Truth Between the Lies

By: Sinead

Author’s Note: A mainly unfinished story that I’ve been working on for the better part of a year-and-a-half at this point, virtually getting nowhere with it in comparison to some of my other works.

Part One

I opened my eyes, and looked up at a starry twilight sky. My head felt heavy, as if someone had strapped weights to it. There were sounds of battle to my left. I shifted, tearing my gaze away from the gentle tones of the darkening skies. There was a whirring noise as I did so.

I sat up with a start, looking at me hands, now made of a grey-blue metal. My legs were as well, only . . . only . . . I kinda knew exactly what I was now.

And that wasn’t human anymore.

I walked towards the sounds of battle, trying to decide what I would do when I got there. Would I stand there and watch? Would I enter in battle? If I entered, whose side would I be on, anyway?

Well, at least the last question would be easy to answer.

I’d join the Maximals.

I reached a valley, soon after my decision to join up with the Maximals. I shuddered, remembering. I knew not what would happen, but I knew that I was here. I had the feeling that I wasn’t supposed to be standing, watching this valley, but I was.

And I was going to help in any way that I could. Or kick the slag outta whoever needed it done.

With a wild yell, I leapt into the valley at a crucial moment, landing between one named Dinobot and another, whose name I hadn’t caught yet. The other had said the first’s name in a patronizing tone as I had descended.

"Overri– who are you?!" Dinobot snapped.

I drew my sword, looking down at him as he crouched upon the ground, obviously in pain. "A dream." I faced the taller Predacon. "Or a nightmare."

Before either could move, I whirled, catching the Predacon’s side. He dropped some golden disk-thing or another, and I continued to drive him away from it. He finally turned and ran, hurling insults over his shoulder at me. I didn’t attempt to make him pay for some of the things he had said. There would be time enough for that later.

I turned back around, picked up the disk as I passed it, and kneeled in front of the still-online warrior. It looked as if he couldn’t move out of the warrior’s crouch he had fallen back into. His blood-colored optics searched mine warily, as I asked gently, "Did you finish the override?"

He shook his head wearily, and I helped him into a sitting position. His optics found mine again. "Destroy the disk."

Wheels announced someone else’s arrival, but I didn’t take notice, as I had turned away from Dinobot slightly. The disk was in my left hand, my sword in my right. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a smaller Maximal kneel next to his sitting friend, and help him lay back. I raised the sword high over my head, and with all my strength, I brought it down upon the disk, shattering it. I dropped the sword out of my numbed hand, and looked at Dinobot. He nodded once, approving, and passed into Stasis Lock. I sighed, massaging my hand, trying to get feeling into it once more.

The new arrival stared at me. "’Ya . . . ’ya just . . ."

I smiled, and said, "I just shattered the disk. I know. Dunno why he wanted it destroyed, but at least his mind will be at peace." With a sigh, I aimed my face up towards the now-cloudy sky, catching the first few drops of rain. Soon, it would wash away any evidence that anything had ever happened here.

"Our friends’ll be here soon."

I looked at the short bot. He looked away, as if ashamed to meet my gaze. I chuckled, picked up my sword, and sat upon Dinobot’s other side, examining the blade. "Well, then who are you?"

There was a quarter-inch nick in the blade that hadn’t been there before the battle, I was certain of it. His voice was quiet. "Rattrap."

"Why do you seem ashamed of speaking like that? Calling your friends my own as well?"

Rattrap sighed. "Well . . . I don’ even know if you’re a Maximal."

I smiled over at him. "Why worry? I didn’t kill Dinobot, and if I were Predacon, then that would have been a rather lucky deal for me. If anything, I saved him from overriding his Stasis Lock by simple distraction."

"He was gonna override dat?! Is he insane?!"

I shook my head. "Only desperate."

Out of nowhere, a taller Maximal landed in front of us. I jumped, then relaxed, laughing at myself. "You’ll end up killing me, taking my life instead of his!"

"What happened?"

I explained what I saw, and he sighed. "Then I thank you."

I stored my sword in subspace, then helped Rattrap pick up Dinobot’s inanimate form to hand to Optimus, as the tall bot introduced himself as. Once the leader was gone, Rattrap looked back at me. "’Ya need a lift back?"

I was picking up the pieces of the disk, and stored them with my sword. I would melt them later. Smiling gently, I replied, "Once we’re out of the valley."

We started walking. Rattrap was worried about his friend’s welfare, but he tried covering it by flirting with me. I endured it, and even flirted a bit back once, causing him to stop dead in his tracks and laugh, since the flirt had turned smoothly into a threat. After that, the flirts were few and somewhat far between. Soon, we were headed back to the Maximal base with me riding upon Rattrap’s back.

Cheetor grinned at me, hoping I’d see what he was. I squinted, and Rhinox chuckled. "I take it you aren’t a fluent map-reader?"

I shook my head, smiling in return. Optimus had given me Dinobot’s perimeter checks, since he wasn’t going to be able to do them for a while. Of course, I had only taken three steps into the command center, and had taken that order. It was now about seven minutes after Rattrap and I had arrived. "Nope. Never was good at reading some types."

"So what kind do you prefer?" the large bot asked, ready to switch to a separate style of holo-map.

"Paper. Ink. Two-dimensional."

"You’re primitive!" Cheetor laughed.

I leered towards him. "Are you dissing my training?"

He shook his head vehemently, and Rhinox chuckled at the boy’s sudden change of mind. "Well, here. Try looking at this style."

The image shifted, becoming two-dee, and I sighed, noting the perimeter of the quadrant easily. "That is so much better."

Cheetor shook his head, while Rhinox chuckled, slowly converting it back to three-dee. I kept my eyes upon the four corners of the quadrant, watching as mountains rose up, and lakes and streams formed. I nodded. "Okay. I get it now. I think."

"I could teach you!" Cheetor volunteered, his voice breaking near the end of the sentence.

"Don’t you have night patrol?" Rhinox replied.

"Aww . . ."

"Get moving. You have a lot of ground to cover, and not enough time. Remember: get back before midnight."

The younger bot sighed. "Okay, fine. Later . . . uh . . ."

I smiled. "I’m sorry. I guess that you didn’t get my name? I’m Raptor. Plain and simple."

His face was grinning so wide, I thought it would crack open. "Cool. You already know my name, so . . ."

"Cheetor," Rhinox growled.

The boy grinned even further, and stepped on the lift. It lowered, and I sighed, sitting on a stool, looking at the tri-dimensional map. I then shook my head, and looked at the older Maximal’s glance. "He’s not really my type, and plus, he’s too young for me."

"So ’ya go for older guys? There’s a prime-cut one right over here, sweet-stuff!"

I sighed, shook my head, and glared at Rattrap. Rhinox, I knew, was watching my reaction. I heard the CR-chamber door open with a quiet hiss, as I replied in a growl, "You even try anything, pervert, and I’ll scatter your parts across the planet. Furthermore, if you are ever revived, I’ll torture you in ways that only a female can, until you beg for death." I shot an apologetic look towards Rhinox, who was laughing quietly.

Just then, a voice snarled weakly. "I would pay platinum credits to see that."

Rattrap whirled, and Optimus walked into the room. He nodded at Dinobot, who was leaning against the side of the chamber. It looked casual, but I knew it was because he couldn’t stand upright without falling over. "Raptor here will be taking your duties over while you finish recovering." He looked to me. "Will you escort him to his quarters? I have to speak with Rattrap and Rhinox about new sector patrols."

The warrior glared at his commander, then started to walk down the halls. I sighed and followed, waiting for him to stumble. I didn’t have to wait long, and soon his arm was around my shoulders. His weight was being supported by me, as I waited for him to regain his balance. He didn’t whip his arm away, after the brief moment, and I realized that even though his balance was back, he couldn’t support himself. He just couldn’t stand.

I sighed softly. "Where are your quarters?"

"Third hall, first door," his voice mumbled, as if weary.

I shifted his weight slightly, and, as we started off again, asked, "What’s on your mind?"

"Humph. Why should I speak my mind to a female as yourself?"

I chuckled. "Just a female? I happen to be pretty much carrying you, you know."

"Fine. A physically fit girl."

Smiling, I replied, "Close enough."

He looked at me, a faint look of surprise and confusion drifting across his features. I smiled back at him, and replied, "You didn’t expect me to give in, did you?"

He shook his head, and we reached his door. He started to stand on his own, and actually made out three steps, before he fell. I stood at the door, then asked quietly, "Do I have permission to enter?"

He growled, then sighed, trying to sit up. "Fine."

I walked in, and helped him into a sitting position. He winced, his recent wounds stretching unmercifully. I waited another minute, then pulled him up, once again draping his arm over my shoulders. I then wrapped my arms around his waist, and brought him over to his bed, to lay him down. As I turned away, he grabbed my hand weakly. I looked down at him, and he rumbled, "Why did you stop me from dying honorably?"

I took his hand in both of mine, and sighed, rubbing at his cold fingers once. "Because you’re still needed here. I don’t know how I know that, but please believe me."

He sighed, and his optics dimmed, before he released my hand. "Then . . . I thank you for preventing my miscalculation."

I smiled, and laid his hand on his chest gently. "You have no need to thank me. Just rest."

His head nodded weakly, and his optics darkened to black, as he slipped into unconsciousness. I let my hand graze his brow, whispering, "May your dreams lie in more pleasant times than now, warrior."

As I walked out of the door, I saw Rattrap there. I held my hand up to my lips, and he nodded, as I closed the door. We walked down the hall. When I looked back at him, he asked quietly, "How is da Choppuhface doin’? I heard him fall . . ."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "He’s still recovering from near-death, Rattrap. Even the CR-chamber couldn’t fully revive him. He’ll sleep for a while, no doubt."

Rattrap looked up at me, a coy _expression upon his face. "I heard what ’ya said ta each othuh. And I saw ’ya actions."

I shrugged, crossing my arms over my chest, blocking it from his view at eye-level. "And what do you have to say about it?"

When he said nothing for a moment, I started walking back to the command center, to get assigned to my quarters. Yet his words stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Eh . . . ’ya make a cute couple."

I turned slowly, to glare at him. He laughed to himself. "So I was right?"

I grinned back. "You say anything, and I’ll go by one of my friends’ routines back home, when any male slagged her off."

"Oh?"

My evil grin widened. "Grasp . . . twist . . ." I shrugged, and turned back towards the command center, saying over my shoulder, "remove."

His strangled, "Ooh, Primus . . ." caused me to chuckle as evilly as I dared.

Optimus sighed, as Dinobot glared at him. I reached them, and skidded to a halt. "Oh. Was I interrupting something?"

The leader shook his head, then turned back to Dinobot. "You are to stay close to the base, Dinobot! I don’t want you out and farther away than is necessary."

"I am fine, Primal! I’m functioning normally!" he snarled viciously. I leaned against a wall slightly, as he continued. "You have no right over–"

"Dinobot, listen to him," I said quietly, cutting though his rage like a knife. He turned to glare at me, but I looked back calmly. "For the past five nights, you collapsed before you could make it to your bed."

He glared further at me, trying to play it dumb, hoping that he could find some edge around this, to gain access to his freedom once more. "How in the Pit would you know, female?"

I shrugged, and walked a pace closer. "Do you know where my quarters were assigned? No? Right next to yours. That’s why I come when I hear you fall. You’re still too weak to do much."

With a snort, he turned away. My defense was perfect. I explained every aspect of the situation, and didn’t let him have one small handhold. But it hurt that I had to turn him in like that. I had started to gain his trust.

Primal, now, was the one glaring at me. "And why did you not inform me of this, Raptor?"

"Because I was asked not to. I keep my promises, and secrets never get past me, unless it’s vital for them to be known. And now that I see how worried you are, I regret my choice."

Optimus sighed, and turned Dinobot around. "You didn’t even go outside these past few days. Tomorrow, if I see it fit, you will do an extremely short-range patrol around the base. Understood?"

Dinobot growled his affirmative, and stormed past me and down the hall. Optimus sighed, resting his hands on the table in the center of the room, still facing away from me. "Why were you running, Raptor?"

I grinned. "I was looking for Dinobot."

He turned to smile wearily at me. "Glad to see someone who cares about his well-being."

"Cares? Primus, no! She loves ’im!"

I glared at Rattrap, who was coming up the lift. "Remember that word of advice, Rattrap? Run, before it’s put to use."

The shorter Maximal hid behind Optimus, who watched everything with a calm eye. I looked to his optics, and he shook his head. "Go on. I’ll ask Rattrap."

I nodded, and walked down the hall, to end up running into Silverbolt. His optics lit up, and he bowed. "Greetings, fair lady."

I chuckled. "I’m no fair lady. I’m a warrior, named Raptor. There’s nothing to it."

His gaze lowered bashfully. "Ah, but a warrior whose movements flow like the breeze on a moonlit night."

He’s such a chivalrous young bot, I thought to myself. I smiled, and patted his shoulder. "Chin up, Silverbolt. I haven’t forgotten our friendship. I just have a quite a few responsibilities as of late."

As my fingertips left his metal skin, and while I was passing him, I felt a shudder pass lightly over his frame. He continued walking towards the command center. I shook my head at his naive nature, and chuckled, shaking my head. Suddenly, a hand whipped out of a shadow, and closed around my neck, pulling me towards the owner. He released me, and I coughed, trying to keep the noises to a minimal, as I glared up at Dinobot.

When I could speak again, I said hoarsely, "What the Pit was that for?"

He growled in return, then turned and walked into his quarters, and slammed the door. I blinked, then laughed. "I’ll tell Primal that I’m changing my vote, then! See you tomorrow, Dinobot."

I turned, walking down the hall, but dropped to my beast mode, and doubled back, so that I was waiting at the corner. Dinobot’s door opened, as I had predicted, and although our beast modes were similar, he was injured, and his footsteps faltered every so often. Therefore, he was far from silent. His head appeared around the corner, and I caught his neck lightly but firmly. He tensed, and I released him, causing for him to cough and splutter.

With a glare, he demanded, "And what was that for . . . Raptor?"

I grinned evilly. "I know that you watched my and Silverbolt’s small conversation. That was a reminder that I’m not as soft nor as forgiving as he may think I am." He frowned, clearly not believing me. I chuckled evilly. "Fine. Don’t believe me. But ask Rattrap before you make your final decision."

"Eh? Ask me what?"

I grinned. "Why I’m no angel."

His face paled again, and he shuddered. "I . . . I can’t . . . jeesh, Choppuhface! She’s as brutal as you are! Especially on torture for us men!"

I snorted. "You’re no man, Vermin, so you have no worry. Yet."

Dinobot snickered, and I walked towards the command center. "Dinobot, get back to bed. And Rattrap, you slag-sucking vermin, leave him alone."

He saluted mockingly, and I ran back the few steps to him, pinning him up against a wall, my foot against his chest. The muscle controlling the large killing claw twitched. "No. More. Slag."

"Yes’m," he whimpered. I released him, and walked away, as Dinobot made a whipping noise at the interaction. Rattrap shrieked, "SHADDUP!"

I chuckled again, and reached Optimus, proposing my plan . . .

Something was following me. There was nothing I could do. It would torture me, then kill me in a slow, slow painful manner. Something grabbed my arm, shaking me apart, beginning to rip me limb from limb, as pain undescribable began to ripple across my frame.

I screamed, sitting up so suddenly it caused my head to collide with another’s. He growled, and I looked up stupidly at Dinobot. He rubbed at his forehead. "Primus, female. You have a head harder than the Vermin’s!"

I rubbed at my own forehead. "What happened?"

He chuckled evilly. "You were, to put it bluntly, having a bad dream."

I laughed at myself as well. "Can you blame me? Rattrap’s so ugly who wouldn’t have nightmares of him?!"

He chuckled once more, then nodded. "So you are functioning properly."

I nodded. "Yes."

Dinobot’s optics seemed to hold something deeper in them . . . something that wanted me to keep searching through them . . . something that caused Dinobot to linger.

He stood abruptly, and called over his shoulder as he stood at the door, "Primal approved of my taking more than a simple walk around the base outside . . . providing that you escort me."

I sighed, and smiled. "Better me than Rattrap."

The ex-Predacon smiled over his shoulder, then closed the door behind him. I laid back, and rolled so I faced the wall, hearing Dinobot enter his quarters.

Something hit the wall next to my head, and I yelped, propelling myself off the bed, and onto the floor with a large thump.

Dinobot was laughing at me again.

"Jerk!" I yelled, laughing again as well. I got back into bed, and fell asleep almost immediately.

Dinobot’s footing slipped, and he sagged against me as he regained his balance. I sighed, and he stood again. We walked on in silence, until he looked to me. "You still did not sleep well last night."

I sighed. "I know."

"You’re not who or what you seemed to be at first, either."

I looked at him, incredulous that he had said that. "Why . . . why do you say that?"

He growled indecisively. "Forget it."

"Why?" I asked. "What is there to be ashamed of?"

Dinobot said, looking me squarely in the eyes, "There is nothing. That is why you are to forget what I had said."

"Raptor, please pay attention!"

I sat up straight, trying to bite back a yawn. "Sorry, Rhinox. I’m just tired."

He sighed. "I don’t blame you." He shook his head. "Just get to bed. I’ll repeat this tomorrow."

I finally released the yawn. "Thanks. See you tomorrow."

He chuckled, and I stood, walking down the hall. I shook my head, trying to stay awake. I turned around the corner to my and Dinobot’s hall, and–

And Dinobot’s lips met mine.

We jumped apart, but didn’t break eye-contact. My mech-pump was fluttering wildly. We stood in silence, until I sighed, and finally looked at my feet. "Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention."

I started to walk past him, but he turned, and grabbed my arm gently, to pull me to a stop. "Never apologize, Raptor."

"But–" I started.

He shook his head, and his other hand reached up to touch my cheek, before gently holding my head still as he leaned closer. This time, our lips met gently, carefully, warily. We pulled apart, almost reluctant to leave the other’s touch. I looked up at him, barely breathing due to both the surprise and pleasure of his kiss. His hand stroked my cheek, and I rested my head against it.

He chuckled. "You’re a complete surprise, Raptor."

I smiled up at him, and he pulled me closer again. I smiled. "And you think that you’re not?"

His optics held an invitation, but I shook my head, whispering a negative. He nodded, understanding. "You’re too unique a female to ruin. I’ll wait."

I sighed. "I’ve always made a promise that I’ll never lie with someone until I was wed to them."

His optics dimmed, and he winced, looking a little more than slightly guilty. "I understand, and it’s a wise decision. I, myself, temporarily forgot my own vow upon that."

I bowed my head, and he tucked me against him, with my head resting on his shoulder. He sighed, and murmured so quietly I almost missed it, "He’s been watching us."

"I know," I replied in the same tone. I chuckled, and we released each other reluctantly again, I kissed his nose, and said, "I’ll see you tomorrow, love." I leaned closer, and added in a lusty voice, almost silent, but loud enough for only the tone to be heard, "I’ll take care of him. Now get to bed."

He smiled, and the moment he turned his back, I took a backward leap, transformed to beast mode, and ran after Rattrap. I chased him through the halls, with him screaming bloody murder. Finally, he ran into the command center, colliding with Optimus, who was talking with Cheetor and Silverbolt. He stopped and turned to me. "Do you mind?"

I snorted. "I am deeply sorry, but maybe you should ask Rattrap."

"Hah! She an’ da Choppuhface were suckin’ face!"

With a deft movement, Optimus turned and grabbed Rattrap’s arm. Your quarters are clean on the other side of the base! I’ve put them there for a reason, Rattrap, and I plan to see that you keep it that way! Are we clear?"

"Yeah, but–"

"And you are to leave this matter be!"

"Yeah, but–"

"Not to mention, if you even speak of it, tease them, or do something of the sort, you’ll have double nightshift for two weeks!"

"Yeah, but–"

"BUT WHAT?!"

"Dey’re such a cute couple."

Optimus looked at me, as I walked over, now in my robot mode, and slapped Rattrap. "This was your last chance. Next time, you lose it."

I whirled, and marched down the hall, calling over my shoulder, "Not like you’ll ever use it."

There was a whimper, which echoed after me as I walked to my quarters. Dinobot opened his door as I passed, and ambushed me, holding me close to him. I smiled, and rested my face against his chest. His voice rumbled warmly, and sounded almost soft while my ear, my audio, was pressed lightly against his chest. "Was everything worked out?"

I nodded, and he kissed my cheek slowly, lingering. I sighed into his shoulder. "But Optimus, Silverbolt, and Cheetor know."

"They’ll keep silent."

"I know."

We waited a while longer, unsure of what to do. It just seemed right, being held in his arms like this. There was just something right about his touch. Finally, I sighed, and kissed his chin. "I’ll see you tomorrow. And get your rest. Remember, we have patrolling to do."

"Primal might send an escort along, I’ll warn you."

"So we’ll act normally."

"As we did in the hallway?"

I smiled once more, and released him, kissing his mouth gently, feeling his hands brush over my back. I chuckled. "More like last week, when you were yelling at me to leave the room when I was helping you get back into bed when you stumbled."

He chuckled, and walked into his room, closing the door. I went into my own room, and dropped to my beast mode, looking up through the skylight at the moon above . . .

"Aw, jeesh!"

Dinobot and I pulled apart, to glare at Rattrap. Looks like he actually wanted to become a eunuch. I thought I had given him more than enough of a warning. That warning was even backed up by our leader, when Optimus had reprimanded him.

My lover snorted. "Do you mind?"

"Yeah, I do! Da Big Cheese wants to see da both of ’ya!"

I clicked on my comm-link. "Raptor to Optimus. What did you need?"

* "What? What are you talking about?" *

Dinobot grabbed Rattrap, as I replied, "Rattrap said that you wanted myself and Dinobot."

There was a pause. Then, in a low, angry tone, * "Would you bring him to me?" *

"Yessir."

I signed off, and helped drag the resistant vermin down the hall. We reached Optimus and Rhinox, neither looking happy. Our leader frowned, and we released Rattrap. The leader looked to us. "Thank you. You two are released from all duties today and tonight. Rattrap will be doing them for you. But remember that tomorrow morning, Dinobot, you have first watch. Dismissed."

We nodded, and left. As soon as we reached our hall, Dinobot pulled me to him. Our mouths pressed together, as we kissed longingly. We broke apart for breath, our foreheads leaning against each other. I sighed. "I wish . . ."

His gaze found mine gently. "You wish for what?"

I kissed him lightly, smiling sadly. "I wish that this could last forever."

His head lowered, to kiss my lower jaw. I leaned into him instinctively; he kissed me gently. "But it can, Raptor."

I pressed myself against him further, my action speaking for me. He led me into his quarters, and locked the door, while still kissing me. I sighed into his neck, and held onto him tightly. I would never forget that night . . . or the distressing morning afterwards.

Battle.

Pain.

Something wasn’t right.

I was hit somewhere vital . . . but I didn’t know where.

Someone was standing over me, protecting me.

The Predacons left.

Dinobot . . . his voice . . . it was desperate . . . pained . . . nearly hysterical . . .

"Raptor! Raptor, don’t leave me!"

I activated my optics again, slowly.

I couldn’t speak.

My hand reached up slowly. It hurt to move, but I knew that the pain would end soon.

He took my hand, and kissed it.

His hands, his arms, reached around me, and held me up close against him, as he kissed me gently, then passionately.

I blinked slowly, and then smiled once, managing to whisper, "I love you . . . and . . . will never forget . . . you . . . Dinobot . . ."

Our final kiss was the . . . last . . . thing I . . . remember . . . before . . .

I woke up.

Click here for part 1