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Memories
by Steve Bartok (steveb@neca.com)

[The scene begins with a firefight, Maximals and Predacons. The Predacons are beginning to be driven back.]

RHINOX : We have them on the run, Maximals! Let’s finish them off!

[Waspinator is struck twice, falling to the ground and transforming into robot mode. Running away, he is struck a third time, catapulting him into the nearby forest. Inferno, getting hit once, is propelled backwards into the ground.]

INFERNO : The colony must retreat! [He flies away].

[Megatron, seeing what is going on around him, gets hit himself by a rocket from Optimus. Getting up, he sees the Maximals advancing.]

MEGATRON : Predacons, retreat! [He transforms into beast mode and runs away, along with the rest of the Predacons.]

[The Maximals stand ready, for a moment, but soon relax when they realize the retreat is real.]

CHEETOR : We did it! Boy, we taught them a lesson! Didn’t we, Optimus?

OPTIMUS : [sighs diplomatically] We defeated them, Cheetor, but we have other things to worry about. [turns to Rhinox] Rhinox, how quickly do you think we can repair the damage? [he turns and gestures to the large device planted in the ground].

RHINOX : There hardly isn’t any. I’ll check, but I don’t think I’ll find much.

TIGATRON : We were lucky this time, Optimus. They could have chosen the other communications array instead.

OPTIMUS : I don’t think they’ve found it yet. Otherwise, they would have come at us with a lot less force.

CHEETOR : So that they could assault the other array at the same time?

OPTIMUS : Exactly, Cheetor. [to all Maximals] After Rhinox has made whatever repairs are necessary, let’s return to the base. Dinobot will stand guard here for now. That ought to give us enough of an edge for the time being until we can install some sentry guns to protect it.

[The scene cuts to an outside shot of the Predacon HQ. Various Predacons are nursing injuries as they await their turn in the restoration chambers.]

WASPINATOR : Bzzzz, Waspinator don’t feel so good. Waspinator hurt.

TERRORSAUR : [Sees Megatron walking towards them in general direction] We all are, Waspinator. Perhaps next time luck will be on our side. [Megatron walks away, towards his private chambers. Under his breath, Terrorsaur adds, almost to Megatron] Megatron sure hasn’t been.

[Scorponok gives him a hard look, then walks over to Megatron who is still walking towards his chambers.]

SCORPONOK : Megatron, you should be at the front of the line. You are our leader.

MEGATRON : Please, Scorponok. Heal yourself first. I will be there later.

[Scorponok slowly walks back to the line, watching Megatron enter his chamber. Then, he turns to Terrorsaur and pushes him into the wall.]

SCORPONOK : You should have more respect for Megatron then that! He is, after all, our leader.

TERRORSAUR : [fake forgiveness] My apologies, Scorponok. [Straightens himself back up, gets back in line] I’m sure that once everyone gets repaired from our latest defeat, we’ll all be in a much more forgiving mood.

SCORPONOK : [Walks over to Terrorsaur, juts out chin, nearly touching him] Hopefully, so will Megatron.

[Scorponok walks away, walking by Megatron’s door. A fade inside his chamber, you see Megatron sitting, his head down. A monitor, behind Megatron, displays the line of injured Predacons waiting their turn at the restoration chamber. Megatron only listens to it, but viewer gets to see what’s on it.]

TARANTULAS : Is Scorponok gone?

TERRORSAUR : Perhaps he has gone to comfort our leader.

BLACK : [turns around, leans to see Terrorsaur] Hey, I didn’t see you out there doing anything about it.

TERRORSAUR : Well I wasn’t the one to launch such an ill-fated attack, now was I? Did you really think that the Maximals would let such a device unprotected?

TARANTULAS : He does have a point, Blackarachnia. We should have had more reconnaissance. I personally felt that the attack was...hasty.

[Megatron turns around and smash the monitor with one of his fists. Sparks fly from the broken monitor as Megatron gets up.]

MEGATRON : [to no one] Fools! Perhaps you would like Optimus Primal to be your leader! [calms down, types something on a nearby console. A life-sized holographic image of classic Megatron appears before him, neutral expression on face. To classic Megatron]. What would you have done, Megatron? What would you do? I have always strived to uphold all that your name stands for...all that it is worth!

[The image remains motionless. Megatron walks up to it.]

MEGATRON : [nearly whispering] If only you could see what I see...[he pauses, then looks elsewhere. An inquisitive look crosses his face, and then he sits down at the computer]. Perhaps there is...[On the monitor, an image of classic Megatron rotates as another section of the screen lists various files. Megatron is seen typing fiercely away, a smile beginning to form on his face]. Yes, yes...I think there is a way after all...[the screen focuses on the rotating image of classic Megatron.]

[As Terrorsaur walks out of the restoration chamber, you see Megatron standing there, looking somewhat peeved.]

TERRORSAUR : Megatron, what a...

[Megatron picks up Terrorsaur with one arm and swings him down hard into Megatron’s throne. The other Predacons notice this. Megatron, still holding onto Terrorsaur, angrily restrains his voice and speaks to Terrorsaur.]

MEGATRON [in classic Megatron voice] Terrorsaur, perhaps you ought to sit here for awhile.

[All the other Predacons, including Terrorsaur, look stunned as the screen focuses on Megatron’s face giving a sly, yet sinister, grin.]

[COMMERCIAL TIME]

Scene 2

*Special Note - Unless specified later, Megatron speaks in the classic Megatron voice.

[Megatron, still holding Terrorsaur in the seat, releases Terrorsaur and addresses the other Predacons.]

MEGATRON : Predacons, meet your new leader, Terrorsaur [motions roughly towards Terrorsaur]. Follow his advice fanatically, and never disobey his command. [more quiet. Megatron lets go of Terrorsaur. Very sarcastic.] As for myself, do not let me stop you from whimpering about your wounds. You are far too busy whining to follow me into victory over the Maximal scourge.

[Megatron transforms into beast mode, and runs off. The other Predacons simply look on, stunned.]

TERRORSAUR : [too far away to be heard] Megatron...what’s happened to his voice?

SCORPONOK : I don’t know, but I’d better find out. [to Megatron, far off in the distance] Megatron! Wait!

WASPINATOR : Waspinator follow leader. [Fly away.]

INFERNO : Let the queen stay here as the workers fight! [turns to Terrorsaur] I will protect you by destroying your enemies. [Flies away.]

[Blackarachnia merely scurries away, leaving Tarantulas and Terrorsaur. Tarantulas produces a "Hmmm.." face, and walks away. Terrorsaur, still stunned, shakes himself aware and notices Tarantulas walk towards Megatron’s chamber.]

TERRORSAUR : [Getting up out of his chair] Tarantulas, what are you doing? You can’t go in there! [He walks towards Megatron’s chamber] Megatron would...

TARANTULAS : Megatron isn’t himself, Terrorsaur, if you haven’t noticed. He’s using the voice pattern of an old Decepticon leader.

TERRORSAUR : Oh, that! I knew that...

TARANTULAS : That may not be all, Terrorsaur. I would like to investigate further...with your permission, of course.

TERRORSAUR : My permission?

TARANTULAS : [a little bit too innocent] Of course. After all, you are the leader.

[It takes Terrorsaur a moment for it to sink in.]

TERRORSAUR : Oh yes! Yes! Of course! By all means! We should see just why our former leader is not himself.

TARANTULAS : While you’re at it, keep an eye out for if he returns. I don’t want to be caught in his chambers uninvited.

TERRORSAUR : Of course, Tarantulas. [The door closes, and Terrorsaur goes back to the throne and sits down.] Wait a minute. I’m leader, that should be my chamber.

[It is nighttime, and you see Megatron, Blackarachnia, Waspinator, Inferno, and Scorponok all running (or flying) in beast mode. Scorponok manages to get in front of Megatron. He transforms into robot mode, stopping Megatron and the others.]

SCORPONOK : Megatron, please!

MEGATRON : [demanding] What is it?

SCORPONOK : As our leader, we are concerned about your...recent change.

MEGATRON : Be more concerned about that antenna relay, Scorponok, for as long as it is operational the Autobots have a clear advantage over us. [steps beyond Scorponok] When it is destroyed, we may discuss any trivial pleasantry you desire, but for now, we must continue.

[Megatron continues on, with the rest of the Predacons following. Blackarachnia stops near Scorponok.]

SCORPONOK : Autobot?

BLACK : I think he’s changed more then just his voice.

SCORPONOK : He’s lost his mind.

[Near-nighttime scene in which Dinobot (beast mode) is patrolling near the antenna relay. Rhinox is installing some sentry guns with Cheetor.]

CHEETOR : Hey Rhinox, [lifting some heavy gun up to Rhinox] when are we calling it quits? We’ve been out here ever since the attack.

RHINOX : We’ve got to insure that this antenna relay is protected, Cheetor. Megatron knows where it is, and he’ll be back.

DINOBOT : [close to the other two, turns around] Rhinox, I’m going to investigate deeper into the woods. Try to finish as quickly as you can, [turns around, walks away. Under his breath but loud enough for the other two to hear] I tire of being a shield to this petty project.

[Rhinox and Cheetor just look at one another as Dinobot walks away.]

CHEETOR : You know, I wonder sometimes just how much Pred is still in him.

RHINOX : Not enough for him to actually be one. Come on, let’s get this finished. I don’t like being out here either, especially in the dark.

[As soon as they begin working again, their communicators turn on with Dinobot’s voice.]

DINOBOT : [through communicator] The Predacons are coming!

[Rhinox and Cheetor immediately drop everything and get their guns. Dinobot runs out of the forest, transforms, and pulls out his weapons.]

RHINOX : Take positions! [You see him hit a button, which turns light red. The guns spring to life, but aren’t firing.] Dinobot, get out of range! [To communicator] Optimus Primal, this is Rhinox, we’re...

[A shot nearly misses Rhinox’s head as he drops into a prone position. Cheetor fires wildly as the first Predacons leap out of the forest. They are also met by the sentry gun fire. Megatron aims at Dinobot, who just barely avoids a missile blast.]

MEGATRON : [to others] I will deal with the traitor personally. Continue with the attack.

[A sentry gun gets destroyed by Blackarachnia as another hits Scorponok in the chest. He flies backwards, landing on the ground. Waspinator fires close enough at Cheetor to propel him to his right. Even as Cheetor recovers, he is hit by a barrage of gunfire and sent to the ground. A sentry gun knocks Inferno out of the air, but he lands reasonably well and begins to recover to resume fire. Rhinox squarely hits Waspinator in the head and he falls to the ground, motionless.]

[Megatron corners Dinobot, firing shots to discourage him to leave.]

MEGATRON : I shall deal with you for the last time.

DINOBOT : [a general look of surprise, then disgust] Your tricks will give you nothing but your own humiliation at their failure.

MEGATRON : Will they, Grimlock?

[The two engage in hand-to-hand combat, Megatron punching Dinobot in the head. Dinobot recovers to trip Megatron to the ground, dealing a blow to the back of Megatron’s ribs. Megatron rolls over in pain, and pushes Dinobot off of him with his legs. Megatron gets up as Dinobot goes after Megatron’s legs, tipping him over again, nearly on top of Dinobot himself. Megatron delivers a clear blow to Dinobot’s head, knocking him over onto the ground. Megatron gets up and looks at the injured Dinobot.]

MEGATRON : Time to put an end to your traitorous spark...[he gets ready to fire, only for Dinobot to grab and throw his sword directly at Megatron. Megatron leans out of it’s way, but not before it hits Megatron’s hand. Gripping it in pain, Dinobot gets up and uses his laser eyes directly at Megatron’s head. Megatron screams as he stumbles towards the ground, where Dinobot recovers his sword and shield.]

[He looks around just to see Rhinox get blasted by Inferno. The sentry guns, now destroyed, are useless as Inferno and Blackarachnia line up to destroy the array. He gets an eye shot off at Blackarachnia, but Inferno hits the mark. The array blows up just as Inferno is suddenly attacked from the sky by Airazor. Optimus Primal is seen landing between the array and the woods. Suddenly, a missile hits Dinobot squarely in the chest, and he falls to the ground. Scorponok is revealed to be the attacker, and he helps up the ailing Megatron.]

SCORPONOK : Megatron, you’re injured!

MEGATRON : Injured...[looks at Dinobot, then at array]...but victorious. [to all other Predacons] Decepticons, retreat!

[Megatron & Scorponok automatically transform and run away. Inferno grabs Waspinator and flies away, Blackarachnia simply flees. Optimus Primal looks over the scene as Airazor lands in robot mode.]

AIRAZOR : Optimus, the array...

OPTIMUS : Our first priority are to the wounded, Airazor. [You see Optimus grab Cheetor and pick him up as Airazor goes for Rhinox. Dinobot begins to slowly get up.]

[Scene in which Tarantulas talks to Terrorsaur. A monitor augments Tarantulas’ presentation.]

TARANTULAS : I have discovered that Megatron has accessed his personal files relating to the belated Decepticon leader Megatron.

TERRORSAUR : And...?

TARANTULAS : And, he downloaded them into something as well.

TERRORSAUR : Himself?

TARANTULAS : Exactly! [The monitor lists off names of files.] These are all files that Megatron must have downloaded into himself. Psychological profiles, battlefield theology...the field of knowledge is endless.

TERRORSAUR : Can this cause internal damage to Megatron’s system?

TARANTULAS : Quite possibly. Some of the files refer to memories and experiences that were not downloaded, which could cause confusion. His brain will naturally try to fuse the two personalities together in an attempt to minimize damage.

TERRORSAUR : How can we stop Megatron from harming himself further?

TARANTULAS : I have a plan - you see, the restoration chamber rebuilds us according to an ideal model of ourselves. The files, I believe, were downloaded into a section of his brain that are not protected from the chamber’s scrutiny. They will be erased, I theorize, when he next enters the restoration chamber, thus restoring him to his natural self.

TERRORSAUR : I see. How long can they remain inside of him before they do permanent damage?

TARANTULAS : It is hard to tell. It may have already caused some behavioral melding immune to the restoration chamber process. If worse comes to worse, we may have to perform a complete re-formatting of his central nervous system, including his brain!

TERRORSAUR : [slight mock seriousness] Then we’d better get Megatron into the restoration chamber as soon as possible.

[Scene at Maximal HQ. Most of the Maximals are huddled inside the command center. You see the restoration door close on Cheetor.]

OPTIMUS : [to others] I’ve sent Tigatron to guard the other antenna array.

AIRAZOR : Right now, that’s all we can afford.

DINOBOT : [speaking out] I...[cringes in pain, then tries to stand tall again] I can fight if needed, Optimus.

OPTIMUS : No, you’re too injured. After Cheetor and Rhinox are healed, I want you in there as well.

RATTRAP : [to dinobot] Yeah, with all your injuries, even I could probably kick your tail.

DINOBOT : [to Rattrap] I would LOVE to watch you try, rat!

OPTIMUS : Enough! Rattrap, we need to prepare for an assault on the other antenna relay. I’ve already located enough sentry guns to set up...

DINOBOT : [blurted, almost yelled] No! [normal] That’s not what he’ll do.

[a slight moment of silence.]

RATTRAP : Oh really? And, uh, did he tell you what time he’d attack us as well?

OPTIMUS : [firmly] Rattrap...[calm] Dinobot, what do you mean?

DINOBOT : [In thought] His voice, it was different. Strange. And he called me...Grimlock. [pause] Megatron! It was Megatron’s voice!

RATTRAP : Yeah, so?

DINOBOT : No, you fool. Megatron, the Decepticon leader! He spoke to me in the same voice as the Decepticon leader Megatron had!

RATTRAP : [to Optimus] So he used a voice file. Big deal! Anyone can alter...

DINOBOT : No, there were other things about him as well. His eagerness to engage me in hand-to-hand combat when the normal Megatron would have simply shot me. Calling the Predacons "Decepticons"...

AIRAZOR : I heard that too. I thought it was kind of strange...

DINOBOT : [in thought, then snapping out of it] His injuries! Optimus! He was still injured from the previous battle!

RATTRAP : Now that ain’t like ol’ Mega-dork.

OPTIMUS : I’ll agree with you there, Rattrap. [to himself] Why wouldn’t he have healed himself afterwards?

AIRAZOR : I don’t think there were any restoration chambers back then, were there?

[a silence fills the room.]

[Back at Predacon HQ, the line of Preds at the restoration chamber is present. As Megatron enters the command area, Tarantulas walks up to Megatron.]

TARANTULAS : Megatron, how wonderful to see you victorious!

MEGATRON : Save your hollow compliments for the historians, Tarantulas. We need to repair ourselves for the next battle.

TARANTULAS : [losing a little steam, but still falsely optimistic] Of course, Megatron. As soon as you enter the restoration chamber, we can begin planning...

MEGATRON : Restoration chamber?

[Awkward silence. Tarantulas and Terrorsaur look at one another for a moment, then Tarantulas concentrates back on Megatron.]

TARANTULAS : [hesistant] Yes, Megatron. You use it all the time, the restoration chamber. It heals your injuries.

MEGATRON : [caught with his pants down, so to speak] I have no time for such gimmicks. I feel fine, certainly better then the two Decepticons rusting away in our base.

TERRORSAUR : Of course, Megatron. Please feel free to use the restoration chamber at your leisure. We’ll have plenty of time to prepare ourselves before the Autobots counter-attack us.

MEGATRON : A counter-attack?

TARANTULAS : [to Terrorsaur] Terrorsaur, what...?

TERRORSAUR : [ignores Tarantulas] With your victorious attack against the Autobot antenna relay, which I presume was your target, the Autobots will no doubtedly try to strike back at us in kind. Their only real target, naturally, will be our headquarters.

MEGATRON : The Autobots are too weak to mount an attack of any kind, nevermind an assault on our base.

TERRORSAUR : As you wish, Megatron, but then wouldn’t this be the opportune time to strike a deadly blow to the Autobot base? If they are as weak as you say they are, of course. [a pause] Well, at any rate, I think you ought to go into the restoration chamber. The base can certainly withstand a weakened assault by Autobots, and they certainly won’t recover in time to defend their own base when, or if, you decide to attack it.

MEGATRON : [thinks, then speaks] For once you are right about the Autobots. [to others] Decepticons! Repair yourself at once! As soon as your weapons have recharged, we will crush the Autobot base and destroy the Autobots once and for all!

[As Megatron leaves, Tarantulas leans towards him.]

TARANTULAS : What have you done? We were supposed to get him into the restoration chamber, remember?!

TERRORSAUR : [mock surprise] But Tarantulas, didn’t you just hear me talk to him? [sly grin] I just tried my very best to convince him.

[COMMERCIAL TIME]

Scene 3

[Rattrap and Cheetor are carrying a large, disc-like, electronic device into a mildly forested area.]

RATTRAP : [breathing hard] Man, you’d think Optimus would have Dinobot lug these things around!

CHEETOR : [the two of them finally set it down] Big bot knows what he’s doing. At least, I hope he does.

RATTRAP : [looking down at device] Yeah, well, we don’t. Ain’t the other side supposed to be up?

[Cheetor looks at it for a minute, then makes an embarrassed face].

CHEETOR : Oops...uh, heh-heh. [Rattrap gives a mildly disappointed but not serious face]. Sorry.

RATTRAP : Ahh, no water in the circuitry, kid. [The two pick the object up, turn it over, then set it down. You see Rattrap turn the thing on.] I’ll check the other ones to make sure they’re also right-side up.

[Rattrap walks away as Cheetor speaks into his communicator].

CHEETOR : Cheetor to Optimus, are you there?

OPTIMUS : [through communicator] This is Optimus, over.

CHEETOR : The last of those things are in place and they’re all turned on. Now what?

[You see Optimus in the command center, sitting at a terminal. Rhinox is nearby.]

OPTIMUS : Tell Rattrap to get into position. The same goes for you. For you two, it’ll be a waiting game until the Decepticons arrive. Optimus, out. [Turns to Rhinox] We’re almost ready. How’s Dinobot taking it?

RHINOX : I think you better not ask him any more favors in the near future.

OPTIMUS : [turns back around] It’s not a favor, it’s an order. I think it’s time we used Megatron’s new personality against him.

RHINOX : What makes you think he’s still the old Megatron?

OPTIMUS : If he’s not, then we may not get attacked at all.

[Scene switches to Megatron, Scorponok, Terrorsaur, Inferno, Waspinator, Tarantulas, and Blackarachnia (all in beast mode) flying/running towards the Maximal HQ. Tarantulas talks to Megatron].

TARANTULAS : Megatron, do you think it wise to leave no one back at the base?

MEGATRON : The Autobots would be too foolish to try and siege our base in their dismal state. We shall crush Optimus Prime and destroy the Ark once and for all!

[He runs away from Tarantulas back to the head of the pack. In the sky, far in the distance, Airazor patrols and sees the 3 flying Predacons. She speaks into her communicator.]

AIRAZOR : Airazor to Optimus, they’re on their way...and in force.

OPTIMUS : [through communicator] Good. Let them see you, and then follow you back. I don’t want them getting any second thoughts.

AIRAZOR : Got it. Over and out. [to herself] Well, how often do I get to play tag anyway?

[She takes out her gun and fires some random shots at the flying Predacons. The shots are followed, resulting in wide misses. Waspinator hesitates and announces.]

WASPINATOR : Maximal birdy dead ahead. Waspinator terrorize!

[Waspinator, Terrorsaur, and Inferno all begin to fly towards her. Airazor is already flying away.]

MEGATRON : Laserbeak! Stop! [sees that it’s pointless] Hurry, Decepticons! We must get to the base and destroy it before anymore of the Autobots’ plans are executed.

[Scene switches to Airazor flying as fast as she can. The 3 are following her and closing, but she flies over the base and past it. Terrorsaur stops the other two from pursuing before they enter the base’s sentry gun range.]

TERRORSAUR : We should wait for Megatron. I am sure that he would want to begin the attack himself.

[Scene change to the Predacons running through the forest. As they emerge, Megatron transforms and is taken aback by what he sees. The other Predacons are also confused, but not awed like Megatron.]

[Optimus Primal and Rhinox are standing in front of the base (robot mode), along with Dinobot (beast mode). Dinobot is painted differently, a white-ish color on top with lightish red underbelly. Optimus Primal speaks in classic Optimus Prime voice.]

OPTIMUS : Megatron, we’re glad to see you. We have decided to surrender.

MEGATRON : Optimus...? No! This is a trick!

DINOBOT : [in classic Grimlock voice] Me Grimlock want to surrender. No like fighting Megatron anymore.

MEGATRON : [confused] Grimlock...? But...but...

[Suddenly, an image of Soundwave pops up from within the light forest to the side of the Predacons. Even though it is standing still, it seems to "speak"].

SOUNDWAVE : Megatron, we have disarmed the Autobots. Their base is susceptible to being destroyed.

MEGATRON : [very confused, sputtering, etc.] Soundwave, how did you get...[looks at Predacons]...you’re not a Predacon...?

[From above, Inferno looks down to see a cleverly disguised Cheetor near the holographic Soundwave.]

INFERNO : Maximal sighted. Must destroy.

[Inferno shoots at Cheetor, and, in the process destroys the disc that is projecting the holographic Soundwave. Cheetor dives safely away from the explosion. Megatron looks on.]

MEGATRON : Nooo!! [He looks up, and fires at Inferno. Inferno is hit dead on, and falls to the ground.]

[A second holographic image, this time of Shockwave, appears.]

SHOCKWAVE : Megatron! How could you shoot down one of your own Predacons?!

[A third holographic image (of Starscream) pops up in the background.]

STARSCREAM : I always knew Megatron wasn’t fit to be leader. He is a traitor to the Decepticon cause!

MEGATRON : Starscream! I will show you who is a traitor!

[Megatron lunges at the image, but it disappears as Tigatron quietly evades the oncoming Megatron. Megatron dives into thick foliage beyond the (now) invisible holographic image. Tarantulas and Blackarachnia speak to each other.]

TARANTULAS : It’s a trap! We have to escape!

BLACK : And leave behind Megatron?

TARANTULAS : Fine! You convince him to leave!

[Tarantulas turns to leave, along with Waspinator.]

WASPINATOR : Waspinator confused, don’t like eerie setting. Waspinator flees! [Waspinator flies away].

SCORPONOK : Predacons, attack the Maximals!

[Scorponok fires, but soon realizes he’s the only one firing. His shots go clearly through Dinobot and Optimus Primal. A lone sentry gun picks off Scorponok.]

MEGATRON : Scorponok...Starscream...Shockwave...?!

OPTIMUS : Aren’t you forgetting something?

[Megatron turns back to Optimus only to see now the image of Optimus Prime standing where Optimus Primal was. Megatron is near burn-out.]

MEGATRON : Optimus...Prime... . No, it can’t...!

OPTIMUS : Autobots...fire at will!

[All the nearby sentry guns immediately spring into action, firing at the remaining Predacons and at Megatron. Megatron is torn down by sentry gun fire and falls unconscience in the forest. Scorponok begins to drag him away. The Maximals spring out and begin to attack in earnest, driving off any remaining Predacon threat. The Maximals, having driven off the Predacons, lower their weapons as Optimus Primal, Rhinox, and Dinobot come out of the base.]

CHEETOR : That was some rad plan, Big bot! I never thought that’d work against Megatron!

DINOBOT : [still in Grimlock voice] What a stupid, dis...[realizes he’s still in Grimlock voice, turns it off with a switch]...stupid, disgraceful warrior! Optimus, I despise pretending to be this...Grimlock!

OPTIMUS : [normal voice] Relax, Dinobot. It was all a part of the deception, that’s all.

RATTRAP : [normal voice] Yeah, Dinobot. Deception...Decepticon. You should know more about that we do.

DINOBOT : I was a Predacon, mouse! There is a difference.

TIGATRON : Rhinox, do we need these voices anymore or can we delete them from memory?

RHINOX : You can delete them, Tigatron. I think we’ve accomplished our goal.

CHEETOR : Yeah. Besides, who wants to walk around knowing that they can impersonate a Decepticon’s voice anyway? [to Optimus] Should we begin to clean up?

OPTIMUS : Might as well. Afterwards, we’ll need to start augmenting the other antenna array with sentry guns...just in case the ‘other’ Megatron finally emerges.

DINOBOT : Finally! [walks over towards base] I can rid myself of this horrible excuse for camoflauge. [goes into base].

RHINOX : I better begin coordinating our efforts to rebuilding our other antenna relay. Perhaps in all of the confusion we may be able to reconstruct it without much opposition.

OPTIMUS : Good point. I’ll help the others here clean up and get ready to ship over the sentry guns.

[Rhinox nods, then heads back towards the base. Optimus mischievously looks around and appears to be temporarily alone. He gets set to speak.]

OPTIMUS : [classic Optimus Prime voice] Autobots...transform and roll out! [He transforms into beast mode, with the classic transforming-mode sounds.]

[A big grin appears on him as he turns around to lend a hand in the clean-up.