White Lion

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.

White Lion, pt. 1
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

DIVER and KID move over the plains of Central America smoothly. Both of them maneuver in their beast modes, looking over the horizon past the tall blades of grass. Neither of them are seeing very much at the moment, except more grass. The warm sun bears down on the both from a near flawless sky.

KID (sighing): I'm bored.

DIVER: You know it's bad luck to say that out loud.

KID: We'll, we're supposed to be looking for Predacon positions. Right now I could use a little bad luck. It's got to be more exciting than looking at grass all day.

DIVER (relenting): True. It's beautiful, though. We can see all the way to the mountains from here.

KID: Well, you can admire all the beauty that you want. I'm going to go to long range scanning. Tasmania Kid, Maximize.

KID rears up and transforms to his robot mode, quickly taking out a device from his back cowling. The device extends three legs, which he quickly plants into the ground. Instantly, it starts to do a scanner sweep over the area.

DIVER: Anything?

KID: Engeron, and lots of it. It's odd though. It's not normal energon.

DIVER: Abnormal? What, is it polluted or something

KID: I don't know. The readings aren't right. Whatever it is, it's all over the scanners in nice straight lines. It doesn't make sense.

DIVER: Well, save it for later. The Gung Ho is better equipped to analyze that. What about the Predacons? We know they flew off in this direction. Any sign of them yet.

KID (fearful): I think I just woke them up.

DIVER: Why do you say that?

KID leaps into DIVER and knocks him down to the ground. DIVER gets a confused expression, but the sudden explosion of the scanning tower makes him aware of the danger. DIVER looks up, and sees two glints in the distance. As they approach, THRUST and DIRGE make themselves known, firing off another missile near the Maximals.

DIVER: Oh, that's why.

KID: They must have been waiting for us to track them.

DIVER: Clever move. Diver, Maximize!

DIVER transforms to his robot mode, and instantly starts firing at the two approaching Predacons. THRUST and DIRGE rush near, and strafe the ground. DIVER and KID again dive aside out of harm's way, ducking into the tall grasses.

THRUST (smirking): Ha! They only send two to track us. This is too easy.

DIRGE: Death comes on Predacon wings. Thrust, terrorize.

THRUST: Thrust, terrorize.

DIRGE starts to transform first, tucking back his wings and revealing his limbs to the sky. As THRUST follows suit, DIRGE pulls out his rifle and opens fire below, using his superior mobility to lock onto DIVER. DIVER is hit and is thrown hard onto the plain's soil, grass parting all around him.

KID: Diver?

DIVER: Minor damage, just knocked the wind out of me.

THRUST and DIRGE strafe by again, but their aim is off, and the shots only manage to start some of the nearby grass to smolder. The battle doesn't go unobserved, however, as a white lion appears on a nearby hillock, taking in the scene of controlled destruction. When the two Predacons circle around, their weapons come much closer to their targets, keeping them pinned.

KID: We need cover.

DIVER: In rolling plains?

KID (sighing): Good point. Radio for help.

KID moves forward covers DIVER, raising his own weapons and firing at the two attacking Predacon fighters. THRUST is hit, but bears the damage on the wing easily. DIRGE counter fires, and KID is struck in the leg. Crying out, KID collapses tries to return fire.

DIVER (calling out): I can't reach the ship. We're being jammed.

KID: Oh, that's just great. Pinned down with nowhere to go.

KID and DIVER back up to one-another and start firing at the two jets. DIRGE is hit again, and shudders from the strike. The two jets move undaunted, however, and open fire again. With both KID and DIVER pinned down, the battle looks nearly over.

DIRGE: You won't suffer long.

THRUST and DIRGE open fire again, this time having them dead to rights, but a massive barrage of missiles comes in from seemingly nowhere. THRUST and DIRGE and struck and struck hard, both robot forms spin back in the air a bit before righting themselves. Both look around, but there is no sign of another attacker.

DIRGE: Who fired?

THRUST (scowling): Engines hit, Dirge. I have to pull out.

DIRGE: I'll saddle you back. We better report back to Starscream.

THRUST and DIRGE reconvert to their jet forms and climb into the sky. DIVER, below, lets out a relaxed breath as KID worriedly starts looking around him.

DIVER (relieved): Primus is looking over us.

KID: Yeah, but where did that attack come from?

The white lion looks over the two Maximals, but turns to pad off. DIVER looks to KID with a confused look, then back to where the lion was standing. Now there is only a hushed wind flowing over the blades of grass. The beast form has already disappeared.

DIVER: I don't understand.

KID: There must be a Maximal nearby, Diver. Come on. Let's go find him.

DIVER (distantly): Right.

DIVER and KID turn and head in the direction of the white lion, but very slowly, as they have to limp and stumble a bit as they move forward before converting to their beast modes. THRUST, DIRGE, and the white lion are nowhere to be seen.

KID (musing): It would be nice if I had another scanner.

Aboard the Nemesis, STARSCREAM lets his fist smack the control panel once, watching two transponder blips retreat towards their position. MEGASTORM's large form stands behind him, shaking his head.

STARSCREAM: Idiots. Pure idiots.

MEGASTORM: They found more Maximals at least.

STARSCREAM: And failed to defeat them. It means we're vulnerable to their attacks. We can't risk those two leading the Maximals back here.

MEGASTORM: We have the Nemesis.

STARSCREAM (scowling): And look at it, will you? It's a wreck - a complete mess. It would never hold out against an assault by a Maximal force. We're lucky that they haven't found us yet.

MEGASTORM: All right, then we need a new base. The fliers and BB can find a site and begin construction.

STARSCREAM: Thrust and Dirge don't have the needed skills. Plus, we'll need them to be on the lookout for any Maximal interference. Well, once they're repaired.

MEGASTORM: Then BB and I -

STARSCREAM: Will take too long.

MEGASTORM: All right. We'll wake up four more Decepticons and have them join the Predacon ranks. The elite guards have the skills, and the ability to defend themselves.

STARSCREAM (growling): More Decepticons? But that could - Oh, it doesn't matter. Bring their sparks into the CR chamber. We'll use them and send them out right away.

MEGASTORM: Good. BB, start getting our equipment ready for transport.

BB pauses and looks over to STARSCREAM, who merely nods his assent. The exchange isn't lost on MEGASTORM, who betrays a displeased scowl as he's been overridden. For now, however, he makes no command and merely crosses his arms.

MEGASTORM: Starscream, ready the four sparks for their new forms.

STARSCREAM: Of course, commander.

STARSCREAM smiles, but it's hidden by his faceplate. The aerial commander heads over to the Decepticon bodies, stuck in stasis, and starts scanning over them. MEGASTORM narrows his optics at STARSCREAM.

MEGASTORM: I wonder how far your treachery really goes, Starscream?

Outside, the plains have broken up a bit, and DIVER and KID have also recovered from the earlier battle. Both of them move in their beast modes at a high pace.

KID: Definitely a Maximal signature.

DIVER: Right - here.

DIVER is given pause as the look around them. The shattered remains of a starship fighter lie all around them. A bit of wing still bears the Maximal symbol. KID lets out a lamented look as he steps into the blackened area of the grassy plain.

KID (worried): It can't be.

DIVER: It is.

KID (broken): He didn't make it.

DIVER: We don't know that. What sent the signal?

KID looks to DIVER and transforms, starting to go over the debris. DIVER too looks around and catches sight of the white lion from earlier. The beast form looks carefully over them both, as if in judgement. DIVER looks to it, then the ship, and the connection is made.

DIVER (hesitant): Lio?

KID: What?

LIO CONVOY turns, and heads from the scence, having been spotted. DIVER transforms and starts to run out after him, but his leader is nowhere to be found.

DIVER (quietly): Wait, Lio.

The grassy plains betray no signs of the great lion.

White Lion, pt. 2
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

They are new. Two construction vehicles, a jeep, and a jet rush across the hillocks of the mountains, scanning over the area. When a tree or other obstacle get in the way, the Autorollers simply remove it with their firepower or construction gear. Nature has little chance in remaining pristine. AUTOCRASHER, the steam shovel, rips up the ground in the lead.

AUTOCRASHER: How much longer do I have to rip a path?

AUTOJETTER: We're near the sight Megastorm chose. Only a few more kilometers to go.

AUTOSTINGER's dump truck mode moves up behind, carrying a large load of parts and equipment. AUTOLAUNCHER flanks aside him, the low-riding Jeep moving over the freshly-cleared path with only modest difficulty.

AUTOLAUNCHER: No signs of Maximals, Autojetter?

AUTOJETTER: Nothing, Launcher. We're still all clear.

AUTOSTINGER (scowling): First assignment on this rock, and it's a cakewalk.

AUTOLAUNCHER: You want action? We'll get it soon enough, I'm sure.

AUTOCRASHER: Better than this.

AUTOJETTER: All right. I see the site now. Meet you there.

AUTOJETTER pulls up and away from the group, leaving the ground-pounders below to slog through the damaged terrain. From a distance, LIO CONVOY scans over the horizon and sees the jet move farther into the distance. He seems to hesitate, then pads forward, remaining in his beast mode.

LIO CONVOY (distantly): Predacons.

As LIO CONVOY follows and disappears into the distance, KID and DIVER look over the edge of the jungles, where the first treeline breaks from the grass. KID waits impatiently for DIVER, in his robot mode, to finish making a report back to base.

APACHE (on radio): You sure you saw him?

DIVER: Not at all. He was a Maximal, though, I'm sure of it. I was getting very strong power readings from him. It's too strong for any normal organic life.

KID (whispering): Did you tell him about the attack?

APACHE (on radio): That's pretty far out, Diver. As it is we can't get to you quickly. The Gung Ho still needs repairs. We're on them, but we've got a lot of work to do.

DIVER: Apache, the jungles are only about fifty klicks out from the landing zone.

KID (whispering): Did you tell him about the Predacons?

APACHE (on radio, resigned): Diver, all right. But don't take long. We need you back here and recharged as soon as possible. Good luck.

DIVER: Out.

KID: You didn't tell him about the Predacons?

DIVER (sighing): No, I didn't. Apache would have called us back, and we would lose that Maximal completely.

KID: Well, all right.

DIVER reconverts to his beast mode, and starts to hop towards the jungle tree line. KID looks a bit unconvinced, but follows. Neither, at the moment, realizes that they're heading right for the Autorollers, who have been hard at work cleaning out trees and smoothing the earth. AUTOJETTER and AUTOLAUNCHER both stand in robot mode, letting the other two do the work.

AUTOLAUNCHER: Well?

AUTOJETTER: The location is sound. We can overlook most of the surrounding terrain from here. Overall, it looks good.

AUTOLAUNCHER: `Crasher and `Stinger will have the terrain cleared out soon. I'll be more comfortable when we get the base defenses in place.

AUTOJETTER: Worried about the Maximal presence?

AUTOLAUNCHER: While we're vulnerable, yes.

AUTOCRASHER: Phase one complete.

AUTOJETTER and AUTOLAUNCHER turn to see the two construction vehicles transform. The terrain here has been swept clean of all construction, leaving a large area of flat earth suitable for construction. AUTOLANCHER merely nods to them, and steps over to a large cache of equipment salvaged from the Nemesis. AUTOJETTER crosses his arms.

AUTOJETTER: Ready for transporting the second load of supplies?

AUTOSTINGER (grumbling): Yes. Ready for more garbage duty.

AUTOSTINGER transforms again, returning to his dump truck mode and heads down the flattened road back to the jungles below. AUTOJETTER transforms as well, and takes to the air, providing cover support. The remaining Autorollers simply begin part assembly.

AUTOCRASHER (chiding): Careful with that.

AUTOLAUNCHER sighs at his colleague, and continues working. The efforts are, however, under the watchful eyes of LIO CONVOY, who stands in beast mode, betraying an angry snarl. Well apart from him, however, DIVER and KID also discover the Predacon activity, locating the jungle road. The two Maximals look over it in surprise.

KID: Something plowed through here.

DIVER (smirking): You think?

DIVER steps to the side of the road, transforming as he does, and places his hand on a broken tree. The sappy remains stick on him and he scowls at the mess.

DIVER (musing): This is new. The plants destroyed are still wet and green. This couldn't have been done more than a couple of hours ago.

KID: Maximals?

DIVER: Maybe, but it goes against orders to wreck this much wildlife unless it can't be helped.

KID: The Predacons, then. If this is that recent, then they're nearby.

DIVER: Don't get too ansy yet.

KID looks around, and transforms back to his robot mode. DIVER shakes his head and trips his communications link with the Gung Ho. KID idly starts to follow down the road, heading deeper into the jungle's darkness.

DIVER (to radio): Apache, this is Diver, come in.

APACHE (on radio): Reading you. Find your Maximal?

DIVER: No. We found signs of construction through here. The Predacons may have something going on out this way. Want us to check it out?

APACHE (on radio): Negative, we don't know their strength yet. We'll send out sensor drones that way. You two get back before you're in over your heads.

DIVER (sighing): All right, Apache. Diver, out.

DIVER turns and notices that KID has moved on ahead. Sighing, he moves forward, scanning around the jungle looking for his comrade. He finds him, and gasps. The robot modes of AUTOJETTER and AUTOSTINGER and quietly approaching KID's position. KID is backing away, weapon out, and looking to draw cover. Fortunately, the two Predacons haven't noticed Scuba just yet.

AUTOSTINGER: `Crasher's trail was just a bit too obvious.

AUTOJETTER: Looks like. How many more are there, Maximal? Give us some information and we'll spare your life.

KID (scowling): I don't think so.

KID opens fire into AUTOJETTER, who stammers from the assault but doesn't seem too heavily damaged. DIVER rushes down and provides cover fire as TAZ leaps at the relative safety of the jungle, seeking to hide from the two Autorollers.

DIVER (smirking): I was about to tell you we weren't supposed to engage.

KID: Oh great, now you tell me.

AUTOJETTER and AUTOSTINGER step forward, pressing their counter attack with their missiles even as DIVER leaps into the jungle trees. Sadly, the Predacon attack is more effective, and a blast slams hard into DIVER, sending him spinning into a tree. The sound of wrenching metal echoes in the air.

KID: Diver!

AUTOJETTER: Looks like only two of them. This will be quick work. Target the other one, `Stinger. I'll finish this one off.

KID (worried): No!

KID starts to open fire with his own gun, trying to dissaude AUTOJETTER from his grim task. AUTOJETTER is hit, but weathers the blast easily. The Predacons are apparently built of much sterner metal than the Maximals. KID screams out in frustration, as AUTOSTINGER's missiles strike near him. KID is thrown back into the jungle, and falls prone.

KID (quietly): Diver, get out of there.

AUTOJETTER (unimpressed): They fight and act like children.

AUTOSTINGER: Let's just terminate them both and be done with it.

LIO CONVOY (from behind): You've done enough harm as it is, Predacons.

The two Predacons, as well as DIVER and KID, look over and see the magnificent form of LIO CONVOY standing in his beast mode. The white and gold coloring of his form is at stark contrast with the surrounding jungle.

AUTOJETTER: Another one? It doesn't matter. You'll die as easily.

LIO CONVOY: Wrong. Lio Convoy, Maximize.

The lion rears back as parts twist. With a graceful and fluid transformation, the imposing form of LIO CONVOY's robot mode stands ready to attack. Long and sharp talons emerge from his forearms, and his optics narrow on the two Predacons. The sight even gives the Autorollers pause as the battle is about to being in earnest.

White Lion, pt. 3
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

AUTOJETTER and AUTOSTINGER open fire on LIO CONVOY, who does little but stand there as the blasts erupt on his chest hull. While damage shows on the front plate, LIO CONVOY is undaunted, raising his arms up and firing a massive energy blast at his enemies.

LIO CONVOY: Your destruction of this world's life will end.

One of the blasts strike AUTOSTINGER who is knocked back and down by the powerful attack. He stands again, and starts smoking from the wound. AUTOJETTER fires off all of his remaining missiles at the powerful Maximal. Each one striking the commander in rapid succession, until he too falls from the onslaught.

AUTOJETTER (worried): Ammo gone.

AUTOSTINGER: Call for the others. This one will be scrap soon enough.

AUTOSTINGER turns out and fires again as AUTOJETTER starts to transmit his message. Above and away from the battle, the other Autorollers, AUTOCRASHER and AUTOLAUNCHER receive the incoming signal. AUTOLAUNCHER turns to look over the jungle.

AUTOJETTER (on radio): We need back up here.

AUTOLAUNCHER: What's going on?

AUTOJETTER (on radio): A third Maximal showed up. The first two weren't a problem, but this one is taking everything we've got and shrugging it off.

AUTOLAUNCHER: Who is he?

AUTOJETTER (on radio): He looks like Prime, himself. Fights like him to. Are you coming?

AUTOLAUNCHER: I wouldn't miss this. I'll be right there.

AUTOCRASHER stands and steps over. AUTOLAUNCHER, though, raises his hand to stop his companion, and shakes his head.

AUTOLAUNCHER: I'm going. You're staying here.

AUTOCRASHER (in disbelief): You want me to stay?

AUTOLAUNCHER: That's right. Get the guns working. It's possible a Maximal could pull through, and we must keep this position.

AUTOCRASHER (grumbling): All right, sir.

AUTOLAUNCHER: Hey, if you're lucky I'll get slagged and you get to face the Maximals all by yourself, `Crasher.

AUTOLAUNCHER quickly transforms to his vehicle mode and heads down the improvised road. AUTOCRASHER continues grumbling and returns back to his work with only slightly renewed interest. The battle that AUTOLAUNCHER wishes to join, continues to rage.

AUTOJETTER: `Launcher is coming.

AUTOSTINGER: That should turn the odds a bit.

AUTOSTINGER ducks out of his cover long enough to fire twice at KID. The first missile misses wide, but the second strikes home, sending him sprawling to the ground. LIO CONVOY, however, doesn't seem to notice, and concentrates his fire on AUTOSTINGER. AUTOSTINGER is quick enough to move from the brunt of the attack, but a few shells hit his heavily armored hull.

KID (worried): Lio, I can't keep this up.

LIO CONVOY: Continue the fight, Maximal. We must not allow the Predacons to continue damaging this world. We must stop them.

KID (snapping): They're damaging me right now. I'm not too fond of that either.

KID returns fire, struggling to stand again. AUTOJETTER again resorts to taking cover, unable to do much more than that. AUTOSTINGER again moves from cover and fires a carefully placed shot that causes LIO CONVOY to stagger.

AUTOJETTER: This is embarrassing. I need a weapon.

AUTOSTINGER: Your own fault for unloading like that, `Jetter. You should know better.

AUTOJETTER: Toss me a missile pod, `Stinger.

AUTOSTINGER (firmly): You're not wasting my ammo.

AUTOSTINGER moves around again, firing a few more missile bursts into LIO CONVOY. Each of these strike home, causing the Maximal commander to scream out for the first time as some of his protective armor is stripped away. KID, for his part, manages to get in a counter blast at the Predacon, but the firepower simply isn't enough to do much go.

KID (to radio): Apache! Apache come in. We're in deep slag here.

KID shakes his head as LIO CONVOY composes himself again, all too ready to continue the battle. KID looks over at AUTOJETTER, who has remained in position despite his lack of weaponry. He makes the connection and growls.

KID (worried): The jet's jamming us. I can't get a signal through to the others.

AUTOLAUNCHER rolls onto the scene, throwing shells at the two fighting Maximals, sending them both back from the blasts. AUTOJETTER looks over with some relief that the stalemate could possibly end, and signals to AUTOSTINGER.

AUTOLAUNCER: Focus, Autorollers, and take the remaining Maximals down.

AUTOSTINGER: I've been trying.

AUTOLAUNCHER: Autolauncher, terrorize!

The third Autoroller transforms and starts opening fire at the Maximal party. Joined with AUTOSTINGER, the duo sends a huge wave of missiles at LIO CONVOY, who again uses his shoulder lion's mouth to breath flame at them. Several of the missiles explode in flight, but others strike their mark, stripping off more armor and finally some of LIO CONVOY's circuitry. KID looks on in horror.

KID: Commander!

LIO CONVOY: This ends.

LIO CONVOY remains undaunted, firing again at AUTOSTINGER. The shoulder-mounted missiles rush out and smash hard into the Predacon Autoroller, stripping away his armor and causing him to scream out. Even as AUTOLAUNCHER tries to provide some cover fire, a second energy blast rips through the prone AUTOSTINGER, smashing him to the ground.

AUTOSTINGER (weakly): Damage -

AUTOSTINGER collapses, the damage is too great for him. AUTOLAUNCHER opens fire again, this time unloading most of his remaining ammo stores in rapid succession. The barrage is as before, ripping through LIO CONVOY's armor, the Maximal commander growls painfully in reaction and resorts to using the flame attack from his lion's head to burn away the remaining incoming missiles.

AUTOLAUNCHER (frustrated): Fall, damn you, fall!

LIO CONVOY: This planet is under my protection. I will not fall so long as it is threatened.

KID (hesitant): You know, I would believe him if I were you.

AUTOJETTER (firmly): It's no good, `Launcher. Our ammunition is spent. There's nothing we can do against this one right now.

AUTOLAUNCHER (scowling): Very well, Maximals. `Jetter, return to base. I'll take `Stinger home. This isn't over.

LIO CONVOY: It will be over soon enough.

AUTOJETTER pulls up and away, transforming to his jet mode and seeking altitude. AUTOLAUNCHER scowls and grabs his fallen comrade, pulling him back and laying down cover fire before finally retreating in full. LIO CONVOY moves forward, ready to continue the fight. TAZ, however, looks behind him to the fallen form of DIVER.

LIO CONVOY: They're in retreat. Tasmania Kid, track them down.

KID (stunned): Sir?

LIO CONVOY: We have to pursue the Predacons and defeat them.

KID: No, Lio, we can't.

LIO CONVOY (quizzically): No?

KID (softly): Lio, Diver's hurt bad. We have to get him back to base, right now.

LIO CONVOY (distant): Diver.

LIO CONVOY looks down at his fallen comrade, seeing that unconsciousness has already taken the younger Maximal in. LIO CONVOY merely nods and transforms back to his beast mode, padding over to him, picking up DIVER with his fangs, then gently settling him on his back.

LIO CONVOY: All right, Kid. Let's go home.

LIO CONVOY heads out back down the jungle road. KID sighs softly, though relieved, and transforms to his beast mode to follow. The two Maximals disappear into the jungle's darkness, leaving the tattered battle-site behind them.

Aboard the Nemesis, with STARSCREAM and MEGASTORM looking on the main viewer, AUTOLAUNCHER is making his report. Beside him is a battle diagram showing KID, DIVER, and LIO CONVOY. Neither of the two Predacon commanders look very pleased at the moment, however.

STARSCREAM (scowling): One Maximal beat three of you?

AUTOLAUNCHER: On the field, but they didn't pursue us here. `Stinger is in the CR tank, and as soon as he's up to full we'll head out for a second supply run.

MEGASTORM: Have you been compromised?

AUTOLAUNCHER: The other two Maximals were hurt pretty bad. I think we have time to get the defenses up here. We could use better air support, though. I thought you said Thrust and Dirge were going to be here.

STARSCREAM: Their damages prevented them from showing up. They're moving on foot.

AUTOLAUNCHER (displeased): And they're our air support?

STARSCREAM (scowling): They will be when they get there. Starscream, out.

STARSCREAM turns off the viewer and shakes his head. BB steps up behind him, but MEGASTORM is the next to speak.

MEGASTORM: We still have our base for the moment. Construction will continue.

STARSCREAM (musing): Lio Convoy.

MEGASTORM: You know him?

STARSCREAM: No. He just looks like Prime when he became a protoform.

MEGASTORM (confused): What?

STARSCREAM (dismissive): Nothing. It's nothing. BB, have you finished removing the needed gear from this ship?

BB: Roger.

STARSCREAM: You'll provide air cover for the Autorollers once they arrive. I'll have a little more cleaning up to do here.

MEGASTORM (grimly): I bet you do, Starscream.

MEGASTORM turns away from STARSCREAM and heads deeper into the ship. STARSCREAM shakes his head and turns back to the monitors, watching LIO CONVOY with interest.

STARSCREAM (softly): Too many coincidences.

STARSCREAM lowers his head, and shakes it, unsure of what to make of recent events. BB remains ever- present behind him, but can say nothing in consolation. For now, the explanation is fleeting.

FINISH