The footsteps of metal feet echoed loudly in the corridor. The robot walked briskly and purposefully, trying not to seem as if he was in a hurry, especially in a hurry to hide away from the others.
When he was far away from prying optics, when he was sure he was alone, Prime leaned against the wall and let himself relax slightly. He truly loved his Autobots and did everything in his power to protect them, but there were some days, this day in particular, when they threatened to overwhelm him. When he felt the pressure mounting up, he managed to slip away to be by himself and enjoy a few moments of peace.
Prime couldn't help but feel a small twinge of guilt. After all, he was the Autobot leader, and as such he had many responsibilities that couldn't be neglected. But then again, he had taken care of his duties for the day, and the others could always radio him in an emergency. He usually put others before himself, but a part of him knew that he would be of no use to them if he let the stress drag him under.
He pushed himself off the wall and gazed around his surroundings. He knew it was dangerous to venture into the catacomb of tunnels that ran below Cybertron's surface, but he was always very careful to stay in the tunnels he was familiar with. He knew full well that the Quintessons had set up ancient defenses in the lower corridors, and he wasn't eager to find them.
He walked a bit deeper into the tunnel, feeling the need to put a bit more distance between him and the troubles on the surface. Once again the Autobots and the Decepticons were stalemated. There was a tense and uneasy silence from both sides as each searched for an advantage to use against the other. Prime knew that this was just the calm before the storm. He prayed that the Autobots would be able to gain an advantage in time.
The echo of his footsteps on the metallic floor died out as he came to a halt. Without realizing it, he had wandered into an unfamiliar tunnel. That was no problem for him; all he had to do was turn around and walk back to familiar territory. The tunnel that he frequently traveled was within sight of his current position. He started towards it, in no particular hurry.
As he walked forward, he stepped squarely on a hidden button imbedded in the floor. With a sudden feeling of horror, he felt the floor drop away beneath him. He felt himself plummet through the open space. He felt the air rush by him, and braced himself for what was sure to be a painful landing. With a loud, reverberating clang, his body slammed into the metal floor far below.
He lay still for several moments, waiting for the agony to subside. Grunting in pain, he tried to stand up. He soon realized that this was a big mistake. His feet gave way on the sharply slanted floor, and he felt himself sliding backwards.
Reaching out, he grappled desperately at the sloped surface as his feet scrambled to find some sort of purchase. He was able to slow his descent gradually, and then finally come to a stop. He glanced over his shoulder and nearly lost his grip. No more than two feet behind him lay a yawning precipice. Uttering a silent prayer of gratitude to Primus, he slowly pulled himself forward. After what seemed like an eternity, he reached the top of the slope. Beyond this point, the floor was level and easily traversable.
Pulling himself to his knees, Prime slowly stood up and gazed around. Everything looked normal, but having already encountered a trap, he wasn't eager to run into another.
Craning his neck he looked up. And up, and up. The ceiling, which had been the floor he had walked on several minutes ago, was so incredibly high he began to feel a bit dizzy, despite the efforts of his equilibrium circuits to adjust. He could no longer see the trap door. , he reasoned. That worried him. Some other unsuspecting soul could wander in and fall into the same trap. That time, they might not be as lucky as he had been.
//Well, at least I'd have some company//, he chuckled softly. Come to think of it, he wasn't eager to spend any more time down here than he could avoid. //Guess it's time to call in the cavalry.// He squelched the feeling of embarrassment that rose up. He knew that he was going to look bad if he called for help to extract him from the bowels of Cybertron, where he had no business being, but at that point he didn't really care. He just wanted to be out of there. This place was beginning to give him the creeps.
"Prime to Autobot base. Come in," he called through his communicator. "Are you receiving me?" His only reply was the crackle of static. He tried again. "Is anyone receiving me? This is Optimus Prime. Prowl? Jazz? Bumblebee? Anyone?"
He shook his head in resignation. He was too far down for his comm signal to penetrate to the surface. //Damn!// he thought to himself, allowing himself the luxury of using a human curse. //I never should have come out here! I knew it was dangerous, yet I insisted on being as alone as possible. Well, that worked out better than I could have possibly imagined. I couldn't possibly be more alone down here.//
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself!" he snapped out loud. He jumped when his words echoed off the tunnel walls and came back to him. //I've got to think rationally about this. There must be a way out of here somehow. I just have to search for it.// With that thought, he started off along the corridor, determined to find a quick and easy exit.
* * * * *
"Those dirtbag Decepticreeps!" Ironhide exclaimed angrily. "They must have Optimus Prahme! We've got to go rescue him!"
"Not so fast, Ironhide," Prowl said calmly. "We have no proof that they have him." He held up his hand as Ironhide began to protest. "You are correct, however. Since Optimus Prime is missing, and we have had no success in contacting him, we must assume that something has happened to him. Naturally, the most likely suspects are the Decepticons. I'll keep your theory in mind, Ironhide. Thank you." Ironhide shook his head and walked away, dumbfounded.
"Prowl!" Blaster called from his station. "I've got an incoming message!"
"Is it from Prime?" Prowl asked, walking over to the communications station.
Blaster looked perplexed. "No, it's -- it's the Decepticons!"
If the situation hadn't been so serious, Blaster would have relished the startled look that appeared on Prowl's face. "They have no logical reason to contact us," he decided. "What do they want?"
Blaster's expression became even more confused. "It's Soundwave. He's demanding the return of Megatron."
Ironhide shook his head. "Ah knew it. They're all nuts."
"It must be some kind of trick," Blaster declared.
Prowl nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, perhaps it is meant to confuse us. Establish visual contact."
Blaster pressed a few buttons and twisted a few dials. Soundwave's form appeared on the main screen, somehow managing to look angry, despite the fact his masked face and monotone voice seemed incapable of emotion.
The Decepticon spoke to the assembled Autobots. "I repeat, Autobots, we demand the return of Megatron. There can be no room for debate."
"Aw, go chew on a microchip," Ironhide growled. "You're not fooling anyone. We know you've got Prahme, and we demand you release him at once!"
Soundwave's visage remained impassive, but his voice held a tone of anger. "Do not mock me, Autobot. I know nothing of your leader's whereabouts. You will release Megatron at once. If you do not comply--"
"What are you up to, Soundwave?" A shrill voice interrupted him. Soundwave whirled to face Starscream. "Surely you're not trying to bargain for Megatron's return."
Starscream smiled mockingly and turned to the screen. "Well, hello there. It seems that I am in your debt, Autobots. Capturing Megatron was a stroke of brilliance. Now I am in command, as it should have been long ago. Don't bother returning that rust heap, he isn't needed. The Decepticons now have a capable leader in command."
Prowl frowned at the screen. "Your charade is unconvincing, Starscream. I'm surprised Megatron would let you get away with such statements, even though it is simply a trick. We know you are holding Optimus Prime hostage, and we demand his return!"
"Optimus, a hostage?" Starscream's smug expression faltered. The Autobots' claim made no sense. But it was no matter, he knew an opportunity when he saw one. The fact that he had no idea what had become of Prime was of no concern to him. "Ah, yes, of course. We have your precious leader, and if you do not surrender at once, he will be terminated! Returning Megatron to us will not be enough. You have been warned." With a gesture to Soundwave, the screen went blank.
"Well, at least we learned one thing," Prowl sighed. "The Decepticons are not holding Prime prisoner."
"What are you talkin' about?" Ironhide asked incredulously. "You heard Starscream!"
Prowl nodded. "Yes, and I also closely observed his reaction to the news that Optimus Prime was missing. His confused expression showed that he has no idea of our leader's whereabouts. He was simply trying to force our hand by claiming to have captured him."
Ironhide looked unconvinced. "If the Decepts didn't capture him, then where is he? Why can't we contact him? And what is this business with Megatron?"
Prowl uttered a sentence that most have never heard him say. "I don't know, Ironhide. I just don't know."