"That's good. I must talk to him and ask him not to speak Steeclaw's name. Steelclaw and I both promised each other to not tell what happened there to avoid danger from our opposing sides except to a person we trusted most. I trust you, Optimus."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Primal's mouth at Whitegrazer's words. He knew what she did earlier wasn't any kind of betrayal, almost what Ironclaw had implied, because he felt that he could trust her, too. Definitely. However, there were still some things he kept hidden to himself.
"Orcariner and Icebreaker were close."
Optimus nodded quietly at her comment.
"We talked on neutral ground. It was mostly a philsophical debate, but we never came to a consensus on the topic of peace. Steelclaw believes Maximals will always to try to control Predacons and vice versa. From what I can tell, he believes this war could change things for the Predacons back on Cybertron. Free them from their oppression. They believe war is their only option."
The Maximal leader understood Steelclaw's perspective, and had no doubt that something about the Beast Wars was going to change both factions. For Predacons like him, Glowstick and Onyx, Primal could see the potential for them and Maximals to co-exist. Unfortunately, there were others like Megatron, Cryotek and Terrorsaur; bent on power, domination, greed and spreading fear to everyone and their demise. Those few were enough to stir up chaos and death, and to keep the allegiances separated for their own causes.
"But he is wrong on both accounts. We have seen that Maximals can work together with Predacons. Evidence that has been proven by you, Optimus,"
Optimus brought his thoughtfully wandering optics back to Whitegrazer's, studying her's with some intensity.
"You had taken in Dinobot, Frilla, and Starshadow. You had also taken in a Cybertronian suffering from split personalities and you and the rest had treated her as a person, not a slave nor a second-class citizen."
"I only thought it fair to give them a chance," the Commander softly explained with modesty.
"If they felt that they couldn't find a place under Megatron's command, maybe they could find one with another crew that has a different objective." It wasn't like he was trying to prove something, or change Cybertron's future. And who knew if they'd remain with the Maximals after they'd finally get back home. That was their business, after all. For all Primal knew, they could just be taking advantage of his kindness and hospitality. However, in Arachnitron's case it was much different, but that was because Optimus knew more about her than he lead on. Indirectly, of course, since he had been involved with a "project" far more dangerous that was now out of his reach. He didn't want to treat Arachnitron differently, thinking they could help her, and he couldn't have locked her up. Primus, the tests they ran on these bots... on their sparks. It darkened his own with the knowledge he had, and he regretted it.
"War doesn't solve problems. It causes them. Even if it did solve one, many more would have taken its place. If Predacons won, what would happen?" " History has shown that new wars are caused by the remains of old ones. The ones who have lost would have taken the place of the victors. Oppressed, they will fight to gain their freedom just as the victors' had done to them. It's a cycle that will continue unless there can be a peace, but it would take both sides to compromise which certain individuals on both sides will not allow."
It seemed as if it was simply a way of life with beings such as themselves. War is inevitable. Such a sad and bleak thought.
"As a Maximal, I have seen the evils of my own kind on Predacons and sadly, on other Maximals," "but so have I seen the evils of Predacons on us and their own."
Nodding, Optimus couldn't help but agree with her and know exactly what she was talking about. But what did she know? What had she seen and experienced? It perked his curiosity.
"Maximals or Predacons? What are our differences beyond our insignia and designs? We are all Cybertronians. Individuals. Yes, individuals can be cruel, selfish, sadistic, vile, controlling and corrupted, but that's just one side of the mirror, of the world. The other side is that individuals can be compassionate, selfless, merciful, and innocent. Every soul is different and tells a tale wrapped in layers of experiences and beliefs."
"It's a world of grey, but that doesn't mean right and wrong have totally disappeared. Everyone is responsible for their own actions, choices and the conquences that follow them. We all have the free will to choose our own destinies, our own fate. People can change, but we can only offer it. It is they who have to accept it or decline it."
Primal observed Whitegrazer quietly, letting her speak what she felt she had to say without interruption. And he couldn't have agreed more with her on that particular issue. Another small smile crossed his face as he listened, taking more interest in her. His relaxed state did not last long, though, as she went on.
"I can't change Steelclaw's beliefs nor can he change mine. I can only tell him what I believe. He can choose to think about it or dismiss it. It's his choice, but he will have to live with the consequences of it like I do with mine. With more time and conversations, we will just have to see. "
Nooding once more, Optimus made sure to mention,
"Just make sure you're both very careful and extremely cautious if you're to engage in future conversations. If Megatron finds out, he may consider it treachery on Steelclaw's account, which is unlikely to go unpunished. Once he told Aurora and I that Glowstick had been terminated by his hand because of the actions he took behind his back, it was an eye-opener for me. I suddenly realized how merciless and dark Megatron can truly be. A trait I have been too naive to accept from him, thinking deep down that he was incapable of such actions on this planet. I have been sadly mistaken. Whitegrazer, you must tell me when you plan on seeing Steelclaw again and every time after. If Megatron has someone follow him, there might be an ambush sometime, with or without Steelclaw's knowledge. And if anything were to happen to you..." He trailed off with a sorrowful tone, shaking his head as he tried pushing away every possible outcome that attempted to creep into his mind about her being harmed or worse.
"My master was right. I can't summarize anything. I always turn everything into a speech. I'm surprised I lived as long as I have with my mouth back on Cybertron. Primus knows lots of people want to shut me up."
"Turning everything into a speech is just one more thing we have in common," Primal tried comforting her with a light chuckle to follow her's. All right. Too curious to avoid the topic now, Optimus asked,
"What exactly do you mean? Have you been threatened? And who was your master, if you don't mind my asking?" There was still so much to learn about her even though he felt like he has known her for as long as he has known Rhinox. Speaking of which...
"Optimus," "Rattrap has picked up several stasis pods coming from orbit. He's obtaining coordinates now."
Of course there was bound to be an interruption, just when things were getting interesting. So, more Maximals were about to join the Beast Wars. No one knew that this could very well be their first and last day to ever be on-line again.
"Understood, Rhinox," the leader returned.
"Launch a small team for each pod to secure them from the Predacons and retrieve our fellow comrades. If they land before the teams can reach them, see if we can establish communication with them to let them know help is on the way. And, Rhinox, remind everyone that we're still under a cease-fire."
-----
"I'm here!"
Rattrap blinked at Rhinox, watching him fly into the bridge with his bulky, heavily armored body. Sheesh.
"Track the pods' trajectory and get me coordinates as soon as they're calculated. We'll round up anyone who is still awake and willing to journey out to retrieve the protoforms."
"Yeah, uh, Frilla and I are workin' on it," he told Rhinox with a little frustration.
"Hmm... and those who are not ready and willing to journey out; can we make them of the opposite persuasion?"
"I heard dat, Chopper Face," Rattrap called out without bothering to look over his shoulder at Dinobot.
"Though we could always talk on the way to one of the stasis pods if your up for it."
"Try to stay focused out there, will ya?" the rat said toward Wintersong and Ironclaw without looking at either one while he worked frantically with Frilla.
"This ain't no picnic. The Preds'll be hot on their trails, too."
"I volunteer to help retrieve the one in the forest, no way am I going near the ocean again."
The Spy couldn't blame the tigress for that. Their best option for that one was their largest Maximal.
"We could use Orcariner's help with that pod. Anybody seen 'im around?"
"Been trying to do that since I was a Pred Rattrap, I only know the signal is a lot like the one at Standing Stones and I'm guessing Rhinox would have better luck then I would."
"Hm. We gotta work on that and figure it out. We can't keep havin' pods dropping outta the sky like flies with dis interferance, unable to track 'em and where they're gonna land," he commented.
"Couldn't sleep could be putting it mildly Rattrap."
Oh, great, thought the rodent.
If none of these guys got any sleep, I'm bettin' the whimp chimp didn't either. Great. Although, he could understand why Optimus might not have been able to rest, but was on Feralnight's conscience the whole time? It irked him.
"where's the slagging CR tank when you need one..?
"Whoa," Rattrap suddenly said, stopping what he was doing and spinning around to look at Starshadow when she showed up to the bridge and spoke.
"What de heck happened to you?"
))
