Megatron spun around in his chair and faced the arachnid.

“Now Scorponok I have something in mind for us to do,” he turned to his communications screen and activated it, “Blackarachnia to the command room, please.”

He then swerved back around to Scorponok, “Now I suspect that most of the Maximals will be out racing towards the stasis pod, leaving only one or two units to protect the base. We will use this opportunity to take their base.”

“Brilliant Megatron!” exclaimed Scorponok.

Megatron shook his head. It was almost sickening how the arachnid sucked up to him. It was ofcourse only a sign of the true intelligence that his servant possessed. He was well aware that those who followed him and his cause so blindly were not the brightest of bots. Blackarachnia, she was a shifty character. He knew she had a mind of her own, which he admired, but also despised. She was arrogant, self-serving, and treacherous. He could never count on her, but she was the classic Predacon. He too was all of those things. He did not really care about his crew or his race at all. He was in this war to gather energon and power. He hated how the maximals were in control over him. He craved for power, any power. And now, even on this secluded world, he found a small glimmer of that power.

Suddenly, the tyrant woke up from his silence and looked about the room.

“Where is that spider?”

Scorponok looked to his computer screen, “She’s not here Megatron!”

The tyrant slammed his fist into his arm rest, “Very well then. Call in Tarantulas; we must be leaving!”

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He was in. Rattrap crawled in a repair duct in the Predacon ship. The light was very dim and the floors were full of dust, among other things. He tried to ignore the mess. He was on a mission.

“Ok, from what I remember about da last time I was on dis chunk o’ metal, the power systems were dis way.”

Two passage ways stood before him, but the rat took the right one. Suddenly, he stopped crawling.

What was that?

He looked behind him. Nothing. He looked before him. Nothing.

Am I hearin’ things?

The maximal stood still, listening.

There it was again, a faint sound echoing through the crawl way.

He froze in fear.

What da heck is goin’ on?

Suddenly, he felt something brush against his leg. The rat quickly pulled himself forward and peered backwards. There was nothing there! He looked around, his spark racing with anxiety. He knew something was there. He heard it and felt it! Rattrap slowly reached for his pistol and held it ready.

There it was again from behind.

He spun around, now lying on his back with his pistol aimed forward.

Nothing?

“Fer crying out loud.”

The rat sat back up and put his gun away. “Man, Rattrap you’re goin’ nuts! Get a hold of yer self.”

He shook his head and let out a breath.

Then all of the sudden something pushed him onto his stomach. Rattrap yelped as he tried to sit back up, but he couldn’t. Something was on top of him! He reached backwards, trying to grab at whatever was on him. Searching, his blind arms finally grabbed hold of something. Its texture was dry and sticky. It was gross feeling. Whatever or who ever it was was stuck. Rattrap held his breath, “Who’s dere?”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his systems. His eyes opened wide as the pain flowed through his circuitry. The rat let go of the sticky object he held in his grips and let his arms fall to the ground. Something was wrong. A sort of coldness began whispering from where the pain originated. Finally, the heavy weight was removed from his back.

“What da?”

Suddenly, a roar of maniacal laughter echoed from behind him. He slowly turned himself around and tried to see where the laughter was coming from. He squinted hard, making out a shadowy figure before him.

“Wha?”

The rat began swaying slightly back and forth. His head felt heavy and foggy. Something was wrong.

“Wha… what’s going on?”

The laughter began again. He couldn’t take it. It was driving him insane. He turned around. He had to get out of here. Something was wrong. His instincts were screaming at him to get himself out of there. He could barely see now. He had to squint just to see in front of him. It was as if his internal systems were slowly shutting down and he couldn’t do anything about it. He didn’t remember how far away he was from the entrance he made, but he kept going, almost blindly feeling his way around. Unfortunately, there was no hindrance to the laughter. It pressed on, keeping at a distance, but always there, always keeping its tight hold over the rat’s terrified mind. It was following him! He couldn’t hide from it. Suddenly, he stopped and covered his ears. It was too intense. The laughter was overpowering his being. He couldn’t take it. Something is wrong!

“No!!!!”

The rat screamed in anxiety. Suddenly, the laughter stopped. His spark was rapidly pulsating against his chest plate. His head was bolting around, searching for the shadowy figure he once saw. Where was it? What was it? Was it real, or was he going insane. Still, he felt weaker by the cycle and almost out of his mind. His arms fell from his ears and his body laid hunched against the wall. He couldn’t move. The energy oozed from his body. All he could do was sit there and wait.

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It had been enough time now for the tyrant to become annoyed.

“Where are those spiders? Neither are answering my hails!”

Scorponok shrugged, “Do you want me to go look for them Megatron?”

Megatron shook his head, “No. We must make do without those treacherous arachnids.”

The tyrant stood up and looked to his servant, “Alright. Let us make a house call to those depressed Maximals. Perhaps we’ll be able to help them, yes.”

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Dinobot stood up from his monitor and took out his sword, “Prepare for battle vermin! Megatron is coming out!”

The lizard stood silently, waiting for a response, but was met with only static. He hit his comm.-link and spoke again, “Rattrap?”

His comm.-link was working, but why was he not receiving a response from the rat.

It’s not like the vermin to be quiet.

Suddenly, he heard a noise from the Predacon ship.

Megatron.

Dinobot held his sword in front of him, pointed forward, ready for the inevitable fight. The warrior stood silently, waiting for his opponents to come out. Two very well armed Predacons against one single warrior. The odds were not favorable for the lizard. Although he knew that his warrior skilled out passed that of Scorponok’s, he was however doubtful of being able to defeat both the arachnid and Megatron at the same time. And so, the warrior opened his comm.-link.

“This is Dinobot. I am about to engage the enemy. I am severely out gunned and request assistance.”

There he was. Megatron. The tyrant suddenly stepped out from the shadowy belly of the Darkside. Behind him scurried his eight legged servant, both in their beast forms. He let out a breath and charged his optical lasers. It was time.

Dinobot took off towards the Predacon duo, his optical lasers firing. Megatron roared in pain as the green laser lashed across his neck. The tyrant transformed after recovering from the sudden blast and leveled his Rex cannon at the incoming warrior.

Both bots were silent; concentrating on the task at hand. Dinobot pressed forward towards the mighty Predacon, pulling his sword backwards for a harsh slash at the tyrant; all the while firing bolts of green blazes at both foes.

By now, Scorponok was in robot form also and aimed his two missile launchers at the maximal. Dinobot saw this and assumed he’d be taking heavy fire any moment. The warrior leaned forward, increasing his speed towards the Predacons. Hand-to-hand combat was his most favorable skill as a warrior and it was not either of theirs. He had to take every advantage he had, without delay. Suddenly, explosions popped around him. The warrior leapt to the right and left, evading the incoming fire. He couldn’t keep the pace up for long. It was exhausting. Yet, he didn’t have too. He reached Megatron’s position. He charged his optical lasers fully once more and sent the ensuing blaze of green energy off at the arachnid. Scorponok went flying backwards; hitting the ground hard a few meters away.

“Now it is just us.”

Without delay the raptor lunged forward at the Predacon and dug his sword into the tyrant’s chest. From the force of the attack, Megaton lost his footing and fell backwards to the ground. Dinobot’s sword lay entrenched within the tyrant’s chest plating. Sparks began flowing form the entry point as Megatron shook in pain. The once powerful tyrant looked up at his former comrade with a hint of fear.

The warrior stood before his x-leader and sighed. It felt wonderful! He had to finish him. The warrior bent over and slowly removed the sword from its prey’s chest. Megatron moaned as the sword left his wound. Now, the maximal warrior stood before his enemy, his sword raised above his head. The time was now, he had to defeat him and end this war. He drew backwards and took a breath.

“Good bye Megatron.”

The tyrant closed his eyes. Never had he felt so out of control. He could do nothing. For, at the moment, his body was frozen in pain and fear. He knew that the traitor was a formidable warrior and could very easily destroy him. This fact, he knew was a possible reality when the warrior was under his command, but now, it was becoming an actuality. It scared him. Suddenly, though, he heard an explosion. The tyrant opened his eyes and looked where the warrior once stood. He was gone. The air was empty, the threat had vanished. He looked to his right and saw his servant standing, with his weapons aimed at the empty air which the warrior once occupied. The tyrant let out a breath of relief. He quickly stood to his feet and inspected his wounds. The gash in his chest was severe, but not life threatening. His spark rested to the right of the wound; safely away from any danger. The Predacon, however, was very weakened by the attack. He stood, leaning on his beast mode tail like a crutch. He looked to his servant and nodded, “Well done Scorponok, yes.”

Scorponok smiled and came up to his master.

“What should we do with him Megatron?”

The tyrant looked towards the Maximal. He stared at him. He never wanted to deal with this ever again. The risk of his power being overthrown by this turncoat was too great. The tyrant walked towards the motionless body of the warrior and aimed his Rex cannon at it.

“Destroy the threat.”

Suddenly, Dinobot turned to his back and fired his optical lasers once at the tyrant’s chest. Megatron roared in pain as the added wounds now smolder in the gashing hole. Scorponok fired once more at the warrior, not hitting him, but knocking him up a bit. Quickly, Megatron regained his footing and leveled his weapon at Dinobot.

Dinobot took to his knees; his sword lay a meter away. The three of them stood motionless for a moment, reading each other.

“Well, it would seem I have the upper hand.”

Dinobot shook his head, “Hmp. To defeat an opponent on his knees is lacking honor.”

Dinobot breathed heavily as his mind raced for a solution to the situation.

Megatron chuckled deeply.

“Your honor is why I am the victor and you are not.”

Dinobot knelt there before his previous commander. He stared into the gun barrel of the tyrant’s weapons array. He knew it was coming. Death. He closed his eyes and placed his arm against his chest, “I die well.”

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Cheetor raced across the land trying to keep up with Optimus who flew just above him. He was fast, but this constant pace was wearing him out. It did not matter though; they had reached the pod’s location. He slowed as he entered the beach in which the pod rested. Optimus landed next to Cheetor. The young bot transformed and looked around. It was such a pleasant night. The moon towered above the smooth waters before him, reflecting upon it softly. He took in a deep breath and smiled.

“Nice night huh Big bot?”

“Yes, let’s hope it stays this way. I’m betting Megatron has sent fliers; keep watch while I recover the pod.”

Cheetor nodded. He brought out his rifle and stood a few meters from the pod looking into the sky.

Optimus walked to the pod and crouched over it. He opened the access panel and examined the damage to it.

He sighed.

“Looks like re-entry was a little rough on this one.”

Cheetor turned around, “What’s the prob?”

Optimus stood up, “Well,” he paused, “I think the circuitry that controls the replication systems are a bit damaged, but I believe that Rhinox could repair it.”

Suddenly his com.-link activated and out came Dinobot’s voice.

“This is Dinobot. I am about to engage the enemy. I am severely out gunned and request assistance.”

Optimus tapped his chest to reply to the bot---

BOOM!

A cloud of sand spewed from an impact to the beach. Optimus struggled to see through the sand cloud, but failed.

Another strike hit the ground sending more sand in the air. Optimus switched to infrared and looked through the sandstorm. He got up and walked into the heart of the sandy fog, looking for the attackers.

“Cheetor! Switch to infra-red.”

“Gotchya big bot!”

Cheetor scanned the area with his infrared and saw Terrasaur and Waspinator at the stasis pod.

“Hey! Hands off!”

Cheetor leveled his rifle at the two Predacons and let off two shots; each missing the Predacons. Terrasaur turned to his comrade and pointed to Cheetor, “You take the maximals while I handle the pod!”

Waspinator shrugged and chocked his gun, “Why Waspinator never gets to get the easy assignments?”

Waspinator flew up into the sky and began firing at both the maximals from above. Cheetor began returning a few missiles in the wasp’s direction. Optimus looked up at the wasp and his arm cannons flipped open and aimed for the Predacon.

“Cheetor, take out Terrasaur and protect that pod! I’ll handle Waspinator.”

Optimus then let free a few blasts up into the sky. He watched as the missiles flew off into the sky, exploding some distance away, but not touching the Predacon wasp. He was going to have to get closer to get a positive hit. His shoulder cannons flipped forward as he prepared for take off.

“Prime jets online!”

Suddenly, the maximal took to the air as a stream of fire was left in his wake.

Cheetor nodded as his leader took to the sky and immediately leveled his blaster at the pterodactyl and fired. His missile fire hurtled themselves through the air and slammed into Terrasaur’s side. The Predacon flyer was thrown over the pod into the rising crest of the ocean.

Cheetor ran up to the pod and looked around for Terrasaur, but the Predacon was no where in sight.

Cheetor lowered his weapon and scratched his head, “That’s funny I could’ve sworn-“

The cat then was hit in the side and was sent to the sandy ground. His mouth filled with gritty sand, Cheetor lifted himself to a sitting position and reach his arm out for his blaster which lay a few feet away. Just then, he heard a clicking sound to the right of him. He froze. “Don’t even move a gear kitty.” Cheetor saw the Predacon in his peripheral vision. The Predacon stood with his legs far apart. He saw an opportunity.

Terrasaur snickered, “This is what you’re going to do for me Garfield. Now you’d better be hungry, ‘cause you’re going to place your face down into that sand and start chompin’ while I get that pod.”

Terrasaur chuckled, “Now, go to it!”

Cheetor, without a second to spare, swept his leg between the predacon’s legs and kicked his right leg out from under him. The Predacon lost balance for a moment as Cheetor thrusted his body into the pterodactyl. Both their bodies hit the ground with a resounding metal clang. Cheetor quickly snatched the pterodactyl’s blaster from his hand and took to his feet.

He stood tower above Terrasaur and cocked his opponent’s weapon.

“I’m not hungry.”

Terrasaur began chuckling. Cheetor became nervous. When a Predacon laughed in these types of situations it never meant anything good. He tried to keep a steady face. “Quiet chuckles.”

Terrasaur looked at the pod and then back to the cat.

The Predacon suddenly unleashed a beam of purple energy from his optical lasers hitting the cat in the eyes. Cheetor fell backwards, his hands grasping his eyes. Terrasaur ran to the pod and hit his comm.-link, “Terrasaur to Megatron, I’ve got the pod, but the Maximals are here. Hurry it up!”

The pterodactyl looked back over to Cheetor who lay in the sand clutching his face in pain. He smirked. He sent a huge amount of energy into that kid’s optics. He’ll be blinded for cycles. Terrasaur returned his attention to the situation. Optimus was still out there. He had to take him out to ensure their claim to the pod. He looked around, nervously. He knew that the maximal leader was out there. He began looking around, his head turning here and there violently. Where is he? Just then he heard a quiet thud behind him.

“Put the weapon down Terrasaur.”

Terrasaur froze. He didn’t know what to do. If he didn’t get this pod he couldn’t return to Megatron.

“…If you can not secure the pod for yourselves then destroy it…” remembered Terrasaur.

The Predacon smirked.

“You heard me, drop it,” ordered Optimus from behind.

Terrasaur slowly began lowering the weapon, bringing it to his side. As he did so, he clutched the trigger and let a few missiles escape. Optimus yelled as the missiles crashed against the stasis pod next to the Predacon. The pod burst into flames as fragments went flying in every direct. Terrasaur, being the closest to the pod, was flung a few meters away. Optimus was knocked off his feet into the waters as a small piece of shrapnel dug into his right arm. The maximal leader knelt there, staring into the smoky abyss that was once the pod. His arm felt like it was on fire from the lodge metal scarp. It was hot and splintered.

He lowered his head and sighed. He looked back up and saw Cheetor lying in the distance, motionless. If he lost Cheetor on top of this protoform, he knew that he would have some kind of mental melt down. He was so stressed out. It was almost too much. He failed this protoform. It was another piece of life he was responsible for and now it was gone.

Optimus stood to his feet and walked over to his comrade. He knelt down over him and brushed away some sand that had landed upon the kid’s face during the explosion.

Optimus sat into the sand and closed his eyes. All he could think about was the protoform within that pod. It was dead before it got the opportunity to live. Everything was welling up inside him. He felt this heated pressure in his chest. It kept growing and growing. He couldn’t dismiss it or control it. He was so angry!

“No.”

He slammed his fist into the sand.

“NO!”

“Big bot?”

Optimus put his face in his hands, “I’m sorry Cheetor its just difficult to loose someone you are responsible for,” he sighed, “I know this protoform wasn’t actually online yet, but it was a life of which I was responsible for-“ he lowered his head, “and I failed my responsibility.”

Cheetor stood up, “Hey no way Optimus. You didn’t fail it.”

Optimus stood up, “Well it doesn’t matter at the moment. How are you?”

Cheetor shrugged as he sat up straight, “Everything’s a little blurry right now and I’m kinda dizzy, but I guess I’m fine.”

Optimus let out a breath and stood to his feet, “Well, Rattrap and Dinobot need my help,” his jets activated and he began to hover over the sand, “Try and get yourself back to base. You’re due a few cycles in the R chamber after your fight with Terrasaur.”

Cheetor shook his head, “No, I’m fine big-“

“Go Cheetor. Let me do my job.”

The young maximal nodded then transformed to beast mode. He looked back at Optimus then headed off running back to base.

Optimus hovered there for a second. He watched Cheetor go out of range then flew off into the sky.

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Rattrap sat there frozen. His gears felt like there were a few pounds of rust on them. They just wouldn’t move. His eyes darted around, searching the dark crawl space he was in. It was pitch black. All he could do was listen to that encompassing laughter. It was getting closer by the cycle. He had to move! Come on. He sent all his strength into his limbs. He had to do this and soon. Just move a little will ya. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had to give this ever last terawatt of energy. Come on! Suddenly his finger twitched. Then his fist clenched and he was able to grab his pistol. It was something. Come and get me ya spook. He was weak; almost at the point of stasis lock, but he had to defend himself.

The laughter stopped. It was silent.

Rattrap let out a breath of frustration. Fer cryin’ out loud what’s takin’ so long?

There it was. A sound. It was close, maybe a few feet away. Something was close. He froze. If there was something or someone there he didn’t want them to know he knew what was going on.

Suddenly the sticky mass covered his legs and waist. Whatever it was was sitting on him. Rattrap didn’t care what it was he was done with this. He quickly jabbed the pistol into the mass and sent it crashing through the crawl space wall.

The rat called upon all his strength again and followed whatever it was through the gapping hole in the crawl space. There were some lights outside the hole, but his vision was blurred and dimmed. He knelt on the ground, weak and exhausted. Looking around, the rat spotted something lying on its back. It was Tarantulas.

“Why you demented little toaster. That was you da whole time?”

Tarantulas turned over and returned to all eight legs.

“Hehe. Clever names will not save you vermin. I have given you a dose of venom. As we speak your internals are being drained of energy. You’ll retain only enough to keep you fresh!”

Rattrap gagged in disbelief.

“Again with da cannibalism? Shesh. Ya know I know a shrink back on Cybertron that could really help ya out dere.”

The two of them remained motionless. Rattrap felt weakness flush through his body again. His arm dropped and his grip on the pistol loosened. His head wobbled around as he tried to stay focused, but he found himself just looking around the Predacon command room.

Tarantulas smirked, “It is almost time.”

Rattrap raised his arm and point at the spider.

“You should know,” he slammed his fist into a button on the wall next to him, “…junk food ain’t good fer ya health.”

Suddenly a hover platform slammed into Tarantulas. Rattrap ducked as the spider crashed back into the crawl space behind him. With a burst of adrenaline (or the transformer equivalent), he stood to his feet and looked around. “…Gotta stop dos Preds…”

The rat stumbled around the command center finally making his way to Megatron’s throne chair. He climbed onto it, his body completely drained from the exercise. The holo-bubble sat in front of him and he looked at it. “Computa!” He took a breath, “Show me Megatron.”

Within a moment the projection filled with the scene which took place outside the ship. Rattrap blinked, “Dinobot!”

“Computa activate auto-guns.”

“Defense systems restricted to level 1 access.”

Rattrap sighed, “Well here’s a new level fer ya.”

He lifted his pistol and fired at a control box to the right. His arm fell immediately, dropping the pistol down. It fell through the air, plunging into the fiery lava below.

Great.

“Auto-guns activated. Targeting systems off-line.”

“Shesh.” The rat sat in a slump on the throne, unable to move any longer. He did everything he could. He just couldn’t fight the venom. He could feel his mech fluid begin to crystallize within him. His face cringed as his pain circuitry direct currents of fiery pain through his extremities.

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Dinobot remained motionless, waiting for the laser pulse to explode from Megatron’s Rex Cannon. Atleast I leave this life on the more honorable side.

He looked up at the tyrant’s face. Megatron must have been soaking up the moment. His face adorned a prideful grin. It infuriated Dinobot.

“My only regret is that you will be the last thing that I have the pleasure of seeing Megatron.”

Megatron smiled. “Yes, I’m sure this is distasteful for you so I will end your suffering.”

Suddenly the Rex Cannon exude a soft purple glow as it charged. Dinobot closed his eyes and looked to the sky as he held his breath.

Suddenly, explosions began popped around the trio. Megatron looked up, searching for an enemy. Dinobot, taking advantage of the distraction leapt for his sword; grabbed it and rolled across the ground. He quickly stood up and fired a stream of green energy at Megatron’s knees. Megatron lost his footing for a moment, but soon reclaimed his ground. Still explosions rained down upon the ground around them. Megatron looked at his ship.

“The auto-defense turrets!”

He turned to his servant, “Scorponok shut that down!”

The arachnid nodded and ran for the Darkside. Megatron turned back to Dinobot only to be met with the warrior’s cold metal foot crushing the tyrant’s helmet. Dinobot then grabbed Megatron by the throat and jammed his sword back into the jagged wound. Megatron unleashed a roar of pain like no other. His Rex Cannon swatted at Dinobot as the tyrant stumbled around. Dinobot suddenly caught off guard by the roar, was smacked in the face by the Rex Cannon. He stumbled backward and grabbed his face. Megatron, using his tail cannon as a crutch again, leveled his Rex Cannon at the turncoat and let a massive river of purple energy encompass Dinobot’s body. Dinobot fell to the ground, still being overcome by the beam. His teeth gritted together as his armor began disintegrating. Can’t take this much longer!

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Scorponok ran into the command room and saw Rattrap sitting unconscious in Megatron’s throne. “What the?”

The arachnid took a hover platform to the throne and looked at the maximal infiltrator. “Hey, you’re not supposed to be in here.” Scorponok waited for a reply, but got none. He extended his arm and poked the rat’s shoulder. “Hmp.”

“Idiot don’t touch that!”

Scorponok spun around to find Tarantulas standing on another platform.

“Tarantulas! I was looking for you--”

“Not now. We must shut down the auto-guns or we’ll run the system dry!”

Scorponok shrugged, “Right. Megatron ordered it deactivated.”

Tarantulas sighed, “Well then we better do as Megatron says. Hmp.”

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Dinobot struggled to sit up, but Megatron’s beam kept pushing him down. His beast mode flesh on his torso had already been eaten away by the heat. He could feel his internals overheating too. He wouldn’t last much longer. Luckily, a stray missile from Megatron’s own defenses slammed into the tyrant’s back. Megatron was pushed forward and the beam ended. Dinobot pushed him self into the Predacon, sending them both into the ground with a metal clang. Dinobot reared his head back and slammed it into his x-commander’s head. Megatron’s optics went black as Dinobot fell to the side of the tyrant’s still body. He let out a breath of relief. His body ached, but that was the good news.

The auto-guns stopped their random barrage and all was silent. Suddenly he heard a sound. He struggled to lift his head. It was Optimus. The warrior’s head fell limp to the ground, knowing that help was there.

Optimus ran over to him and knelt down, “Dinobot!”

Dinobot coughed and reached for Primal’s arm.

“The vermin.”

Optimus looked around the crater stricken ground, “Where is he?”

The warrior slowly moved his head from side to side.

Optimus sighed. “Are you alright?”

Dinobot coughed again, this time coughing up a glob of mech fluid.

“Excellent. Go.”

Optimus looked at the damaged warrior intently. “Alright.”

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Tarantulas kneeled over the damage control box, fusing together a few circuits.

“Done. Now let’s get this Maximal to the holding cell.”

“Waitaminute! I’m second in command. I give the orders!”

Tarantulas sighed, “Never mind the chain of command you nut. We need to get the rat secured,” Tarantulas smirked, “Megatron would be extremely unhappy if this fur ball was able to escape now wouldn’t he?”

Scorponok shrugged, “I guess so.”

“Then!” Tarantulas waved his arms in frustration.

Scorponok nodded, “Tarantulas I order you to take the rat to a holding cell!”

“Yes. Sir.”

Tarantulas steered his platform to the throne chair and picked up the limp maximal and dropped him onto the platform. Dinner is served. Suddenly an explosion echoed through the room and Scorponok was sent flying off his platform and onto the ground below. Tarantulas looked behind him to see Optimus’ fist rushing towards him. The gorilla’s first slammed into Tarantulas’ face and he was knocked off the platform, plunging to a formation of cooled lava. Optimus grabed Rattrap and flew from the room.

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The sky grew dark as clouds covered both silvery moons. Optimus flew out from the belly of the Darkside and placed his comrade on the ground. He put his head next to Rattrap’s mouth. No airflow. Optimus, franticly moving, felt the rat’s chest, searching for a heat source. “Cold.”

He looked at his friend’s lifeless face. Tears billowed up in his optics and his body gave under the emotion. He sat down bent over the rat’s motionless body. He was silent. He couldn’t make a noise. Just too much. I… I can’t do this. Why?

“Why does this keep happening?” He sat back up and rubbed the mech fluid tears from his optics. He looked up into the cloudy sky and watched as droplets of rain water fell down towards him. They drizzled down his face and splashed onto Rattrap’s body. The maximal gazed in disbelief again at his fallen comrade. He just couldn’t imagine the Beast Wars or for that matter his life without Rattrap’s constant wit and quirkiness.

Suddenly he heard a groan behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see Megatron sitting up. Optimus quickly spun around on his heels and stood hunched over and ready for a fight.

“This time you’ve gone way over the line Megatron.”

Megatron, still somewhat weak and foggy from his fight with Dinobot looked around and then back to the face of his enemy. He smirked.

“Hmmm… that poor rat. I suppose there’ll be no more late night garbage looting because he’ll be the garbage, won’t he now?”

Optimus gritted his teeth. “Stop.”

Megatron struggled to his feet. “Awe what?”

“You can’t do anything Optimus admit it. Your maximal code is commanding you right now to gather your things and return to your maximal base. The fight is over on this battlefield. The victors have been named and the losers… well.”

Optimus’ fists clenched as his arm cannons flipped out. He rushed forward and slammed his fist into Megatron’s gut. The tyrant stumbled backwards. “Surprise me Optimus? I do believe this is a first.”

The maximal leveled his cannons at Megatron and felt the recoil as two blast speed out and into the tyrant. Megatron fell on his back in the freshly formed mud. Dirt and mud dirtied his face and rain water pelted his tattered body. Optimus slowly trudged through the muddy ground and stood towering over his enemy. Megatron, resting on an elbow for support, looked at Optimus. “Well get on with it then.”

Optimus quickly whipped out his curved sword. “I promise you Megatron. No more will die under my command. No more of your interferences will compromise the safety of my crew. No more attempts to get them safely home will be ruined by you. I promise you!”

The maximal raised the sword high as he moved in for the kill.

Dinobot’s optics flickered on as rain collected in the gashes on his chest. Cold and without any animal flesh to cover his bare chest, he shivered in the rain. He looked around, getting a hold of his surroundings to see Optimus standing over his fallen nemesis. He sat up and examined the scene more closely. Optimus? Dinobot struggled to his feet. “This is not right,” whispered the warrior.

Optimus stood there, the rain flowing down his body and splashing in the watery mud under his feet. He was frozen; a solid sculpture of grief, frustration, disappointment, hatred, and anger. His fist gripped that sword so hard. All he wanted to do was to make a quick pass for Megatron’s spark chamber. Megatron lifted himself up on his other elbow and coughed, “Well.”

“What?” asked Optimus in anger.

“Well are you going to do it or is it more difficult to murder someone when they are conscious.”

“This is not murder. Its justice,” stated Optimus coldly.

Megatron coughed, “Well then if that is how you see it do it. Do it now.”

Optimus held his curved blade above his head. His eyes stared at Megatron. Questioning what he was about to do, but it was useless. He was working on anger and instinct rather then logic.

“Ya know I never thought you had this in you Primal. You’d make an excellent Predacon in this condition. Yes.”

“Shut up!”

Enraged and embarrassed, Optimus kicked Megatron’s leg and dropped the blade. He moved closer to his nemesis and leveled his arm cannon for his head.

Dinobot slowly made his way through the mud. Holding himself and shivering, he walked up to Optimus.

“This is not right,” mumble Dinobot. He coughed up another blob of mech fluid and cleared his throat, “Optimus stop.”

The maximal commander remained silent, holding his cannon barrel at the face of his enemy.

“Stop.”

Optimus shook his head, “No Dinobot! He deserves this!”

Dinobot put his hand on Optimus’ shoulder, finding support for his weakened body to rest upon.

“This is wrong.”

Optimus snarled, “Of all people I would have thought you’d agree with me now!”

Dinobot glanced at Megatron. He had fallen unconscious again.

“Hmm… In the past, yes, I suppose I would agree with you. Now I see that this action is murder and not justice,” he grabbed Optimus’ arm and lowered it.

“It is lacking honor to slay an enemy when they are unable to defend themselves.”

Optimus stepped back. The rain drizzled down his face.

Dinobot turned to him, “Maximals only fight in defense and that is how it will remain.”

Optimus backed away from Megatron, his chest heaving in and out. The rush of adrenaline had increased his air intake. He looked at Megatron’s muddied body and shook his head. “Maximals fight in defense…”

He weakly looked to Dinobot and sighed. They looked at each other for a moment. It was one of those looks that transferred thoughts and feelings. Dinobot smiled and patted his commander on the back. “You are welcome Optimus.”

Optimus nodded and looked back at Megatron. “Let’s go home.”

Dinobot nodded, “Yes.”

Dinobot turned and walked over to Rattrap’s mud splattered body. He knelt down and looked it over and saw two puncture wounds on his back. He felt the holes and tasted a residue which resided in them. With a disgusted look, he stood up and called Optimus.

“I do not believe he is dead.”

Optimus, hopeful, ran to Dinobot’s side.

“What do you mean?” asked the maximal leader.

“There are two puncture wounds on his back and they are lined with some kind of cyber venom.”

Optimus nodded, “That must mean--”

“Tarantulas, yes. And that must also mean that the vermin is supposed to be kept alive, barely, so that disgusting spider can devour fresh meat.”

Optimus sighed in disgust. “Good, but I should get him back to the base as soon as possible.”

“Ofcourse. Do not worry about me. I will make my way on foot.”

Optimus smiled. “In true warrior fashion.”

The warrior nodded with a smirk.

Optimus picked up the rat and activated his jets. He hovered over the ground and looked to his comrade, “See you soon.”

“And Dinobot.”

“Yes?”

“Thanks.”

The True Difference

By: Skyfire

After repeated losses to the Predacons, Optimus reaches his breaking point and almost crosses the line of ethics that are the foundation of everything he stands for.