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Previous Episode: The Storm Renewed, Part I
Next Episode: The Face of Darkness
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. AUTOBOT SHUTTLE BAY
Huge gleaming orange Autobot shuttles are docked inside the
shuttle bay. Ultra Magnus is looking over the shuttles
organizing preparations, with the five Aerialbots --
Silverbolt, Slingshot, Fireflight, Air Raid, and Skydive --
readying the shuttles. Optimus Prime, Hot Rod, Bumblebee,
and Kup DRIVE up in vehicle mode and TRANSFORM; they are
followed by Grimlock and the Dinobots.
OPTIMUS
Ultra Magnus, report.
ULTRA MAGNUS
We're making our final
preparations and are ready
whenever you are, Prime.
OPTIMUS
I'm sure you've heard the news.
Galvatron and the Decepticons, our
most dangerous enemy, have
reemerged and have begun an
assault on Earth. We have to stop
them once and for all.
HOT ROD
Just say the word, Prime.
GRIMLOCK
Yes. Me Grimlock want to smash
Decepticons good and smashy.
ULTRA MAGNUS
All present and accounted for.
Hot Rod, Kup, Springer, Arcee,
Silverbolt, Air Raid, Skydive,
Fireflight, and Slingshot.
KUP
I've already contacted the other
Autobots back home on Cybertron
and in the area. I've left the
Protectobots in charge of security
on Cybertron, and the others will
rendezvous on our signal.
OPTIMUS
Then let's ready the shuttles for
launch. Silverbolt, I want you
and the Aerialbots with us to
provide tactical flight support.
SILVERBOLT
Understood.
SLINGSHOT
All right, it's time to rip those
clowns a new one.
OPTIMUS
Autobots, transform and roll out.
The vehicular Autobots TRANSFORM into vehicle modes and
roll up the ramps into the Autobot flagship, the Fortitude.
The Aerialbots TRANSFORM into their jet modes and enter as
well. The Dinobots, in their lumbering dinosaur modes,
also make their way on the shuttle.
The ship's ignition starts, its afterburners FLARE, and it
lifts off.
EXT. SPACE - AUTOBOT BASE
The Fortitude exits the Autobot base and flies outwards
into space, BLAZING towards the warp gate leading out of
the system. The cold metallic sphere of the Autobot's home
planet of Cybertron can be seen in the background as the
warp gate BURSTS open and we...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
-------------------------------------------------------
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. RELENTLESS - BRIDGE
Galvatron sits in the command chair, his aides surrounding
him and at their posts as before. Sixshot is animated; he
clearly is spoiling for a fight.
SOUNDWAVE
Repairs progressing on schedule,
Galvatron. Shields and systems up
to 85%.
GALVATRON
Excellent.
SIXSHOT
(unable to contain himself
any longer)
We should attack now! The humans
are scattered and helpless. No
doubt the Autobots will soon be
here. We should press our
advantage instead of waiting here
for Quintessons!
CYCLONUS
Galvatron is proceeding in the
best interests of the Decepticon
army.
SIXSHOT
Says you. A leader who follows
the whims of the Quintessons is no
leader at all!
BLITZWING
Sixshot may have a point. The
Quintessons are not to be trusted.
Perhaps if you could, in your
wisdom, share the details of your
latest plan with us.
GALVATRON
(rising and moving towards
Sixshot and Blitzwing
menacingly)
I keep no counsel with fools! You
will do as I command! Dare to
disobey me and face my wrath!
SIXSHOT
There will be another time,
(sardonically)
mighty Galvatron.
Sixshot turns and storms off the bridge. Blitzwing turns
back to his station, but his unease and doubt over
Galvatron's plan of action is also written clearly on his
face.
INT. RELENTLESS - LOWER DECKS
Sixshot ENTERS and grimaces menacingly. The Combaticons --
Onslaught, Swindle, Blast Off, Vortex, and Brawl -- are
seated and lounging around. Other Decepticons, such as
Triggerhappy, Misfire, and Astrotrain, are milling about as
well.
SWINDLE
Hey, Sixshot, what's shaking?
Sixshot has no patience for this. He turns and SMASHES
Swindle across the room. The other Combaticons react and
draw their weapons. Brawl presses his gun barrel against
Sixshot's head.
BRAWL
Move a microchip and you're slag.
Sixshot hesitates, and then begins LAUGHING.
SIXSHOT
Ah, Brawl. You have the heart of
a true Decepticon. It's a welcome
sight in times like these.
BLAST OFF
What do you mean by that?
ONSLAUGHT
Surely our illustrious comrade
does not mean to impugn the
current status of the Decepticon
empire.
SIXSHOT
Look at us, Onslaught, standing
here, waiting for our great leader
to rendezvous with Quintessons,
while there are enemies to crush
and a galaxy to conquer. A true
Decepticon waits for no one; a
true Decepticon conquers while
others wait in fear.
BRAWL
You're singing my tune.
SIXSHOT
For too long, we have been
dormant. I say we use this time
to go on the offensive and conquer
Earth, Cybertron, and all who dare
stand against us!
The other Decepticons in the room have started to collect
around Sixshot and listen with rapt attention to his
stirring words.
SWINDLE
What does Galvatron say about
this?
SIXSHOT
(to Swindle, contemptuously)
Coward!
SWINDLE
(defiantly)
Hey, just looking out for number
one.
SIXSHOT
That's what you do best, isn't it.
Your actions do not befit the name
Decepticon.
(to all)
It is time to regain our heritage,
not cower before fleshlings! For
twenty stellar cycles, we have
prepared for this day. I say we
seize it!
INT. RELENTLESS - BRIDGE
Rumble ENTERS from the lower decks, running to give
Galvatron the report.
RUMBLE
Sixshot's pulling out.
CYCLONUS
Impossible!
RUMBLE
He mentioned how he was going to
press his advanterage [sic] and
crush the humans now! Oh yeah,
and something about how you
weren't fit to command. He took
half the crew with him. They're
making for the fighters.
The panel in front of Soundwave begins flashing red, an
alert.
SOUNDWAVE
Sensors indicate armada leaving
flagship.
GALVATRON
What?
EXT. SPACE - RELENTLESS
From the landing bay on the underbelly of the Relentless,
three Decepticon fighter craft EMERGE and start ZOOMING
away from the mothership.
INT. RELENTLESS - BRIDGE
BLITZWING
(curtly)
Do we follow?
CYCLONUS
(to Galvatron)
We must pursue the traitors!
GALVATRON
(pauses, then dismisses the
problem)
Let them run! They will not share
in the glory of the new empire!
Soundwave, how long before the
Quintessons arrive?
SOUNDWAVE
Estimate ten megacycles to
Quintesson arrival.
BLITZWING
(holding in resentment)
So we wait?
GALVATRON
Patience, Blitzwing. Why attack a
few deserters, when soon, the
entire galaxy will be ours?
INT. SIXSHOT'S FIGHTER - BRIDGE
Sixshot sits in the commanding chair. The Combaticons are
at the various positions around the bridge.
BLAST OFF
Coming up on the warp gate to the
Proxima star system.
SIXSHOT
Excellent.
BRAWL
All weapons charged.
SIXSHOT
The fleshlings have nowhere to run
this time. The new dawn of the
Decepticon armada has begun!
EXT. SPACE - DECEPTICON FIGHTERS
The fighters fly forward as the warp gate BURSTS open and
envelops them as we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
-------------------------------------------------------
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE
The three Decepticon fighters are flying through space
between Devoron and Proxima.
INT. SIXSHOT'S FIGHTER - BRIDGE
SIXSHOT
(activates a communicator)
Support fighters, hold position
here, in case Galvatron decides to
come after us and try anything.
(to Vortex)
Take us forward. We will crush
the pathetic human resistance.
EXT. SPACE
The two rear fighters turn and hold position, as the lead
fighter continues on its course.
INT. PROXIMA STATION - LANDING BAY
Several ships, damaged from the earlier battle, are docked
here and the flight crew is frantically trying to perform
repairs. Faireborn and Edwards are overseeing from the
observation deck.
FAIREBORN
What's our status?
EDWARDS
Not good, Colonel. We took some
heavy hits. We could spend months
on these ships and still not be
ready.
FAIREBORN
That's not good enough.
EDWARDS
We've upgraded the station's
weapons and defenses. That should
give us an ace in the hole. This
station has the firepower of fifty
Starbust-class ships.
FAIREBORN
I sent word of our situation to
EDC headquarters on Earth. They
said they'd send what resources
they could.
An alarm BLARES out throughout the station. Faireborn
quickly goes to a comm panel.
FAIREBORN
What's going on?
OFFICER (COMM VOICE)
Incoming vessels from two four
niner mark six!
Faireborn looks out the launch bay to see the SHIMMER of a
warp gate in the distance.
FAIREBORN
Red alert! All weapons online!
Launch the defensive fleet!
EXT. SPACE - PROXIMA
EDC fighters SCRAMBLE over to the warp gate.
INT. DELTA TWO COCKPIT
Reese is flying in towards the gate.
BURKE (COMM VOICE)
Locked and loaded.
LYONS (COMM VOICE)
(nervously)
It's do or die.
The foreign ship EMERGES from the warp gate. The EDC
fighters fly closer to it, but Reese can see it through his
cockpit... the bright red insignia of the Autobots painted
on the side.
REESE
Wait! Hold your fire! All craft,
hold fire!
It is the massive Fortitude, the Autobot flagship, easily
the equal in size and power of the Relentless.
INT. FORTITUDE - BRIDGE
Optimus Prime is commanding. The other Autobots are
scattered on the bridge.
HOT ROD
(impressed by the size of the
EDC fleet)
Look at that fleet. They sure
brought out the welcome mat for
us, huh?
OPTIMUS
Open a channel.
(Kup keys in the console)
Greetings again, humans. This is
Optimus Prime of the Autobots.
(slightly amused)
It's been a long time.
INT. PROXIMA STATION - COMMANDER'S OFFICE
Faireborn is present with Edwards.
FAIREBORN
(suspiciously)
How did the Autobots manage to
learn about this so quickly, I
wonder?
EDWARDS
(squirming slightly)
Lieutenant Reese activated the
Autobot Defense Protocol.
(Faireborn eyes him)
I told him to.
FAIREBORN
I explicitly ordered you not to
get the Autobots involved. We
don't want to get dragged into the
middle of another war.
EDWARDS
We're already in a war, Colonel.
The Decepticons aren't going to
worry about a no contact policy.
At least with the Autobots, we'll
have a fighting chance against
them.
FAIREBORN
Now that the Autobots are here,
Proxima becomes an instant target!
EDWARDS
Proxima is just as much of a
target without the Autobots... and
a lot more vulnerable one at that.
FAIREBORN
Do you think the Autobots will
just pack up and leave once this
is over? Do you think that they
will stop this from escalating?
As long as we need their help,
they'll stay here, and as long as
they stay here, the Decepticons
will continue to attack. The only
way to end this cycle is to become
self-reliant and defend ourselves.
EDWARDS
You can't defend yourself if you
don't stay alive.
FAIREBORN
It's better to die on your feet,
old friend, than to live on your
knees. You should know that
better than anyone.
(the door chimes)
Enter.
REESE
(entering)
The Autobot shuttle has docked
along the station, Colonel, and
they're requesting your presence.
FAIREBORN
Understood.
(Reese exits)
Time to play the hand we've been
dealt.
INT. FORTITUDE - RECEIVING ROOM
Faireborn passes through a docking tube from the station
and EMBARKS on the Fortitude. The receiving room, scaled
to the Autobots, dwarfs Faireborn, and with its metal
walls, huge doors, and lack of windows, one can feel the
coldness of the place. Towering above Faireborn as she
enters are Kup, Ultra Magnus, and Optimus Prime. The
Aerialbots are in the background.
OPTIMUS
It's been a long time, Marissa.
FAIREBORN
It has indeed.
An awkward pause.
ULTRA MAGNUS
I see you're a colonel now.
FAIREBORN
Let's dispense with the
pleasantries. I'm sure you've
heard that the Decepticons
attacked our outpost in the
Devoron System.
KUP
We're here to offer any assistance
we can.
ULTRA MAGNUS
The Decepticons haven't made a
major offensive for two decades.
I wonder why they're on the move
now?
SLINGSHOT
(blithely)
Who cares? If those clowns try
anything, we'll knock them through
every planet in this system.
Slingshot doesn't notice Faireborn glaring at him over his
off-the-cuff remarks over possible devastation. Hot Rod
RACES IN from an adjacent room.
HOT ROD
Big news, Prime. Sensors have
just picked up activity near the
warp gate to the Devoron System.
Decepticon fighters.
OPTIMUS
Autobots, prepare for battle.
There is a sudden jerk in the Fortitude as the vessel...
EXT. SPACE
... TURNS and lurches forward to face the attackers.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
-------------------------------------------------------
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - SIXSHOT'S FIGHTER
Sixshot's fighter has emerged and is moving forward,
weapons firing, to engage the Earth forces.
INT. SIXSHOT'S FIGHTER - BRIDGE
SIXSHOT
(with sadistic relish)
Now it begins!
VORTEX
Boss, there's an Autobot starship
circling the human base!
SIXSHOT
Autobots! So much the better!
Decepticons, attack!
Flight-based Decepticons on the bridge, like Blast Off,
Vortex, Triggerhappy, and the like rise and EXIT the
bridge.
EXT. SPACE - SIXSHOT'S FIGHTER
Pouring out of the three fighters are the aforementioned
Decepticons, who TRANSFORM into their vehicle modes and
start firing.
INT. FORTITUDE - RECEIVING ROOM
OPTIMUS
Prepare to return fire. Defend
the humans at all cost.
(turns towards Silverbolt,
nods)
Aerialbots.
SILVERBOLT
(to Aerialbots)
Okay, you guys know what to do,
let's do it!
Silverbolt and the Aerialbots TRANSFORM into vehicle mode
and EXIT the Fortitude to join the dogfight. The rest of
the Autobots are busy running to battle stations to prepare
for the battle, and seem to have forgotten Faireborn in the
confusion.
FAIREBORN
(activates a communicator)
Proxima Station, we're under
attack. Emergency scramble!
She turns back to the exit to the station, but the
Fortitude has already begun to move away from the station
and into battle, leaving her with no way to get off. The
ship is suddenly ROCKED by a blast, knocking Faireborn to
the ground.
ULTRA MAGNUS
(noticing)
Sorry, Marissa, you're just going
to have to hold on for this one.
KUP
(to Optimus and Ultra Magnus)
We have to get to the bridge.
(to Faireborn)
Just stay put and let us handle
this.
Kup, Ultra Magnus, and Optimus LEAVE, leaving Faireborn
alone in the empty room.
EXT. SPACE - BATTLE
Vortex is closely on Fireflight's tail, FIRING on him.
VORTEX
Yee-hah! It's time to take a
whirl, Fireflight!
Vortex begins FIRING his whirl guns, causing Fireflight to
spin dangerously out of control. But from above, Vortex is
FIRED upon by Slingshot, coming in for the save.
SLINGSHOT
Eat hot neutron blasts, Vortex!
But Blast Off comes in from the side, BLISTERING
Slingshot's side.
BLAST OFF
You disappoint me, Slingshot.
Never underestimate your
opponents.
But Blast Off is forced to eat his own words as Delta Two,
piloted by Reese, FIRES on Blast Off, knocking him out of
control.
SLINGSHOT
(admiringly)
Whoa! Way to save, human!
REESE
Any time, Autobot.
The Fortitude is moving quickly, attacking the Decepticon
forces, but the slower EDC capital ships are easier
targets. The more maneuverable Decepticon ship starts to
home in on them.
INT. FORTITUDE - BRIDGE
OPTIMUS
(to himself)
The humans are under attack. And
this, I cannot allow.
He goes over picks up a jet pack of the wall and straps it
to his back. Engaging the boosters, he opens a hatch and
FLIES out of the shuttle.
EXT. SPACE - BATTLE
Prime, maneuvering with the jet pack, is a blur, WEAVING in
and out of the fight with such skill the other Transformers
look like they're standing still. He FIRES on the
transformed Decepticon vehicles, forcing them to fall back
behind the cover of their capital fighter.
INT. SIXSHOT'S FIGHTER - BRIDGE
Sixshot sees Prime in the battle on the viewscreen.
SIXSHOT
Prime! I'll finish him myself.
Slowly, impressively, he TRANSFORMS into his own lethal jet
mode and EXITS to join the battle.
EXT. SPACE - BATTLE
Sixshot makes a direct beeline for Prime, guns BLARING.
SIXSHOT
Prime! Your life ends now!
But Prime, on his jetpack, sidesteps him. Sixshot then
TRANSFORMS into his tank form, FIRING a huge barrage of
lasers, but Prime maneuvers in between, lands on top of
him, and begins grappling. Sixshot is forced to TRANSFORM
back to his robot mode to fight, but Prime knocks him away,
reaches for his gun, and BLASTS Sixshot in the shoulder.
Amidst the smoke bursting from his wound, Sixshot starts
HURTLING backwards out of control.
The Fortitude has reached the Decepticon fighter and begins
PUMMELING it with shots. The small, sleek fighter is
faster and more maneuverable, but it is little match for
the Autobot flagship in terms of raw firepower.
INT. SIXSHOT'S FIGHTER - BRIDGE
BRAWL
We're under heavy fire!
A control panel EXPLODES in front of him.
ONSLAUGHT
This battle's outcome is all but
assured. There only thing we can
do. Retreat.
BRAWL
No!
ONSLAUGHT
There is a time for a frontal
assault and a time for a strategic
withdrawal. This, clearly, is one
of the latter. Get us out of
here.
The Decepticon fighter turns and starts retreating out of
the system. The various Decepticons turn and rejoin the
ship as well. Sixshot, never one to retreat, is still
falling backwards and gets off one last taunt before his
ship is forced to SNAG him with a tractor beam.
SIXSHOT
This isn't over, Prime!
OPTIMUS
(subdued)
Maybe not, Sixshot. But we're
here, and we'll be ready for you.
Silverbolt FLIES up to Prime and TRANSFORMS into robot
mode. Slingshot FLIES up separately and TRANSFORMS as
well.
OPTIMUS
How are the humans' vessels
holding up?
SILVERBOLT
They've taken some hits, but we
managed to deflect the brunt of
the Decepticons' attack.
SLINGSHOT
(looking at Delta Two)
They managed to get off a few good
shots of their own too.
OPTIMUS
Well done.
(beat)
Autobots, return to base.
INT. FORTITUDE - RECEIVING ROOM
Faireborn is trying to reach her ships via her
communicator, but the battle has caused interference and
she gets only static. Too small to even leave the room and
reach a viewscreen or a window, she is completely in the
dark about what's going on. Now that the battle ends,
Ultra Magnus RETURNS to check on her, joined by Kup.
ULTRA MAGNUS
Are you okay?
FAIREBORN
(curtly)
I'm fine. What's going on? What
happened?
KUP
Don't worry, everything's under
control.
ULTRA MAGNUS
Our ship absorbed the brunt of the
attack. The Decepticons are in
retreat.
FAIREBORN
They'll be back, I'm sure.
KUP
We'll be waiting.
FAIREBORN
(under her breath)
That's what I'm afraid of.
(out loud, still curt)
I'd thank you to return me to my
station now.
ULTRA MAGNUS
Of course, Marissa.
FAIREBORN
And Magnus...
(quieter, with a soft edge)
thank you... for your help.
ULTRA MAGNUS
(wry smile)
Any time.
EXT. SPACE - PROXIMA
The Fortitude returns and docks once again at Proxima
Station.
EXT. SPACE - DEVORON
The Relentless is still orbiting the husk of Devoron
Station.
INT. RELENTLESS - BRIDGE
SCRAPPER
Systems nearly at 100 percent,
Galvatron.
GALVATRON
Soundwave, how long before our
"allies" arrive?
SOUNDWAVE
Quintesson ship now entering
Devoron System.
EXT. SPACE - DEVORON
The twisty Quintesson ship approaches slowly from the far
side of the system.
BLITZWING
The Quintessons are signaling us
to embark, Galvatron.
GALVATRON
Excellent. Signal them that we
are ready to receive them... and
their Predacon envoy.
Blitzwing makes the necessary signals at his console.
GALVATRON
Now, loyal Decepticons, it begins.
The waiting is now over. The new
era of the Decepticon empire dawns
now.
Galvatron's sinister laugh echoes through the hollow halls
of his ship as we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
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