Assasin, pt 1

Beast Wars Anonymous:

Beast Wars and all related belong to Hasbro. The story, its original contents and ideas, and any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used or reprinted without the author's permission.

Assassin, pt. 1
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

EXTERNAL SHOT: OPEN GROUND. The Maximal forces, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, TIGATRON, and CHEETOR, all in robot mode, are squared off against MEGATRON, INFERNO, and SCORPONOK, also all in robot mode. Both sides are firing and moving for cover, and while it's clear that the Predacons have the superior firepower, the Maximals are actually doing a little better with their shots. Neither side is doing much to actually harm the other, however.

MEGATRON: (to Scorponok) "Blast you, Scorponok, can't you hit anything?"

SCORPONOK: "I'm trying, Megatron, but the Maximals are much higher on power than I am. Even when I hit, my energy weapons aren't cutting through."

INFERNO: "The royalty demands more than excuses."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "The royalty isn't in a position to make demands. Cheetor, Tigatron, now!"

Quickly, the two Maximals open fire on INFERNO. INFERNO stands firm against the first blast, but the second knocks him back. Finally, OPTIMUS PRIMAL hits with one of his own missiles and INFERNO is sent flying.

SCOROPNOK: "No, no. Taste the scorpion sting, Maximal!"

SCORPONOK quickly retaliates by sending his corrosive spray into TIGATRON. TIGATRON's fur hisses under the attack. CHEETOR moves quickly to aim him, firing and nailing SCORPONOK, but a powerful blast from MEGATRON knocks both feline Maximals to their backsides.

MEGATRON: "It's just you and me now, Optimus Primal, yes."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Wouldn't have it any other way, Megatron."

MEGATRON rushes to OPTIMUS PRIMAL, blasting with his dino-cannon several times. OPTIMUS PRIMAL is knocked back, but counters with his own missiles once before drawing his twin katana blades. MEGATRON rushes up, grabbing both blades with his claws and kneeing OPTIMUS PRIMAL in his chest. PRIMAL falls hard onto his back, only to be kicked again by MEGATRON.

MEGATRON: (smiling) "Tell me, Primal, is this truly how you thought it would end?"

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (panting) "Not quite."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL swings a leg over and knocks MEGATRON down onto his stomach. As MEGATRON stammers, OPTIMUS follows through with a painful slice of his katana. Not to be totally outmatched, however, MEGATRON uses his dino-cannon to smash into OPTIMUS PRIMAL's face.

MEGATRON: "For someone that hates fighting as much as you do, you do rather get into your work, yes. But it will avail you not, no."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Shut up and fight, Megatron."

MEGATRON: "Very well, Maximal."

MEGATRON fires again, but this time OPTIMUS PRIMAL is ready for him and ducks up, launching two of his shoulder missiles directly into MEGATRON's chest. As MEGATRON starts to recover, OPTIMUS PRIMAL makes one more maneuver while standing under MEGATRON.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Prime Jets, on!"

MEGATRON's eyes widen as OPTIMUS PRIME flies into his stomach. The duo are carried fast into the air, towards a mountain. MEGATRON slams his claws into OPTIMUS PRIMAL's sides a few times, but is slammed hard into the mountainside as OPTIMUS PRIMAL suddenly veers off. MEGATRON, broken a little, slides down to a cliff facing, and collapses onto one knee.

MEGATRON: "Well played, Optimus, yes."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL swings back around to finish off MEGATRON, but the Predacon leader has taken some precautions. As PRIMAL maneuvers, WASPINATOR and TERRORSAUR, beast mode, show up from aside the mountain and start firing.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "I'm too low on power to take on the three of you. This isn't over, Megatron, count on that."

MEGATRON: "No, it isn't over."

MEGATRON's eyes narrow and dimly glow as OPTIMUS PRIMAL retreats to rejoin his comrades. WASPINATOR and TERRORSAUR offer to help MEGATRON up, but he ignores them, staring with deadly intent at his enemy. We ZOOM IN.

CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. MEGATRON, robot mode, steps out of the RECOVERY CHAMBER while TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA, also in their robot modes, look on. MEGATRON is fuming with rage.

MEGATRON: "Intolerable. Victory was so close. How could that Maximal defeat me?"

TARANTULAS: (smirking) "It couldn't possibly be because he's a better warrior than you are?"

MEGATRON growls and lifts up TARANTULAS in his dino-claw. Without another word, TARANTULAS is thrown headfirst into a computer display console. Sparks fly everywhere as the electrical surge renders the spider-warrior unconscious.

MEGATRON: "Do you have any opinions, Blackarachnia?"

BLACKARACHNIA: (sighing) "No."

MEGATRON: "Good. See that you don't."

MEGATRON draws in an angry breath and looks over his dino-claw. He notes a patch of dark fur there, frowning at it at first, then smiling.

MEGATRON: "Interesting. A lock of my rival's hair."

BLACKARACHNIA: "Taking up scalping, leader?"

MEGATRON: "Perhaps that's not such a bad idea, no."

MEGATRON takes it up the air and displays it proudly. His spirits are obviously higher as a dark and sinister idea crosses his mind.

MEGATRON: "What an excellent genetic sample, yes. I believe that we could make use of it. Blackarachnia, get Tarantulas repaired. I have a little project for you to work on."

BLACKARACHNIA: "Mind sharing what's on your mind?"

MEGATRON: "If Tarantulas truly believes that Optimus Primal is the best warrior on the planet, then who better to defeat him than... himself."

ZOOM IN on BLACKARACHNIA as the idea hits home to her.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. RHINOX, robot mode, is tending over OPTIMUS PRIMAL, beast mode, and his wounds. TIGATRON and CHEETOR, robot modes, are looking over instrument readings, getting a handle on the situation.

CHEETOR: "Man, I can't believe that the Preds got that thing. We had them beat."

TIGATRON: "Correction, we had some of them beat. We were in no shape to stop Waspinator from picking up the energon converter after our run in with the other Predacons."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Don't feel too bad. The converter was a handy item, but it's hardly something that's going to tip the balance of the war one way or the other. Besides, we dealt out a fair share of damage ourselves today."

RATTRAP: (walking in) "Man, you guys let the Preds get our energon converter? I was hoping for some nice fine dining for once instead of this static-filled garbage we've been drinking, and now you guys let the Preds ruin my dinner plans."

CHEETOR: "This from someone who eats garbage?"

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "As I said, Rattrap, it's not a cause for alarm, just a little disappointment. We'll just have to make do with what we've got here."

TIGATRON: "Besides, nothing a machine can make is nearly as delicious as the bountiful fruits of nature."

RATTRAP: "I'll remember that when I take you to the bars on Cybertron."

RHINOX: "Sounds good. Well, Optimus, other than some bumps and bruises, it looks like you're okay. Still, you should get some rest to heal up tonight. Those jets of yours are taxing your beast form."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Well, I don't think that Megatron will be able to pull anything tonight. Have Airazor come in from patrol. We'll all have a good night's rest tonight, and be ready for whatever the Predacons throw at us tomorrow."

CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS, TARANTULAS' LAB. TARANTULAS, robot mode, and BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, are working over something heavily resembling a CR chamber. As they toil, MEGATRON, beast mode, steps in.

MEGATRON: (anxious) "How goes the project? Can we get a working spark?"

BLACKARACHNIA: "It would be easier to work with a protoform. But using spare parts and cloned tissue is extremely risky, not to mention a drain on our equipment. If Waspinator didn't pull that energon converter, this wouldn't work at all."

TARATAULAS: "Even with it, I cannot be sure that this... experiment will adapt to a different beast mode than its DNA routines expect. I'm having to tweak just about everything to do with his biological matrix. I can't tell you if it's going to work or not."

MEGATRON: (darkly) "It will work. Begin the channeling sequence."

TARANTULAS: (worried) "It's too soon!"

MEGATRON: "My calculations say that it is not, now activate it."

TARANTULAS: (sighing) "All right."

TARANTULAS begins typing wildly away at his control panel as BLACKARACHNIA inserts something into the chamber. The chamber begins to pulse and glow with light, filling the room.

COMPUTER: "Warning, parameters unstable. Estimate a ten percent chance of success for current operation."

TARATNULAS: "See, it will fail."

MEGATRON: (darkly) "No."

COMPUTER: "Beast mode reprogramming accepted. Robotic mode reconfigured for stealth operation. Physical forms are stabilizing."

MEGATRON: "I told you, my calculations were precise. The computer always works on a safer level. Now, Tarantulas, insert the programming chip."

TARANTULAS does as commanded, and inserts another chip into the chamber. The details of the room become hard to make out as the chamber glows even brighter. Inside, a dark form stirs. We can see a pair of black wings moving slowly inside.

MEGATRON: "It's working, yes."

COMPUTER: "Mental reprogramming, commencing. Subject is twenty-two percent responsive. Warning, cybernetic systems in danger of rejecting by organic components, readjusting parameters to compensate."

BLACKARACHNIA: "Too many variables can go wrong here."

COMPUTER: "Warning, ship power levels dropping to ten percent normal parameters. Circuitry burnout in two cycles."

TARANTULAS: "We're burning up the cloning tank. We need to stop the experiment."

MEGATRON: (impatiently) "It's almost finished."

COMPUTER: "Warning, cloning tank has suffered irreparable damage. Subject mental reprogramming is complete. Estimate forty percent success rate. Shutting down process."

MEGATRON, BLACKARACNIA, and TARANTULAS step back as sparks and smoke fly from the chamber. Circuits fail and the lights flicker off. In the center of it, however, ONYX PRIMAL, robot mode, steps forward, his twin blades drawn, and eyes narrow.

ONYX PRIMAL: (quietly) "Who has awakened me?"

MEGATRON: "I am Megatron, your leader. Would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to us?"

ONYX PRIMAL steps out of the chamber and surveys the room, looking carefully at TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA. He then takes a long, menacing look at MEGATRON before making up his mind to speak.

ONYX PRIMAL: (quietly) "I am Onyx Primal. For what task have you created me?"

MEGATRON: "Oh, you are direct, aren't you? Your first mission is simple enough, yes."

ONYX PRIMAL: (quietly) "Then what is it, Megatron?"

MEGATRON: "I want you to find Optimus Primal, in the Maximal base, and terminate him. Do you think you can handle that assignment?"

ONYX PRIMAL: (quietly, confidently) "I think I can."

MEGATRON: "Good." (begins to laugh) "Good."

ZOOM IN on ONYX PRIMAL and FADE TO BLACK.

Assassin, pt. 2
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

ACT TWO

INTERNAL SHOT: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS, the lights are low and everyone's home. We see OPTIMUS PRIMAL, beast mode, sleeping in his chambers. AIRAZOR, robot mode, is luxuriously lounging in her room. We move forward to the command chamber where DINOBOT and CHEETOR, both in robot mode, are keeping watch. CHEETOR is having a hard time keeping awake.

CHEETOR: "I hate the late shift."

DINOBOT: "I would have figured that you would be the one to enjoy the night-life, kitty-cat. Personally, I would rather have the vermin's whining to listen to than yours."

CHEETOR: "Can't get everything you want."

CUT TO: EXTERNAL SHOT of the MAXIMAL BASE. SENTINEL's SHIELD is up and functioning as ONYX PRIMAL, beast mode, flies next to it, and TRANSFORMS. He looks around warily and pulls something from his belt. Activating it, the device opens a small portal within the SHIELD. ONYX PRIMAL steps through, and tosses the device aside as the shield collapses behind him.

ONYX PRIMAL: "Status report to Megatron. I am inside their defense perimeter. Moving in to commence mission."

CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. MEGATRON and BLACKARACHNIA, beast modes, are looking over a viewer. ONYX PRIMAL's robot head is in it, talking to them.

MEGATRON: "Very good, Onyx Primal. But this should be our last communication, yes. The Maximals might succeed in picking up our signal."

ONYX PRIMAL: "Understood, Megatron. I will contact you when the mission is completed. Disconnecting now. The view-screen cuts out, leaving MEGATRON and BLACKARACHNIA alone."

MEGATRON: "I rather like him. Perhaps we should find a way to cure his little... instability problem, yes."

BLACKARACHNIA: "Do you think he knows?"

MEGATRON: "Probably not, no. Fortunately, his spark will remain online well beyond his needed time for his mission. After that, then we'll see if you and Tarantulas can manage to keep him around on a more permanent basis."

BLACKARACHNIA: "And if we can't trust him?"

MEGATRON: "He's a clone of Optimus Primal, true, but no transformer has been able to resist Predacon reprogramming. I don't suspect that it will let us down now."

BLACKARACHNIA: "Oh, there are plenty of Predacons you don't trust."

MEGATRON: (smiling) "Good point."

CUT TO: MAXIMAL BASE, INTERNAL. RHINOX and OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode, are stepping down the hallway idly. RHINOX has a concerned look on his face.

RHINOX: "I thought I told you to get some sleep, fearless leader."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "I've been trying, Rhinox, but my circuits won't settle down enough. I just get that sinking feeling that Megatron's up to something."

RHINOX: "That goes without saying, but you won't be able to handle it when it comes if your circuits wear out from exhaustion."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "You make it sound a lot worse than it really is. I'm fine, and nowhere near total exhaustion."

RHINOX: "I just don't want to have to stitch you back together again."

PAN OVER: We see ONYX PRIMAL, robot mode, crouched in a shadow, katana in hand, as if he were about to strike. He watches OPTIMUS PRIMAL and RHINOX step off and away from view and nods negatively.

ONYX PRIMAL: "No good, I'll have to wait until he's alone."

ONYX PRIMAL opens a small hatch on the side of the hallway, and studies the exposed wires carefully. Quickly, he snaps one wire with his hand and connects another device to the two exposed sides of the wire.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL COMMAND CENTER. DINOBOT, robot mode, looks over the security measures. One green light beeps and suddenly turns red, but then returns back to green just as DINOBOT turns around to it. CHEETOR, robot mode, looks over.

DINOBOT: (sighing) "Either I'm too tired or there is a short in the system."

CHEETOR: "Want me to go check it out?"

DINOBOT: "I suppose that it couldn't hurt. Not like I can't handle manning this center all by my lonesome."

CHEETOR: "All right. Where's the repair kit?"

DINOBOT: "Rhinox's chambers, where else?"

CUT TO: HALLWAY. ONYX PRIMAL, robot mode, walks slowly down, looking carefully around him at all times. We hear FOOTSTEPS coming from ahead. ONYX PRIMAL moves into the shadows once more as RATTRAP sneaks through the hall in beast mode.

RATTRAP: (quietly) "A little midnight snack for the ol' rat. Airazor won't mind too much if I tap into her rations tonight."

RATTRAP sneaks quietly into a makeshift galley, followed by ONYX PRIMAL. Thinking he hears something, RATTRAP turns around and sees nothing there. He shrugs it off and opens a small refrigeration unit. ONYX PRIMAL appears behind him and taps on his shoulder. Just as RATTRAP turns, we see ONYX PRIMAL slam his fist through RATTRAP's hide, and out the other side. RATTRAP falls limp from the attack as ONYX PRIMAL picks up the damaged rat and looks for someplace to hide him. As ONYX PRIMAL moves, however, his eyes dim and his body collapses.

COMPUTER: (inside ONYX PRIMAL) "Warning, momentary spark failure. Compensation impossible."

ONYX PRIMAL: (whispering) "Momentary-death? This cannot be."

COMPUTER: "Warning, spark is unstable. Without aid, termination of unit will occur in three megacycles."

ONYX PRIMAL lifts up RATTRAP and draws power from the unconscious Maximal into himself. ONYX PRIMAL's eyes flare wildly until the drain is complete. He then tosses RATTRAP aside into the corner, out of view of the hallway.

COMPUTER: "Power surplus, temporary. Termination will now occur in six megacycles."

ONYX PRIMAL: "Time enough to take command of their CR chamber."

CUT TO: HALLWAY, CHEETOR, robot mode, has reached the rigged access panel. He opens it and is obviously surprised to see the attached device. He quickly removes it and returns the wire back to being intact. A few sparks are visible as CHEETOR activates his com-link.

CHEETOR: "Dinobot, come in." (pause) (impatient) "Come on, Dinobot, wake up!"

DINOBOT: (off camera) "I was not sleeping, I was waiting for you to have something important to say."

CHEETOR: (smirking) "Right. Look, we've got some tampering with our alarm system. It's back online now, but we might have some Predacon company inside. Better put the base on alert."

CUT TO: DINOBOT inside COMMAND CENTER. We see a shadow moving closer to him as DINOBOT concentrates on his monitors, while yawning.

DINOBOT: "I don't see any signs of Predacon activity within the base. The vermin is unaccounted for, however. Perhaps you should check on him."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (from behind) "What's going on?"

DINOBOT: (startled) "I-we-"

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "I didn't mean to startle you, I just couldn't get to sleep. What's happening?"

DINOBOT: "Cheetor has found some tampering with our security system. The base remains quiet, however, though we may be vulnerable."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Is everyone accounted for?"

DINOBOT: "As I said, the ver-Rattrap does not appear on my scanners."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Knowing Rattrap he probably stepped out to steal more food. Still, we can't afford to risk anything. Sound general quarters."

DINOBOT: "Of course, Optimus."

CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. MEGATRON, robot mode, is watching the main viewer with great interest and anticipation. BLACKARACHNIA and TARANTULAS, also in robot mode have their arms crossed sceptically.

COMPUTER: "Maximal defense systems have entered yellow alert."

TARANTULAS: "They've found your little experiment, Megatron."

MEGATRON: "Not necessarily, no. Onyx has, more than likely, caused a little confusion in their ranks, and they're attempting to sort out the whole mess."

BLACKARACHNIA: "Our new pet better hurry. He's only got a few megacycles left to him before full shutdown."

TARANTULAS: "Concerned for him?"

MEGATRON: "It would be a waste of material to allow his circuits to fail. Have you two managed to find a stabilizer for him yet?"

BLACKARACHNIA: "Possibly. Unfortunately, it's just as much guesswork as putting him together was. I've got no idea if it will actually work or not."

TARANTULAS: "But, in order for it to work at all, we have to get to him within the next few megacycles. Otherwise, his circuitry will degrade beyond the point of resuscitation."

CUT TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS, HALLWAY. CHEETOR, in robot mode, is walking down the hall, a little concerned, and with his weapon drawn.

RHINOX: (on communicator) "I thought you were ordered to quarters, Cheetor."

CHEETOR: "Rattrap is still missing, and nobody saw him leave. He wouldn't just ignore a yellow alert. I need to find him."

RHINOX: (resigned) "All right, but be careful. If there is a Predacon hiding in our own base, he's got some incredible stealth abilities. I'm not picking either him or Rattrap up on our scanners."

CHEETOR: "Sounds like Tarantulas... no problem, that's one spider that's got nothing on me, Rhinox."

Suddenly, his communication equipment becomes more filled with static. CHEETOR looks at it with concern, then shuts it off and looks around more intently. He sees a shadow move ahead of him and heads to it. There, he sees the unconscious and burnt-up RATTRAP, robot mode.

CHEETOR: "Oh bud, what happened to you?"

As CHEETOR moves to investigate his fallen comrade, a sudden movement of ONYX PRIMAL's feet slam CHEETOR into the far wall. CHEETOR is stunned but manages to fire twice as ONYX PRIMAL, robot mode, dodges quickly away.

CHEETOR: (worried) "Who the slag are you?"

ONYX PRIMAL throws a katana blade into CHEETOR's weapon arm, pinning it into the wall. As CHEETOR struggles to get it free, ONYX PRIMAL slams his other katana blade deep into CHEETOR's stomach. CHEETOR howls in pain once, then shuts down, his eyes dimming.

ONYX PRIMAL: "Easy enough."

COMPUTER: "Warning, use of suppression field draining to reserves. Spark will extinguish in five megacycles if field is dropped immediately."

ONYX PRIMAL: (quietly) "Time enough."

CUT TO: ANOTHER HALLWAY, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode, is running quickly through the hall. Concern is on his eyes as his shoulder-cannons rotate to their combat-ready positions. As he moves, the lights go from their normal colors to red.

RHINOX: (over communicator) "That's right, Optimus. Cheetor's signature disappeared as soon as he neared the mess hall. Someone is using a suppression device of some sort to keep his signal quiet."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Understood, and judging by your report I can guess that Rattrap found our intruder first. Put Sentinel on full alert."

RHINOX: "Already doing it, chief."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL rounds the next corner and sees the battered form of CHEETOR, robot mode. Nearby, he can make out RATTRAP, robot mode, lying sprawled unconscious. His eyes widen.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "By the matrix, who did this?"

ONYX PRIMAL, robot mode, steps from around the corner, his twin blades already drawn and ready for combat. OPTIMUS PRIMAL takes a step back, pulling his own blades for the inevitable fight.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (demandingly) "Who are you?"

ONYX PRIMAL: "I was sent to destroy you, father."

ZOOM in on OPTIMUS PRIMAL and FADE TO BLACK.

Assassin, pt. 3
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

ACT THREE

FADE IN: MAXIMAL BASE, HALLWAY. ONYX PRIMAL and OPTIMUS PRIMAL, each in robot mode, stand ready with their weapons out. ONYX PRIMAL is pacing around OPTIMUS PRIMAL, looking for a good attack position. OPTIMUS PRIMAL is looking for another way out of the situation.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (surprised) "Father?"

ONYX PRIMAL: "I am Onyx Primal, made from your programming, and improved."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Is this any way to treat your elders?"

ONYX PRIMAL: "I am sworn to destroy you; stand ready, Optimus Primal."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "You don't have to do this."

ONYX PRIMAL says nothing in reply, but rushes in with an overhead attack against OPTIMUS PRIMAL, who quickly blocks the attacking blades with his own. ONYX PRIMAL spins quickly to attempt another attack, but that is blocked as well. OPTIMUS PRIMAL holds back from counter-attacking.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (panting) "I know the Predacons reprogrammed you, but if I'm really a part of you, maybe we can find another way."

ONYX PRIMAL: (grunting) "You are a pretty dreamer, Optimus."

ONYX PRIMAL rushes again, knocking OPTIMUS PRIMAL back with a firm attack, but not causing damage. OPTIMUS PRIMAL finally counters with his own attack, but that two is blocked. It's obvious that neither fighter can get an edge over the other.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (angered) "That's enough."

COMPUTER: (in Onyx) "Warning, continued exertion draining power cells. Shutdown will commence within two megacycles."

ONYX PRIMAL: (panting): "Oh, that's just Prime."

ONYX PRIMAL reaches over and grabs CHEETOR's unconscious form. As before, a massive surge of power leaps from CHEETOR and into ONYX PRIMAL. OPTIMUS PRIMAL looks stunned at the vampire-like scene before him.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (shocked) "What did they do to you?"

ONYX PRIMAL: (biting) "None of your concern, father."

ONYX PRIMAL attacks again, this time catching OPTIMUS PRIMAL a little off-guard and forcing him back. OPTIMUS PRIMAL is being more defensive, blocking ONYX PRIMAL's attacks, but not following them up with his own. ONYX PRIMAL continues to press on, frustration building within him, and finally manages to cut into OPTIMUS PRIMAL once, causing him to spill sparks.

ONYX PRIMAL: "I will defeat you."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "I wouldn't make bets on that."

ONYX PRIMAL: "I'm better than you. I was built to destroy you."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (sadly) "You have no other purpose?"

ONYX PRIMAL: "I need no other purpose, Maximal."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "My sympathies to you."

As OPTIMUS PRIMAL finishes speaking, ONYX PRIMAL once again leaps to the attack. This time, however, OPTIMUS PRIMAL is ready for him, and launches twin missiles into ONYX PRIMAL. The Predacon assassin is hit hard and is slammed against the far wall. He struggles for a moment, but another blast from OPTIMUS PRIMAL silences him. OPTIMUS PRIMAL closes his eyes in regret.

CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. MEGATON, robot mode, is watching the main viewer intently. TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA stand ready in robot mode next to him.

COMPUTER: "Maximal defense system has returned to normal parameters."

MEGATRON: (angered) "No, they finally beat him. Computer, report on the status of the Maximals inside. Is Optimus Primal alive?"

COMPUTER: "Four Maximal energy signatures are fully functional. Two Maximal signatures, and one Predacon, are currently non-functional. Optimus Primal remains online."

TARANTULAS: "He failed."

BLACKARACHNIA: "He did manage to take out two of them, however, before his defeat. We have an advantage, we should take for the base itself now."

MEGATRON: "No. The Maximals are, undoubtedly, braced for an attack now. Even with two of their number in the shop as it were, I imagine that their defenses would be most formidable, yes."

TARANTULAS: "Are we going to leave our new recruit in Maximal custody?"

MEGATRON: "I think not, no. Megatron to Terrorsaur, commence recovery operation, and be quick about it."

CUT TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS, outside the CR Chamber. RATTRAP and CHEETOR, robot mode, are stretching out. Inside is ONYX PRIMAL, robot mode. OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode, looks on, his emotions are unreadable.

RATTRAP: "Man, after what he did to us, you're going to try to repair him? You've got some serious problems in that head of yours, fearless leader."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "He's my responsibility, Rattrap. Megatron made him out of a piece of me. He's a clone."

CHEETOR: "What's wrong with him?"

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "My guess is that Megatron hasn't perfected his cloning technique yet. Onyx Primal's spark is unstable. He'll die in the next few megacycles if we don't do something."

RATTRAP: "I hate to be the one to point this out, but he is a Predacon. Couldn't we let his spark sort of... extinguish on its own?"

CHEETOR: (shocked) "Rattrap!"

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Maybe you're right, Rattrap. Helping out this Predacon may be a bad mood tactically, but I can't just sit back and let him, or anyone, simply die. Besides, he is my son. I have a responsibility."

RATTRAP: "I don't buy all this about a clone and all. He's a bat... you're an ape."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Megatron altered his DNA in more than a few ways. Still, there's quite of bit of me within him. I'm hoping that I can reach that part of him somehow, reason with him."

CUT TO: EXTERNAL SHOT: MAXIMAL BASE: TERRORSAUR, beast mode, is soaring in the night sky. As he approaches the base, he TRANSFORMS to robot mode and takes up a position hidden inside a few rocks.

TERRORSAUR: "Terrorsaur to base, I'm in position. Onyx is nowhere to be found, what am I supposed to do now?"

MEGATRON: (over communicator) "Patience, Terrorsaur, I'm sure that an opportunity will present itself to you within a few seconds, yes. You will know what to do when the time comes."

CUT TO: MAXIMAL BASE: COMMAND CENTER: OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode, keeps his vigil over the CR chamber. RATTRAP and CHEETOR, both in robot mode, stand near. Suddenly, the lights flicker off and alarms sound. ONYX PRIMAL, robot mode, rests inside the chamber.

COMPUTER: "Warning. Sentinel has been shut down. Unable to override system. Defense grid is off line."

RATTRAP: "Oh slag. Looks like your boy was messing with more than us. He's opened the barn door."

CHEETOR: "Computer, scan for Preds."

COMPUTER: "Unable to comply, scanning equipment has failed."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Curse me for a fool. Cheetor, get Rhinox and head to the computer core, we've got to get Sentinel back online as soon as possible. Rattrap, you get Dinobot, Tigatron, and Airazor to patrol the halls. Stick together this time."

RATTRAP: (accusingly) "And what are you going to do, fearless leader?"

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "If I'm right, this stunt is to allow the Predacons to recover their newest member. I'll wait here for their recovery party."

ONYX PRIMAL: (quietly) "Don't bother, Optimus."

RATTRAP: "And who gave you the right to vote?"

ONYX PRIMAL: "My spark is nearly extinguished. Even draining you again would not keep me functional for long. The recovery party is wasting their time."

RATTRAP: "Boo-hoo. That doesn't mean I'm about to let any Preds get hold of any of my personal things."

RATTRAP rushes off, following quickly by CHEETOR. OPTIMUS PRIMAL turns quietly and opens the hatch to the CR chamber. ONYX PRIMAL stands slowly and steps out, then faces OPTIMUS PRIMAL. ONYX PRIMAL slowly moves to his weapons.

ONYX PRIMAL: "Why did you do that? I'm only here to kill you."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Is that what you want to do?"

ONYX PRIMAL: (thoughtful) "It was... but, it seems futile now, doesn't it? The war's nearly over for me. A brief life I have had, and what of it? I've defeated two Maximals in combat, and failed my one mission." (more quietly) "And there will be nothing more."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Is there nothing we can do?"

ONYX PRIMAL: "The Predacons may have something to help me, but I'll never survive the trip back to their base. I doubt that your own medics would put a great amount of effort into reviving me."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "They would, if there was anything that they could do."

ONYX PRIMAL: (sadly) "I believe that."

ONYX PRIMAL slumps to his knees, dropping his blades in place. OPTIMUS PRIMAL quickly moves to aid him, and cradles him gently. Despair crosses the Maximal's face. ONYX PRIMAL smiles faintly at the reaction.

ONYX PRIMAL: (weakly) "No joy for my defeat, Optimus? Your only son. I must have been a disappointment for you. No baseball games together. Isn't that what human families do?" (laughing softly)

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (quietly) "Save your strength."

ONYX PRIMAL: (very weakly) "No reason to now, Optimus. Maybe we'll meet on the other side... until-all are one...."

ONYX PRIMAL's eyes dim completely to black, and his body falls limp in OPTIMUS PRIMAL's arms, just as TERRORSAUR, robot mode, enters from above. TERRORSAUR quickly draws his weapon and stands to attack.

TERRORSAUR: "Well, not only do I get to accomplish my mission, but I get to take out you as well, Optimus."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (darkly) "Terrorsaur, keep that beak closed."

TERRORSAUR is stunned by the tone as OPTIMUS PRIMAL stands and turns, lifting ONYX PRIMAL in his arms.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL firmly places ONYX PRIMAL into TERRORSAUR's arms, a deadly look across his face.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (darkly) "Take him and go, Terrorsaur. Not another word, not another stupid comment."

TERRORSAUR hesitates for a long moment, but OPTIMUS PRIMAL's unusual and exceptionally grim look convinces TERRORSAUR to a hasty retreat. OPTIMUS PRIMAL is left alone with his thoughts as we FADE TO BLACK.

The End