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Sparks
by Neale Davidson (tfneale@home.com)

ACT ONE

The Gigaplex seems darker and colder than normal. MEGASTORM sits in quiet thought, alone, in the main control room. He’s interrupted by GIGASCOUTER and AUTOLAUNCHER, who quietly approach him in their robot modes. GIGASCOUTER seems pleased, though AUTOLAUNCHER betrays concern for his old comrade.

GIGASCOUTER: Thrust and Dirge have reported nothing, commander. BB, Starscream, and Galvatron seem to have been destroyed in the temple explosion.

MEGASTORM (distant): You believe that?

AUTOLAUNCHER: It’s been nearly a week now. No word from any of them, Megastorm. They would have contacted us by now.

GIGASCOUTER: They would have at least sought repairs.

MEGASTORM: There was a girl with them. She can heal.

AUTOLAUNCHER: You should be happy. Galvatron is gone, and you’re clearly in command now. The Maximals are still repairing their damage, and our energon collection is at full speed. This is a good day, Megastorm.

MEGASTORM: Galvatron lives.

MEGASTORM stands, and looks to them both, taking in a deep breath and crossing his arms. GIGASCOUTER shakes his head, but AUTOLAUNCHER maintains his expression of concern.

AUTOLAUNCHER: There was nothing left of the temple. How can you be so sure?

MEGASTORM (distant): I’m sure.

GIGASCOUTER: I see. Well, with such concerns, you’ll be pleased to know that the Gigaplex is completely operational. Transformation systems are included, and we can go mobile at any time.

AUTOLAUNCHER: If your concerned that Galvatron’s coming back, we could move.

MEGASTORM: No. We’re not going to hide from him. We face him.

GIGASCOUTER: I see. And you’ve spent all this time developing this suicide strategy?

AUTOLAUNCHER: If Galvatron were at full strength, he would be back by now. He wouldn’t risk coming here damaged, not with us ready for him.

GIGASCOUTER: Assuming, of course, that he is alive at all.

MEGASTORM (annoyed): If he is, Gigascouter, he’ll head for another large concentration of Angolmois, somewhere on the ley lines. That’s where we’ll strike.

AUTOLAUNCHER: Agreed.

GIGASCOUTER: Very well. There are several probable locations, commander. Which one would Galvatron choose?

MEGASTORM: The largest.

In the Gung Ho, LIO CONVOY is having similar thoughts to MEGASTORM. He lies back, still recovering from his wounds as APACHE and BIG HORN both enter. LIO CONVOY sits up, composing himself for his subordinates.

LIO CONVOY: Your report?

APACHE: Repairs are nearly done, Lio. Just some minor bugs to work out here and there.

LIO CONVOY: Any sign of Galvatron?

BIG HORN: Not since the explosion. He must have been destroyed in it.

LIO CONVOY (sighing): I wish I knew that were true.

APACHE: He couldn’t have lived.

LIO CONVOY (grimly): It’s possible. The Angolmois itself may have kept him alive, even when it self- destructed around him.

BIG HORN: There’s a pleasant thought.

APACHE: At any rate, he and the other Predacons have been out of action long enough to our wounds licked. That’s something.

BIG HORN: What about Artemis and Moon?

LIO CONVOY (distant): I don’t know. If they are still alive, I would think that they would contact me. I don’t know what’s happened to them.

APACHE: I’ll send DJ to fly over and see if he can spot them for you, Lio.

LIO CONVOY: All right, but keep the Jointrons together. Even without Galvatron, the Predacons are still a threat. I don’t want to risk losing anyone.

APACHE: Of course.

APACHE turns and takes his leave, BIG HORN draws in a breath, and steps over closer to LIO CONVOY, shaking his head.

BIG HORN: You really think he’s still out there somewhere?

LIO CONVOY: No Maximal caused that explosion, Big Horn. Artemis and Moon wouldn’t dare risk it.

BIG HORN: But Galvatron?

LIO CONVOY: I don’t know, Big Horn. I really don’t know. I just wish Artemis could tell me what happened in there.

Limestone structures surround a gently flowing stream of water. A soft glow betrays the nature of the stream as an Angolmois ley line. MOON’s rabbit form scans over it, fully repaired now, then kneels down to drink from it. BB, behind him, stands watch. MOON doesn’t look pleased with his company.

MOON (annoyed): Don’t you have some innocent people to be marauding? Some planet to plunder?

BB: Negative.

MOON (sighing): I suppose I should thank you for getting us away.

BB: Roger.

MOON: Ah. Thank you.

BB: Roger.

MOON shakes his head and sighs, standing again and transforming. BB doesn’t change his expression or stance, content to just keep watch over the area.

MOON: Oh, Artemis, why did you have to leave me alone with him?

Hidden behind one of the structures, ARTEMIS and STARSCREAM are stepping together. Both are fully healed of the damage over them. ARTEMIS seems nervous, though STARSCREAM appears to keep his cool, looking at ARTEMIS every once in awhile.

STARSCREAM: I should report in to the Gigaplex soon.

ARTEMIS: Must you?

STARSCREAM: I’m still a Decepti – Predacon, after all, despite everything that’s happened.

ARTEMIS: You don’t have to be. You’re Vok, remember?

STARSCREAM (quietly): I’m still ‘Starscream’.

ARTEMIS: You’re not the same ‘Starscream’. You don’t have to be, not anymore.

STARSCREAM (scowling): You want to change me? Make me more acceptable? Is that it?

ARTEMIS: You don’t need to be a warrior, or a conqueror anymore. You’re past that.

STARSCREAM (annoyed): Past what? Why do you care, Vok? Aren’t you supposed to be above dealing with more mundane Transformers?

ARTEMIS (softly): I don’t know. As Vok I’m not even supposed to have these feelings, how can I hope to explain them to you?

STARSCREAM (sighing): I’ve been with more femmes than I remember, Artemis. It never works out. It never could. It’s not in me. I just use them – until they get in the way.

ARTEMIS (laughing): You’re in my way, Starscream.

STARSCREAM: Oh am I?

ARTEMIS: Moon and I are here to stop you from corrupting this planet.

STARSCREAM: With what? Your looks? Manipulating the Maximals?

ARTEMIS (sighing): This planet is too important to us, Starscream. I can’t let you corrupt it, or steal the Angolmois. I have to stop you.

STARSCREAM: So why did you heal me? You could have thrown me in stasis lock. BB couldn’t have stopped you.

ARTEMIS is taken aback by this, and steps back. She looks downcast a long moment, then looks back to him with softness. STARSCREAM’s composure does soften as well, and he steps forward to her, shaking his head.

STARSCREAM (whispering): You can’t love me. I’ll hurt you someday.

ARTEMIS: I do, and I know.

STARSCREAM: I should return to the Predacons.

STARSCREAM turns to leave, but ARTEMIS gently grabs his shoulder. He hesitates, then turns back. ARTEMIS moves closer to him, steeling herself.

ARTEMIS (softly): Not yet.

As the two embrace, the daylight of the shore turns to night.

ACT TWO

The morning jungle sky seems quiet. But something moves in it, betraying only a slight shimmer in the sky as it roars over the canopy. Only when a few trees sway from something large moving overhead does the cloaked Gung Ho give away its position. Inside, LIO CONVOY sits in the main command chair. His crew of APACHE, SCUBA, KID, DIVER, and BIG HORN are all at their stations.

KID: Ground scanners aren’t finding much. If Galvatron’s heading over here, he’s taking his time about it.

APACHE: He could be headed for another source – if he’s able to head anywhere at all.

LIO CONVOY: DJ found some remains, but not enough. He’s out here, somewhere.

APACHE: This source, though?

LIO CONVOY: It’s the largest one in scanning range. He’ll need a source this big to recover.

DIVER: We’ll be over the shore-line in five minutes.

LIO CONVOY nods to DIVER, who returns to his scanning duties. SCUBA looks over his readings again, then double-takes. KID and DIVER both look over with concern as SCUBA moves back.

SCUBA (worried): Lio, there’s something really big out there.

LIO CONVOY: Visual.

SCUBA nods and changes the main view to show the Gigaplex, moving in on their position. The assembled Maximals look on in awe as the large craft brings its cannons online. LIO CONVOY sits upright in his chair, narrowing his optics.

LIO CONVOY: The Predacon base.

DIVER (worried): Looks like they’ve upgraded.

KID: We were just both headed to the same place. They weren’t looking for us.

APACHE: Do they know that we’re here?

SCUBA: No, not yet. They’re not penetrating our cloak.

LIO CONVOY: Threat assessment.

SCUBA (awed): I would say major, sir. The Gung Ho can’t compete with that thing. It outguns us five to one, maybe a little more.

APACHE (worried): We’re not going to engage, are we?

LIO CONVOY looks at APACHE, then sinks back, resigned for now. He summons a breath, then turns back to the monitor, looking at the Gigaplex’s looming form, still drawing nearer. On another bridge, MEGASTORM looks out over the jungle terrain. THRUST, DIRGE, and the Autorollers remain on the bridge, looking out as well.

GIGASCOUTER (radio): No sign of Galvatron as of yet.

MEGASTORM: He’s coming this way. I know it.

GIGASCOUTER: Perhaps, but he’s not yet arrived.

MEGASTORM: Or we’re not looking the right way.

AUTOJETTER: What do you mean? Our scanners are peeled for Cybertronian alloys.

MEGASTORM: Exactly. The energon around might be masking the sensors.

AUTOJETTER (surprised): Enough to hide Galvatron?

MEGASTORM stands and steps to the main monitor, considering his options. He watches over the jungle canopy again, and nods his head before turning back to his command seat.

MEGASTORM: Gigascouter, change to scan for Angolmois energon.

GIGASCOUTER (radio): We’re over a large source now, commander.

MEGASTORM: I know. Scan for the corrupted type. Galvatron may have some remnants on him.

GIGASCOUTER: Interesting idea. I’ve detected some, however.

MEGASTORM: Locate, and target.

GIGASCOUTER: Targeting.

AUTOJETTER: Identification of target, commander!

MEGASTORM: Galvatron?

AUTOJETTER: Negative. It’s Starscream.

The Gigaplex moves away, causing SCUBA to let out a sigh of relief. He turns to his commander, indicating the ship. LIO CONVOY narrows his optics, unsure of this turn of events.

SCUBA: They’re moving away.

LIO CONVOY: I don’t like it. Move in.

APACHE (insistent): We move too close, they’ll see through the cloak.

LIO CONVOY: Right. Diver, move in but keep a safe distance.

DIVER (confused): What?

LIO CONVOY (sighing): Fly – casually.

On the shore, MOON paces around BB impatiently before ARTEMIS and STARSCREAM return from the broken structures. STARSCREAM looks up nervous as he does, sensing something amiss already.

MOON (scornful): Took you long enough.

ARTEMIS: We came to an understanding.

MOON: I see.

STARSCREAM: The Gigaplex is coming, BB. We should get going while we can.

BB: Roger.

MOON (flatly): Too late.

MOON points upward, showing the upcoming base ship flying low over the canopy. The Gigaplex’s main hatch opens, allowing AUTOJETTER, AUTOLAUNCHER, and MEGASTORM, all in their robot modes, to fly out and land near STARSCREAM’s position. ARTEMIS and MOON back away, unsure of what to expect.

MEGASTORM (bemused): Still with them, Starscream? You were supposed to report back to us.

MEGASTORM: Are you taken with her, Starscream?

STARSCREAM: What does it matter?

MEGASTORM (grimly): Though the claims neutrality, by trying to stop us, she’s allied herself to the Maximals, our enemies. That makes her an enemy as well.

STARSCREAM: You spared her once.

MEGASTORM: I spared her from only from Galvatron. But if you insist on keeping her alive, then it can only be as our prisoner.

MEGASTORM turns to ARTEMIS, who does now look a bit worried. MOON steps forward next to her, unsure of what is going to happen.

MEGASTORM: Make your choice, Starscream. It’s either her or you.

STARSCREAM lowers his optics, then turns to ARTEMIS. With more than a hint of regret, he raises his rifle, and fires a null ray blast into her. Both MOON and BB betray surprise as ARTEMIS freezes up and hits the ground quietly.

Aboard the Gung Ho, SCUBA turns from his scanning monitor quickly, alarm is etched on his face. The rest of the bridge crew is on edge, with the ship hovering a little too near the Gigaplex for comfort.

SCUBA (worried): Lio! It’s Artemis, she’s down there.

LIO CONVOY (concerned): Artemis. What’s happening?

SCUBA: Starscream’s got her. They’re taking her prisoner.

LIO CONVOY: We can’t allow that to happen.

DIVER: It was my grandfather’s dying wish –

LIO CONVOY (firmly): Not now! Apache, channel power from cloaking device to weapons.

APACHE (surprised): Say again?

LIO CONVOY: We cannot let the Predacons take Artemis. Engage the Predacon base.

KID (aside to Diver): Looks like you might be seeing your grandfather pretty soon.

Aboard the Gigaplex, THRUST and DIRGE man their stations, awaiting word from the ground. THRUST nods as he receives a communication from MEGASTORM, who is on his main viewer. AUTOCRASHER and AUTOSTINGER man other systems, maintaining the ship’s readiness. GIGASCOUTER, tied to the base’s very systems, observes it all.

THRUST: Megastorm reports that Starscream and BB are returning willingly, and that the two Vok agents are now in our custody.

GIGASCOUTER (on radio): Even without Galvatron, this still marks a good day.

AUTOSTINGER: Can it get any better than this?

DIRGE (quickly): Maximal scout craft is decloaking at close range.

GIGASCOUTER (on radio): Perhaps it can get better, after all.

THRUST: Coming around to attack, Scouter. This shouldn’t be a problem.

DIRGE: Death comes to those who interfere with us.

On the ground, STARSCREAM cradles ARTEMIS’s inert body, looking softly down at it. BB isn’t being nearly as affectionate to MOON, however, and pushes him on. MEGASTORM quickly turns, then sees the Gung Ho appearing out of the ether near the Gigaplex.

MEGASTORM (whispering): The Maximals.

STARSCREAM: They’re attempting to rescue these two.

MEGASTORM: Foolish of them. Very foolish.

MOON: They do what must be done.

MEGASTORM: It isn’t enough. Megastorm to Gigascouter, destroy that Maximal ship. We’ll keep the prisoners secured.

ARTEMIS (weakly): Starscream? How –

STARSCREAM (softly): I had no choice. I am either Decepticon or Predacon. Either way, I didn’t have a choice. You know that.

ARTEMIS (sadly): You’ve doomed us all.

ARTEMIS closes her optics, seeming about to cry when a brilliant flash of energy rips out from the Gigaplex and smashes into the Gung Ho. The battle begins.

ACT THREE

The Gun Ho falls to one side, thrown by the massive blast from the Predacon ship. Already, smoke and fumes start leaking in the main bridge. SCUBA is in command now, with DIVER and KID at their controls, frantically working to right the ship.

SCUBA (harried): Damage report!

KID (worried): Shields are down. Weapons are off-line. I think I can get the ship righted, though.

SCUBA (surprised): With one hit?

DIVER: It was energon. They fired corrupted Angolmois energon at us.

SCUBA: As a weapon? My Primus.

KID: She’s coming around again!

SCUBA: Pull us back. Get us out of range.

The Gung Ho starts to slip away as another blast rushes from the Gigaplex. Fortunately, the evasive maneuvers work, and the smaller scout craft narrowly ducks out of reach of another shot from the cannon. Sadly, strafing runs from the smaller guns connect, pelting the smaller ship with minor damage.

DIRGE: The follow-up shot missed.

THRUST: That’s because of your lousy aim, Dirge.

GIGASCOUTER (on radio): Enough bickering. They’re wounded already.

DIRGE: They’re trying to outmaneuver us.

GIGASCOUTER (on radio): Save the Angolmois cannon for a decisive shot. Concentrate on the minor guns for now.

Below, MEGASTORM watches the battle with a wry grin, crossing his arms. BB and AUTOLAUNCHER both step over, dragging MOON behind him as he does. MOON tries a rabbit-bite on BB, but the larger robot dismisses any pain it might have caused.

AUTOJETTER: It won’t be very long now.

BB: Roger.

AUTOLAUNCHER: I don’t like this. Not even Maximals would sacrifice themselves so foolishly. There must be another plan.

MEGASTORM: Agreed, keep your optics open.

As MEGASTORM begins to deduce what is happening, a barrage of missiles streaks in from all directions. BB is hit with most of them, and screams out as his armor ruptures from the heavy assault. He falls back, severely damaged, and drops MOON

MEGASTORM (gasping): Fools! We’re already under siege.

MOON quickly scampers over to STARSCREAM, and pummels him with a leaping attack. The Predacon flyer tries to hold onto ARTEMIS, but is taken too by surprise and drops her. He reaches out for her, but MOON wraps himself around her and they both fade away into nothingness.

STARSCREAM (whispering): Artemis.

LIO CONVOY (from afar): Predacons, surrender!

MEGASTORM: Lio Convoy. I’ve been waiting to test my mettle against you.

MEGASTORM smiles and rushes forward, spotting LIO CONVOY and transforming to his tank mode. LIO CONVOY quickly transforms to his lion mode and leaps aside away from the tank’s charge. He turns quickly and rips his claws into the tank’s side. MEGASTORM reacts with a growl, and by turning his main turret into LIO CONVOY’s direction.

MEGASTORM: Unskilled and undisciplined. You’re as raw as your troops, aren’t you?

MEGASTORM fires, sending a blast of energy into LIO CONVOY from point-blank range. LIO CONVOY falls back, smoke coming from his hide. He recovers quickly, however, leaping away from a follow-up attack and unleashing his missiles at MEGASTORM. The slower tank mode fails to dodge away, and is hit by the explosions.

AUTOLAUNCHER: BB, Autojetter, cover the prisoners. There may be more Maximals around.

STARSCREAM: They’ve already escaped, Launcher.

AUTOLAUNCHER (scornful): What?

As AUTOLAUNCHER is about to make an accusation, BIG HORN and APACHE rush out of the jungle in their beast modes, ramming into the already damaged BB and shutting him down. Finally, a Predacon falls into stasis lock from the battle. The results affect STARSCREAM as well, and he falls, severely weakened.

STARSCREAM (staggering): Autorollers, take out those Maximals.

AUTOLAUNCHER: Where are you going?

STARSCREAM: BB’s hurt. We must return to base.

AUTOLAUNCHER growls and looks to BB, who is down already as BIG HORN and APACHE move forward against AUTOJETTER, transforming as they do. AUTOJETTER pulls up, into the air, and starts to send missiles flying down to the ground.

AUTOLAUNCHER: Damn. Jetter, cover BB’s escape.

MEGASTORM transforms, and rushes forward against LIO CONVOY. The Maximal commander proves a little faster, however, blocks the oncoming melee attack with a well-placed claw. The blade cuts deep within MEGASTORM’s chest hull, causing him to stammer a moment.

LIO CONVOY: You’ve lost already.

MEGASTORM (weak, smirking): I underestimated you. I won’t make that mistake again. Predacons, pull away from the Maximals. We’ll let the Gigaplex finish off their ship and then destroy the survivors at our leisure.

MEGASTORM kicks at LIO CONVOY to break free, then leaps into the air. AUTOLAUNCHER seems reluctant, but the entire ground force takes to the skies, leaving APACHE, BIG HORN, and LIO CONVOY helpless to follow.

APACHE: Well, we won that part of it.

BIG HORN: That almost felt like a victory. It’s been such a long time, I’m not sure though.

LIO CONVOY: Let’s just hope that Scuba gets the Gung Ho to safety.

SCUBA, KID, and DIVER seem to be trying, but the ship is starting to break apart around them. Black smoke is filling the air. Most of the panels have shorted out. The Gigaplex continues on its relentless assault, using the smaller guns to wear them down.

KID (frantic): Lio says they’re all done down there.

SCUBA: About slaggin’ time. Diver, all power to the hyperdrive, now.

DIVER (worried): We’ll be vulnerable.

SCUBA (demanding): Do it!

The Gigaplex circles in again, this time lining up the main guns on the smaller ship. THRUST and DIRGE continue to open fire on the Gung Ho with the smaller guns, willing to kill the ship and her occupants slowly, if necessary.

THRUST: They’re power systems have fluctuated. Their damage is severe.

GIGASCOUTER (on radio): Then allow me to finish them off. Firing main cannon.

The Gigaplex again powers up and fires, but this time, the Gung Ho simply leaves. A trail of flame erupts where the ship once was as oxygen is ripped apart by the forces of a hyperwarp drive. The Gung Ho has gotten away.

THRUST: They’re gone!

GIGASCOUTER (on radio, screaming): No!

Near a series of cliffs and caves, far removed from the jungle and in the northern deserts, the Gung Ho rattles, shakes, then slides haphazardly along the desert floor. When she finally comes to rest, LIO CONVOY, APACHE, and BIG HORN are there waiting. They move forward to the ship. Eventually, LIO CONVOY confronts SCUBA on the ruined bridge.

LIO CONVOY: How bad?

SCUBA: This is the worst that the ship’s ever been damaged. It will be weeks, or months, before we can get her repaired again, if we can even repair her at all.

LIO CONVOY (sighing): Find me a weapon to use, then. We need something to fight the Gigaplex, as well as Galvatron.

SCUBA (resigned): Yes, sir.

LIO CONVOY: You did good, Scuba.

SCUBA: We’re out one ship. I’m not sure how good that is. Let’s just hope that the Predacons don’t find us until we have something up and running.

The Gigaplex, largely undamaged by the struggle, lands carefully back at its perch. MEGASTORM and GIAGASCOUTER confront STARSCREAM. None of the group looks particularly pleased to see one another at the moment.

MEGASTORM: Starscream. We failed to kill the Maximals. We failed to destroy their ship. We failed to capture the Vok. We not only tasted victory, but we had started to digest it. Somehow I sense you’re responsible for this failure.

STARSCREAM (snapping): Blame me for the Vok if you wish, but I had nothing to do with the Maximals or their ship. That failure belongs to Gigascouter, not me.

GIGASCOUTER: I had failed to take out their jump engines. The risks of using them in atmosphere were very high. I did not consider that they would actually take that risk.

MEGASTORM (firmly): The Maximals are desperate. They’ll use desperate measures. Remember that.

GIGASCOUTER: As for your failure, Starscream – What happened to the Vok?

MEGASTORM (darkly): Where did they go?

STARSCREAM: They teleported away. I couldn’t have stopped them.

GIGASCOUTER: Couldn’t or wouldn’t?

STARSCREAM (coolly): It was out of my hands.

MEGASTORM watches STARSCREAM a long moment, narrowing his optics, then finally deciding that his comrade is indeed telling the truth. He shakes his head, then turns away, leaving STARSCREAM to his thoughts.

STARSCREAM: Maybe it’s for the best.

ARTEMIS and MOON, for their part, have found another hiding place, near a pool of fresh Angolmois. ARTEMIS sits quietly a small chamber, hunched over. MOON steps in, in his ‘servant’ mode, and turns his attention to her when he enters.

MOON: You took a very stupid risk trusting Starscream. In his many millions of years of life, he’s seldom shown himself worthy of such trust.

ARTEMIS (quietly): This isn’t the same Starscream.

MOON: He thinks he is.

ARTEMIS turns, and lets out a faint smile. MOON steps over, studying over her carefully, unsure of what’s going through her thoughts.

ARTEMIS: I am in love with him.

MOON: I know.

ARTEMIS (quietly): I think he loves me.

MOON quietly shakes his head, and sits, regarding her for a long moment.

MOON: Maybe, as much as he can. It can’t work, Artemis. You know that.

ARTEMIS (softly): I know.

MOON lets out a confused growl, then stands, starting to step away.

MOON: Is there any doubt now that we have to side with the Maximals, and stop the Predacons before they interfere with the experiment directly?

ARTEMIS sighs softly. MOON shakes his head quietly and heads out of the room, leaving ARTEMIS alone. She looks down, and opens her hands. Between them is a familiar glow, that of a spark. This one, however, has freshly come on-line.