Transformers Prime: Project Predacon

Pilot

5 Years Later

Starstrukk watched lazily as the three small, squishy humans approached her resting frame in the dunes. Each of their respected bots drove them through the hills, the sand kicking up while they had their fun, the deep rumble of their engines were a soothing noise to the Predacon's receptors. Sitting in the warm, intoxicating sun was such a simple pleasure and it was about to be interrupted by the joyous laughter of the kids as they each approached Starstrukk's snoozing spot, shouting her designation. With a small huff, the Predacon lifted her helm, the sparkle of green and baby blue paint reflected off of the fleshy faces before her. A large, emerald optic blinked as she watched as the three of them huffed and puffed their way down the small valley that she nestled in. Miko arrived first, her multicolored hair drifting in the strong breeze, catching for a moment on her lips and in her mouth while she gasped for air.

"What the heck are you sleeping for?! It's the middle of the afternoon! Time to get your lazy lump up!" The smallest of the three followed closely behind despite his shorter stature, excitement palpable on his little face.

"He finally finished it!" Raphael held up a small, metal orb with a large button in the center, waving it through the air. Starstrukk knew what this device was, and it made her a little uneasy. Ratchet had tried quite a few times to perfect the saddle for the humans, as they requested, and each try was improving drastically. Although the first prototype was laughable; it was merely a flat platform with no buckling to hold the humans down for flight. In the later stages, Raphael suggested the example of seating in human jets and this had changed the device immensely, improving each prototype drastically before it came into its final production stages. Of course, it was always tested with a larger version of it so that the bots (who were much less squishy) were able to take it for a test flight to see what the damage would be if the humans had taken the flight instead.

Sand rolled down the valley following the three bots that trailed slowly behind their Earth friends. Starstrukk stirred, knowing she would never hear the end of this if she denied the humans the pleasure of flight. Miko rushed to the Predacon's side, reaching for the metal that would hoist her onto the ideal location for saddle placement. A quick jerk away and a sharp snap of Starstrukk's immense jaws stopped the girl quickly, and she dropped her hand to her side, shocked to see such an intense reaction.

"Perhaps it's best for the Autobots to install right now, I have been resting in the sun for many hours and I fear your flesh will melt upon touching me." Arcee strode passed the three humans, tossing the Autobot sized prototype into the air and catching it swiftly, approaching the Predacon.

"Test run, first." She stated curtly, turning and eyeing the three humans knowingly. It was not the first time that they had attempted to ride without the bots testing for safety features and potential mishaps. The blue bot hopped up the leg and shoulder of Starstrukk, well practiced with the footholds she needed to use to scale the Predacon. It took only the press of a button to install the saddle, the orb in her hand transforming into a large cabin with a three point harness in the center. The cabin was enclosed completely to reduce the amount of airflow directed straight to the humans faces. Ventilation systems whirred to life and the cabin door popped open, allowing Arcee to step inside with ease. She sat and buckled herself in, tightening the straps drastically to hold her securely just in case of any sudden maneuvering or fluctuations in height or speed. She reached up and pulled the door down, sealing herself shut inside of the cabin. Arcee nodded to the three humans and her two robot companions, using her comm system to communicate a short message.

"I'll be up there three minutes tops, guys. Don't get too restless." Miko stamped her foot when Bulkhead relayed her message, complaining that Arcee was always up there 'at least 3 hours' whenever she tested the cabin. If a Predacon could smile in her beast form, she would have in that moment. Instead, Starstrukk gave a small snort of amusement and stood to her full height, jostling Arcee around for a moment in her seat.