The Beauty and the Predacon {ON HOLD}

Chapter 16

When Predaking reaches the upper haul the doors open to reveal Arcee standing there with her back to him. He can tell something is off, he can sense hurt and concern emanating from her. She turns to look at him and he can see it in her optics, "Predaking, please tell me you're not gonna go through with it."

Predaking is a bit confused. Is she referring to his discussion with Megatron about the other Autobot prisoner? How does she know? He then remembers that they can see each other's thoughts through their sparkbond and he was thinking about the discussion while he was heading back, so she would have been able to read his processor and see it. "I must if I am to prove my allegiance still stands with my master."

"You don't have to prove anything. How can you not see that he is using you?"

"Lord Megatron wouldn't do that, he-"

"Yes, he would! I know him a lot better than you do and I am telling you that he is not to be trusted!"

Predaking starts to get angry that she would even accuse his master of such a thing, "And you Autobots are!? The Autobots that destroyed my brethren!? I will not trust an Autobot!"

"I'm an Autobot! So you're saying you don't trust me!? You won't even trust your sparkmate!?"

"No! I mean the other Autobots, you're different!"

"I'm still an Autobot, that will never change!" Arcee could feel a sting in her spark as lubricant filled the corners of her optics threatening to fall. She should have known that it wouldn't be easy to get Predaking to go against Megatron, she needs to figure out a way to help him see that she's right. "Predaking, listen. I wouldn't lie to you, I know Megatron and his tricks. I just-"

"There are no tricks! If my creator trusts him then so do I!"

Arcee looks at him as she feels his anger rolling off him, "If you hate the Autobots so much, then why do you love me? Why choose me to be your sparkmate?"

Predaking calms himself down as he thinks back, "Because you didn't treat me like I was an animal or a beast, you treated me like an actual being. When you spoke up against Starscream beating me and poking me with that rod I instantly got a sensation that I never felt before and I don't know how to describe it, I just knew that you were different. When you started giving me Energon and acting friendly towards me the sensation grew and an ancient primal instinct awoke inside me, it started with a desire to make you mine then turned into love."

Predaking thinks over the stuff that he had just said to her about not trusting an Autobot and he regrets it. He was telling the truth but only when it comes to the other Autobots, it doesn't include her. "It was wrong of me to say that I would never trust an Autobot. I won't ever trust any of the other Autobots but I do trust you, I just don't believe that my master would do such a thing."

Arcee vents out a sigh, she can tell it's gonna take some work and patience to get him to see what's going on. "I wouldn't lie to you, Predaking. The reason I even returned with you was that I wanted to help you. I love you and I'm not gonna sit back and watch you be used like a pawn." She sends him a wave of love to prove to him that she means what she says.

Predaking can sense that she's telling the truth, he can look into her processor and tell that she's telling the truth about what she believes is happening. But he just can't see why Megatron would use him or what purpose he would do it for. He walks over to her and gets down on his knees in front of her, he looks into her optics as he rubs the back of one of his claws against her cheek, "I love you too, Arcee. I always will, no matter what happens."

Arcee smiles as she wraps her arms around his neck to hug him. She feels his arms wrap around her as he pulls her closer to his body and she feels contented. She will figure out a way to help him see reason and understand what Megatron is doing. He doesn't have to join the Autobots but if she can at least get him away from Megatron and the Decepticons she will be happy.

~~~~~~~~~~

The door to the brig opens to allow Megatron to walk in followed by Soundwave and Starscream. Ratchet looks over his shoulder and begins turning around, "Are you through poking around inside my head?" He asks as he turns to face the warlord and starts walking towards him, "You didn't find what you wanted, did you? Or else you wouldn't be here."

"What I want apparently does not yet exist," Megatron tells him.

"And that would be?"

"We would very much like for you to complete your work, on the formula for Synthetic Energon."

"Even if I were capable, do you think that I would hand you a limitless supply of fuel and ammunition just so you can turn around and use it against the Autobots?" Ratchet turns around not wanting to face him any longer.

"Oh, you misunderstand, dearest Ratchet. I intend to use your formula for the purpose of creation, not destruction." Ratchet turns around to look at him again showing interest in what he's talking about and Megatron continues, "We have fortuitously discovered that your synthen, when combined with cyber nucleic acid, may in fact form the basis for an alternative cyber matter."

"You are attempting to rebuild the Omega Lock."

"We stand on the verge of a great moment in time, you and I. Restoration of our very homeworld."

"Collaborate with the barbarian who essentially destroyed our planet in the first place, who sadistically crushed Bumblebee's voice box while looking him in the eye? Not to mention you've been holding Arcee captive doing Primus knows what to her. No, thank you."

"Then I present you with a choice. Complete your research..." Megatron says as he puts up his left arm where Starscream is standing folding his arms. He then lifts his right arm, "Or..." Soundwave steps forward and brings up the picture he had taken of the kids some time ago on his visor.

Starscream chuckles, "Humans, always the weak link."

"Are these humans supposed to mean something to me?" Ratchet asks as he acts like he doesn't care.

"If not, I am certain this will." Soundwave's visor changes images to show the Autobot's new base, "As you must certainly be aware, we know the location of your current base. Accept my offer and I will allow your fellow Autobots and human pets to remain unharmed. Think it over, good doctor." Megatron turns to leave with Starscream and Soundwave but before they can get out the door, Ratchet shouts to them. 

"Wait!"

The three stop and Megatron turns to side glance at him, "Yes?"

"I would like to make a request."

Megatron completely turns to look at him as he thinks it over. He can already guess what he wants, no doubt he wants to see his comrade to make sure she's alright, "Depends on what it is."

"I want to see Arcee and make sure she's alright, make sure you brutes haven't done anything to her."

"I assure you we haven't done anything to her, she's just fine," Megatron tells him but he knows the doctor isn't having it.

"I still would like to see her to make sure. Let me see her and I'll at least hear you out."

"Fine. I'll have her brought to the bridge then I'll have Soundwave bring you to the bridge." Megatron walks out with Starscream and Soundwave and the door closes leaving Ratchet alone with his thoughts.

"My liege, you're not really going to allow the Autobots to remain operational?" Starscream asks as they walk through the corridors of the ship.

"Of course not, assemble your armada, Starscream, and decimate their base once again." Starscream smiles evilly at the prospect of destroying the Autobots for good. He gets ready to go do as he's told but he's stopped by Megatron speaking again, "But make sure Arcee doesn't see you. She'll cause trouble if she figures out what's going on. Have her go to the bridge with Predaking before you get your armada together."

"Yes, my liege," Starscream says before he runs off.