The Decepticons won the Great War, but their victory was built on a lie -- one that later caused their mighty empire to crumble from within. With the truth now revealed to a small group of Maximal survivors, they're risking their very existence to give the Autobots, and the universe, another chance. Here's a little taste of the opening scene. As I finish more scenes, I'll be sure to share them. Enjoy. - TOOTH AND CLAW - PAGE ONE PANEL ONE Mount St. Hilary is the tallest peak in the rocky, desolate landscape. Dead trees dot the terrain. The unforgiving sun beats down on the lifeless scene. The rear of the Ark pokes out from the foot of the extinct volcano. 1 DIALOGUE PANEL Location: Earth. 2 DIALOGUE PANEL Year: Unknown. 3 DIALOGUE PANEL (OPTIMUS PRIMAL) This whole thing could still be a trap, so while I don’t want to rush your work, Tigatron… PANEL TWO Inside the bridge of the Ark, Optimus Primal looks at the damage around the large chamber with a sad expression. Behind him, Tigatron examines one of the blaster marks on the wall. A great section of the wall is missing, showing the exposed rock behind. Illumination orbs float in the air, providing them light but casting eerie shadows. 4 OPTIMUS PRIMAL I don’t want to overstay our welcome either. PANEL THREE Tigatron feels the inside of the blaster mark on the wall. 5 TIGATRON Her scars still have a story to tell. PANEL FOUR Tigatron studies the mark on the wall closely. We can see Optimus Primal behind him. 6 TIGATRON All we need do is listen. PAGE TWO PANEL ONE Tigatron walks towards Optimus Primal. In the background, we can see a large wall section that’s missing. The ‘ghosts’ of the Decepticons charge in through the hole and open fire. 1 TIGATRON The hull of the bridge is ruptured and the Decepticons pour in. PANEL TWO Optimus Primal and Tigatron are standing midway between the two advancing ‘ghost’ forces. Tigatron points towards the large missing section. 2 TIGATRON The Autobots were quick to respond, as all their blaster fire is concentrated around the breach point. PANEL THREE The ‘ghost’ combatants pair off and fight hand to hand. Optimus Primal and Tigatron are standing amongst them. 3 TIGATRON After the initial exchange of blaster fire, it became a physical fight. PANEL FOUR Tigatron shows Optimus Primal a large, round dent in the floor. The ‘ghost’ of Megatron looms over them, swinging his spiked Energon Mace. 4 TIGATRON Ferocious. Personal. PAGE THREE PANEL ONE Tigatron and Primal look at the remains of the large viewscreen at the front of the bridge. It is cracked and dark. The ‘ghost’ of Earth can be seen at its centre. Some of the ‘ghost’ combatants look towards it as the fighting continues. The ‘ghost’ of Skywarp begins to teleport. 1 TIGATRON But then, whether by the violent entry into atmosphere or the impact with the planet itself, everyone aboard was rendered offline, suspended in emergency stasis. PANEL TWO A panel of the bridge at large. Optimus Primal and Tigatron stand near the central command chair. The ‘ghosts’ lie strewn around the chamber. 2 OPTIMUS PRIMAL I think I know how the rest of the story plays out. 3 TIGATRON Don’t be so sure. History, after all, is written by the victors. PANEL THREE The ‘ghost’ of Skywarp teleports back into the bridge, near a computer terminal on the wall. 4 TIGATRON We’re told that the combatants awoke and continued the fight, with the Decepticons ultimately prevailing. PANEL FOUR The ‘ghost’ of Skywarp activates a repair beam which hits Megatron. 5 TIGATRON Unopposed, they conquered the Earth and then Cybertron. PAGE FOUR PANEL ONE Tigatron points to blast marks on the floor. The ‘ghost’ of Megatron gets to his feet. Skywarp continues to repair other Decepticons using the beam. 1 TIGATRON But this cannot be what happened. At least, not here. 2 TIGATRON These are not the scars of battle. PANEL TWO Optimus Primal kneels to examine one of the marks. It aligns with the head of ‘ghost’ Prowl who lies on the floor. Decepticon troops stand over the offline forms of the Autobots, posed to fire. 3 TIGATRON A number of them pocket the floor. All from a blast at close range. All at a static target. PANEL THREE Optimus Primal’s face is etched with shock. The ‘ghost’ Decepticons execute the stricken Autobots. 4 OPTIMUS PRIMAL They never woke up… PANEL FOUR Tigatron is standing over a large blaster mark. ‘Ghost’ Megatron picks up Optimus Prime’s Ion Blaster which lies near the Autobot leader. 5 TIGATRON The only one of any difference is here. PAGE FIVE PANEL ONE Optimus Primal and Tigatron look down at the mark. Standing over them, ‘ghost’ Megatron aims the blaster at Optimus Prime. 1 TIGATRON An Autobot Ion Cannon. PANEL TWO A close-up of ‘ghost’ Megatron’s mouth, curled in an evil smile. 2 DIALOGUE PANEL (OPTIMUS PRIMAL) Prime. PANEL THREE Optimus Primal and Tigatron, standing at the blast in the ground, spin around, weapons raised, as a voice comes from behind them. The chamber is now empty of ‘ghosts’. 3 DINOBOT (OP) The truth laid bare… PANEL FOUR A set of glowing red eyes peer through the darkness of the chamber. 4 DINOBOT At your feet… PANEL FIVE Dinobot steps into the eerie light. 5 DINOBOT As promised. - END SCENE -
PAGE SIX PANEL ONE (Flashback) The Predacon ship, the Terror Crasher, travels through Space. 1 NARRATION PANEL The story you’ve been told… 2 DIALOGUE PANEL (TARANTULAS) This is Tarantulas, reporting a successful mission. PANEL TWO (Flashback) On the bridge of the ship, Tarantulas appears on the viewscreen. Megatron has his arms raised triumphantly. Scorponok mans his console. 3 NARRATION PANEL The story that emboldened every Decepticon spark… 4 MEGATRON Yes! YES! 5 TARANTULAS Prepare to receive incoming data transfer. PANEL THREE (Flashback) Scorponok types into his console. 6 NARRATION PANEL And sent a chill through every Autobots’… 7 SCORPONOK Transfer received. Rendezvous with the Terror Crasher at the following co-ordinates. 8 TARANTULAS Understood. Tarantulas, out. PANEL FOUR (Flashback) Megatron reclines in his command chair, his hand still clenched victoriously. Dinobot sits at a console at the wall of the bridge. 9 NARRATION PANEL Is a lie. 10 MEGATRON Finally, Scorponok! We will reshape the universe to our own designs! PAGE SEVEN PANEL ONE (Flashback) A close-up of Dinobot’s face. He is looking down. We can see Megatron and Scorponok behind him. 1 NARRATION PANEL The war balancing on a knife’s edge. PANEL TWO (Flashback) The same close-up. Dinobot looks up, his brow furrowed. 2 NARRATION PANEL A ferocious battle and the beginning of a new era. PANEL THREE (Flashback) The same close-up angle. Dinobot’s eyes glow green and he bares his teeth. 3 NARRATION PANEL A falsehood known by only a few but revealed to you now. 4 DIALOGUE PANEL (RATTRAP) Ehh, I don’t buy it. PANEL FOUR On the bridge of the Maximal ship, the Axalon, Dinobot stands arms crossed. His eyes remain fixed on the round centre console between them. The seven Maximals look at him. 5 DINOBOT We’d decoded communications revealing the location of a small Maximal ship. A team was sent to intercept it, and interrogation of the crew yielded the desired information -- access codes for the Ark. 6 CHEETOR But… the Ark is toast. 7 DINOBOT Not when they plan to enter it. PANEL FIVE Rattrap glares at Dinobot, whose eyes remain fixed on the console. 8 DINOBOT His plan is as brilliant as it is insane -- to travel to the past and replace the original Megatron’s spark with his own. With his knowledge of things to come, he will ensure the Decepticon Empire never falls. 9 RATTRAP And why would a stinking Pred not want to be part of that? 10 DINOBOT His first act would be the same -- killing the Autobots while still offline. His Empire would be built on the same lie. PAGE EIGHT PANEL ONE Optimus Primal and Rhinox address their fellow Maximals. 1 OPTIMUS PRIMAL As you all know, we’ve been receiving intelligence from an unknown source for some time. We can now put a face to that source. 2 RHINOX Part of the information were plans for a Transwarp Drive, developed by the Predacons. It allows for travel through both Space and Time. PANEL TWO Optimus Primal sells the message to his crew. 3 OPTIMUS PRIMAL We’re going back, and we’re going to do everything we can to give the Autobots a fighting chance. PANEL THREE Airazor and Tigatron share a sad look. Cheetor remains upbeat. 4 AIRAZOR But we would have no way of knowing the consequences of our actions. We may be creating an even darker future for ourselves. 5 TIGATRON I can’t imagine a much darker future for those that called this planet home. 6 CHEETOR So what’s the plan? PANEL FOUR Optimus Primal presses a button on the centre console, activating a hologram of the Ark. 7 OPTIMUS PRIMAL History shows us that the Ark’s engines protrude from the mountain after the crash. This has to be their point of entry. 8 RHINOX At the foot of an active volcano, they won’t have much time to cut through once it’s on the ground. PANEL FIVE A shot of Dinobot, illuminated by the hologram before him. He wears a stern look. 9 DINOBOT No. They will do it in the air. PAGE NINE PANEL ONE The hologram shows three small Predacon symbols near the rear of the Ark hologram. 1 DINOBOT Waspinator and Terrorsaur will target the shield emitters around the Engineering section. Once down, only Inferno will have the fire-power to breach the hull. PANEL TWO Airazor and Tigatron study the hologram. Cheetor puffs his chest proudly. 2 AIRAZOR They wouldn’t be stupid enough to stay onboard, so they’ll have to bug out before impact. 3 TIGATRON Then it becomes a race -- one in which we need our slowest to be first through the door. 4 CHEETOR Well if it’s speed you want, I’m your bot! PANEL THREE Optimus Primal gives Cheetor a stern look. 5 OPTIMUS PRIMAL You’re not going in there alone. 6 CHEETOR Come on, Big Bot. I’ll just be holding the fort until the cavalry arrives. 7 OPTIMUS PRIMAL You’ll move in with the others, giving Airazor and I cover to get Rhinox inside to begin repairs. PANEL FOUR Dinobot looks to Optimus Primal. 8 DINOBOT By the time you arrive, you’ll be out of position and picked off. You and the bird must engage the flyers. 9 OPTIMUS PRIMAL What about Rhinox? 10 DINOBOT I have an idea... PANEL FIVE Dinobot looks to Rhinox. 11 DINOBOT … but you and the rodent may not like it. PAGE TEN PANEL ONE Rattrap leans on the centre console. 1 RATTRAP You know what I’d like? I’d like everyone to wake up and smell the garbage! Am I the only one that thinks this whole thing screams ambush? 2 LINK PANEL (RATTRAP) Old Lizard Lips here just happens across a team of Maximals that just happen to have the information his boss is after. It’s all pretty fortuitous, don’t you think? Oh, and his miraculous escape is just the cherry on top. PANEL TWO Tigatron tries to reason with Rattrap, but he won’t budge. 3 TIGATRON The Ark has given up her secrets, Rattrap. What Dinobot has told us thus far is true. 4 RATTRAP Oh, come on. Tripping back in time, saving the universe -- I get how that works for us. But what about him? What does he get out of it? You can’t seriously believe this whole white knight act. PANEL THREE Dinobot pushes past Optimus Primal and Rhinox towards Rattrap. 5 DINOBOT With the codes in their possession, their departure from the present is imminent! And yet here you stand, talking, at a time of action! PANEL FOUR Dinobot looms over Rattrap. Rattrap sticks the barrel of his gun under Dinobot’s chin. Dinobot’s eyes glow green. 6 RATTRAP I got all the action you need right here, pal. PANEL FIVE Rhinox pulls the two apart. 7 RHINOX Knock it off! PANEL SIX Dinobot exits the bridge. The Maximals watch him leave. 8 DINOBOT GRGRGRGRGRGR PAGE ELEVEN PANEL ONE Optimus Primal glares at Rattrap who returns the look. 1 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Rhinox, get it ready. Rattrap… can give you a hand. PANEL TWO Optimus Primal gives the order to Cheetor, Airazor and Tigatron. 2 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Cheetor, Airazor, Tigatron -- maintain a perimeter. The Earth is technically Predacon territory after all. 3 CHEETOR You got it. PANEL THREE As the Maximals depart, Tigatron confirms details. Optimus Primal’s head drops slightly. 4 TIGATRON And what of the Predacon? 5 OPTIMUS PRIMAL *sigh* Let him cool off. 6 TIGATRON Understood. PANEL FOUR Rattrap is still rooted to the spot, arms crossed, as Optimus Primal departs the bridge. 7 RATTRAP When you said we were getting help, I figured it was at least from one of ours. 8 OPTIMUS PRIMAL The less you knew the better. He’s coming with us. PANEL FIVE Rattrap is now alone on the bridge. Optimus Primal replies from off-panel. 9 RATTRAP We’re all gonna die. 10 OPTIMUS PRIMAL (OP) He can do that with us too. - END SCENE -
I'm digging the darker premise so far. Also like how you've put the characters in a new situation that brings out a different side to them while still retaining the classic personality traits we know them for.
Thanks mate, I appreciate you having a read over it. Writing for these characters is great fun. It's a new situation, but at the same time, feels strangely familiar. Beast Wars itself was pretty dark from time to time, but the opening scene with the ghosts certainly sets the tone. I think you'll like the next scene. It's only short, but it rights a little 20+ year old wrong.
PAGE TWELVE PANEL ONE A shot of a forest of dead trees, stripped of leaves. It is a cold, cloudy evening. The Axalon can be seen in the distance. It has landed on a rocky outcrop. PANEL TWO Dinobot, in Beast-Mode, walks among the dead trees, brooding. PANEL THREE A close-up of Dinobot’s nostrils, sniffing the air. 1 SFXHF-HF PANEL FOUR A close-up of Dinobot’s eyes, narrowed. 2 DINOBOT Do you also doubt your Commander’s judgement? PANEL FIVE Airazor, in Beast-Mode, is perched on a branch in a tree behind Dinobot. 3 AIRAZOR He’s never given me reason to. Should I? PAGE THIRTEEN PANEL ONE Dinobot carries on walking amongst the dead trees. 1 DINOBOT Some of your kind have sought refuge on distant worlds. Why not join them? 2 AIRAZOR (OP) Cybertron is my home. I intend to get back there someday. PANEL TWO Dinobot looks back to the branch where Airazor was perched, but she’s gone. 3 DINOBOT And so you choose to fight. PANEL THREE Dinobot’s attention snaps around quickly as Airazor is now perched on a lower branch next to him. 4 AIRAZOR What about you? Why not just disappear? 5 DINOBOT Those that oppose you fight under a falsehood. PANEL FOUR Dinobot and Airazor share a tense gaze. 6 AIRAZOR I know Rattrap is a pain in the exhaust, but he has a point. If we can do this, you may find yourself on the losing side of history. 7 DINOBOT A victory without honour is no victory at all. PANEL FIVE The internal comm-link in Airazor’s chest comes to life, breaking the tension. 8 COMM-LINK (TIGATRON) Tigatron to Cheetor and Airazor. A storm is rolling in from the west. Return to the ship. 9 COMM-LINK (CHEETOR) Copy that, Big Cat. 10 AIRAZOR On my way. PANEL SIX Airazor takes flight into the cold night sky. Dinobot looks up at her with a snarl. 11 AIRAZOR That means you too. We’ll find you some quarters. I think there’s an empty one next to Rattrap. 12 DINOBOT GRGRGRGR - END SCENE -
I've updated Pages 6 through to 13. Originally, the planning scene was going to be separate, but it made sense to put it all together. It helped lead to the conflict with Rattrap and Dinobot storming out.
PAGE FOURTEEN PANEL ONE A close-up of external plating on the Axalon’s hull. Optimus Primal’s hand is upon it. PANEL TWO A wider angle showing Optimus Primal standing on the roof of the Axalon. His hand is still placed on the external plating. His head is lowered. PANEL THREE An angle from behind Optimus Primal. He looks over his shoulder, smiling. 1 RHINOX (OP) Would you like a moment alone? PANEL FOUR Rhinox stands beside Optimus Primal. The two of them look up towards the rear of the ship. 2 OPTIMUS PRIMAL She’s served us well. 3 RHINOX And then some. A little piece of Cybertron we’ve been able to call home. PANEL FIVE Optimus Primal and Rhinox walk back towards the front of the ship. The others are gathered there, waiting among the Transwarp Shunt components. 4 OPTIMUS PRIMAL How do you like our chances? 5 RHINOX The three most likely outcomes, in order of increasing likelihood. 6 LINK PANEL (RHINOX) One: We end up where and when we want to be. 7 LINK PANEL (RHINOX) Two: We strand ourselves here with a dead ship. 8 LINK PANEL (RHINOX) Three: We’re lost to the depths of time and space. PANEL SIX Optimus Primal shares a smile with his old friend. 9 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Well, that’s just prime. PAGE FIFTEEN PANEL ONE Optimus Primal and Rhinox join the others at the front of the ship. 1 OPTIMUS PRIMAL No matter the outcome, this is a one-way trip. I can’t order any of you to do this and I won’t blame any of you for not wanting to take part. PANEL TWO Optimus Primal beams at his crew. 2 OPTIMUS PRIMAL It has been my privilege to serve with you, and it will be my honour to serve beside you, all of you, one last time. PANEL THREE Cheetor looks nervously at Optimus Primal, who returns a stoic look. Rattrap looks away, making a sly comment. 3 CHEETOR What happens if this works? I mean, what happens to us? 4 OPTIMUS PRIMAL In whatever future we wake up in, Primus will find a way of bringing us together. 5 RATTRAP Hopefully not all of us. PANEL FOUR A shot from above, looking down on the gathered crew, standing on the roof of the Axalon. The Transwarp Shunt device has come alive. 6 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Unless there’s any other objections? 7 LINK PANEL (OPTIMUS PRIMAL) Rhinox, fire it up. PANEL FIVE A panel of twisting white and blue light. 8 DIALOGUE PANEL (OPTIMUS PRIMAL) Let’s rewrite some history. - END SCENE -
I’m unfamiliar with the term “link panel” what is that exactly? That said, your dialogue sounds ripped right from an episode of BW!
TGping, reading my work! I'm honoured. Thank you so much for your kind words. For the most part, I can generally hear which character is saying what in my head. But if I'm ever in any doubt, I just look up from my keyboard to the display case with the BW MP figures in it and the words soon start flowing once again. Plus we've all been enjoying the TV show for 24 years now, which makes determining dialogue all the easier. I use 'link panel' for a speech bubble with two (or more) parts. From memory, I came across a script excerpt from Simon Furman who used the term, so figured it was well worth emulating. I've got the next 10 pages of the story mapped out. It's a large action sequence. I should hopefully have the script for these pages up over the weekend. There isn't a logical break around the 20-page mark, so I've decided the story will be a 40-page double issue instead
Got one more question, what forms are the maximals and predacons in? Pre-beast? The maximals seem like season 1 bodies.
Season 1, all the way! For me, it's their most iconic look, sets them apart from everything else in Transformers and is what I'm thinking is most likely should they get some new figures from Hasbro in the Generations line I've got an idea for a cover in mind, if you don't mind me running it past you, to get an Artist's thoughts? Being a 40-page double issue, it's a gatefold cover. We're inside Mount St. Hillary, like in Season 3. In the background, we see the front of the Ark. In the foreground, perched on rocky outcrops, we have the Maximals on one side, and the Predacons on the other, like in the final battle in the second episode of Season 1 (there is a mix of bots in beast-mode and robot-mode). A river of lava runs between them.
awesome, I don’t mind the cover discussion at all, sounds like a pretty good idea, nice gate fold for a 40 page giant issue for people familiar with the series, their first reaction might be... that never happened! Then they gotta pick it up to see what’s going on.
I'm delighted to hear you think the idea has legs. The beauty is it could also be sold as a separate poster, for those so inclined. The story is something of a retelling of Beast Wars; a different version in a different universe. Familiar, yet new. I'm hoping IDW pulls through the current global pandemic crisis. This would be something I'd love to pitch to them, as well as my Deicide story. Both are celebrations of Beast Wars. We're due for some new BW comics.
Deicide is a 4-issue miniseries set in the BW TV show continuity. Tooth and Claw is just a standalone 40-page story in its own universe.
Here's the next section of the story. It's basically Part 1 of 2 of a large action sequence. Enjoy! PAGE SIXTEEN PANEL ONE A shot of the Earth from space. PANEL TWO The same shot as the previous panel. The Ark and the Nemesis are both hurtling towards the planet, out of control. PANEL THREE Both ships begin to burn as they enter the atmosphere. The Ark is in focus. The Nemesis is falling in the distance. PANEL FOUR Terrorsaur and Waspinator, both in robot-mode, fly at full speed towards the falling Ark. PANEL FIVE They open fire on the Engineering section of the Ark. 1 SFX (WASPINATOR’S BLASTER) PUWO-PUWO-PUWO 2 SFX (TERRORSAUR’S BLASTER) BVW-BVW-BVW-BVW PAGE SEVENTEEN PANEL ONE At the peak of Mount St. Hilary, Optimus Primal and Airazor, both in bot-mode, hover in the air above Rhinox and Rattrap. Rhinox, in beast-mode, is standing on top of a long, flat rock. Rattrap, in bot-mode, sits on his back, nervously. The landscape surrounding the mountain is lush and green with trees. 1 OPTIMUS PRIMAL That’s our cue. PANEL TWO Optimus Primal and Airazor take to the sky. Rattrap shields his eyes with his hand from the dust blown up. 2 OPTIMUS PRIMAL We’ll see you both at the bottom. 3 RATTRAP Oh, yeah. You’ll see bits of us all over the place. PANEL THREE Terrorsaur and Waspinator fly alongside the Ark, firing at the ship. Their blasts hit the hull. 4 SFX (WASPINATOR’S BLASTER) PUWO-PUWO 5 SFX (TERRORSAUR’S BLASTER) BVW-BVW 6 SFX (BLASTS HITTING THE HULL) KRA-KRM 7 TERRORSAUR This is Terrorsaur. The shielding is down! 8 COMM-LINK (MEGATRON) Good. Clear the airspace. PANEL FOUR Inferno, in bot-mode, flies towards the reader. He has a blaster in each hand. He fires them wildly. Tarantulas, in bot-mode, clings to his back. 9 SFX (INFERNO’S BLASTERS) PVOOM-PVOOM-PVOOM-PVOOM 10 INFERNO RRAAAAGGGHHH! PANEL FIVE Inferno continues to target the area at close range. The hull of the Ark is hit with the blasts and begins to buckle. 11 SFX (INFERNO’S BLASTERS) PVOOM-PVOOM-PVOOM 12 SFX (BLASTS HITTING THE HULL) KISH-KASH-KOSH 13 TARANTULAS Not so close! Not so close! PAGE EIGHTEEN PANEL ONE The hull of the Ark explodes. Inferno is thrown off course. 1 SFX (HULL EXPLODING) KKRROOOOOMM! PANEL TWO Inferno stabilises. Tarantulas points to the hole in the hull. 2 TARANTULAS You mindless idiot! You could have killed me! 3 INFERNO We have another spider to replace you. 4 TARANTULAS Just get me inside! PANEL THREE Tarantulas leaps from Inferno’s back and through the hole in the hull. PANEL FOUR Inferno flies away from the Ark at great speed. Mount St. Hilary is looming large. 5 INFERNO Inferno to the Royalty. Mission complete. 6 MEGATRON Excellent. Fall back with the other flyers. 7 INFERNO Yes, my Queen. PANEL FIVE Looking over Rhinox and Rattrap. The Ark is moments away from making impact. Rhinox looks towards it. Rattrap is clinging to Rhinox’s back, with his head turned away. 8 RHINOX Well, that’s something you don’t see every day. PANEL SIX A close-up of Rhinox face. He’s calm, with his eyes closed. 9 RHINOX Primus be with us. PAGE NINTEEN PANEL ONE Full page splash. A shot of Mount St. Hilary from a distance. The Ark collides with the mountain, causing a great explosion of rock. PAGE TWENTY PANEL ONE Cheetor, Tigatron and Dinobot, all in beast-mode, run towards the mountain. Large boulders thrown into the air from the crash are landing on the ground around them. 1 SFX (BOULDERS LANDING) BOOM 2 DINOBOT It’s a wonder anyone onboard survived the crash. 3 TIGATRON Die-cast construction. It’s a lost art. 4 CHEETOR I just hope Rhinox and Rattrap are ok. PANEL TWO Looking over Dinobot’s shoulder. He’s looking to his left. In the distance, Blackarachnia and Scorponok, both in bot-mode, are also running towards the mountain. 5 DINOBOT We have our own problems. Two on foot, emerging from the tree line. PANEL THREE Tigatron and Dinobot veer off. Cheetor barrels onward at full pace. 6 TIGATRON Cheetor, secure the opening. Dinobot and I will deal with them. 7 CHEETOR You got it, Big Cat. PANEL FOUR The ground in front of Cheetor is hit with a stream of blaster-fire. Cheetor swerves to avoid it. 8 SFX (BLASTS HITTING THE GRUOND) DRM-DRM-DRM 9 CHEETOR Woah! PAGE TWENTY-ONE PANEL ONE Cheetor, still running, looks up and sees Inferno flying towards him, firing. 1 SFX (INFERNO’S BLASTERS) PVOOM-PVOOM 2 INFERNO Burn, Maximal! 3 CHEETOR Um, a little help! PANEL TWO Optimus Primal flies in and fires his wrist-blasters at Inferno, chasing him away. 4 SFX (OPTIMUS PRIMAL’S BLASTERS) PVU-PVU-PVU 5 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Pest problem? PANEL THREE An angle from behind Cheetor. He is running straight at the mountain, but he’s looking back over his shoulder. 6 CHEETOR Phew. That was- PANEL FOUR The same angle as the previous panel. A large boulder lands directly in front of Cheetor, who is now looking forward. 7 SFX (BOULDER LANDING) BOOOM 8 CHEETOR Close?! PANEL FIVE Cheetor springs off the boulder, transforms in the air and lands in bot-mode without breaking stride. 9 CHEETOR Oh yeah! I really hope someone saw that! PAGE TWENTY-TWO PANEL ONE Near the tree line, Blackarachnia has fired a web-grenade at Dinobot, who slices through it with his sword. 1 SFX (WEB-GRENADE SPRINGING OPEN) PWSH 2 SFX (DINOBOT’S SWORD) SHING PANEL TWO Scorponok delivers Tigatron a heavy blow with his claw. Overhead, Optimus Primal is still chasing Inferno. 3 SFX GRN PANEL THREE A shot from behind Inferno. He is flying backwards, firing both blasters at Optimus Primal, who flies towards him. 4 SFX (INFERNO’S BLASTERS) PVOOM-PVOOM-PVOOM PANEL FOUR Waspinator flies past Optimus Primal. PANEL FIVE Airazor is in hot pursuit of Waspinator, who flies upwards. She fires her wrist-blasters. 5 SFX (AIRAZOR’S WRIST BLASTERS) PWIW-PWIW-PWIW-PWIW PAGE TWENTY-THREE PANEL ONE Terrorsaur tails Airazor, lining her up with his shoulder cannons. 1 TERRORSAUR Heh heh. Bye bye, birdie. PANEL TWO Terrorsaur fires his shoulder cannons. 2 SFX (TERRORSAUR’S SHOULDER CANNONS) KREE-OO KREE-OO PANEL THREE Optimus Primal looks towards Airazor. The blasts are closing in on her. 3 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Airazor! Evasive manoeuvres! PANEL FOUR Airazor looks back with a look of fear. PANEL FIVE Airazor is struck by the blasts. 4 SFX (BLASTS HITTING AIRAZOR) CHOOOM 5 AIRAZOR Argh! PAGE TWENTY-FOUR PANEL ONE Tigatron and Scorponok, wrestling hand to claw, look up at the sound of the explosion. Airazor is falling. 1 TIGATRON Airazor! PANEL TWO Tigatron transforms to beast-mode and runs past Dinobot and Blackarachnia. Blackarachnia is firing from her leg blasters, but Dinobot is blocking the blasts with his spinning shield. 2 SFX (BLACKARACHNINA’S LEG BLASTERS) PD-PD-PD-PD-PD-PD-PD-PD-PD-PD 3 SFX (BLASTS DEFLECTING OFF THE SPINNING SHIELD) TNG-TNG-TNG PANEL THREE Scorponok lines Tigatron up with a missile. 4 SCORPONOK Where do you think you’re going? PANEL FOUR Dinobot blasts Scorponok with his optical lasers, while still taking cover behind his spinning shield. 5 SFX (DINOBOT’S OPTICAL LASERS) BRRRRNNNNN 6 SFX (BLASTS DEFLECTING OFF THE SPINNING SHIELD) TNG-TNG-TNG PAGE TWENTY-FIVE PANEL ONE Tigatron runs at full speed towards the plummeting Airazor. PANEL TWO Tigatron leaps and transforms into bot-mode, arms outstretched as Airazor nears the ground. 1 TIGATRON Urgh! PANEL THREE Tigatron catches Airazor. 2 SFX (TIGATRON CATCHING AIRAZOR) KRRM PANEL FOUR Tigatron hits the ground, hard. He takes the brunt of the impact, protecting Airazor from further damage. 3 SFX (HITTING THE GROUND) DDRRGG PANEL FIVE Tigatron and Airazor slide to a stop. They look at each other, smiling, painfully. 4 TIGATRON Got you. 5 INFERNO (OFF-PANEL) Oh, look. A hero! PAGE TWENTY-SIX PANEL ONE A shot over the shoulders of Tigatron and Airazor. They look up as Inferno looms over them in the air. 1 INFERNO My favourite! PANEL TWO Rhinox, in beast-mode, rides the rock as it slides down the side of the mountain as part of a large landslide. Rattrap clings to his back leg. 2 RATTRAP (SCREAMING) Eeeeeehhhhh! 3 RHINOX Cover-fire. PANEL THREE Rhinox transforms to bot-mode, brandishing his two chain-guns. Rattrap remains clinging to his leg. 4 RHINOX They need it. We give it. PANEL FOUR Rhinox and Rattrap open fire on the battlefield below. 5 SFX (RHINOX’S CHAINGUNS) GD-GD-GD-GD-GD-GD-GD-GD-GD-GD-GD-GD-GD 6 SFX (RATTRAP’S BLASTER) PFU-PFU-PFU-PFU 7 RHINOX Now! - TO BE CONTINUED -
PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN PANEL ONE Tigatron and Airazor are still lying exposed on the battlefield. The mountain is behind them. Inferno flies away, chased by the incoming fire from Rhinox and Rattrap, sliding down the mountainside. 1 SFX (INCOMING BLASTS) SHA-REER-REER 2 INFERNO Reeaargh! PANEL TWO Waspinator dodges some cover-fire as he flies towards the opening in the Ark’s rear section. 3 SFX (INCOMING BLASTS) SHA-REER-REER 4 WASPINATOR Ooo-ooh, goody! Waspinator first to arrive! PANEL THREE Waspinator land triumphantly, looking up at the large hole in the ship. 5 WASPINATOR That means first pick of the bodies. May not have to be blue plane after all! PANEL FOUR Waspinator looks over his shoulder in shock. 6 CHEETOR (OP) You’ll be black and blue when I’m finished, bug for brains! 7 WASPINATOR Wha-? PANEL FIVE Waspinator is tackled by Cheetor in beast-mode. 8 SFX KRA-DUN 9 CHEETOR Froawr! PAGE TWENTY-EIGHT PANEL ONE Cheetor pins Waspinator to the ground. 1 CHEETOR What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? PANEL TWO Waspinator blasts Cheetor with his eye-beams. 2 SFX (EYE BEAMS) GRZZIIW 3 CHEETOR Yaow! PANEL THREE Waspinator takes flight to flee as more cover-fire is incoming. 4 SFX (INCOMING BLASTS) SHA-REER-REER 5 WASPINATOR Nooo! PANEL FOUR The landslide has reached the bottom of the mountain, sliding down beside the exposed rear of the Ark. Rhinox and Rattrap are still surfing their large rock. 6 SFX GRNCH-KRNCH-DRNCH 7 RATTRAP Hang on, kid! We’re comin’! PANEL FIVE Cheetor composes himself from Waspinator’s blast as Rattrap and Rhinox run towards his position. 8 RHINOX Rhinox to Optimus. We’re at the bottom. 9 OPTIMUS PRIMAL (RADIO PANEL) That was quite an entrance. 10 RHINOX I only counted five on the battlefield. We’re missing two so stay sharp. I’m heading in. PAGE TWENTY-NINE PANEL ONE Tigatron helps the injured Airazor towards the other Maximals. Above them, Optimus Primal hovers, both wrist blasters ready, covering their retreat. 1 OPTIMUS PRIMAL You heard the bot. Defensive positions! PANEL TWO Looking over Optimus Primal’s shoulder towards the side of the battlefield. Dinobot is in pursuit of the retreating Scorponok and Blackarachnia, who are heading for the tree line. 2 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Dinobot, fallback to regroup. 3 DINOBOT (RADIO PANEL) Negative! PANEL THREE A close-up of Dinobot’s face with the mountain in the background. He’s firing his eye-beams. 4 DINOBOT We have them scattered! We should engage! 5 OPTIMUS PRIMAL (RADIO PANEL) Remember the plan, Dinobot! PANEL FOUR Dinobot disappears into the tree line. 6 OPTIMUS PRIMAL (RADIO PANEL) Dinobot! PANEL FIVE Optimus Primal has landed amidst his fellow Maximals at the hole in the Ark’s hull. 7 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Argh! 8 RATTRAP Forget it, Optimus. If he wants to get himself killed, let him. PANEL SIX Tigatron helps Airazor inside as Optimus Primal, Cheetor and Rattrap take up defensive positions at the hole in the hull. 9 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Tigatron. Get Airazor inside and begin repairs. 10 OPTIMUS PRIMAL You two. We hold the line here. - TO BE CONTINUED -
Here's the next little section for you all to enjoy! PAGE THIRTY PANEL ONE Tigatron supports Airazor into the engineering section of the Ark. Rhinox is accessing a computer terminal on the wall. 1 AIRAZOR How’s it coming? 2 RHINOX Hnn. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say someone has been trying to sabotage the ship. PANEL TWO Tigatron and Airazor approach Rhinox, who continues to type into the terminal. 3 RHINOX Main power is failing and life-support is scrambled. 4 AIRAZOR I know the feeling. 5 RHINOX But what would anyone gain from that? PANEL THREE Tigatron leans in close to whisper to Rhinox. 6 TIGATRON There is a foul smell upon the air. I do not believe we are alone on this ship. PANEL FOUR A high angle, looking down on the engineering section with Rhinox, Tigatron and Airazor. The view is obscured by the silhouette of some of Tarantulas’ spider legs. 7 RHINOX Get to the medbay. I’m heading for the bridge. 8 AIRAZOR What for? PANEL FIVE The same angle as the previous panel. Rhinox heads in one direction, Tigatron and Airazor in another. The view is no longer obscured by Tarantulas’ legs. 9 RHINOX To buy us some more time. PAGE THIRTY-ONE PANEL ONE Dinobot is blasted out of the trees by a powerful, purple laser blast. He is in mid-air. 1 SFX GGGZZZZZZWWWWWW PANEL TWO Dinobot hits the ground, hard. He has huge damage on his chest from the blast. 2 SFX KA-DNCH PANEL THREE Megatron, in bot-mode, emerges from the trees, looking smug. 3 MEGATRON Well, the traitorous scum has found some new friends. PANEL FOUR Dinobot rolls onto his side to face Megatron. Dinobot clutches his damaged chest. 4 MEGATRON I won’t deny I’m taking a certain enjoyment from seeing you like this. 5 DINOBOT You arrogant fool! The codes in your possession, yet here you stand, pontificating! 6 MEGATRON Ah, Dinobot. So impulsive. And not the first time it’s played to my advantage. PANEL FIVE A close-up. Megatron smiles smugly, his eyes narrowed evilly. 7 MEGATRON I don’t have the codes. I never did. But your new friends do. PANEL SIX A close-up. Dinobot’s eyes glow green. His mouth in a snarl. 8 MEGATRON (OP) Willingly or not, you’ve played your part in this story perfectly. Bravo. PAGE THIRTY-TWO PANEL ONE Megatron kicks Dinobot in the head. 1 MEGATRON Pathetic! With the Empire behind you, your appetite for battle would have finally been quenched! Think of the wars you could have waged with the might of the Decepticons behind you! Worlds on bended knee! PANEL TWO Optimus Primal fires up his jets, leaving Rattrap and Cheetor shielding their eyes from the dust. 2 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Keep the entry covered. I’m getting him out of there. 3 RATTRAP What are you, nuts? 4 OPTIMUS PRIMAL That’s an order! PANEL THREE Rattrap starts to scramble up the rocks at the foot of the mountain. 5 RATTRAP You heard him, stay here. 6 CHEETOR Where are you going? Optimus will need back-up! 7 RATTRAP The Boss-Monkey doesn’t need back-up. He needs a distraction. PANEL FOUR Dinobot is still on the ground. Megatron stands a short distance away. Blackarachnia and Scorponok are approaching from the trees. 8 DINOBOT You have no intention of sharing power. 9 MEGATRON Hm-hm-hm. Perhaps not. But I’ve always found desperation to be a wonderful motivator. Take your good self. The very idea of winning a war before it’s begun goes against everything you believe as a warrior. 10 MEGATRON (LINK PANEL) And so, with just a sprinkling of carefully misplaced information, here we are. PANEL FIVE Dinobot and Megatron both look up to locate the voice. Optimus Primal is off-panel. 11 OPTIMUS PRIMAL (OP) I see you know my friend Dinobot. PANEL SIX Optimus Primal lands between Dinobot and Megatron. 12 OPTIMUS PRIMAL We haven’t been introduced. 13 MEGATRON I am Megatron. 14 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you? - TO BE CONTINUED -
