“Here it is, Dinobot,” Optimus Primal said as the two approached the stasis pod.  “Looks like we got here first.  Optimus Primal, maximize!”

After transforming, Primal stepped closer to the pod to inspect it. 

“All things considered; it doesn’t appear to have taken too much damage.  It even looks like it activated on its own and scanned the area,” he said after getting a good look.  He tried to pry the lid of the pod open, but it was stuck.  He then looked over his shoulder back at the raptor who accompanied him.  “Can I have a servo?”

“Dinobot, maximize…”

Now transformed, he assisted Primal with cracking the stasis pod open.  After a bit of elbow grease, it finally popped open with a hiss.  Both mechs stepped back as a bright light emanated from the pod.  When it died down, Primal stepped forward again, looking down at the open pod to see the robot inside.

“Good to see you’re all right,” Primal said, offering the femme a hand out of her stasis pod.

After a cautious glance at his hand, she accepted it and allowed him to help her to her feet.  She scanned her surroundings, taking in the strange environment before they landed on Dinobot.  For a brief moment, her optics caught his keen gaze and remained there until she realized what she was doing and quickly glanced away, bringing her attention back to Primal.

“Thank you,” she said, donning an appreciative smile.  “Where am I?”

“We’re not exactly sure, but we know it’s a primitive planet,” he said.  After stating this, he transformed back into his beast mode.  Dinobot did as well.  “I would suggest transforming.  Your pod should have programmed you with a beast mode to protect you from the dangerous levels of energon radiation here.”

The femme took his advice and transformed, taking the form of a spotted hyena.

“Thank you for the head’s up,” she said.  “I don’t believe I caught your name.”

“I’m Optimus Primal, Maximal commander,” he said.  “And yourself?”

“I’m…”  She paused, glancing to the side as if she were deep in thought.  She then looked down at her paws before giving an answer.  “Hysteria.”

“Hysteria,” Primal repeated with a smile.  “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she said.  She looked behind Primal, her optics once again settling on the other mech.  “And who are you?”

Dinobot had preoccupied himself keeping watch while Primal spoke to her.  Suspicious of Predacons who would likely have the same idea they had, he was not paying any mind to their conversation.

“Hey,” Hysteria then said, whistling to get his attention.  “Talking to you, tall, dark, and handsome.”

Upon realizing he was who she was referring to, he returned the look. 

“Yes, you,” she said with a wide grin.

After a small snarl of agitation, he finally answered her.

“Dinobot.”

His terse response caused her to chuckle, which in turn made him growl and look away again.

“Shy?”

“You’ll have to excuse him,” Primal said.  “He’s not one for small talk.”

“I see,” she laughed.

“We should get going, Optimus,” Dinobot warned.  “I feel… it won’t be long until we have company.”

“You’re probably right,” Primal said.  “No doubt the Predacons are on their way to the pod as well.”

Hysteria tilted her head.

“Wait… What’s going on?”

“Our two factions crash landed on this strange planet not too long ago,” he explained to her.  “Long story short, there is a major energon source here.  If it winds up in the Predacon’s grasp, it could mean trouble not just for us, but for the entire galaxy.  We were hoping you could join us.  We could use any help we can get.”

“Optimus, was it?” she said, prompting the gorilla to nod affirmatively.  “I appreciate the two of you coming to check to make sure I survived the landing, but I have no part in your conflict.  I don’t know much, but I know I didn’t come here as a soldier, and I can’t in good conscience fight for a cause I’m not familiar with, much less choose a side blind.  I’m sorry, but I hope you understand…”

“I do, Hysteria,” he responded.  “I cannot and will not force you to commit to anything you do not wish to take part of.  However, I must warn you, it could be dangerous being on your own in a place like this.”

She looked down, mulling over his words before raising her gaze to meet his.  “That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

“I understand.  If you ever decide to change your mind, the Maximals would be glad to have you.  What’s left of our ship is due north, about 50 kliks from here.  You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you.  I’ll keep that in mind,” she said.

“If you do not want conflict, it is ill-advised to stay here,” Dinobot said, stepping forward to speak to her.  Even in beast mode, he towered over her as he stared her down.  “The Predacons know how to… deal with those who won’t fight.”

She met his stare and kept it, seemingly not intimidated by him.

“Thanks for your concern, Dinobot,” Hysteria said.  “It’s not that I am not willing to fight, I just have no reason to do so.”  She took a step closer, keeping her grin.  “I’d fight you right now if I had any qualm with you, but I do not.  If that changes, I’m sure you’d know.”

“So, you are not a coward,” he said.  A hint of amusement was present in his voice as he tilted his head.  “Just a stubborn fool.”

“Cute tactic, but name-calling doesn’t work on me, big guy,” Hysteria replied.  “If you want me to battle you so bad, just say so.  Might be good practice for when I run into these Predacons you’re so fond of.”

Dinobot bristled at this comment.  Another snarl escaped him as he leaned closer to her.

“It would do you no good,” he snapped.  “Should they find you, I assure you, they will not be as merciful as I.”

“Well, I’m a big girl.  I’ll manage.”

The two stared at one another, both eventually baring their teeth but neither making a move.  Primal could do nothing but watch in fascination, trying to decide if it was in everyone’s best interest to interrupt them.

“If you are as capable as you are obstinate, you might be a formidable foe,” rumbled Dinobot.

“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

As the tension thickened, Primal decided it was time to end this before the two of them tore each other apart.  There was enough going on without starting needless fights with an ally.

“Let’s get going, Dinobot,” he said.  “I hope to see you around, Hysteria.”

Primal turned and began to walk away.  Dinobot took one final look at Hysteria, narrowing his eyes.  He then huffed, whipping his head to the side before following the gorilla.  With a shake of her head, the hyena wandered off in the other direction.

A tense silence hung in the air after the two Maximals parted ways with Hysteria.  While Primal himself was disappointed at the outcome, Dinobot appeared to be fuming.  The Maximal commander had assumed the other was angered that any would dare challenge his pride, until he eventually spoke.

“We should not have left the femme alone,” insisted Dinobot.  “Should he learn she is without any alliance, Megatron can be quite… persuasive…”

His voice lacked the harsh tone Primal expected, causing the gorilla to look towards him. 

“Believe me, I’m just as disappointed at her choice, but it’s her choice either way.”

“Need I clarify that I do not mean with mere words,” the raptor said.  “Those Predacons lack honor.  He will have no qualms about… forcing his ideology upon her.”

“And we would be no better than him if we were to make her come with us against her will.  I don’t like it, but freedom is the right—”

“Save that meaningless ancient Autobot drivel,” Dinobot snarled before Primal could finish.  “You and I both know she will have less of a choice should the Predacons reach her.”

“She seemed pretty strong-willed.  She may not want to join our battle, but she still acts like she has a fighting spirit,” Primal replied.  “I think she’s capable of handling herself…”  He paused for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle.  “I mean, she didn’t back down from you just then.”

A low growl left Dinobot after this jibe from the other.

“That same hubris will get her in trouble,” he grumbled.  “Megatron will take it as a… personal challenge.”

Primal sighed and shook his head.  He didn’t feel like arguing.  While the Maximals weren’t outnumbered with the recent addition of Tigatron, losing an advantage was a bit of a blow to morale.  He just knew the others would be disappointed.  Not another word was spoken as the two continued on their way, eventually making their way back to the base.  Upon entering, Primal and Dinobot returned to a room full of expectant Maximals.

“Well?” Cheetor said with borderline naïve enthusiasm.  “Where’s our new pal?”

“Perhaps Optimus can shed some light on that,” Dinobot said.  The bite of disdain in his voice was not lost on the others, as the excitement on Cheetor’s face faded away.

“What happened, big bot?” he asked.

“She didn’t wish to join us,” Primal said.

“What?” the cheetah gasped.  “How come?”

“Probably one look at ol’ Chopperface scared ‘er off,” Rattrap said, pointing his thumb in Dinobot’s direction.  “I knew I should’ve come with instead.”

“Certainly, if you wished to run her off with your foul odor,” Dinobot snapped back.

“She respectfully declined,” explained Primal before the two could start arguing.  “She does not wish to be part of a war.”

“That’s a shame,” said Rhinox.

“I agree,” said Primal.  “But if any of you come across her, still treat her as one of ours.  Her name is Hysteria.  Perhaps she will come around eventually.”

“If Megatron does not get to her first,” grumbled Dinobot.

“Yeahhh…  Kinda hate to say it,” Rattrap said.  “But I think I side with Lizard Lips on this one.  You don’t think she’ll get slagged out there?”

“Rattrap, I’ll tell you like I told him,” Optimus started.  “We would be no better than Megatron if we forced her to join us.”

“And she will be no better than scrap or worse if Megatron captures her,” snarled Dinobot.  “We would not have forced anything.  You just did not try hard enough to convince her.”

“If I recall, you tried to convince her yourself and she made her intent perfectly clear.  Pressing the subject would no doubt have had the opposite effect on her.”

“Perhaps, but I am not the self-proclaimed diplomat here,” he said.  “Just because that femme was stubborn does not mean she deserves to be enslaved by Megatron.  You do not know him like I do, and the idea of that one being at his mercy… does not sit well with me.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…  Hold the comm here.  Since when do you care what happens to someone else?” Rattrap chimed in.

Dinobot bowed up at Rattrap with a growl, causing the other mech to flinch before he turned and stormed out.  A moment of stunned silence passed, interrupted by none other than Rattrap again.

“Sheesh, what crawled up his exhaust and died?” he asked, looking over the Cheetor, who shrugged.  After a moment, he then laughed and looked at Primal.  “Sooo…  I did hear him say ‘femme,’ right?”

Rattrap’s question earned a sigh in response, then a nod from Primal.

“Must be a looker if she's got his gears all in a twist," he said, nudging the commander with his elbow.  "Maybe I can go out and, uh… do some convincin’, eh?”

Primal stared down at Rattrap for a moment before recognizing he was being serious.

“You’re unbelievable,” he said before turning and leaving as well.