Beast Wars Anonymous:

The Mind's Eye
by Tigatron (Gtseng3@aol.com)

Ext - Desert - Night

TARANTULAS drives across the desert in motorcycle mode.

COMPUTER
Warning. Heat at dangerous levels.

TARANTULAS
What is the temperature of the cargo?

COMPUTER
Temperature in cargo area is at normal levels.

TARANTULAS
Excellent. My passenger is safe.

COMPUTER
Attention. Stasis pod detected. Bearing 235 mark 2.

TARANTULAS
(Chuckling)
Exactly as I calculated. Poor Megatron, he still believes I came here to find energon.

Tarantulas drives away, still cackling.

Ext - Desert - Day

TARANTULAS drives up to a stasis pod and transforms.

COMPUTER
Protoform is in emergency stasis.

TARANTULAS
Perfect. It will be so much easier to program that way.

Tarantulas fiddles with the stasis pod, reprogramming it as a Predicon, as well as some other modifications.

TARANTULAS
Now my first experiment will reach its ultimate conclusion! What failed before shall succeed now!

Tarantulas reaches into a cargo compartment that opens in his form and pulls out a spider in a cage.

TARANTULAS
It has taken me months to genetically engineer the perfect arachnid, one with cunning, intelligence, and one special trait.

POD COMPUTER
DNA scanners activated.

The scanners sweep over the spider.

POD COMPUTER
DNA scanned.

The pod glows, and SPIDERESS appears in robot mode.

SPIDERESS
(Disoriented)
What has happened? Where am I?

TARANTULAS
(Oddly kind)
You are on Earth. I am . . .

SPIDERESS
(Gathering her wits, with the same kindness)
. . . Tarantulas. I know you somehow.

TARANTULAS
(With wonder)
And I know you. You are Spideress.
(Confused)
But how . . .

SPIDERESS
(Incredulously)
I feel that my mind is one with yours.

TARANTULAS
(Suddenly understanding)
Yes, of course. We have a mindlink! My experiment, my attempt to duplicate permanently what I had temporarily with Blackarachnia, is successful! And yet . . . this feels different.

SPIDERESS
I want to obey you Tarantulas. I don't know why, but you don't need any mindlink. I feel attracted to you.

Spideress moves closer to Tarantulas, who is obviously uncomfortable.

SPIDERESS
And you know what? I think you feel the same towards me.

TARANTULAS
That's where you're wrong. You are a tool, and I could force you to obey me. You are my slave, and beyond that you mean nothing to me.

SPIDERESS
I am your slave, but not in the way you think. We are linked Tarantulas. Our minds and hearts are one.

TARANTULAS
You would dare to defy me?

SPIDERESS
I cannot defy you any more than you can defy me. We must work together Tarantulas, and together we can stand against Maximal and Predicon alike.

TARANTULAS
Together. An interesting thought. And a tempting one.

Spideress places a hand on the side of Tarantulas's face.

SPIDERESS
How tempting?

Tarantulas leans closer, taking her hands in his.

TARANTULAS
Very tempting.

Int - Predicon Base - Day

TARANTULAS and SPIDERESS stand before MEGATRON. INFERNO stands to the side.

MEGATRON
Ah yes, a fine new addition to the Predicon army. I trust, Tarantulas, that you can explain her presence?

TARANTULAS
I discovered her pod quite by accident. I generally carry around a spare shell chip for just such an incident, and I used a spider for the DNA.

MEGATRON
Yes. So fortunate that you just happened to have a spider along.

TARANTULAS
Yes it was, great leader.

INFERNO
Perhaps I can verify the spider's programming royalty! I will prove whether her heart is Predicon, and whether she serves the colony!

SPIDERESS (v/o)
Or perhaps not.

INFERNO
(Suddenly hesitant)
Or perhaps not.

Both Megatron and Tarantulas glance quickly at Inferno, surprised.

TARANTULAS (v/o)
What did you do?

SPIDERESS (v/o)
Told him what to think. Of course had he not been so mindless it wouldn't have worked. He would have immediately identified my influence. However, since he is lacking our superior intellectual facilities . . .

TARANTULAS (v/o)
(Sinister)
. . . You can influence him, almost control him.

SPIDERESS (v/o)
What? What are you planning?

TARANTULAS (v/o)
I will explain later.

MEGATRON
(Suspiciously)
No Inferno, I doubt that either arachnid would appreciate program verification. And should Tarantulas plot treachery he is surely smart enough to hide it from me.

TARANTULAS
Your appraisal of my intelligence honors me.

INFERNO
(Bold again)
If you are plotting treachery against the colony or the royalty, you will burn!

TARANTULAS
(Sarcastically)
Oh, fear not loyal worker. I have no wish to burn.

MEGATRON
And fear not Tarantulas, should this be a trick you will be found out, and punished. Still, for the moment we shall assume that this new Predicon is loyal.

SPIDERESS
I am Spideress great Megatron, and I assure you I function for you and you alone.

END ACT 1

Int - Blackarachnia's quarters - Night

BLACKARACHNIA is sleeping peacefully in her quarters.

Int - Blackarachnia's dream - Night

Quick flashbacks of Tarantulas's mindlink, beginning with "OTHER VOICES PART 2" and ending with "TANGLED WEB."

The flashbacks stabilize into a scene of BLACKARACHNIA trapped in a web while a giant TARANTULAS leers over her.

BLACKARACHNIA
(Frightened)
What's going on here?

TARANTULAS
Did you really think I'd allow you to be free? Did you really believe I'd be that foolish?

BLACKARACHNIA
You're out of my mind. I threw you out!

TARANTULAS
I blocked your pain, but I never truly severed the link. I'm still here, inside your pretty little head, controlling your pretty little body.

Tarantulas begins laughing as Blackarachnia screams.

Int - Blackarachnia's quarters - Night

BLACKARACHNIA wakes up with a start. She peers around the darkened quarters, frightened.

BLACKARACHNIA
Just a dream. It's just a dream. He's gone.

TARANTULAS (v/o)
Oh, am I?

BLACKARACHNIA
(Screaming)
No! No!

As Tarantulas's voice laughs Blackarachnia flees her quarters, still screaming.

Int - Hallway - Night

SILVERBOLT, at the sound of Blackarachnia's scream, runs out of his quarters. Soon a very frightened BLACKARACHNIA runs right into his arms. She begins pounding limply on his chest with her fists.

BLACKARACHNIA
(Terrified)
Get away from me! Get out of my mind! Get away!

SILVERBOLT
(Concerned)
Blackarachnia, beloved, it is I, you are safe.

BLACKARACHNIA
(As if just noticing him)
Silverbolt! Thank Primus. He's there, inside me. I thought he was gone but I can hear him there.

SILVERBOLT
Who my love?

BLACKARACHNIA
Tarantulas. His mindlink is still there, I heard his voice.

SILVERBOLT
He cannot hurt you anymore beloved.

BLACKARACHNIA
But he can. He is still inside my mind. He still controls me.
(Softly)
He could make me hurt you.
(Fiercely)
I promised myself I would be free. I can't live with him inside my mind.

SILVERBOLT
If that fiend is trying to harm you in any way I will make sure you are safe beloved. You have nothing to fear.

Int - Lab - Night

BLACKARACHNIA is in Rhinox's examination module, while RHINOX mans the controls. SILVERBOLT and OPTIMUS PRIMAL stand to the side, concerned.

RHINOX
Well, that's all the testing I can do. Why don't you rest now.

BLACKARACHNIA
So you three can talk about me behind my back. Terrific.

Blackarachnia exits.

OPTIMUS
Well?

RHINOX
Nothing on the surface, but if this is Tarantulas's work he probably would be clever enough to hide signs of a cyberlink. It will take a few megacycles to analyze the data further; maybe I'll find something then.

OPTIMUS
And until then we don't know if she's under Tarantulas's control or if she's just going crazy.

SILVERBOLT
(Defensively)
There is nothing wrong with my beloved. Tarantulas's cyberlink was a very traumatic time for her. Even I cannot fathom how it must be to have someone else controlling you.

OPTIMUS
If there's nothing wrong then how do you explain her behavior?

SILVERBOLT
(Distraught)
I cannot. But I know in my heart that she is fine.

OPTIMUS
If she's under Tarantulas's control he may try to use her to destroy the Ark.

SILVERBOLT
(Sternly)
He does not control her sir.

OPTIMUS
And if she's going crazy then she may do anything, including destroy the Ark.

SILVERBOLT
(Angrily)
There is nothing wrong with her sir. Nothing at all. My beloved is a Maximal, and would never do anything to jeopardize the Ark's safety.

OPTIMUS
(Just as angrily)
Silverbolt, there is more to this than your relationship. If the Ark is destroyed time itself will unravel.

SILVERBOLT
So what are you proposing?

OPTIMUS
I'm hoping Rhinox can find a logical explanation for her behavior.

SILVERBOLT
And if he cannot?

OPTIMUS
(Grimly)
Any threat to the Ark will have to be neutralized.

Optimus, Silverbolt, and Rhinox leave the lab, passing Blackarachnia, who heard everything hiding in the shadows.

Int - Axalon - Day

BLACKARACHNIA sits in her quarters, looking downcast.

TARANTULAS (v/o)
Poor Blackarachnia, now the Maximals don't like you. They think you're a security risk. It's so delightful.

BLACKARACHNIA
(Not quite as frightened)
What do you want you twisted Predicon?

TARANTULAS (v/o)
I'm willing to offer you a deal. I will trade you for your freedom.

BLACKARACHNIA
Trade me my freedom for what?

TARANTULAS (v/o)
Patience witch. First I want you to come meet with me. I will discuss terms once you are away from your Maximal friends.

BLACKARACHNIA
All right, I'll do it, but don't try anything funny or I'll scrap you.

TARANTULAS (v/o)
Must I remind you that I can cause you to surrender with a single thought? I will await your coming.

Int - Lab - Day

RHINOX, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, and SILVERBOLT are standing around the examination module.

OPTIMUS
Well?

SILVERBOLT
Rhinox, what did you find?

RHINOX
Both something and nothing.

OPTIMUS
What?

RHINOX
There is no mindlink influencing her in any way.

SILVERBOLT
(Elated)
Then she is free of Tarantulas's influence.

OPTIMUS
But why would she hear his voice?

RHINOX
That brings me to my second discovery. Someone has made mental contact with her.

SILVERBOLT
But you said . . .

RHINOX
. . . It's not a mindlink; it's only contact.

OPTIMUS
So, Tarantulas can't control her, but wants her to think he can.

SILVERBOLT
(Angry)
So he creates something that lets him talk to my beloved, to try to drive her insane.

RHINOX
Or to try to get us to think she's insane.

SILVERBOLT
I must go to her. Thank you Rhinox.

Silverbolt leaves.

Ext - Lake - Day

BLACKARACHNIA enters.

BLACKARACHNIA
All right Tarantulas, I'm here.

TARANTULAS (v/o)
How nice. I'm so glad you could make it.

BLACKARACHNIA
Cut it with the wisecracks. What do you want for my freedom?

TARANTULAS appears from behind a boulder.

TARANTULAS
Why, your life of course.

BLACKARACHNIA realizes what is happening, but before she can turn around SPIDERESS pops up from behind a boulder behind Blackarachnia and shoots her with cybervenom. She falls to the ground unconscious as Tarantulas laughs.

END ACT 2

Int - Tarantuluas' Lab - Day

BLACKARACHNIA is unconscious and attached to Tarantulas's holding web. TARANTULAS and SPIDERESS are standing by his computer displays.

TARANTULAS
You are a competent partner. Most of the Predicons would have bungled their part.

SPIDERESS
(Coyly)
Is that all I am? A partner?

TARANTULAS
A partner who's mind is one with my own.

SPIDERESS
But only a partner.

TARANTULAS
There are not many that I would call partner.

SPIDERESS
Tarantulas, when you look at me do you only think of me as a partner?

TARANTULAS
I thought I had hidden that well.

Spideress walks forward and rests her hands on Tarantulas's shoulders.

SPIDERESS
I can read your mind, remember?

TARANTULAS
I remember. I also know how you feel about me.

SPIDERESS
It makes it unnecessary to pretend with each other, doesn't it?

Tarantulas pulls Spideress forward as Blackarachnia wakes up.

BLACKARACHNIA
I hope you realize that he has a nasty habit of using people.

SPIDERESS
(Scoffing)
You can't come between us Maximal.

TARANTULAS
You're awake. Excellent. Now we can continue with my plan.

BLACKARACHNIA
What has your twisted mind come up with this time?

TARANTULAS
My initial purpose in creating Spideress was to create a permanently mindlinked slave. While she is linked to me, she is not a slave. I like her the way she is, but having a mindlinked slave would still be useful.

BLACKARACHNIA
So you decided to try to link to me.

TARANTULAS
After breaking your will, yes.

BLACKARACHNIA
I'd die rather than let you back in my head.

TARANTULAS
I admit that this procedure is experimental, and there is a good chance that you will die, but if you don't you'll be a mindlinked slave and unable to do anything about it.
(To Spideress)
Are you ready?

SPIDERESS
Everything is in position.

TARANTULAS
Excellent. Now, my treacherous creation, you will either die or become my slave. Either way, it will happen only after you experience great pain, of course.

Electrodes lower from the ceiling, attaching themselves to Blackarachnia.

TARANTULAS
I'm fairly certain this breaks all kinds of laws regarding treatment of prisoners, but that's life. Spideress, if you please.

Spideress activates the electrodes, which shoot electricity through Blackarachnia's form. She screams in pain.

TARANTULAS
Ah, the sweet sound of pain. It is true food for the spark.

BLACKARACHNIA
(Screaming)
Tarantulas! Get away from me! Get away from my mind! No!

SPIDERESS
It's working. I can sense her resistance breaking.

TARANTULAS
Excellent. Once she has been broken she will not have the willpower to resist a mindlink.

BLACKARACHNIA
(Weakly)
Tarantulas, keep away from me. Stay out of my mind. Please.

SPIDERESS
Her resistance is almost gone. Just a few more nanoklicks.

SILVERBOLT
Beloved!

BLACKARACHNIA
(Suddenly)
Silverbolt!

SILVERBOLT flies into Tarantulas's lab, weapons blazing. He hits the controls, causing the holding web to vanish and the electrodes to retreat. Blackarachnia slumps to the floor.

TARANTULAS
Slag you Fuzor!

SILVERBOLT
Foul spiders, how dare you harm my beloved!

Silverbolt neutralizes Tarantulas, but Spideress whips out her cybervenom gun, holding it towards Silverbolt as he aims for her.

SPIDERESS
Now, you wouldn't hit a girl, would you?

SILVERBOLT
(Tightly)
When my beloved's life is at stake I might.

Blackarachnia picks herself up and launches herself at Spideress. Spideress slams her head into some heavy equipment. Electricity plays across her head.

BLACKARACHNIA
Are you going to wait around all day? Let's get out of here!

SILVERBOLT
As always, you are as wise as you are beautiful.

Silverbolt and Blackarachnia exit as Tarantulas rushes to Spideress's side.

Int - Command Center - Day

OPTIMUS PRIMAL and RHINOX are debriefing SILVERBOLT and BLACKARACHNIA.

BLACKARACHNIA
So Tarantulas decided he wanted me as his slave, but first he had to get me to his lab. Using his new bot, a bot that can communicate psychically, he convinced me that he still controlled me.

OPTIMUS
(Sternly)
And you fell for it, putting yourself in danger.

SILVERBOLT
As I recall, you were the one who was contemplating neutralizing her. The danger was here if she could not free herself.

RHINOX
Now we know about Spideress, and we can prepare for further mental tricks by Tarantulas.

OPTIMUS
She could still be a problem even if we know her capabilities. We may need to rethink our strategy in dealing with the spiders.

BLACKARACHNIA
If it involves slagging her, count me in. I've got a score to settle.

SILVERBOLT
Beloved, for now perhaps we should just be thankful that you're back with us, and free.

BLACKARACHNIA
Not exactly free. I'm still stuck with you Rover.

SILVERBOLT
(Smiling)
The way you talk.

Int - Tarantulas' Lab - Day

SPIDERESS is lying on the floor with her head in TARANTULAS'S arms. She looks weak, and her head is damaged.

SPIDERESS
Tarantulas, I can't feel you. Tarantulas.

TARANTULAS
I'm here Spideress. I'm right beside you.

SPIDERESS
I can't feel you inside me. I can't feel your mind.

TARANTULAS
The traitoress damaged you, and our mindlink is broken. I must get you repaired; we can rebuild the link.

SPIDERESS
No, stay with me.

TARANTULAS
But . . .

SPIDERESS
I've never existed without being linked to you Tarantulas. I won't live long enough without you to be repaired.

TARANTULAS
Spideress, you can't leave me now.

SPIDERESS
Just stay with me Tarantulas.

TARANTULAS
Spideress, I . . .

SPIDERESS
I love you Tarantulas. I know you've never loved before. I know it's hard, but I love you.

TARANTULAS
Spideress . . .

Her eyes fade and she slumps in his arms.

TARANTULAS
No!

END ACT 3