Bad Science

Beast Wars Anonymous:

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Bad Science, pt. 1 (PG)
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

Fade In: Predacon Headquarters. We see Transquito and Blackarachnia, robot mode, walking through hallways, talking. Hiding near them, is the Maximal Rattrap, beast mode.

TRANSQUITO: Things proceed well Miss Arachnia. Megatron and his two soldiers are within the hold, awaiting repairs. The Maximals are busy licking their wounds, and Tarantulas reports positive news on rebuilding a working starship. This has been a good day so far.

BLACKARACHNIA (skeptical): So far. You don't have any worries?

TRANSQUITO: I have my own concerns, Blackarachnia, but they are of no concern.

BLACKARACHNIA: So when are you getting around to repairing the rest of our troops?

TRANSQUITO: When they are needed, Miss Arachnia.

Focus in on Rattrap, who waits until an available moment, then rushes down the corridor. As he leaves the other two Predacons behind, Waspinator and Buzz Saw, robot mode, come into view. Rattrap ducks behind some available boxes as the two Predacons walk past.

BUZZ SAW: Transquito rightful leader. Buzz Saw glad to serve him.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator not trust Mosquito-bot. Waspinator think he's up to something.

BUZZ SAW: Buzz Saw think Waspinator worry too much.

Rattrap watches the two Predacon fliers step away from him, and rushes back out again. We Cut To: Tarantulas's lab. Tarantulas and Fractyl, robot mode, are both working over some apparatus.

FRACTYL: This will never work.

TARANTULAS: The principle is the same as the reprogrammer, why do you feel that there is a problem? Are you not satisfied with my skills?

FRACTYL: Reprogramming any Cybertron when they're already active leads to problems. I would have thought you would have learnt your lesson by now.

TARANTULAS: I never told Transquito this would be without risk.

We focus in on a vent, where Rattrap, beast mode, has managed to hide himself. He takes out some sort of recording device as he watches the two Predacons converse.

FRACTYL: It's bad science, even if it does work it won't be reliable. We've no idea what will happen when we delete the Maximal's programming.

TARANTULAS: In theory, their original programming will surface, returning them to their Predacon origins.

FRACTYL: And if it fails, we will likely kill them.

TARANTULAS: Then there will be three less Maximals to contend with.

FRACTYL: That's cold, Tarantulas, even for one of you lot.

TARANTULAS (laughing): Perhaps. But that's the way it is.

Cut To: Maximal Headquarters. Optimus Primal and Rhinox are watching the conversation unfold on their viewer, both are in robot mode.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: It didn't take them long at all, did it?

RHINOX: We knew they would make the attempt. How you want to proceed?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Carefully, Rhinox. Very carefully.

FRACTYL (on screen): The basic preparations are set. Now all we need is a test subject.

Cut to: Tarantulas's lab. Fractyl lifts up a small device, connected to a projector of some sort, and hands it carefully to Tarantulas.

TARANTULAS (smirking): How sweet, you've even added a little Predacon symbol on the side.

FRACTYL: Should we just call up the Maximals and see if they'll send Cybershark, Bonecrusher, or K-9 our way? We could invite them over for some energon tea.

TARANTULAS (laughing): We'll just take it into battle with us next time. Right now, we'll keep it in the secure hold.

Tarantulas and Fractyl both head out of the lab, device in tow. As Rattrap looks in.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (on communicator): That's enough, Rattrap, time to slip out of there and come home.

RATTRAP: No way, monkey-boy, I can sneak down there and get it before they even knew I was around.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Negative. They'll know that you took it the moment you stepped into the hold. I've got something else in mind. Return to base.

RATTRAP (muttering): Fine, no fur off of my tail.

Cut to: Maximal Headquarters. Optimus Primal and Rhinox, robot mode, look over Rattrap's rodent visage in the monitor. Behind them, Cheetor and Tigatron, beast mode, step in.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Just be careful, Rattrap. Optimus out.

Optimus Primal moves to cut out the signal as Rhinox leans back.

RHINOX: Mind letting us in on the plan?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: If we steal it openly, there's nothing stopping the Predacons from building another, and using it right away.

RHINOX: So you have something else in mind?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: You might say that. You think you can rig up a non-working copy of that thing from what you saw on the monitor.

RHINOX (smiling): I might at that. The ol' switcheroo routine.

CHEETOR: Yeah, but who's going to do the switching?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (sighing): Packrat is.

RHINOX: Oh no.

CHEETOR (objecting): You got to be kidding, big-bot.

TIGATRON: Packrat?

RHINOX: We put that little thief in the brig for a reason, Optimus.

TIGATRON: Packrat?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I know, but this job is right down his alley.

TIGATRON: Who's Packrat?

CHEETOR (sighing): One of us. We caught him stealing energon from the stores.

RHINOX: And some power converters.

CHEETOR: And a few movie-vids.

RHINOX: And-

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (annoyed): I know, I know. You don't like him, and he's nowhere near done serving his term, but we need him. Rhinox, get to work on that duplicate. Cheetor, have Sentinel select an appropriate beast mode for Packrat. Meanwhile, I'll free his personality component from the brig.

RHINOX: If you're sure you want to do this.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Yes, I'm sure. Now get to it.

Cut To: Predacon Headquarters. Transquito and Blackarachnia are in the command center, robot mode. Blackarachnia is deliberately hovering over him, stroking him, going over her usual routine. Tarantulas and Fractyl, robot mode, step in.

FRACTYL: The device is completed, Commander.

BLACKARACHNIA: What device?

TRANSQUITO: A little surprise for the Maximals, nothing more. Call it 'bait', if you will.

FRACTYL: I cannot vouch for how well it will work.

TARANTULAS: You're too cautious, Fractyl. The device will accomplish it's job.

TRANSQUITO: Are you sure the Maximal spy knows the detail of its operation?

TARANTULAS: He must have, he wasn't more than ten meters from me. We even explained its use in some detail.

TRANSQUITO: A bit over the top, wasn't it?

TARANTULAS: We wanted to be sure.

TRANSQUITO: It's there hand now. Let me know when the Maximal returns.

FRACTYL: Of course, Commander.

Cut To: Maximal Brig. Packrat, beast mode, sits quietly. Optimus Primal and Cheetor, robot mode stand patiently by.

CHEETOR: This is a mistake, big bot. We can't trust him.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: He's still a Maximal, Cheetor, he deserves the chance.

SENTINEL: Personality component in place. Systems are on line.

PACKRAT: Packrat, Maximize.

Packrat transforms to robot mode. Cheetor actually seems to go for his gun, but Optimus Primal holds him back.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Welcome online, Packrat.

PACKRAT: Gee, thanks. Bad enough to see you when I come out of it, but what is this? Blue fur? And what happened to my vehicular mode?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Protection against the elements outside.

PACKRAT: What are you talking about? Since when did you need fur on Cybertron?

CHEETOR: We're not on Cybertron, mouse. We don't know where we are.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We've crashed with some Predacons on a strange planet, rich in energon. So rich that we have to adopt beast forms to allow us to stay outside for any length of time.

PACKRAT: So why did you wake me up?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We need you, Packrat. The Predacons have a device that might be able to remove reprogramming procedures. We want you to take their working model, and replace it with a decoy.

PACKRAT: Sure. Why?

CHEETOR: What do you mean, 'why?' You're doing it because we told you to.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (sighing): If you pull this off, I'm willing to forget your past crimes and let you out of the brig for a longer term. Deal?

PACKRAT: Sure, Optimus. You can trust me.

Cheetor shakes his head in discomfort, and Optimus crosses his arms. We zoom in on Packrat, and fade to black.

Bad Science, pt. 2 (PG)
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

Fade In: We see Packrat and Rattrap, meeting up in beast mode in open plains. Rattrap looks none too happy.

RATTRAP: Man, why did they have to bring you along. Y ou're just going to cause me trouble. I can handle this gig alone.

PACKRAT: Maybe Optimus didn't share your Optimism.

RATTRAP: Oh, very funny. Just keep your mind on the job, Packrat. I don't want to have to get rough with you again if you get out of line. Copiche?

PACKRAT: Just stay out of my way, Rattrap.

The two rats continue walking, and come across the outer defenses of the Predacon Base. Buzz Saw and Waspinator, beast mode, are on patrol outside, but neither has seen the Maximals yet.

RATTRAP: Now then, all I have to do is get you inside, then you pull the switch, got it?

PACKRAT: I know the drill, Rattrap.

RATTRAP: Yeah, then show me how we're going to get past those then, smart guy.

PACKRAT: Packrat, Maximize.

Packrat transforms to his robot mode, and slips behind several rocks. He watches for the two Predacons to pass, then looks for the security devices on the Predacon base itself. Seeing it clear, Packrat rushes quietly over, to and against the side of the ship. Rattrap follows close behind, just as Buzz Saw and Waspinator turn around for another sweep.

PACKRAT: Good enough?

RATTRAP: Not bad. Not terrific, but not bad. There's a hull breach fifty meters downwind of here. We'll sneak in there.

PACKRAT: We'll have to cross half the ship that way.

RATTRAP: Really? You hiding a chicken mode, Packrat?

PACKRAT (annoyed): I thought the point was to not get caught.

RATTRAP: We'll slip through the ship's ventilation ducks, no problem.

Rattrap and Packrat move again, to a small hole in the side of the ship. Rattrap slips in first, and Packrat quietly follows. We Cut To: Transquito, robot mode, watching all of this on his monitor in the Predacon Command Center. Jetstorm stands quietly by him, also in robot mode, waiting. Tarantulas, robot mode, is standing impatiently behind them all.

TRANSQUITO: I didn't expect two Maximals to return. This is working out better than I had planned.

TARANTULAS: The rat has a new friend. This could be trouble, Transquito.

TRANSQUITO: Worried, Tarantulas? They're both after the same prize. Still, I don't want to make this look too easy, do I? Place Terrorsaur in their path.

Transquito watches carefully as Tarantulas steps quietly over to a console. We Cut To: Packrat and Rattrap now crawling through a conduit. Rattrap has his gun out, expecting trouble.

PACKRAT: You said there were more Predacons. They don't seem to be patrolling too heavily in here.

RATTRAP: The Preds wouldn't know how to set up security if their lives depended on it. They're too busy screwing one-another over.

PACKRAT: Lucky for us.

RATTRAP (quietly): Still, better get out your weapons, just in case we run into something.

PACKRAT: Right.

Packrat removes his rifle as a weapon's blast rushes into the conduit. Rattrap has to roll to the side as shots rip through the conduit from below. We look below as Terrorsaur, in robot mode, starts firing up into the shaft.

TERRORSAUR: Come on out, Maximal. I know you're in there. Nothing else makes so much noise.

RATTRAP: Except you.

Rattrap fires through the conduit, missing Terrorsaur, who ducks out the way. Terrorsaur rushes for a nearby alarm panel, but Packrat steps out of the conduit, and fires at him. Terrorsaur is hit and spins back.

TERRORSAUR (wincing): Maximal intruders, have to reach alarm.

PACKRAT: Not this day, Predacon.

Packrat fires again, knocking Terrorsaur over. Terrorsaur goes limp and falls to the floor. Rattrap steps out of the conduit, a scowl on his face.

RATTRAP: It's a wonder the whole base doesn't know we're here. You suddenly get gun-happy or something? Keep it quiet.

PACKRAT: And let him alert the whole base?

RATTRAP: You don't worry about that. I'm the decoy, remember. The Predacons don't even know you're around.

PACKRAT (darkly): Lucky them.

Packrat and Rattrap place Terrorsaur into a nearby cargo bin, and move back through the corridors. We return to the Command Center, where Transquito and Tarantulas watch. Transquito stands.

TRANSQUITO: It's time, come along Tarantulas.

Transquito and Tarantulas both leave. Meanwhile, Rattrap and Packrat reach the security doors, guarded by Sea Clamp, in robot mode. Rattrap and Packrat both hug the hallway door just out of his eyesight.

PACKRAT: All right, mister expert, now what?

RATTRAP: I'll lead him away, you slip in and make the switch.

PACKRAT: If you say so.

Rattrap rushes forward, firing twice in Sea Clamp. The Predacon stammers, falls back, then rights himself in time to make a slicing grab for the Maximal. Rattrap runs down past the corridor, as Packrat slips in behind to the door.

PACKRAT (whispering): Okay, standard high-security lock with alarm traps. Shouldn't take too long.

We move our focus down the hall to where Sea Clamp and Rattrap are sparring. Sea Clamp is losing the Maximal, and getting frustrated, sending two blasts of energy after him. Rattrap dodges them easily.

SEA CLAMP: Come back here, Maximal. You won't get away from me.

RATTRAP: Yeah right, you're too slow, Predacon. No Pred is going to touch this pink butt.

SEA CLAMP: Are you sure?

Rattrap looks quizzically a second as another blast hits him from behind. Rattrap turns as we see Tarantulas and Transquito, robot mode, both with weapons out. Tarantulas's cannon is smoking.

RATTRAP: Three on one. What's wrong, Predacons, can't play fair?

TRANSQUITO: Your mouth leaks, Maximal, seal it.

TARANTULAS: Are you sure that I just can't kill him now and be done with it? It would be less trouble.

TRANSQUITO: A tempting offer, but not according to plan. Sea Clamp, pick him up, and let's return to the cargo bay.

Sea Clamp moves behind quickly and lifts Rattrap up with ease. We again return to the security doors, now open, as Packrat looks around the security hold. Inside here, as well, are the deactivated forms of Megatron, Inferno, and Scorponok, tattered and beaten, in robot mode.

PACKRAT: Gruesome decorations.

TARANTULAS (off camera): Hung them myself, Maximal.

PACKRAT: Anyone tell you that you've got sick tastes?

Packrat turns around, knowing he's been caught. We see Tarantulas and Transquito, robot mode, stepping in. Sea Clamp is behind each of them, and throws Rattrap into the room next to Packrat.

RATTRAP: One word out of you, Packrat, and I'll personally rewire your mouth.

PACKRAT: What? Me say anything?

SEA CLAMP: Their bickering puts Predacons to shame.

TRANSQUITO: Enough of this.

Transquito steps forward and opens one of the crates, pulling out the device from earlier. Rattrap and Packrat exchange nervous looks to one another.

TRANSQUITO: Couldn't resist the opportunity, could you, Maximal? Thought you could 'save' my stolen crew members from Predacon influence.

PACKRAT (smirking): Nah, I just like to collect shiny things.

TRANSQUITO (annoyed): Flippant fool, did you really think I was unaware of your intentions? I knew full well of your plans, and allowed you to get this far. I am afraid that you are quite caught, just like rats.

Transquito raises the device to them. Rattrap and Packrat give one-another worried looks again as Transquito opens it up on them. As the device begins to overwhelm them, both revert to their beast modes.

TRANSQUITO: Something wrong, rats? Getting angry? Are your circuits becoming consumed with hatred and rage?

PACKRAT (hissing): What-are you doing?

TRANSQUITO: Waiting for you, rat. Attack me, both of you, so you can learn.

PACKRAT: Packrat, Terrorize!

RATTRAP: Rattrap, Terrorize!

Both Packrat and Rattrap transform, the lights in their eyes more red than before. On their bodies is etched the Predacon symbol. Both Rattrap and Packrat leap up to attack, but Transquito fires into them, knocking them hard back into the wall.

TRANSQUITO: Are you done fighting, my Predacons? Do you know who your leader is?

RATTRAP: We yield.

TRANSQUITO: Good.

Transquito crosses his arms as Rattrap and Packrat stand. He them turns to the other assembled Predacons.

TRANSQUITO: Meet our newest Predacons, Rattrap and Packrat.

We zoom in on the two rats, and fade to black.

Bad Science, pt. 3 (PG)
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

Fade in, Maximal Headquarters. Optimus Primal and Rhinox are both in robot mode, in their usual seats, looking over monitors. Cheetor, in beast mode, pads in quietly.

CHEETOR: Everybody here's fully repaired, Optimus. We can take whatever the Preds can dish to us now.

Optimus Primal looks over in disbelief. Cheetor looks downcast a moment.

CHEETOR: Still nothing from him?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: No, and Rattrap would have reported in by now. I'm worried about him.

RHINOX: You don't think Packrat might have turned on us, do you?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: It's a possibility, Rhinox. Not one that I had considered. I knew Packrat was a thief, but I don't think he's a traitor as well.

CHEETOR: Want me to head out and see what's up at Pred-ville?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: No. Stay here and keep Sentinel on-line. Rhinox and I will head out to the perimeter. If something is happening, we'll call you for backup. Otherwise, keep the scanners peeled for any sign of Rattrap, Packrat, or the Predacons.

CHEETOR: Copy you, big bot.

Rhinox and Optimus head off to the lift. We cut to a scene of them leaving the ship, then pull back. Rhinox and Optimus are visually reduced to two Maximal icons on a dark computer screen. Above it, Transquito, robot mode smiles widely.

TRANSQUITO: It's about time they came out looking.

Cut into, Predacon headquarters. Transquito and Jetstorm stand with Rattrap and Packrat, all in robot mode. Tarantulas, Fractyl, Blackarachnia, and Terrorsaur, all in beast mode, stand in a ring outside of them.

TRANSQUITO: Two Maximals have left the Axalon. Tarantulas, identify them.

TARANTULAS: Simple. Their leader, Optimus Primal, and the bloated Rhinox. They are alone, and reinforcements will be over an hour away.

TRANSQUITO: Excellent. Cicadacon, Ram Horn, and Sea Clamp will accompany us to the Maximals. Once there, they will submit to the reprogramming device.

TARANTULAS: And if it doesn't work, Transquito? Just plan on blasting your way through?

TRANSQUITO: Then we have Tripredacus as insurance. The Maximals cannot stand up to his strength.

Transquito, well confident of the situation, stands and motions Rattrap and Packrat to him. The two rats do as commanded.

RATTRAP: What do you want, oh gruesome one?

TRANSQUITO (smirking): We go to attack your former leader. With luck, he'll soon see things from the Predacon perspective. You two will aid the attack.

PACKRAT (objecting): I'm not built for fighting.

TRANSQUITO (darkly): Do you have a problem with my orders, Packrat?

PACKRAT: No, commander.

TRANSQUITO: Good. Predacons, launch.

Cut to: Rhinox and Optimus Primal, in beast mode, moving slowly over a wooded area. Optimus Primal looks very concerned, scanning over everything around them.

RHINOX: I guess this means that Packrat's back in the brig.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Maybe. I would rather wait until I hear something definite, though.

RHINOX: Their four standard hours late. If they failed in their mission, we would have heard something. Packrat got them both into trouble.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Letting your personal feelings override your judgement, Rhinox. That's not like you.

RHINOX: Rattrap can usually handle himself, but Packrat's a wild-card. He's never been one of us, always stayed outside, swiping whatever he wanted.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We've given him punishment for that. Besides, right now, we can use another Maximal, and he's got some useful skills.

RHINOX: Can you trust him?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: He's a Maximal, Rhinox. I'll trust him until he's given me reason not to.

RHINOX: Four hours is reason enough.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Maybe. Hope for the best, Rhinox. We're getting close to the perimeter. Maybe then we'll pick up something.

We pan over to a thicker part of the woods. There, Cicadacon and Transquito, both in beast mode, buzz waiting, watching the two Maximals. Cicadacon quietly transforms and moves quickly aside. Rhinox and Optimus Primal, still not seeing them, continue to move forward.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Strange, scanners aren't picking up anything. Like we're being jammed.

RHINOX: The Predacons must have detected us coming, there's trouble nearby.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: On your toes, Rhinox. I don't like the looks of this.

RHINOX: I'm getting readings nearby.

As Rhinox completes his thought, a blast rushes from the air. Optimus Primal is knocked to the ground, and looks up. Above him, Cicadacon and Transquito, already in robot mode, rush forward to attack. Rhinox is forced back as bolts strafe near him.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Predacons! Rhinox, take cover, quickly.

CICADACON: Surrender now, Maximals, make it easier on yourself.

RHINOX: We're getting overtaken, Optimus. There's more on the ground.

Rhinox steps back as Sea Clamp and Ram Horn, each in robot mode, step into view. Rhinox snorts once and charges, but Sea Clamp is slightly quicker, using his powerful pincers to knock Rhinox aside.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Maximize!

Optimus Primal transforms, followed quickly by Rhinox, as Cicadacon makes a line of fire near the two of them. Cicadacon rolls aside as Optimus Primal fires his missiles. Cicadacon merely dodges out of the way. Turning, Optimus Primal sees Rattrap and Packrat, each in beast mode, step forward.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Thank the matrix. We were looking for you. We could use your help about now.

PACKRAT: These Predacons followed us.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: If you were in trouble, why didn't you call?

RATTRAP: Who said we were in trouble?

Optimus Primal dodges quickly as another blast from Cicadacon comes in from overhead. Optimus Primal turns and fires, a questioning look on his eyes. As Cicadacon disappears from view, Transquito appears, firing his stinger missile. Again, Optimus barely manages to leap out of the way.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: What's wrong with you two? Why aren't you helping us?

TRANSQUITO: That is simple enough to answer, Maximal. You'll understand soon enough. Transquito, terrorize!

Transquito transforms quickly to robot mode, as Optimus Primal steps back. Meanwhile, Rhinox has his hands full, literally, with Sea Clamp and Ram Horn, who harass him in beast mode. Rhinox gets backed up against a large tree.

RHINOX: This is bad.

TRANSQUITO: Depends on your point of view. And that will change soon enough. Behold, Maximals, your future.

Transquito pulls out the reprogramming device from his arm, and wields it. Optimus Primal steps back as a red light comes from the device. Strange energy leaps out, and Optimus Primal expects the worst.

TRANSQUITO: Now, Maximals, you are mine.

Optimus Primal gives a confused look, and shrugs. Rhinox too looks around, thinking that something else might have happened around them. Nothing has.

RHINOX: Everything checks out normal.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Is that supposed to do something?

TRANSQUITO (nervous): What's wrong?

Transquito stammers, fiddling with the controls, looking a bit concerned as Cicadacon looks over him.

CICADACON: Perhaps, Optimus's programming is too advanced for the device?

TRANSQUITO: No, it must be set to the wrong frequency.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (smirking): You came all this way to give us a light show?

TRANSQUITO: It doesn't matter. Soon, your former allies will slay you, and you will wish that the device had worked. Rattrap, Packrat, transform and destroy him.

RATTRAP: As you command, oh noble one.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Rattrap?

PACKRAT: Sorry, leader, we've seen the light.

TRANSQUITO: Yes, they are Predacons now. (Impatient) Transform and rip him apart.

RHINOX: No, it can't be.

TRANSQUITO (growling): Finish them!

RATTRAP: Rattrap, Maximize.

PACKRAT: Packrat, Maximize.

As Transquito becomes aware of the two Maximal's transformation command, Packrat and Rattrap return to their robot mode. Transquito stammers, and Rattrap fires into his device, destroying it after a couple of shots.

TRANSQUITO: Impossible, you cannot have broken free of the control.

PACKRAT: As if!

RATTRAP: We were never in your control, stinger brain.

SEA CLAMP: It was all an act, leader. They were playing Predacons.

TRANSQUITO (darkly): Destroy them, kill them both.

Sea Clamp, Cicadacon, and Ram Horn draw their weapons onto Rattrap, who stammers back. Meanwhile, Optimus Primal and Rhinox pull out their weapons.

RHINOX: Aren't you forgetting something?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Namely, us?

Cicadacon turns to fire at Rhinox, but the Maximals have the advantage of surprise. Rhinox and Optimus Primal both unload their weapons into Cicadacon, who drops hard into Sea Clamp. Transquito steps back, growling, and fires a missile to Packrat, who only barely manages to dodge it.

RAM HORN: Leader, the advantage is lost, we must withdrawal.

TRANSQUITO: I will not accept defeat.

Transquito turns to fire at Optimus Primal, but Packrat and Rattrap fire their own weapons into him. Surrounded, the Predacons have no choice. Ram Horn, Sea Clamp, and Cicadacon transform to beast mode and run.

TRANSQUITO: Cowards! This battle was ours!

Transquito growls, and quickly follows his fleeing Predacons. Optimus Primal lets out a relieved breath as the Predacon Commander reverts to beast mode and rushes away. He then turns to Rattrap and Packrat.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: You both had me a little worried there.

RATTRAP: It was a close call. If Packrat had been slower on the uptake, we both would have been Preds.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Then Packrat did a good job, then.

Packrat opens up a panel on his arm, revealing the real device. Rattrap gives a smirk, and Optimus crosses his arms, quite impressed.

PACKRAT: Transquito was so happy he had taken us over, he never even thought about the switch. Here's the real reprogramming machine.

RHINOX: I'll get right on this, and make a counter-device for each of us.

PACKRAT: Well, was it good enough?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: First class job, Packrat. You've earned your keep.

RATTRAP: I guess it was good, had my circuits frying now and then, but at least you proved you were a little bit useful sometimes.

PACKRAT: Thanks a lot, Rattrap.

RATTRAP: Don't mention it, blue-boy.

We pull up and out of the scene, leaving the Maximals behind, and fade to black.

The End