Sleepwalker, Chapter 2

Optimus exited the CR chamber to find the others waiting for him. All the Maximals wore somber expressions. They sat down to discuss the problem, none of them (except possibly Dinobot) wanting to believe that one of their own had turned on them, especially Cheetor.

"So what do we do about this?" Rhinox asked. "He still insists on his innocence, saying that all he remembers is waking up on the floor."

"I told you we should have dealt with the problem the first time," Dinobot said. "Do we have to wait until he destroys one of us? You are far too trusting! He should be disposed of, and that is that."

"I don’t give up on friends that easily," Optimus retorted. "Besides, I think there is more to this than meets the eye."

"Yeah, that ‘sleepwalking’ excuse is a little too convenient, if ya ask me," Rattrap put in. "It came on kinda suddenly, ya know? And he always seemed to want to go straight for the Boss-monkey, like he was on a mission or somethin’."

"As long as no one got in his way," Silverbolt added. He had finally recovered from the effects of Cheetor’s punch.

"On a mission…" Optimus trailed off as an idea suddenly hit him. "Rattrap, tell me everything you know about the last time Cheetor sneaked out."

*

Cheetor sat dejectedly in his cell. He had been disarmed and left alone. The others had gone off, presumably to decide on his sentence. He felt as if he hadn’t a friend in the world. But I didn’t do it, I know I didn’t! He got up and began to pace, wracking his brain to try and figure out what had happened, and why he couldn’t remember any of it. He thought he might have had a nightmare, because he had woken up feeling afraid again. If only he could recall what it had been about! Somehow this cage reminded him of it. Something like being trapped, held back as someone else laughed…But he couldn’t remember anything further.

Frustrated, he punched the bars, and the resulting shock only upset him further. "This isn’t fair!" he shouted to the empty room. "I didn’t do anything!" He slowly sank down to the floor. "It’s not fair," he mumbled. How could Big-Bot think that I would hurt him? I had to have been sleepwalking, acting on a dream or something… Cheetor stopped mid-thought as an awful idea slid into his mind. Dreams were caused by the subconscious. What if, deep down, some part of him actually wanted to destroy Optimus? After all, he had apparently gone straight for Optimus each time.

No. It couldn’t be true. There was no way. There had to be another explanation. But Cheetor could not come up with one. Maybe it’s true, and inside I’m becoming evil. Maybe I should be destroyed. He didn’t want to let himself think that way, but the seeds of doubt had already been planted. "What’s wrong with me?" he moaned to no one.

*

Optimus looked over Rattrap’s shoulder as he called up the images that the scanners had recorded the night that Cheetor had sneaked out. They watched the security holos that showed Cheetor slipping out of his room, onto the bridge and down the lift. The cameras tracked him until he sped out of sight.

"Nothing unusual so far," Optimus remarked. "All right, show me the scan records that tracked his energy signature. I want to know where he went."

"Pretty far, actually," Rattrap commented. "He was later comin’ back than usual." He called up the scan records.

Optimus stared at the map. "That’s out of Maximal territory! It’s almost into Predacon ground!"

Dinobot came and leaned over Rattrap’s shoulder as well. "He could have been meeting with a Predacon!"

"But there are no Predacon signatures indicated anywhere near him," Optimus said. "It doesn’t even look like he ran into any trouble."

"Then that settles it. He acted on his own all along," Dinobot growled.

"No! There has to be something," Optimus said. "I refuse to believe—"

Dinobot pounded his fist on the table. "Oh, stop this foolish sentimentality! Can you not see that you are playing right into his hands? If he did not encounter any Predacons, then he is acting alone! He is a traitor, and should be destroyed!"

"Your eagerness to scrap him is getting in the way of this investigation, Dinobot!" Optimus said, trying to hold his temper. "I am exploring all the options before I throw out a judgment." He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Now, I want you, Rattrap and Silverbolt to check out this area that Cheetor stopped in. See if there’s anything there. Anything at all."

"You got it, Fearless Leader," Rattrap said.

"We are on our way," Silverbolt added. He and Rattrap activated the lift and exited the Axalon.

Dinobot remained behind. "This is a useless mission," he grumbled.

"It’s also an order," Optimus told him, in a tone that was not to be argued with.

Dinobot mumbled something under his breath and then followed the others out of the base.

Optimus and Rhinox exchanged glances. Rhinox shook his head slowly. "He’s taking this even more personally than you are," he said.

Optimus sighed. "I just hope he’s wrong. You keep track of the others. I’m going to have a talk with Cheetor… alone."

"Are you sure that’s wise? He is trying to slag you in particular."

"He’s disarmed and locked up, "Optimus replied. "I think I’ll be okay. Maybe he’ll talk to me if the others aren’t around." He headed off towards the holding area.

*

Cheetor sat in his cell, trying not to nod off. It was so lonely and boring in there, and there seemed like nothing else to do but sleep, especially since he was so tired. But he had figured out that these awful things only happened when he went to sleep. So he had decided that he would just stay awake. Unfortunately, his body wasn’t listening to what his brain had decided. He jerked his head up. Gotta stay awake, mustn’t sleep. Something bad will happen if I sleep.

He suddenly heard footsteps approaching. He looked up to see Optimus standing in front of the cell. Cheetor turned his head away. He couldn’t face Optimus, not after what he had done.

"I think we need to talk," Optimus said.

Cheetor didn’t answer. He didn’t know what to say.

"Talk to me, Cheetor," Optimus continued, "or else you’re only going to make it worse. Tell me what’s going on."

"I don’t know!" Cheetor suddenly wailed. "I know probably less than you do!"

"So you’re still sticking to the ‘memory glitch’ story?"

"It’s not a story!" Cheetor cried. "It’s the truth! I don’t know what’s happening to me! But it only happens when I sleep. I keep having this nightmare that I can’t quite remember…" He buried his head in his hands. "I can’t believe this is happening."

Optimus sighed. He wanted so badly to believe Cheetor, but he couldn’t afford to take another chance. "How about when you went out for the run? Are you absolutely sure nothing out of the ordinary happened? We found that you went nearly as far as Predacon ground."

"I didn’t even realize how far I went. I was chasing another cat, and when we stopped for a rest, it suddenly caught wind of something and ran away." Cheetor shook his head. "But I couldn’t figure out what had scared it off. Then I realized that I was late, and I took off for home."

"So you don’t have any idea what frightened the other cat? And nothing happened on the way home?" Optimus continued. "You didn’t run into anyone?"

"Well, no," Cheetor said. "I was flying, and it was a good thing too, because I’d already hurt my paw once and---"

Optimus caught on to this right away. "What happened to your paw?" he demanded.

"I dunno, I stepped on something, I guess. I didn’t think it was anything important. You step on something sharp, you say ‘ow’ and that’s it."

Optimus thought for a moment. "It could have been something more. I’m going to have Rhinox check you out for anything unusual."

Cheetor jumped to his feet. "So you believe me? You’re gonna let me out?"

Optimus kept a stern face, trying to hide his emotions. "All I’m saying is that I’d like for you to be checked out. Then I’ll decide. For now, you’re still under guard." He activated his comlink. "Rhinox, report to the holding area."

*

"This is foolish," Dinobot snorted. "There is nothing here."

"Would ya quit complainin’ for a cycle?" Rattrap said. "We gotta check out every inch of this place. If there’s anythin’ here that can account for the kiddo’s recent weirdness, we gotta find it."

Silverbolt landed next to Rattrap. "Do you recognize this place, Rattrap?" he asked. "It was not so long ago that we stopped the Predacons from building an installation right around this area."

"Oh, yeah," Rattrap said. "It was those spiders and Quickstrike. We fought ‘em, and then suddenly the whole place blew. Sometimes I wonder if those Preds didn’t blow that cave themselves." An idea crept into his mind, and Rattrap began sniffing around. "See if you guys can’t catch a spider-smell. Somethin’s weird about this place."

*

Tarantulas watched the Maximals nosing around his lair on his security camera. Even though he had hidden this place well, he was a little worried. He was pretty sure that as long as he stayed underground, the Maximals would not be able to catch his scent or detect him through the rock. But all the same, it was making him nervous to have the Maximals so close to his home.

He began shutting down his systems to minimize the chance of detection. His finger lingered over the shutdown button of the system controlling the bug that he had placed in Cheetor’s head. He decided to leave the system on. If the Maximals did manage to find him, then he would at least have a wild card to play.

*

Cheetor had been taken to the CR chamber for a full diagnostic. Optimus and Rhinox had taken no chances, escorting him there with their weapons drawn and ready. Cheetor had trudged along sadly, wondering if they would ever trust him again. He knew that they had locked the door to the CR chamber. Now, as he sat nervously inside, he did not know what to be more afraid of: if something was wrong with him, or if something wasn’t. He had tried to push the thought of his possibly subconsciously wishing Optimus dead from his mind, but it wasn’t working.

He yawned suddenly. He was really tired. This "sleepwalking" had left him without a decent night’s sleep two nights in a row. He reminded himself that he couldn’t go to sleep. It’ll happen again, something horrible will happen if I go to sleep. I just wish I could remember...

*

"This is strange," Rhinox said, pointing to the screen showing Cheetor’s diagnostic.

Optimus leaned over his shoulder. "What is it?"

"There’s something foreign inside him. I’m going to have the computer run a deeper scan." Rhinox did so, and a hologram came up showing Cheetor’s circuitry. A flashing light indicated that that there was something wrong inside Cheetor’s head. Rhinox pointed to it. "There," he said. "It’s some kind of bug."

"Can it be removed?" Optimus asked.

"It’s attached itself to his core processor so deeply that I don’t know if it can be. Not without some permanent damage." Rhinox sighed. "If I try, he may never be the same. I’m just not that good."

Optimus sighed. "Well, at least we know that his recent actions aren’t his fault."

"That doesn’t make him any less dangerous," Rhinox warned. "If this thing is controlling him, there may not be anything we can do about it."

Optimus’ face fell. "We have to think of something. I— What’s that?" he asked as the scanners suddenly began beeping.

"The bug’s been activated!" Rhinox said.

"But how? Why now?" Optimus asked.

Rhinox checked his monitors again. "Uh oh. I think Cheetor’s gone to sleep in there."

*

Cheetor’s head drooped, and he forced it back up again, yawning. He desperately needed sleep. He tried to resist it, but he finally nodded off. Conditioned by years of the same routine, his subconscious said his prayer for him, and Cheetor happily drifted off to sleep with the memory of his parents in his head. Now I lay me down to sleep...

*

Tarantulas jumped as his console began beeping. So the Maximal was still alive. He chuckled to himself. Maximals were so trusting. Had they been Predacons, the cat would have long been destroyed. But one can always count on Maximal sentimentality. Tarantulas wondered if it would be worth it to reconnect. The other Maximals were still nosing around the area, and it was possible that the cat had been locked up. But the unfinished project nagged at him. He had to try it one more time, to see if there was any hope of salvaging the mission. Now that he knew his bug worked, he wanted to see it through to the end. If he could get one of these into more of the Maximals and Predacons, he could see both Optimus and Megatron destroyed, and he would be free to carry on his own work without fear of being disturbed.

So let’s see if you’re still of any use to me, pussycat. Tarantulas put on the visor and reconnected.

*

Cheetor floated in the darkness, sinking down into sleep. He was just beginning to relax when he saw a flash. He blinked, and Tarantulas was standing in front of him. Cheetor gave a yelp and jumped back. How in the ---? You can’t be here!

Tarantulas was surprised as well. Slag, the cat knew he was there again! Why did this keep happening? He would have to correct the system so that it would not connect until the Maximal was completely asleep. It’s just a dream. Relax, pussycat.

Something tugged at Cheetor’s mind, and he suddenly realized what he had been trying so hard to remember. No! This isn’t a dream! I remember now… You’re in my head! This is all your fault! You’re making me do these things! He lunged at Tarantulas.

Tarantulas gave a cry and dodged to the side. No, this was all wrong! The Maximal was not supposed to remember! He began to increase the power on his device. As long as Cheetor’s consciousness was still active, he could not take control.

Cheetor felt the almost tangible darkness beginning to surround him. Remembering what it meant, he tried to fight against it. He was terrified. This darkness was horrible; it paralyzed him, made him helpless. No! I won’t let you do this to me again! You’re not going to control me! Let me go! The darkness wrapped itself around him, nearly stifling his cries.

Tarantulas chuckled and ignored Cheetor’s cries, waiting for the darkness to cut him off completely.

*

Inside the chamber, Cheetor was crying out and thrashing around in his sleep.

"What’s going on in there?" Optimus cried.

"He’s fighting it!" Rhinox said. "But I’m reading a power increase in the bug. He may not be able to fight it for long."

"We have to do something!" Optimus said. He started towards the CR chamber as the pounding inside grew more violent.

Rhinox held him back. "We can’t! There’s no telling what he might do! If that thing takes control of him, he’s going to try to kill you again. It’s safest to leave him in there for now."

"Let me go, I won’t let you…" Cheetor’s cries were muffled, but he sounded panicked and afraid.

Optimus stared sadly at the CR chamber. "What would happen if we tried to wake him?"

"I wish I knew," Rhinox replied. "I want to help him as well, but it could damage his core processor."

"So all we can do is wait?"

"I’m afraid so."

*

Tarantulas was becoming impatient. This was taking far too long. The Maximal was still fighting, even though he had increased the power. He increased it again.

Cheetor was suffocating. The darkness was too strong. It had enveloped him, and he was fighting a losing battle. He was so tired, and he just wanted to quit, to let go…But he remembered what would happen if Tarantulas was allowed to control him again. No, I can’t let him hurt Big-Bot or anyone else! I have to stop him! With renewed resolve, he suddenly burst free of the darkness.

Tarantulas was shocked. Apparently he had underestimated this Maximal. Although young, his will was strong. Tarantulas wondered what would happen if he engaged the Maximal in battle here; a virtual battle of the mind. He suddenly found himself without a choice as Cheetor ran at him and tackled him to the ground.

Tarantulas shoved Cheetor off him. Why can’t you just go to sleep like a good little bot? He sneered.

I’m not gonna let you use me to hurt my friends. Get out! Cheetor scrambled to his feet, ready to fight.

Tarantulas laughed. I will do with you as I please. This fight only continues because I am allowing it to. I could go to full power and let the darkness consume you for good, but I think it will bring me more satisfaction to destroy you myself. He gestured to Cheetor to attack. Come on, then. Or are you afraid?

I’m not afraid of you! With a growl, Cheetor ran at Tarantulas and they began to struggle with each other.

*

"Found anythin’ yet?" Rattrap asked. It seemed as if they had been scouring this same area for hours.

"Not yet," Silverbolt sighed. "But I am sure there is something here... I just cannot put my finger on it."

"We have been searching long enough!" Dinobot said, his annoyance plain. "Why can you not accept the fact that the cat has betrayed you?"

"Because the kiddo’s my pal, that’s why!" Rattrap shouted back. "And I wouldn’t talk about betrayin’, if I were you. Even now I trust that kid more’n you."

"Then you are a fool," Dinobot growled. "If none of you will do it, then I will destroy the traitor myself!"

Enraged, Rattrap maximized and shoved Dinobot hard. Dinobot fell backwards into a large pile of rocks at the base of the mountain. Some chunks fell loose and hit him on the head. He roared and transformed, ready for battle. "How dare you, vermin!"

Rattrap drew his gun, unwilling to back down. "You’re not gettin’ anywhere near that kid without goin’ through me first."

Dinobot sneered. "So be it."

Silverbolt stepped between them. "Stop! Fighting will not get us anywhere." He sniffed the air, having suddenly caught a scent. "Besides, I believe we have found what we were looking for."

Rattrap and Dinobot lowered their weapons and watched Silverbolt as he followed the scent to the pile of rocks that had been jarred loose by Dinobot’s fall. A hole had been uncovered, and Silverbolt sniffed inside it. "Tarantulas," he growled. "You were right, Rattrap."

Silverbolt maximized and began moving aside more boulders to make the hole bigger. Rattrap joined in. Dinobot hesitated, unwilling to admit that he may have been wrong, but he finally began to help clear away the debris.

*

Cheetor was losing. He was too tired, his consciousness having been stretched to its limits in the past couple of days. But still he fought on. I won’t let you win!

I will in the end. You’re weakening, I can feel it!

This is my mind! I won’t let you take over! It’s your fault I attacked Optimus and you’re gonna pay!

How do you know that it was completely my doing? What if I simply awoke that part of you? Everyone has a bit of evil inside them...

Cheetor was taken aback. After all, the thought had crossed his mind. You’re a liar! I would never hurt Optimus!

Tarantulas had noticed his hesitation. Not so sure, are you, pussycat? He laughed inwardly. It was so easy to toy with his mind! Tarantulas was actually having fun. But he had wasted enough time already. The time had come to finish this. Now, while the young Maximal was distracted and weakened...

You’re wrong! This was all your doing! Cheetor landed a punch, but it was feeble, and Tarantulas only laughed. He returned the punch, and Cheetor fell to the ground, groaning as he saw the world spinning around him. Tarantulas stood over him, looking down at him. Cheetor tried to get up but collapsed, exhausted.

Now we finish this. With your consciousness gone, I will have complete control. Your body, your very life, is now mine!

Cheetor gasped as Tarantulas drew his weapon. But Tarantulas did not fire. He laughed and suddenly transformed to beast mode. It’s so much better this way, he said. I may not get to feast on your real body, but this might be just as much fun. And this time, the rat is not here to save you.

Old fears arose in Cheetor as the giant spider advanced on him. He tried to rise, but Tarantulas was already upon him. No! Get off me! He tried to struggle, but Tarantulas’ legs pinned him down. He screamed as he felt Tarantulas’ pincers close around his throat. Somebody help me!

*

Rattrap, Silverbolt and Dinobot made their way into the cave, weapons drawn. The tunnel slowly became brighter, and soon opened into a large, lit cavern. Tarantulas stood next to a console, seemingly oblivious of the Maximals even though his computer kept stating a warning of Maximal presence.

Rattrap silently motioned to the others to split up and surround Tarantulas, hoping that it wasn’t a trap. He then made his way towards the Predacon, staying low to the ground. As he got closer, he could see that Tarantulas was wearing a visor that was connected to a console. What the heck is that spider doin’?

The Maximals closed in, but Tarantulas still took no notice of them. Rattrap got up and walked straight up to Tarantulas. Obviously the Predacon did not see him through the visor. The three of them surrounded Tarantulas, each looking puzzled. Rattrap waved his hand in front of the spider-bot’s face, but there was still no response. He shrugged his shoulders, then shoved his gun against Tarantulas’ forehead. "Anybody home?"

*

Cheetor was weakening. The spider’s pincers were squeezing his throat and he was almost out of strength. Optimus, I’m sorry, he thought, I hope you’ll know that it wasn’t me, it was never me who tried to hurt you...

Just as Cheetor felt the last of his strength seeping away, there was a bright flash. It blinded him for a few nanocliks, and it felt as if a weight had been lifted. He heard Tarantulas yell, and then there was only silence. He opened his eyes to see that Tarantulas was gone.

*

No! Tarantulas cried. What had happened? He had been so close! And then he realized that he was no longer inside the Maximal’s mind. As he became aware of his body, he also became aware of what had caused the abrupt disconnection. There was a gun pressed to his forehead.

Tarantulas slowly reached up and removed the visor, silently cursing himself for letting his guard down. "The rat," he said with contempt.

"Yup. Mind tellin’ us what you’re doin’, Pred?"

Tarantulas glanced around and saw that he was surrounded. He obviously wasn’t going to fight his way out of this one. But then again, why fight when there was a simpler alternative? "I would advise you to stay out of this, Maximals," he said. "You wouldn’t want anything to happen to your little friend, would you?"

"What are you talking about?" Silverbolt asked.

Tarantulas laughed. "You know exactly what I’m talking about. Step back or this will be the cat’s last cycle of existence."

The Maximals suddenly understood. "You have been behind this all along?" Dinobot growled. "You controlled his actions as he slept..." Dinobot actually felt slightly ashamed when he realized how wrong he had been.

"We won’t let you get away with this," Silverbolt said.

"It is too late," Tarantulas said. "Computer! Activate fail-safe!"

*

Cheetor forced himself awake despite his exhaustion. He had to let Optimus know what had really been going on. He began pounding on the door of the locked CR chamber. "Big-Bot! Can you hear me? I’m awake now! Let me out!" To his relief, the door opened.

"Cheetor! Are you all right?" Optimus asked, his voice etched with worry. "What happened?"

Cheetor stepped out of the chamber. "Tarantulas!" he cried. "It was Tarantulas all along! I remember now! I remember everything! Big-Bot, you have to believe me!"

"We believe you," Rhinox said, indicating the holo of Cheetor’s circuitry. "We found this in your head."

Cheetor stared at it. "Then that’s how he was controlling me! We have to take it out!"

"Cheetor, I don’t know that we can," Optimus said sadly. "It’s wired itself quite deeply into your core processor. It could be dangerous to try to remove it."

"But..." Cheetor trailed off. "But we can’t just leave it there! Then he can control me every time I—argh!" He was stopped mid-sentence as a splitting pain suddenly erupted inside his head.

"Cheetor, what’s wrong?" Optimus cried.

"M-my head! It feels like it’s gonna..." Cheetor clamped his hands to his head and fell to his knees. "Help me…Get it out, you’ve gotta take it out…" He collapsed to the floor in pain.

Optimus activated his comlink. "Rattrap! You and the others better get back here fast!"

*

"What did ya just do?" Rattrap demanded.

"I warned you," Tarantulas said. "Release me, or your friend will be terminated."

Rattrap was interrupted by his comlink before he could reply. "Rattrap! You and the others better get back here fast!" Optimus said.

"No can do, Fearless Leader," Rattrap said, without lowering his weapon. "We’ve got a good catch here. Turns out Tarantulas is the one that--"

"We know," Optimus interrupted. "But there’s something wrong with Cheetor and--"

"Tell your foolish Maximals to stand down, Primal!" Tarantulas shouted so that he would be heard over the comlink. "I have set that bug to self-destruct, and it will take your little friend’s head with it if I am not released."

"Why, you slaggin’--" Rattrap began, cocking his gun. Dinobot and Silverbolt growled.

"Let him go, Maximals!" Optimus ordered. "Cheetor’s life depends on it!"

Rattrap sighed and holstered his gun. Dinobot and Silverbolt stepped back.

"You win," Silverbolt said. "Now stop the self-destruct sequence!"

Tarantulas chuckled. "As you wish. Computer, deactivate fail-safe."

*

Back at the Axalon, Cheetor finally relaxed. Optimus and Rhinox gave a sigh of relief. Optimus helped a shaking Cheetor back up.

"Big-Bot, you’ve gotta take it out…" Cheetor said weakly.

"He’s right," Rhinox said. "If we don’t, this is just going to happen again."

"But you said you don’t have the skill to remove it!" Optimus replied. "We can’t chance it!" He paused. "Tarantulas would know how to remove it."

"I don’t think we’re in the position to make any demands on him," Rhinox warned.

"Hey, is the kid okay?" Rattrap suddenly asked over the comlink.

"He’s all right for now," Optimus answered.

There was an audible sigh of relief. "So whaddya want us to do now? We’re kind of at a stalemate here."

*

The Maximals awaited Optimus’ command. They knew that Tarantulas had control of the situation, but were unwilling to just back away. Tarantulas stood cautiously eyeing the Maximals. Both sides waited for the other to make a move.

Finally Optimus spoke again. "Tarantulas, I’m asking you to remove the bug."

Tarantulas laughed. "Why should I?"

"How ‘bout in the interest of not gettin’ yerself slagged?" Rattrap said.

"If anything happens to me, the self-destruct will automatically be reactivated," Tarantulas warned.

"Rattrap, stay out of this!" Optimus commanded. "Look, Tarantulas, whatever you want..."

"I wanted your Spark terminated, Optimus Primal. Are you prepared to offer that in exchange for the cat’s freedom from my control?" Tarantulas chuckled to himself.

The Maximals gasped. Back at the Axalon, Cheetor and Rhinox exchanged shocked glances. "Optimus, no!" Cheetor cried. "Don’t even think about it! You can’t!"

"I oughtta...you slaggin’—" Rattrap began, so infuriated that he could not even come up with a good insult. Feelings of anger and guilt collided. Rattrap wished that he could blame all this on Tarantulas, but he still felt responsible for letting Cheetor out that night. If I’d just done my job and stopped him, then none of this would’ve happened. It’s my fault.

Silverbolt and Dinobot both growled and advanced on Tarantulas, but the spider stood his ground. "Well, Optimus?" he asked. "What is your decision?"

Before Optimus could say a word, Cheetor shoved past him and yelled into the communicator. "Forget it, Pred! No deal!"

"I was not speaking to you, pussycat," Tarantulas said. "Why don’t you go back to sleep?"

Cheetor growled, wishing that he were in the same room with Tarantulas so that he could wring his neck. "Never again!" he cried. "I just won’t sleep again if that’s what it takes..."

Optimus pulled Cheetor away from the communicator. "That’s not exactly a fair deal," he said to Tarantulas.

"Life isn’t fair, Primal," Tarantulas responded with a chuckle.

"Optimus, I might be able to figure this thing out given enough time," Rhinox said. "Don’t make any unnecessary sacrifices."

Optimus sighed. "I need time to think about this," he told Tarantulas, trying to stall.

"Of course," Tarantulas said sarcastically. "Such a decision cannot be made so easily. Take some time to think it over. But until then, I have other things to attend to. Your Maximals have one cycle to leave here or I will reactivate the self-destruct. This discussion is over."

"No way, Pred," Rattrap said. "We ain’t leavin’--"

"Do what he says, Maximals," Optimus interrupted him.

"But--" Rattrap began.

"No arguments! I expect you back at base as soon as possible. Optimus out."

"Man, I don’t believe this," Rattrap moaned. "All this, and we don’t even get to slag this guy!"

"Goodbye," Tarantulas said, turning away. He knew that they would not attack him.

"Do not turn your back on me, spider!" Dinobot roared. He started towards Tarantulas, but Silverbolt stopped him.

"Do not do anything you will regret!" Silverbolt said. "Optimus said to leave. Now."

"Who says that I would regret it?" Dinobot snarled.

"Hey, shut up!" Rattrap cried. "It’s not like I wanna leave this as unfinished business either. But maybe it’s time ya started thinkin’ of somebody besides yourself for once!" He sighed. "C’mon, let’s go."

Dinobot growled and stalked away. Silverbolt followed him, but Rattrap stayed behind for a moment. "If anythin’ happens to that kid, I’ll be back for you," he told Tarantulas.

Tarantulas turned to face him. "Time’s almost up, Maximal. Leave my lair."

Fairly twitching with anger, Rattrap backed away, keeping an eye on Tarantulas until he was out of sight. He met Dinobot and Silverbolt outside, and the three of them headed back to the Axalon in silence.

*

Tarantulas breathed a sigh of relief. Too close! Thank Primus he had included a self-destruct in the bug or else he would have been caught. And speaking of which...It appeared that it was time to move deeper into the caves, and to make sure that the entrance the Maximals had used was sealed off for good. His work could not afford to be disturbed. But for now, he had the upper hand in the situation. He knew that the Maximals would not be able to figure out how to remove the bug without causing damage to Cheetor’s core processor. He had seen to it that once implanted, the bug could not be disconnected. It would take someone with his type of genius, and, he chuckled to himself, the Maximals are just not that good.

*

Cheetor lay still as Rhinox performed scans on the implant in his head. He was trying his hardest to stay awake, having not had a real sleep in over two solar cycles. As long as I can stay awake, Big-Bot and everyone else will be safe. But it was growing increasingly difficult. Optimus stood next to him, tapping him every once in a while to make sure he was still awake.

"You can’t go to sleep here, Cheetor. It’s not safe," Optimus warned him.

"It’s not safe anywhere," Cheetor replied listlessly.

Optimus sighed. "Have you found out anything else, Rhinox?"

"Nothing that will really help right now," Rhinox said. "I’m no further along in figuring out how to disconnect the thing. The scans aren’t helping much. It’s too complex."

Optimus turned to look at the scan. "What I want to know is how it gets activated each time. How does Tarantulas know when Cheetor goes to sleep?"

"I think we’re about to find out," Rhinox said. "It’s activating again!"

"But that means that..." Optimus trailed off as he turned back towards Cheetor. The young bot’s eyes were dark and he lay still. "Oh no," Optimus moaned. He began to shake Cheetor. "Cheetor, no! Don’t sleep! Come on, wake up!"

Cheetor did not respond. Optimus leaned over him, grabbed his shoulders and shook him harder. "Cheetor! You’ve got to wake up!"

Cheetor’s hand suddenly shot up and seized Optimus by the throat. "Cheetor isn’t here right now," he said in a voice that was his, and yet sounded strangely different.

"Tarantulas?!" Optimus cried, trying to free himself from Cheetor’s tightening grip. Rhinox ran to his side and together they managed to force Cheetor to let go.

Rattrap, Dinobot and Silverbolt arrived back on the bridge just in time to see Optimus pull free. "What’s goin’ on?" Rattrap asked.

Cheetor sat up and looked at Rattrap. "Miss me, vermin?" he asked.

The Maximals realized instantly that this was not Cheetor. "No, not again!" Silverbolt gasped. Rattrap was too stunned to answer.

"Let him go, Tarantulas!" Optimus said.

"Not until I get what I want," Tarantulas replied. "You are taking too long to make your decision. Let me see if I can hasten it!" He disconnected and activated the self-destruct again.

Cheetor was brutally awakened by the pain in his head. He opened his eyes to see Optimus and the others standing around him, but was quickly forced to squeeze them shut again as the pain grew stronger. "Big-Bot, help me…" he moaned as he curled up. He felt as if his head was going to explode.

"Rhinox, do somethin’!" Rattrap shouted, as Cheetor’s moans became cries.

"There’s nothing I can do! If I try anything now, the whole thing could explode!" Rhinox threw up his arms in frustration.

"But we have to help him!" Silverbolt cried.

Cheetor was being taken to the edge. He could no longer even cry out, his body rigid with pain as the pressure continued to build inside his head. Suddenly, through the rushing in his ears, he heard Tarantulas’ voice. "How much more can you take, pussycat? Tell Optimus that your torment will not end until he surrenders to me!"

So consumed with pain, Cheetor did not even realize that he was hearing Tarantulas’ voice inside his head while he was awake. No! I won’t tell him! I don’t care, I’ll take it if I have to, but you won’t hurt Optimus! Although determined, Cheetor was fighting a losing battle. And then, just when he felt he couldn’t take any more, the pain suddenly ceased. He went limp and Optimus had to catch him as he tumbled off the table.

Optimus gently set Cheetor back on the table. "Are you all right, Cheetor?" he asked, his voice etched with worry.

"Big-Bot, I’m sorry," Cheetor replied weakly. "I couldn’t fight him this time... I was just too tired. I could feel him take over but I just couldn’t stop him any more. I hope I... I didn’t hurt you this time, did I?" He remembered what Tarantulas had told him, but he didn’t want to relay the message. He knew what Optimus’ reaction would be.

"There’s no need to apologize. We all know that this isn’t your doing." Optimus placed a comforting hand on Cheetor’s shoulder.

"Yeah, kiddo, it’s okay," Rattrap added.

"It’s not okay!" Cheetor suddenly cried, unable to hold back his emotion. "Every time this happens it gets harder to fight him! He’s getting stronger... he forces me out! Maybe after the next time there won’t be anything left of me." His voice broke as he remembered how easily the darkness had overcome him this time. "I’m so tired. I just want to sleep," he whispered, "but every time I do, I lose a little more."

"This ends now," Optimus said angrily. "If Tarantulas wants me, then that’s what he’ll get."

"No!" Cheetor said. "I won’t let you go in my place!"

"Optimus, don’t be hasty," Rhinox warned. "There’s new information on the bug since it activated while being scanned."

"And that would be--?"

"Something specific turned it on just as he was going to sleep. It reacted to some sort of code." Rhinox looked over the data filling the screen. "But the code wasn’t planted with the device. It came from Cheetor’s core processor."

"What?!" Cheetor cried. "You mean... I’m the one activating it?"

"How is that possible?" Silverbolt asked.

"His core processor must be sending some sort of specific code to his body that relaxes it and allows it to sleep. The device detects this signal and is activated by it." Rhinox shook his head. "But I have no idea what it could be. It could be conscious or subconscious... possibly something of a personal nature?"

"Any ideas, Cheetor?" Optimus asked.

Cheetor thought about it, then gasped as he suddenly realized the only possible answer. It can’t be! He’s using my own memories against me...

"What is it?" Optimus had noticed Cheetor’s gasp. "Do you know what the code is?"

Cheetor lowered his eyes. "Yeah, I guess..." He didn’t want to admit what it was in front of everyone.

"I could try to isolate that specific code and delete it from your core processor," Rhinox offered. "With the code gone, the bug won’t be able to activate."

"You mean... erase it?" Cheetor asked. "It would be gone from my memory?"

"Yes, it would be erased. But I’m sure it’s not something vital, or else we would all have a code like this."

It’s vital to me. Cheetor did not want to lose his last memory of his parents. He jumped down off the table.

"Wait a cycle. Where are you going?" Optimus asked. "This won’t be that difficult. We could do it right now."

"I don’t want to." Cheetor pushed past a surprised Optimus.

Dinobot stepped into his path. "You would put yourself and your comrades in danger to hang on to some insignificant code?"

"It’s important!" Cheetor cried. He tried to step around Dinobot but the larger bot would not let him.

"We are in a war! Survival is the most important thing." Dinobot leaned over and stared into Cheetor’s eyes. "When are you going to grow up, boy?"

Cheetor’s chin quivered for a moment and he hung his head.

"Hey, lay off ’im!" Rattrap said. He gave Dinobot a shove.

"This does not concern you, rodent!" Dinobot hissed.

"Nor you," Optimus said. "Let him pass, Dinobot."

"You cannot allow him to get away with this!" Dinobot snarled. "This situation must be dealt with. Tarantulas has both of you exactly where he wants you. If he is not stopped now, he will win." He grabbed Cheetor by the arm and started pulling him back towards the table. "This is for your own good," he told Cheetor.

Cheetor gave a cry and tried to struggle, but Dinobot was too strong. "No! Don’t make me do this! It’s all I have left! Please!" He gave Optimus a pleading look. "Please..."

"That’s enough, Dinobot!" Optimus commanded. "Let go of him! It is his choice."

Dinobot released Cheetor. The instant he was free, Cheetor ran from the room. The Maximals stood in shocked silence for a few moments before Silverbolt finally spoke. "Although I disagree with Dinobot’s methods," he said, "I still don’t understand why Cheetor refuses to have this code eliminated."

"Because it’s more than a code," Optimus replied. "I think it’s part of a memory. Something important that Cheetor does not want to let go of."

"But a memory’s a memory, not a code," Rattrap commented. "How does that work?"

"In time, Cheetor could have conditioned his body to respond to the memory as if it were a code," Rhinox offered.

"I need to talk to him," Optimus said. "Alone. And where did Dinobot go?" he added, suddenly noticing that Dinobot had left the room.

"Why, that sneaky lizard! Lemme at ‘im! If he’s on the kiddo’s case again---"

"I’ll deal with it," Optimus interrupted. "I want the rest of you to stay out of this for now. Rhinox, keep searching for another way." Optimus headed off towards Cheetor’s quarters.

*