This is a small preview of a fan fiction script of a series my friend and I worked on about a month ago. We envisioned it as a complete series, much like the TV shows, and this would essentially be episode one. We start at a point after alot has happened, and as the episodes go on, we go back and explore how it all happened, hence the title. For the most part, the looks of the Autobots and Decepticons are based on their movie or animated counterparts. Granted it's not the best story ever, and it can be confusing at times, but I sorta like it. Let me know what you think. I'll have more soon! (Cybertron. For all intents and purposes it can no longer be called a planet. It’s desolate. Barren. Dead. It is now a graveyard. Collapsed buildings protrude from the ground like skeletal hands grasping for help. Fresh steam rises from newborn flames and fill the once blue sky with gray ash. Boom A metallic foot touches down, followed quickly by another. It is Wheeljack, a tiny Autobot filled with nervous energy. He runs, fearful, almost never looking back, save for a few select glances. He is being chased, that much is obvious, though by what is unknown. He runs faster than any human ever could, making his way over rubble and dead bodies in a flash. But he’s not fast enough. Above him looms a shadow, a jet, closing in fast. Unable to catch him, the jet fires two missiles, which both fall short. Jumping to avoid the blast, Wheeljack lands hard on the ground, and looses his balance. Sensing an opportunity, the jet stops and begins to transform, allowing itself to free fall to the ground. Bending down, it picks up the smaller bot and laughs maniacally at it from a face like a possessed jack-o-lantern.) BLITZWING Tag, you’re it! (Throwing Wheeljack aside, Blitzwing continues to clutch his gut in laughter, giving Wheeljack just what he needs. Immediately a small blade pops out from each arm, spinning like hacksaws. Lunging forward, ready to attack, he is surprised by a giant hand that reaches down to grab him, pulling him up to its eye level. Frozen in horror, Wheeljack realizes what he’s facing. Megatron. Taller than anything he’s ever seen, Megatron towers over man and machine alike. Face like the devil, he uses it to his advantage, striking fear into the hearts of all who see him. He speaks, almost an unintelligible growl, clearly disappointed at his soldier.) MEGATRON I can’t even count on you for one pathetic Autobot. (Blitzwing’s face shifts to a cold, calculated demeanor, like that of an evil scientist plotting his next experiment) BLITZWING Do not underestimate his size, my lord. Though he may appear tiny, his speed much outweighs his size. MEGATRON As if that matters. We have what we need now. STARSCREAM!! (Hearing his name in a less-than-pleased tone, a hovering jet barrel rolls in and transforms. Starscream is revealed, his very appearance looking cowardly and sniveling. He bows in fake obedience, a trait his master is sick of.) STARSCREAM I see you’ve caught the messenger, my lord, and not a moment too soon. MEGATRON Yes, well, we had….distractions. STARSCREAM And now what shall we do with him, my lord? (Blitzwing’s face shifts once more, to that of an army general, like Arnold Schwarzenegger on crack) BLITZWING I say we tear him limb from limb! (cold face) Or perhaps use his body for spare parts. (crazy face) I say we have a tea party! Who’s with me?! MEGATRON You. What is your name? WHEELJACK (weakly) Wheel….Wheeljack. MEGATRON Tell me Wheeljack, why are you here? WHEELJACK You destroyed everything, everyone, what makes you think I’d tell you anything? STARSCREAM You will if you know what’s good for you. (Megatron rolls his eyes in disgust) MEGATRON We’ve been following you for quite some time. WHEELJACK Then you don’t need to know why I’m here. MEGATRON You’ve been relaying information back to your Autobot companions ever since you rounded Saturn. Where are they hiding? (Yet Wheeljack is silent. Furious and impatient, Starscream moves forward and rams a spike through Wheeljack’s wrist, sending a shower of sparks everywhere.) STARSCREAM You will speak when Lord Megatron asks you a question. (Wheeljack laughs in defiance, ripping out the spike with his good hand.) WHEELJACK You used to be so noble, Starscream, when did you become his pet? (Starscream bends down to speak, but merely kicks him away. Raising his arm to deliver the final blow, Starscream prepares to strike when Megatron grabs his wrist) MEGATRON We need him alive, you fool. The last thing we need is another Autobot filled with valuable information lying dead on the ground. STARSCREAM As you command….my lord. MEGATRON So tell me, where are the Autobots hidden? WHEELJACK You might wanna check that empty crankshaft over there. There’s plenty of room in there. BLITWING Who me? (angry face) I’ll tear you apart! MEGATRON Enough! There is no time for games. As we speak the Decepticons are mobilizing an army beyond your wildest imagination. If you think what happened here today is bad, just wait until you see what we have in store. Give us the coordinates, and we may spare your pathetic little spark. WHEELJACK You and I both know it’s not only the Autobots you’re after. MEGATRON Clever little bot. And you’re right; what I seek is far greater and more powerful than any of us, Autobot or Decepticon alike. No doubt you’ve heard of the Allspark? The giver…and destroyer of life as we know it. WHEELJACK What purpose would it serve you? MEGATRON That is for me to know and for you to find out……the hard way. So you can tell me where it’s hidden, or I can suck every last bit of information from your hard drives and find out myself. Your choice. WHEELJACK You know, I never did like the easy way out. MEGATRON As you wish. (Megatron nods to Blitzwing, who skips forward happily, laughing all the way. As he reaches his target, he pulls a tiny cord from his wrist and jams it into Wheeljack’s head. At first nothing happens, but a moment later a frightening wave of crackling electricity surges into Wheeljack’s head and back to Blitzwing, flowing like white water rapids. Wheeljack’s screams at as music to Blitzwing, a cackling laugh escaping him like there’s no tomorrow. After a moment, Wheeljack falls still, Blitzwing’s cackles the only thing we hear as we fade to: a tiny bug, legs curled up in its dead fetal position. It sits alone on a darkened table, save for one singular light shining down upon its dull black shell. After a moment we see two blue prongs moving toward it slowly, hovering above its body as they study it. Then, the prongs move forward, touching the bug with tiny volts of electricity. At first it seems fine, before the bug explodes into millions of smoldering limbs. The prongs move back in frustration, before we see who they belong to: Jolt, a young, energy-filled (literally) Autobot with sleek blue armor and a zippy personality. Around him is a medical station, complete with sleek, chrome covered machines beyond our imagination. To his right is a patch of trees, where birds and insects alike frolic through the leaves. Jolt pounds his fists on the table in frustration, before the lights turn on around him, and a loud, booming voice speaks.) RATCHET Patience, Jolt, you’ll get it sooner or later. JOLT You said that twenty attempts ago! RATCHET (smiles warmly) When you learn the true values of life, you will learn how to save it, preserve it. JOLT But I know how important life is. RATCHET Do you? (he straightens, his head reaching the tops of the trees. A tiny butterfly flutters over, landing on his fingers gingerly.) Take for instance this butterfly. Fascinating creature. It spends its entire life as nothing more than a measly little caterpillar, gathering food and building energy so that one day it can develop into this beautiful creature. A day later it dies. Why do you think it spends that much time working for a single day of glory? JOLT Was that supposed to make any sense? RATCHET Well? JOLT I have no idea. RATCHET Then think it over, and when you’ve got the answer, I will be waiting. JOLT May take me a while. RATCHET No worries. Now, where is Sideswipe? (Cut to a darkened room, a single shaft of light beaming down onto a tiny platform suspended above blackness. From above, showers of rain droplets fall down upon a sleek silver warrior: Sideswipe. Spinning around, he slams his hand into the ground and pushes off. Spinning wildly through the air, he flicks his wrists, causing two slender, gleaming blades to appear. Using his momentum to propel himself forward, he moves with unparalleled grace, cutting a single raindrop in half in one swift move. He lands softly in a warrior’s pose. Suddenly, the lights flicker on, a clapping hand congratulating him. He turns, coming face to face with a smiling Arcee.) ARCEE You get better every day. SIDESWIPE It’s best to be prepared. ARCEE Well, then you shouldn’t have any problem. How many hours have you spent training this week? 30? SIDESWIPE 42 and a half, but who’s counting? ARCEE Nobody but you. Don’t wear yourself out. SIDESWIPE I can’t skimp on the practice, Arcee, the enemy doesn’t wait. ARCEE But the enemy does rest, and you should too. SIDESWIPE I will, when every last one of them is nothing but a smoldering heap of scrap metal. ARCEE Very well, but first thing’s first. You know that bounty hunter you’ve been chasing? SIDESWIPE Lockdown? How could I forget? ARCEE He’s been spotted in the area, about forty clicks from here. (Much to Arcee’s dismay, Sideswipe rushes forward, ready to chop something in half) ARCEE You aren’t seriously going after him? Now, of all times? SIDESWIPE Now may be the only time I can catch him. ARCEE That may be so, but don’t forget that you have friends here as well. You never speak to any of us anymore, you’re always off practicing or chasing down some wayward Decepticon. SIDESWIPE Somebody has to. ARCEE And so you take it upon yourself to do the job of an entire squad? What about us? What about you and I? SIDESWIPE (hesitates) I…. I’m sorry, Arcee, but I do what I must. (From behind them, a booming voice sounds, one that is all too familiar: Optimus Prime. He stands sternly, towering over the two Autobots as he reports) OPTIMUS PRIME (o.s.) I’m afraid we have more pressing matters to deal with. ARCEE Optimus? What is it? OPTIMUS PRIME Wheeljack has recently gone missing. His last known coordinates place him on the deserted remains of Cybertron. SIDESWIPE What could he possibly want there? OPTIMUS PRIME Closure. Wheeljack has never forgiven himself for the destruction of his homeworld. Perhaps he was looking for retribution. ARCEE How? Cybertron is dead and gone, there’s no way to save it. OPTIMUS PRIME Perhaps he was looking for survivors, or a way to ensure that nothing like it ever happens again. But either way he has disappeared. SIDESWIPE So let’s go find him. OPTIMUS PRIME I’m afraid it won’t be so easy. Decepticons were recently spotted headed towards the remains as well, at least three of them. SIDESWIPE You don’t think- OPTIMUS PRIME We can rule out nothing. But Wheeljack must be found, at any cost. I’m assembling a team to search for him. SIDESWIPE I’m in. OPTIMUS PRIME Perhaps you should sit this one out. Ironhide and Ratchet have already volunteered their services, as have Bumblebee and Jazz. SIDESWIPE Optimus, if anyone knows the terrain of Cybertron, it’s me. Please, I must prove myself. (Optimus ponders his words. It is clear he is unsure, but nevertheless he agrees) OPTIMUS PRIME You’re right. We will need all the help we can get. Arcee, tell your sisters to ready the ship for transport. ARCEE Affirmative. (Nodding in approval, Optimus turns to exit. Sideswipe looks to Arcee for approval, but finds none.) ARCEE You’re really going through with this? SIDESWIPE Do I really have a choice? And besides, Wheeljack needs our help. ARCEE You’ve changed, Sideswipe. (The words stop him cold) SIDESWIPE I know. (And without another word, he leaves, leaving Arcee to mourn what used to be. Cut to: a dark, dank planet, filled with mountains that tear at the storming sky like daggers. It is a disgusting place, covered in pulsing algae and bubbling tar as black as the sky above it. It is illuminated only by the soft bags of blue pus that contain the slumbering fetus’ of baby protoforms. All in all it is the perfect place for Decepticons. And there they are, most working like drones to build a colony suitable for living, while the higher beings watch. Among them, watching them from a ledge high above, are Blackout, a towering, bulky helicopter with a bad temper; Barricade, a police car that is built for anything but help; Sideways, Barricade’s brother with an attitude and ego as big as the planet itself; Lugnut, the galaxy’s biggest suck-up who takes the guise of a terrestrial airplane, and the Constructicons, now resting in their single robot modes. Sideways is growing impatient, a fact he makes well aware.) SIDEWAYS Why must we wait while those pathetic protoforms build? I need to break something! LUGNUT We wait because it is the orders of our glorious leader, Megatron! BLACKOUT Shut up, you pathetic coward. If it weren’t for your meaningless praises, he’d have disabled you long ago. LUGNUT You dare speak of Lord Megatron that way? SIDEWAYS Why speak of him any way other than what he is? BARRICADE Your words have gotten you into trouble before, brother, do not think they protect you from further harm. SIDEWAYS And since when have you protected him? BARRICADE Pardon me for not patronizing the most powerful force in the galaxy. SIDEWAYS Or so he thinks. But Megatron’s time is drawing to a close. Soon there will be a new ruler of this galaxy. BARRICADE And that would be you, my brother? SIDEWAYS Precisely. And you can either fight beside me, or die trying to defy me. Your choice. (A voice startles him, causing him to cower in fear. Megatron appears, looking less than happy, flanked by his officers, Blitzwing, Starscream, and Soundwave) MEGATRON (o.s.) You might want to follow your own advice, Sideways. Do not think you are irreplaceable. SIDEWAYS Forgive me, my lord, I was mistaken in my words. MEGATRON Obviously. (He approaches them, surveying his minions below him. Behind him follow his top three in command, Starscream, Blitzwing, and Soundwave, a cold, monotone tech specialist who knows only one thing: destruction.) MEGATRON Soundwave, what is the status of the captive? SOUNDWAVE Subject: Wheeljack. Status: in stasis lock. Downloading information as we speak. MEGATRON How much longer until we know the location of the Allspark? SOUNDWAVE Estimated time remaining on download: thirteen hours. MEGATRON That is not quick enough. STARSCREAM Act reasonably, Lord Megatron, our surroundings don’t exactly offer a much better choice. MEGATRON Then perhaps you would like to find a better way? Make no mistake, Starscream, the Allspark will be ours one way or another, and I will not spare a single bit of remorse if you are not there to see it. STARSCREAM Of course, my lord. MEGATRON Blitzwing, release the captive. BLITZWING And let him tell the Autobots of our plan? MEGATRON We will not allow him that much time. Follow him and find the location of the Autobots. BLITZWING And when we find them? MEGATRON Kill them all. (Cut to the Autobot’s Hangar. Chromia, Moonracer, and Elita-One, three spindly motorcycles each of differing colors, zip around furiously, preparing Omega Supreme for departure. Jazz sits close by, watching them fondly as they go about their job. Ironhide sits preparing himself, checking his guns for any malfunctions. Ratchet and Jolt seem to be preparing medical supplies, and Bumblebee, well, he’s just messing around.) IRONHIDE Would you stop that racket? I can’t hear myself think. JAZZ Oh, come on, where’s your sense of humor? IRONHIDE It died along with Cybertron. JAZZ Don’t be such a downer, he’s not causing any harm. BUMBLEBEE It’s called “fun”. Perhaps you’d like to try it sometime? IRONHIDE Not anytime soon, I can assure you that. CHROMIA Now, now, Ironhide, play nice. IRONHIDE I don’t “play”, Chromia. This is war, there’s no time for games. CHROMIA There’s always time for games. MOONRACER You used to be a lot of fun back on Cybertron. IRONHIDE Times have changed. So have I. RATCHET On the contrary, only your personality has changed. Your inner circuitry has remained largely untouched, though your dominating characteristics have changed completely. IRONHIDE Well, thanks for the scientific explanation. Just what I needed. BUMBLEBEE (clearly zoning off) What do you think Sam is up to? ELITA-ONE Probably lost himself in love a long time ago. BUMBLEBEE It’s a shame. I mean, Mikaela’s a good girl and all, but I don’t see what the big deal is. JAZZ She's hot, that's what the big deal is. IRONHIDE I wouldn’t expect you to know anything about love, Bumblebee. It’s a grownup thing. BUMBLEBEE Hey! JAZZ It’s no problem, kid, I don’t understand it either. (Optimus enters with Sideswipe and Arcee, who is clearly displeased with the whole situation) OPTIMUS PRIME Ready? JAZZ Ready as we’ll ever be. OPTIMUS PRIME Good. As you near the planet surface I will relay you the coordinates of Wheeljack’s last known activity. JOLT You really think we’ll be able to find him down there underneath all that rubble? OPTIMUS PRIME It’s a long shot, but we cannot leave him to die at the hands of the Decepticons. IRONHIDE Optimus is right. Wheeljack is an invaluable ally. We cannot afford to lose him. (A loud clanging noise from within the ship distracts them. A moment later, bursting out of the hatch, Longarm appears, brushing off a blotch of thick grease from his face. He is a young and eager mechanic, able to fix anything at a moment’s notice; the mechanical equivalent of Ratchet.) LONGARM Blasted little- ( he’s ready to cuss when he notices his fellow Autobots and composes himself nervously) Well hey there! Didn’t see you all. OPTIMUS PRIME Is the ship up and running? LONGARM About as much as it’ll ever be. There’s only enough fuel to get you there and back, so don’t go wasting any cruising. OPTIMUS PRIME No, we haven’t any time to waste. How are the shields? LONGARM Decent. I wouldn’t go getting yourself into any intergalactic space battles, but it should be able to take a few hits here and there. OPTIMUS PRIME Then it looks like it’s time. Autobots, roll out. (As the Autobots pile onto the ship, Arcee stops Sideswipe for one last goodbye) ARCEE Don’t get into any trouble down there. SIDESWIPE I make no promises. ARCEE And when you get back, we need to have a talk. SIDESWIPE Uh-oh. ARCEE Take care. (He smiles, touching her chin gently before turning to board the ship. As Arcee and her triplets watch with Optimus and Longarm, the ship powers up and rockets off. Cut to: the desolate remains of Cybertron. Omega Supreme enters the atmosphere and hovers above the remains before setting down among the debris. A ramp opens and the Autobots pour out, ready for anything.) RATCHET I do not detect any signs of life. BUMBLEBEE What do you expect from a dead planet? JAZZ At least we’ll know if there’s any Decepticons around. Ain’t nothin’ movin’ around here. IRONHIDE Let them come, I’ll be ready. (The Autobots make their way forward, scanning the area carefully as they sort through the remains. Then, something catches Jolt’s attention. He activates his electro whips as the noise grows louder and louder.) JOLT Hey guys, I think I found something. (Chromia’s voice crackles through a tiny microphone attached to Jazz’s antennae.) CHROMIA (o.s) What’s your status? IRONHIDE Movement detected in the vicinity. Do you read any life forms? CHROMIA (o.s.) As a matter of fact I do. Eight lifeforms heading straight towards you. JAZZ Decepticons? CHROMIA (o.s.) I wouldn’t doubt it. You have to- (A blue pulse of energy bursts forward, and Chromia’s voice fizzles out. Drawing their weapons, the Autobots can do nothing ready themselves as the noise draws closer. Then, it reveals itself: Scorponok. Barreling forward, pincers spinning wildly, it lunges at Bumblebee, who ducks and grabs its tail, flinging it away. A shadow appears, growing larger and larger. It’s Blackout, falling straight towards them. Boom. He lands with an earth shattering crash, barely missing the scurrying Autobots. It’s provides just enough time for the other Decepticons to appear: Sideways, Blitzwing, Barricade, and Soundwave.) SOUNDWAVE Ravage, Laserbeak, eject. (His stomach pops open, revealing Ravage and Laserbeak, who pounce forward, snapping angrily at the Autobots. Finally, striding over the debris slowly, Megatron appears, flanked by Starscream. He looms over the Autobots, who don’t dare move. Folding his arms behind his back, Megatron speaks peacefully, but it’s clear he means anything but.) MEGATRON How nice of you to join us. Admiring my handiwork, are you? IRONHIDE Where is he? MEGATRON I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. IRONHIDE Wheeljack. Hand him over. Now. MEGATRON Let’s make a deal. I’ll trade you your friend if you give me something I seek. IRONHIDE Name your price. MEGATRON The Allspark. RATCHET Are you mad? It’s raw power, what could you possibly want with it? MEGATRON My reasons are my own. Now, hand it over. IRONHIDE We don’t have it. MEGATRON Then where is it? BUMBLEBEE (referring to Blitzwing) You might want to check that empty crankshaft. There’s plenty of room in there. BLITZWING Why does everyone keep saying that?! MEGATRON Enough! If you don’t have it, then you must know where it is. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. It’s your decision. IRONHIDE Just try us. MEGATRON Oh, so unwise. Decepticons, attack!
The past few days have been a bit busy, so this episode was a bit rushed, and if therefore shorter than the rest, but the following ones will be longer and hopefully alot better. Enjoy. (The Decepticons hesitate, despite the orders. Megatron looks around in disgust and screams in fury) MEGATRON ATTACK!!!! (Blitzwing rushes forward, cannons firing in a frenzy of blinding light.) BLITZWING Prepare to die, Autoboobs! (Jazz and Bumblebee freeze, horrified at the mention, exchange confused looks) JAZZ Did he just call us “Autoboobs”? BUMBLEBEE I think so. JAZZ Let’s kick his crankshaft! (Jazz rockets forward, slamming into Blitzwing’s stomach and sending him flying back into Blackout. Roaring furiously, Sideways lunges forward, sinking his blade deep into Ironhide’s shoulder. Grunting off the pain, Ironhide places his cannons against Sideways and fires, sending him rocketing back, smoldering holes in his stomach. Seeing his brother fall, Barricade runs forward, weapons at the ready. Then something strange happens. He stops dead, a crackling blue energy washing over him, and he crumbles, revealing Jolt standing proudly behind him, laughing manically. Across the field, Megatron is starting to get anxious, so he shoves Soundwave down into the arena, landing hard on the dirt ground. He stands, visor peering ominously over the battling Autobots, before falling onto Ratchet, who is hurriedly tending to Ironhide’s wounds as he stands firing his cannons at Blackout.) SOUNDWAVE Autobots inferior. Soundwave superior. (Starting forward, Soundwave begins to run, picking up momentum as he goes, luckily avoiding a wayward blast. As he reaches Ratchet, he slams his fist into the ground, producing a sonic pulse that sends the Autobots reeling. Grunting off the pain, Ironhide turns and fires, hitting Soundwave square in the chest, and sending him flying back. Growling angrily, Megatron grabs Starscream and hurls him down. Caught off guard, Starscream begins firing wildly at anything and everything that moves, including his fellow Decepticons. Annoyed at Starscream’s stupidity, Blackout spins around and points his rotor to Starscream, deflecting a shot that hits Starscream right in the jaw. Finally, Megatron has enough.) MEGATRON Decepticons, retreat! (And they gladly do so. Transforming hastily into their vehicle modes, they blast off into the sky, disappearing into orbit. The Autobots don’t dare follow. They’re too tired, falling to their knees in exhausted desperation.) BUMBLEBEE Thank Primus, they’re gone! I don’t think we could’ve lasted much longer. (Ironhide nods, but is ultimately unsure.) IRONHIDE Gone. For now. (Enter The Nemesis. A hulking beast of a ship, it seems more menacing than Megatron and his forces combined. In reality, it is his forces combined. Upon closer inspection, the surface of the ship is made up of millions of offline Decepticons, shoved hastily together and welded shut, their mouths still open in agony, their hands reaching out for help that will never come. And here the ship floats, through the deep vastness of space, larger than anything we know. Inside is not much better. Unidentified liquid drips from the ceilings, wetting the almost mud-like floor. Screams of desperation echo through the corridors, but from who or where is unknown. A soft green light illuminates the ship barely enough to see through the darkness, but it’s enough for Megatron. Though horrific to us, it is home for him. Entering the hangar, he transforms quickly and turns to face his fellow puny soldiers who grunt and grovel in pain. Through a tiny hatch in the wall, Scalpel enters, scuttling quickly to survey the damage, though Megatron wastes no time in acknowledging him .) MEGATRON Well, that went well. STARSCREAM Forgive us, master, we did the best we could. (Grunting, Megatron grabs him by the throat, pulling him so close he can see his reflection in Megatron’s cold optics) MEGATRON You were perhaps the worst, Starscream, so don’t tell me you tried. You nearly got us all killed out there! Pull another trick like that and I’ll have your head sitting before me in a nano-click. (he throws him aside like garbage and turns to Blackout) Have we any decent news? BLACKOUT The information from the Autobot captive is finished downloading, my lord. MEGATRON And the location of the Allspark? BLACKOUT Unknown, sir. MEGATRON What?! BARRICADE The Autobots don’t seem to give their information to any who ask for it. Only the high command knows of such information. MEGATRON Then we must strike at the core, where the Autobots find themselves turning to time and time again. Soundwave, find me Ultra Magnus. (The Autobots’ base. Tending to the Ironhide’s wounds, Ratchet instructs Jolt on every little step, a fact that annoys Ironhide to no end. Beside him sits Chromia, hand placed gently on his shoulder as he flinches under the laser pointed at his wound.) RATCHET Now, now, Ironhide, you must remain still, or I might end up cutting a wire that actually does something important. IRONHIDE Well, do you have to make it hurt so much? CHROMIA You’re such a big protoform. IRONHIDE Yeah, well, being shot is one thing, getting that shot sewn back up is another. RATCHET Come now, you’ve had your arm blown off in battle and you’re afraid of a tiny laser? I’d say you need to sort out your priorities. IRONHIDE Yeah, yeah. (Surveying his worn out soldiers, Optimus stands with Arcee and Sideswipe, lost in his own thoughts. Something’s got him troubled.) OPTIMUS PRIME What do you suppose Megatron would want with the Allspark? SIDESWIPE Beats us. He’s crazy; probably just wants it to build an army. OPTIMUS PRIME Perhaps, but knowing Megatron as well as I do, nothing is quite as it seems with him. Now, did he mention anything as to the whereabouts of Wheeljack? SIDESWIPE Not a word, only wanted that damn cube. As far as we know, he could be lying offline in some ditch somewhere. OPTIMUS PRIME Let us hope not. Wheeljack was there for us when we needed him the most, and we will treat him no differently. If you hear any word whatsoever as to his location, let me know. SIDESWIPE Will do, Optimus. (Saluting, Optimus leaves, leaving Sideswipe to deal with a less-than-pleased looking Arcee) SIDESWIPE I know that face. You’re angry. ARCEE Damn right I’m angry. You left without even saying goodbye. SIDESWIPE I said goodbye. ARCEE But you didn’t mean it. And look what happened down there today. What if you weren’t so lucky? What if- SIDESWIPE We can “what if” all day, but the fact of the matter is that I’m okay. We all are. ARCEE You’re not always going to be so lucky. Eventually, your luck runs out. SIDESWIPE Believe me, I know. But trust me when I say I’d never let anything happen to you. ARCEE It’s not me I’m worried about. You’re too confident, Sideswipe, and one day, that’ll be the death of you. SIDESWIPE Yeah, well, I’d rather not think about it. ARCEE You can’t just ignore it. Eventually that day will come. SIDESWIPE And when it does, I’ll be ready for it. (Smiling half-heartedly, Sideswipe salutes Arcee, and drives off, leaving her as she always is: alone. Cut to: The Nemesis. Megatron sits on a throne of twisted metal and bone, around him stands a crowd of cheering Decepticon protoforms overlooking a dirty, murky gladiator-like arena. On one side, a rusty gate opens, and out scuttles Scorponok, snapping his pincers wildly, and the crowd cheers. Then, another gate opens, and the crowd falls silent. A low, guttural growl is heard, followed by a single metal foot pressing deep into the ground. No, not a foot, a claw. Stepping forward from the shadows, Ravage is revealed, stretching his back muscles so that the spikes protrude ominously. He growls at Scorponok, but waits for approval first. They both know what failure means, but neither is intent on dying. Glancing up, Ravage catches optics with Megatron, who nods. Leaping forward, Ravage jumps onto Scorponok’s back, sinking his teeth into him. Noticing a flash from behind, he jumps, narrowly missing Scorponok’s tail as it plunges into the ground. Scorponok jumps, digging his pincers into Ravage’s belly, before receiving a nasty scratch across his face. From up in the stands, Megatron watches with sick intention. It’s his favorite sport, and one of the only things he actually enjoys. However, his enjoyment is cut short as Barricade and Sideways step from the shadows behind his throne. He doesn’t even turn to them.) MEGATRON What do you want? SIDEWAYS Are we to go as planned, my lord? Release the prisoner? MEGATRON Release him, don’t release him, it makes no difference to me. BARRICADE Perhaps it would be of interest, my lord. Ultra Magnus’ ship has recently been spotted in the vicinity. Wheeljack has ties to the Elite Guard, and could therefore lead us to them. (The sound of screeching metal is heard, and the crowd cheers. A moment later, a long, slender object lands beside Megatron’s throne. It is Scorponok’s tail, his head shoved brutally at the end of it. The match is over, and the Decepticons begin to pile out.) MEGATRON You don’t honestly think he’ll be stupid enough to lead us to them, do you? SIDEWAYS His circuitry is in no condition for rational thinking, my lord. He’ll do only what he deems fit, which, at this moment, is finding the Elite Guard to warn them of our plans. MEGATRON Very well. Let him go, but track his every move. If he so much as thinks the word “Autobot”, I want to know. (The medical quarters. On a single rusty table, Wheeljack lies motionless, Scalpel messing with the circuits in his head. The only part of him functioning are his optics, which dart around nervously. A moment later the door creaks open, and in steps Starscream.) SCALPEL Come to retrieve ze prisoner? STARSCREAM No. I have more pressing matters. Leave. (Studying him for a moment, Scalpel nods reluctantly, and scuttles out of the room. Making sure he’s gone, Starscream moves to Wheeljack, peering into his eyes in disgust. Reaching down, he touches his shoulder, and instantly Wheeljack begins to shake. A vision flashes before him: Starscream, much younger, ripping apart some nameless bot and smearing his fluids across his body like war paint, shouting up to the sky in defiance. Then, it disappears as fast as it came, and Wheeljack falls still.) WHEELJACK You….killed….. (Pressing his hand to Wheeljack’s mouth, Starscream begins to grow nervous. Looking around, he makes sure nobody is there. He glances back to Wheeljack, who now lies still, back in stasis lock. Murmuring to himself, Starscream turns to exit when he hears a voice behind him. It’s cold, cruel, devoid of almost all emotion, and sends a chill up even Starscream’s back.) VOICE Going somewhere? STARSCREAM I didn’t see you there. VOICE That was the point. STARSCREAM Yes, of course. VOICE Do you have my payment? (Starscream bends down and lifts up a tiny engine, handing it to the man cloaked in shadow.) VOICE Ah, yes, it feels good. Where’d you get it? STARSCREAM That’s not important. VOICE Very well. So what’s my job? STARSCREAM I told you. Take out Megatron any way possible. VOICE Can’t you just do that yourself? STARSCREAM Not without getting caught. VOICE You do realize the potential risks of this job, don’t you? STARSCREAM Of course, but they’re necessary. So will you do it? VOICE Oh, I’ll do it, alright, but you’re gonna have to give me a lot more than this when the job is done. I want his cannons. STARSCREAM Well, that depends on how good of a job you do. VOICE Good? I don’t do good. You hire me, and you’re gonna get the best job you’ve ever known. When I’m done with him, there won’t be anything left of Megatron but dust. STARSCREAM Good. (Stepping out of the shadows, the man turns to leave, but Starscream stops him before he goes.) STARSCREAM Wait, what is your name? VOICE People call me all sorts of things. But you can call me “Lockdown”. Next time I'll get to the Elite Guard, and we'll see more flashbacks as to how it got to this point, and the introduction of Blackarachnia. Plus, the Autobots find they have a traitor in their midst. Stay tuned!
