Shadow Weaver

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.

Shadow Weaver, pt. 1 (PG)
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

Fade into a blue sky. A few clouds mar the otherwise pure scene, until Fractyl, Terrorsaur, and Lazorbeak, all in beast mode, rush past. We pan above them to reveal an extremely rugged terrain below. The mountains resemble the Rocky Mountains or perhaps Himalayas from above.

Fractyl: We're close, we're definitely close. My scanners are picking up tri- titanium ore in a much larger quantity than Megatron even hoped for.

Lazorbeak (bored): Let's just get this over with.

Terrorsaur (bored): Right, I've got better things to do than shoot the slag with you over some stupid rocks.

Fractyl: More than rocks, Terrorsaur, but a light and very durable metal. If I'm right, they'll be enough there for Megatron, and several other projects.

Terrorsaur: What kind of projects?

Lazorbeak: Weapons, armor?

Fractyl: MaybeŠ but I was thinking of a possible shield against the energon overloads. I need to experiment with this alloy some to see if it would be viable, however.

Terrorsaur: Then find this rock so we can go home.

Lazorbeak: Got it, bearing three-forty by three fifty-seven, about three thousand meters distant.

Fractyl: Close, Fractyl, terrorize!

Fractyl transforms to his robot mode and lands on a rock outcropping. Lazorbeak and Terrorsaur land but don't bother reverting their forms. Fractyl takes out a portable scanner and begins looking over the surrounding terrain.

Fractyl: Four tons of material here. This is more than I dared imagine existed in one place.

Lazorbeak and Terrorsaur exchange dubious looks, and finally transform. Fractyl uses his shoulder-lasers to neatly blast aside some of the surrounding rock. In a moment, a shiny white- silver surface is revealed. It is very smooth, very unlike the surrounding rocks.

Terrorsaur (relived): You found it.

Fractyl: You don't get it, Terrorsaur. I shouldn't have found any. This alloy does not occur in nature. It shouldn't be here at all, much less this amount.

Terrorsaur (daunted): Then someone put it here, those aliens that built that citadel?

Lazorbeak: A likely candidate. But I fail to see the logic behind this.

Fractyl: Well, we have our own needs and orders. Help me start cutting this thing.

As Fractyl starts to fire again, a blast hits him in the back. Fractyl yelps out and falls as the two other Predacons turn around, stunned. Terrorsaur and Lazorbeak draw their weapons, and look for a target, and find none.

Terrorsaur: Fractyl, are youŠ

Terrorsaur trails off as we turn back around and see that Fractyl is now missing. Terrorsaur and Lazorbeak exchange worried looks as we cut to Maximal Headquarters. Airazor and Optimus Primal, robot modes, are in conversation. Rattrap and Packrat, both in beast mode, nibble on some fruit nearby.

Optimus Primal: Are you sure that was the direction that they were headed?

Airazor: No doubt about it. I followed those three over a hundred kilometers. Even if they did notice me they didn't seem to care too much. Enough to hurt a girl's ego.

Packrat (chewing): By why the mountains? They've never been interested in that area before.

Optimus Primal: Megatron has been using more and more of his forces to gather resources and materials lately. Even though he has the advantage, he hasn't seemed too interested in attack us for the moment.

Rattrap: Thank Primus for small favors. So, what you think he's up to?

Optimus Primal (sighing): I don't know. Whatever it is, it sounds like it's pretty big. Airazor, think you can get back out there? If I'm right, Fractyl's expedition will take awhile to locate and ship the resources he needs. If we know what he's taking, we might have a chance on guessing Megatron's game.

Airazor: Shouldn't be a problem.

Packrat: Um, no. Sorry, Airazor, but this is not your line of work. Besides, now that the Predacons have probably reached their target, they'll be just waiting to nail any incoming fliers.

Optimus Primal: What did you have in mind, Packrat?

Rattrap (worried): I don't like the sound of thisŠ

Packrat: Well, for sneak-type work, who better than the rats?

Optimus Primal: Good point. Rattrap, you feel up to it?

Rattrap: And I suppose if I said 'no'?

Optimus Primal: You would be going anyway.

Rattrap: Well of course. In that case I couldn't be more ready. Once again, the brave hero throws his little pink tail on the line for the cause.

Optimus Primal (chuckling): Don't worry, Rattrap. You can handle it. I'll fly you both out there, just outside of their scanner's range, and then have B'Boom meet me. If either of you get in trouble, call us and we'll come to help.

Airazor: I'll come too.

Optimus Primal: Thank you but no. Too many troops moving in that direction will attract too much attention. Besides, you've put in some serious overtime already. Get yourself recharged and stick around the base until you hear from us.

Airazor (saddened): Understood.

Cut to Predacon Headquarters. Megatron, robot mode, is reclining in his hot tub, watching the main viewer. A schematic of the Axalon is displayed on screen. We see a Maximal symbol depart from the front of the ship. Megatron smiles.

Computer: Maximal unit Optimus Primal has left the Axalon. Course consistent with desired coordinates.

Megatron: Good, the Maximals continue to follow the time. Estimated time for him to reach Fractyl's location?

Computer: Four point six megacycles.

Megatron: Excellent. Are all other Predacons at their required missions?

Computer: Negative. Unit Tarantulas has failed to report to Sector Zeta.

Megatron (growling): Blast that treacherous arachnid. No doubt he intends to uncover my scheme as well, yes. Computer, locate Tarantulas.

Computer: Unable to comply. Tarantulas's transponder signal is being jammed.

Megatron (aback): It's jammed? Confirm that.

Computer: Confirmation complete. Frequency has been nullified.

We focus in on Megatron, who appears to consider this new bit of information very seriously. He looks at the computer screen again and smiles.

Megatron: Very interesting, yes. It appears a new player has taken the field. I should look into this personally, yes.

As Megatron steps from his bath, we cut to Lazorbeak and Terrorsaur each in their robot modes, looking over the rocky area around them. Both of them seem very frustrated, and are in the middle of fanning out in their search.

Terrorsaur (annoyed): This is pointless. He can't have just vanished.

Lazorbeak: Looks like he did just that. My scanners detect nothing on long range.

Terrorsaur: Then he's gone. We should report back to Megatron.

Lazorbeak: Report what? Tell him that we lost Fractyl, and that we couldn't get the ore without him. I'm sure he would be really happy with us.

Terrorsaur: I'm not terribly thrilled at the moment myself.

Lazorbeak growls, and levels his handgun at Terrorsaur, who gulps audibly. Terrorsaur takes a step back, expecting a fight, but Lazorbeak realizes what he's doing and lowers his weapon. Terrorsaur relaxes some as Lazorbeak shakes his head.

Lazorbeak: We keep looking. Got it?

Terrorsaur: RightŠ but where should we look? We've searched everywhere.

Lazorbeak: Obviously we haven't. He's got to be around here somewhere.

Pan underground, into a dimly lit cave. We see various salvaged pieces of equipment, and a pile of energon cubes stacked neatly into one corner. We hear something moving and shifting inside. We pan over, and see Fractyl, robot mode, tied from the ceiling, and struggling with his bonds.

Fractyl (weakly): Who is doing this to me? Who are you?

Shadow Panther (off camera): You do not understand your situation. You aren' t the one to be asking questions. You are to answer them. And I have several.

Fractyl: I am Fractyl, Predacon geo-chemist. That is all I am authorized to tell you.

Shadow Panther (off camera): I don't care what you are authorized to tell me. You will be answering my questions.

Shadow Panther, robot mode, and steps into view. He raises his gun and fires a low bolt of energy into Fractyl. The Predacon prisoner screams out and then struggles more with his bonds. Shadow Panther places his cannon aside, and looks curiously over.

Shadow Panther: The Predacons have been busy. All those resources you've been stealing. Megatron's been keeping those files secret. I was hoping that you could explain things for me.

Fractyl: I am not authorizedŠ

Shadow Panther steps forward and slugs Fractyl across the face. Fractyl sucks in a breath, as fuel starts to drip out of him. Shadow Panther then quietly returns to his seat. Again, Fractyl attempts to pull free from the ropes that bind him, but to no avail. Shadow Panther sits down, and looks up, almost admirably.

Shadow Panther: You know I'm not good at this. I can hunt, I can scheme, and I can trap. But normally I kill my prey after that. But you're a special case, and I rather like you. Most of the other troops Megatron has would have already begged for mercy or screamed or something. But you are taking this all real well. I thank you for that, it means that I'm improving.

Fractyl (weakly): Slag off, Maximal.

Shadow Panther (smiling): Oh, is that it? You think I'm a Maximal?

Fractyl is stunned by the statement, and stops his struggling for a moment. Shadow Panther crosses his arms and looks over his victim. After a confused silence, Fractyl finally speaks up again.

Fractyl: What?

Shadow Panther: No, I'm a Predacon, like you. My name is Shadow Panther. Nice to meet a comrade in arms, isn't it?

Fractyl: Never heard of youŠ you're lying.

Shadow Panther (chuckling): Why would I lie to you?

Fractyl: Maybe to get me to talk? I don't know what you're thinking. It won' t work, whatever it is. I'll reveal nothing.

Shadow Panther: Well if you doubt meŠ

Tarantulas (off camera): Then perhaps I can clear up this matter. Tarantulas terrorize!

Tarantulas appears, already transforming from his spider mode to robot form. He begins his usual mad chuckle for a moment as he steps forward to view Fractyl. The prisoner's optics flare in rage as he pulls at his bonds more fiercely than before, hoping to break them to strangle Tarantulas.

Fractyl (screaming): Traitor!

Shadow Panther looks over to the new arrival, seemingly impassive. Tarantulas just looks at the bound Fractyl, and laughs again as we fade to black.

Shadow Weaver, pt. 2 (PG)
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

Fade into a rocky mountain scene. From above, Optimus Primal, robot mode, flies with the two rats, Rattrap and Packrat, hanging on for dear life. Primal makes a wide arc and finally finds a good landing spot for the three of them.

Rattrap: Hey, monkey-bot, take it easier on the turbulence next time. My tail's bruised.

Optimus Primal: Wouldn't have been so bad if you and Packrat would weren't spending the entire trip squirming and fighting.

Packrat: Rattrap was just ticked that I got the comfy spot.

Rattrap: Right, kiddo, stealing seats now are we?

Packrat: Why worry, Ratty, you've got enough 'seat' for both of us.

Rattrap: Oh that's it. You come here, pal.

Optimus Primal shakes his head and reverts to beast mode as Rattrap gives a rather cute 'dukes up' stance in his rat mode. Packrat stands on his hind legs, apparently ready.

Optimus Primal (sighing): That's enough, both of you. You've got a mission to perform, remember?

Rattrap (dismissively): Yeah yeah, just as soon as I teach junior over who's in charge.

Optimus Primal: That would be me, Rattrap.

Rattrap takes a pause a moment to look at Optimus, and notices that he is not very pleased. Rattrap shrugs and backs down, as does Packrat.

Optimus Primal: Both of you be careful. We know that three Predacons are out there. If there's any trouble, you know what to do.

Packrat: Scream and yell, got it. Be back soon.

Rattrap and Packrat share a soft chuckle as they head from Optimus Primal, who just shakes his head at the two of them.

Optimus Primal: One rat was bad enough.

Cut to the rocky mountain, with Lazorbeak and Terrorsaur, both in beast mode, now circling above, looking for any traces. Lazorbeak performs as dazzling feat of aerial agility as he rushes through outcroppings and broken stone arches as he continues his search. Terrorsaur is being a little bit more pragmatic.

Terrorsaur: Useless, absolutely useless. I can't find anything with all these rocks around.

Lazorbeak (dawning): The rocks...

Terrorsaur: You find something?

Lazorbeak: No, but maybe. You remember when Fractyl said that the alloy we wanted could be a shield against the energon?

Terrorsaur: I get it, if it can stop energon radiation, it could stop our scanners as well.

Lazorbeak: Come on, back to the site.

Cut to Shadow Panther's cave. Tarantulas is shaking his head, in robot, at the now unconscious form of Fractyl, still bound in robot mode. Shadow Panther remains impassive, now as a panther, and pads around his lair.

Tarantulas (fuming): Nothing! I got nothing out of him.

Shadow Panther: And this surprises you? Fractyl is one of the most loyal of troops in his way. He isn't the kind to divulge secrets under pressure.

Tarantulas: My interrogations have never failed before. MY venom should have had him singing like a chirp-bird. Now he's just dead mass. Get rid of him.

Shadow Panther: Since when do you give me orders? Besides, there are two more Predacons out there, and neither of them are particularly brave. We might still be able to find something out.

Tarantulas (fuming): I want the very parts that he's collecting, and that includes the armoring of this cave.

Shadow Panther: I know that. I would like to know why you wish to strip down my lair.

Tarantulas (chuckling): Because we're doomed.

Shadow Panther: So I've heard.

Tarantulas: Then do as I say, and bring me the other Predacons. I need that information.

Shadow Panther growls, and disappears from view, turning invisible before Tarantulas's very optics.

Tarantulas turns, pleased with himself.

Tarantulas: Now maybe that stupid cat might get his work done, then I'm closer to getting off this stupid mud-ball.

Tarantulas turns around again, and sees Shadow Panther, robot mode cannon leveled at him. Tarantulas takes a half-step back as the Predacon warrior steps forward.

Shadow Panther: This world is doomed, and you plan to leave us here.

Tarantulas: What of it? Megatron has his own scheme, I'm sure.

Shadow Panther: Which you plan to disrupt. Why else would you need his information so badly?

Tarantulas brings his claws together tightly, watching his opponent carefully.

Tarantulas: I am your creator, you must help me.

Shadow Panther: I already did. I just don't see my creator returning the favor.

Tarantulas (chuckling): Such is the way of the world, Panther.

Shadow Panther moves to fire, but Tarantulas is too quick. Tarantulas fires off his leg cannons point blank at Shadow Panther, who is knocked back. Shadow Panther misfires, sending a bolt harmlessly into the wall.

Before Shadow Panther can fully recover, Tarantulas gets the drop on him, standing over him with his missile launcher at the ready.

Tarantulas: You're not useful anymore, pussycat.

Shadow Panther: Depends on whom you ask.

Shadow Panther again disappears from view in front of Tarantulas. Tarantulas fires, but the shot merely hits the ground harmlessly. He looks around, and realizes that his creation has gone.

Tarantulas: No, he'll ruin everything.

Tarantulas rushes for the main door to the place, a wall resembling the metal Fractyl found earlier, and opens it. Daylight shines in as we cut to Lazorbeak and Terrorsaur, rushing down on the opening cave door in beast mode.

Terrorsaur: There's the door, where our rock was. Terrorsaur, terrorize!

Lazorbeak: Lazorbeak, terrorize!

Tarantulas, spider mode, scurries out just as the two Predacons get a bead on him. Tarantulas pauses in mid step just as the two Predacons open fire on him.

Tarantulas (surprised): Wait! What are you doing?

Lazorbeak (angered): Where's Fractyl, traitor?

Tarantulas: He's inside, unconscious.

Tarantulas calls out, again transforming to robot mode as the two Predacon flyers arc around, continuing to strafe. Tarantulas leaps behind some nearby rocks for cover.

Lazorbeak: Then you admit your acts.

Tarantulas (quickly): It wasn't me, idiot, I found him inside. There is a rogue Maximal nearby. He's the one you should worry about.

Terrorsaur: A likely story.

Tarantulas: I swear to you, help me terminate him before he kills us all.

Terrorsaur: All right. Who is this mystery Maximal then?

Tarantulas: I got his name. Shadow Panther. He's still very nearby, and very dangerous.

Lazorbeak: All right. I don't trust you, but we'll take him out.

Pull pack behind some rock outcroppings to reveal Packrat and Rattrap, beast modes, watching the scene before them. They exchange glances to one-another.

Rattrap (whispering): Shadow Panther, the one Cheetor told us about.

Packrat (whispering): Looks like he's got a worse PR agent than you do.

Rattrap (whispering): Great. At least we know why they're here.

Packrat (whispering): That's right, we do.

Packrat steps back and scurries off, Rattrap turns and is about to call out, but thinks better of it. He shakes his head in frustration.

Rattrap (sighing): Stupid kid, real stupid.

Rattrap looks up and sees two shadows move overhead.

Rattrap: Uh-oh.

Cut to Terrorsaur and Lazorbeak, searching the area below them. Both have their blasters ready. Neither see anyone other than themselves.

Terrorsaur: Fan out, cover more ground.

Lazorbeak: Watch your back.

Terrorsaur: This 'Shadow' doesn't frighten me.

Terrorsaur arcs downward, closer to the surface as Lazorbeak pulls away.

Lazorbeak (to himself): Then he's in rare company.

As Lazorbeak finishes his thought, he seems a hint of something move past. He lands carefully, shoulder cannons and handgun ready. He steps forward, and sees another shadow move between the rocks. He very quietly steps forward.

Lazorbeak (whispering): I have you now.

Rattrap (from behind): Yep, right where I want you. Rattrap, Maximize!

Lazorbeak turns as Rattrap finishes his transformation sequence. Lazorbeak gets off a few shots, but Rattrap was ready, and dives aside, firing into the Predacon square in the chest. Lazorbeak stammers, and falls back, unconscious.

Rattrap: One down, a whole mess to go.

Shadow Panther (darkly, off camera): Indeed.

Rattrap leaps aside, knowing what's coming. Shadow Panther, panther mode, leaps from behind another outcropping and pounces near. Rattrap, wisely runs, but Shadow Panther is in his element, and leaps again, knocking Rattrap over hard into a rock. The Predacon bats Rattrap's head down firmly, knocking him out cold.

Shadow Panther: You are lucky, Maximal. I cannot risk the expense in terminating you properly. Enjoy your reprieve.

Cut to Tarantulas, back again in spider mode, spinning a large web-sack near the cave entrance. Again, he cackles lightly.

Tarantulas: Morons, all of them. It doesn't matter, I can swipe just enough of this precious alloy for my purposes, and leave them all to their fate.

We pan over and see Packrat, rat mode, stalking closer as Tarantulas begins cutting into the rock face. The spider slices off a few slivers of the alloy and uses his legs to place it into the web-sack.

Packrat: Maximize, stealth mode.

Packrat transforms to his robot mode, and draws his handgun. Tarantulas is oblivious to his presence as Packrat fires. Tarantulas shudders and steps back with his bounty.

Tarantulas (surprised): What? Maximals? Here?

Packrat (smirking): It's okay, spider, I'm just here to take some of that stuff myself.

Tarantulas (cackling): A common thief, amusing.

Packrat: Just back away and let me do my job, and you don't get hurt.

Tarantulas laughs wildly at this, and leaps forward. Packrat fires, but the spider is too quick, and bites into the would-be thief.

Tarantulas: Feel my venom in your fuel. Feel your circuits freeze up.

Packrat (struggling): Not, going there...

It's not any good, though. Packrat shudders and then collapses as the toxin finally overtakes him. Packrat's gun slips out of his hand, and Tarantulas cackles with glee.

Tarantulas (laughing): A pity I can't feed on you now. But I'll be back for my meal. Be sure of that.

Cut to Terrorsaur, robot mode, hovering over another area of rock.

Terrorsaur: Terrorsaur to Lazorbeak, I've found something.

Silence.

Terrorsaur: Tarantulas?

Silence.

Terrorsaur (undaunted): Okay, I get all the glory to myself.

Terrorsaur lands in the clearing, and looks around carefully. As before, we see movement, then nothing.

Terrorsaur's optics look around the area once more. He looks behind him suddenly, and fires. He looks, and sees a blast mark where a rock used to be.

Terrorsaur: Slag, I must be seeing things.

Terrorsaur lowers his handgun and takes a few steps over to the blasted rock. We hear a soft crunch, but Terrorsaur doesn't appear to pay any attention to it. We see Terrorsaur mouth the words 'one' , 'two' , and 'three' to himself, and turn around firing.

Terrorsaur: Won't get me, Maximal.

Shadow Panther, beast mode, rushes out of the way as Terrorsaur nearly hits him with the cannon bolts.

The Predacon stealth warrior rolls and rights himself into robot mode, and fires back, sending a few shots into the rocks around Terrorsaur, none connect.

Terrorsaur (taunting): Nothing to fear from those rocks anymore.

Shadow Panther: Must you talk so much?

Terrorsaur: It helps me concentrate.

Terrorsaur fires again, this time hitting Shadow Panther directly. Shadow Panther spins and raises his weapons again, smoke coming from a new wound in his arm.

Shadow Panther: Then have this to think about.

Shadow Panther brings up both weapons, and catches Terrorsaur in the crossfire. Terrorsaur stammers back from the two hits, which are followed by two more. Terrorsaur falls back, his optics dimming out.

Shadow Panther: You could have been worse... but you also could have been a great deal better.

Shadow Panther steps over and, for a moment, raises his weapon to finish Terrorsaur off. He decides not to, however, and lowers his gun.

Shadow Panther: No. You are a fellow Predacon, and I've killed more of my own than Maximals. Only one more Predacon will die by these paws. And that is my supposed creator.

We focus in on Shadow Panther and fade to black.

Shadow Weaver, pt. 3 (PG)
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

Fade in, Optimus Primal, robot mode, is landing at the rocky mountain. On his back is B'Boom, beast mode. Primal has some difficulty remaining stable, but rights himself as B'Boom leaps off.

Optimus Primal: Sometime, we're investing in a good aerial transport. These passenger flights are killing me.

B'Boom: There's been a battle here, leader. Ozone still pollutes the are around us.

Optimus Primal: Not surprising, considering our communications were jammed. Looks like the Predacons set up a trap.

B'Boom: Rattrap! Packrat! If you can hear B'Boom, you answer.

Rattrap (weakly, off camera): Quit yelling, please.

Optimus Primal rushes over to a rock clearing, where Rattrap, robot mode, is covered with energon flares and struggling to get up.

Optimus Primal: Can you still transform?

Rattrap: I think so, hold on a second.

Rattrap converts to his beast mode, in a bit of a stumbling motion. Optimus Primal betrays a notable look of relief as B'Boom steps over to join them.

Optimus Primal: What happened? And where's Packrat?

Rattrap: Stupid blue-boy went to rip off what the Predacons were here for.

B'Boom: Then what happened to you?

Rattrap: Shadow Panther nailed me. Of course I took out that scale-bird Lazorbeak before I went down.

B'Boom: B'Boom not like this. If Predacons win, then why Rattrap still function?

Rattrap: Thank you so very much.

Optimus Primal: No, he's got a right to his concerns. Let's go see if Packrat is all right.

Cut to mountain base. Tarantulas is in beast mode, scurrying off with his prize. Behind him, seemingly unnoticed, Shadow Panther stalks him. Tarantulas laughs quietly to himself, and rounds a corner.

Tarantulas (to himself): This is too much.

Shadow Panther (quietly): Terrorize.

Shadow Panther transforms to robot mode and fires at Tarantulas. Tarantulas deftly leaps aside however and transforms himself. Shadow Panther follows through with a few more shots, but is unable to get a bead on the Predacon spider.

Tarantulas: You underestimate me, pussycat. I'm not done yet.

Shadow Panther: I will destroy you and your schemes.

Tarantulas: Oh, will you now?

Tarantulas cackles and fires off a burst of machine-gun fire from his legs. Shadow Panther leaps aside and fires back, scoring one hit onto Tarantulas's chest. Tarantulas seems unfazed, however, and steps forward.

More daunted now, Shadow Panther turns invisible.

Tarantulas: Doesn't that trick of yours get old?

Tarantulas taps his helmet, lowering his infrared visor down. Through his optics, we see a large shape coming right at him.

Tarantulas: Particularly since it does not work.

Tarantulas fires, point blank, into Shadow Panther, who reappears and falls back, damaged. Tarantulas takes out his hand-cannon, but Shadow Panther leaps for cover behind the trees. As Tarantulas takes his closing steps, we cut to Optimus Primal, Rattrap, and B'Boom, all in beast mode, stepping up to the cave entrance.

Rattrap: He's got to be here somewhere.

Optimus Primal: He is, right here.

We pan over and see Packrat covered in spider's webbing. Rattrap shudders as B'Boom tranforms to his robot mode, and then uses a flame-thrower from his chest-mounted arsenal to burn the webbing off of Packrat. Packrat falls over, immediately reverting to beast mode, though still smoking.

Packrat: Thanks. I think.

Optimus Primal: So, what's your story?

Packrat: I tried to steal a sample of the tri-titanium here to take back to base. Tarantulas got the drop on me.

Rattrap: I could have told you that would happen.

Optimus Primal: All right, I think we got what we needed. How hurt are the two of you?

Rattrap: A headache the size of Metroplex, but otherwise fine.

Packrat: Tired. I'm not going to be much good for much longer.

Optimus Primal: That's what I figured. B'Boom, take as much of this ore as you can carry and return to base immediately. The Predacons are still out here, somewhere.

Rattrap: They're a bit busy though. From what I gather, Tarantulas is trying to kill one of them.

Packrat (shrugging): Like he did me?

Rattrap: Don't laugh at it kiddo. I've been in some scrapes with Tarantulas. Looks like Shadow Panther is one kitty in serious trouble.

Cut to Shadow Panther, staggering back from another blast from Tarantulas. Both Predacons are in beast mode. Tarantulas swings his leg up and around, smashing hard into Shadow Panther's chest. Shadow Panther falls on his back, fuel leaking from him.

Tarantulas (cackling): And you were going to try to kill me today?

Shadow Panther (weakling): You've given me enough reasons.

Tarantulas: Is that any way to treat your elders?

Shadow Panther: You're mad. More than even Megatron or Transquito ever could be. To think I helped you. I was a fool.

Tarantulas: At least you're a big enough kitty to admit it.

Shadow Panther (defiant): Just get it over with.

Tarantulas: Now why should I do that? I've got a rat waiting for me. He would make an excellent appetizer before I have you as my main course.

Shadow Panther: I'm not going to let you win this way, Tarantulas. I promise you that.

Tarantulas laughs and levels his cannon at Shadow Panther. The downed Predacon shifts slightly, not knowing when Tarantulas might truly finish him off.

Tarantulas: What choice to you have?

Shadow Panther moves back only slightly, then uses his remaining strength to leap aside once. Tarantuls turns and fires, missing, by only barely. Shadow Panther leaps past another rock face, and off the side of the mountain, turning invisible one last time as he falls.

Tarantulas (growling): No!

Tarantulas opens fire into the air, but there is nothing to shoot at anymore.

Shadow Panther has once again disappeared.

Cut to the cave. Fractyl is still in robot mode, and still bound. A dark shape moves into the light, and steps into the cave. Fractyl, now again conscious, looks up.

Fractyl: Who is there? Back to finish me?

Megatron: Fractyl, you function. That is pleasing news, yes.

Fractyl (relieved): Megatron.

Megatron, robot mode, steps forward, and uses his pincer to shred the binds around Fractyl. Fractyl falls limp once freed, but he manages to slowly right himself.

Megatron: Who did this?

Fractyl (weakly): Tarantulas.

Megatron: As I expected. Still, I'm rather surprised would risk such a step.

Fractyl (downcast): I failed you.

Megatron: No at all. You uncovered the depths of Tarantulas's treachery. We have our supply of tri-titanium. I would say, in truth, that today was another good day, yes.

Fractyl: What about Tarantulas?

Megatron: I need him to finish playing out his hand, yes. In other words, you do not remember what happened in this cave. Just that someone captured you and you were knocked unconscious. Is that understood?

Fractyl: Perfectly, sir.

Megatron: And so the game continues. I wonder how many cards Tarantulas has left to him.

Cut to Maximal Headquarters. Rattrap, Rhinox, Dinobot, and Optimus Primal, all in robot mode, stand looking over the monitors and readouts as Rhinox works in a few sequences.

Dinobot: I should have been there. A victory would have been assured.

Optimus Primal: That's why you weren't there. This isn't a battle, Dinobot, it's merely intelligence gathering. Do I have to explain that to you again?

Dinobot: Intelligence. It is not intelligence to allow Megatron to gather the pieces he needs for whatever he is building. Release me from my punishment, Optimus, and let me strike.

Optimus Primal: Not yet, Dinobot. You've still got three weeks left.

Dinobot (growling): Punished like a child.

Rattrap: Stop acting like one, then, chopper-face.

Optimus Primal: Anyway... Rhinox, do you find out anything about those components yet?

Rhinox: All the components we know that Megatron has gathered can be used in a large assortment of devices and equipment. Everything from star-drives to plasma-cannons can be built with what he's taken. There's no way to no for sure.

Optimus Primal: Knowing Megatron it's either some way to take our stasis pods or a weapon of some sort.

Dinobot: Or perhaps something more sinister. Something related to the alien artifacts, perhaps?

Optimus Primal (sighing): And no way to know for sure. That's just Prime.

Dinobot: We will know soon enough, Optimus. This overt action of Megatron indicates that he is nearing the end of his plan. Which means that if we don't act soon, he will be victorious.

Optimus Primal: If it was just to beat us, I would agree. But he's had the advantage for some time now. Why bother with some other scheme?

Rattrap: Because he's nuts?

Optimus Primal: If only that were so, Rattrap. If only that were so.

Cut to Megatron and Fractyl, alone in a lab in the Predacon Headquarters. Both are in robot mode.

Megatron stands, almost anxious.

Megatron: Can it be done? Do we have enough?

Fractyl: Everything we need. I can start at any time.

Megatron: Then do it, yes. This... device must be completed soon. I have a schedule to maintain.

Fractyl: Quite right. It will be ready.

Megatron: The spiders spin their webs, but webs can be cut. And this, Fractyl, will be the knife, yes.

Megatron laughs darkly as we cut to the monitor. We see various schematics, and three circles linked together to a forth. Each labeled with Predacon writing on them. Megatron's laughing reflection fills the viewer as we fade to black.

The End