SCENE 1

[Exterior of Maximal HQ. Inside, Rhinox is fixing something with the help of Rattrap handing him some tools.]

---Why even mention the exterior if you're going to talk about the inside.

RATTRAP: So tell me, doc, is it gonna live?

---NO. I hated him. I'm gonna let him die.

RHINOX: [not even turning around] Probably, but the reliability of this device [accepts a tool from Rattrap] is horrible at best. [Straightens up, closes the panel] I really need to talk to Optimus about--

---Uh... something. ....I forget....

[Cheetor, in beast mode, rushes unexpectedly into the room and screeches to a halt before them]

---Leaving a long mark across the freshly cleaned floors.

CHEETOR: Hey guys, Optimus found two stasis pods! Hurry to the command center!

[Cheetor races off, leaving Rhinox and Rattrap to merely look at one another. You see them run into the command center

---I do?

where Dinobot, Optimus Primal, and Airazor are hunched over a screen. Rattrap and Rhinox try to also look at the screen.]

---But fail to due to the fact that they needed glasses.

RATTRAP : [To Dinobot] Hey, move your feet, lizard legs.

DINOBOT : [To Rattrap] Stop your whining, furball!

---Or I'll hang you by your eyelids and slap you till ya blink.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : [turns to both of them] Enough. [The two stop and look at the screen.]

---(as Optimus) "Hey. I'm over here. Turn back around THIS INSTANT!"

RHINOX : From what Cheetor said...

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : I’ve located two stasis pods coming out of orbit. We should be able to predict their path of descention in a few more seconds.

---Because they would've landed by then.

AIRAZOR : Hopefully, if the program doesn’t give us any error messages like it did before.

---Yeah. Remember that time while using Microsoft Works. Oy!!!!

RHINOX : I’ve been meaning to fix those.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : Wait! Here are the projections now!

[Suddenly, the entire command center goes dark. Everyone looks up and around for a moment as murmuring begins.]

---Hey! That's not a projector. IT'S A BOMB!!

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : What the...[to Rhinox] Rhinox, what’s...?

---What the to Rhinox are you talking about?

RHINOX : [sighs] Another power failure.

---Those Carbon Batteries ain't worth dirt.

[shakes head, walks over to a console, pushes a button. The lights go back on and the screen blinks back on.] The back-up generators ought to hold up for awhile, at least until this stasis pod situation is over.

---What's running the generator?

RATTRAP : Hey, look!

---Look Mommy. I can use the potty!

[You see on a screen, a topographical map with each stasis pod (marked by a green dot) falling from orbit.

--- HELP! Green dots all over the place HELP!!1

When they impact the ground, the dots pulsate red and provides red-lettered coordinates.

---It's a Holiday!

Rattrap’s beast face is seen.]

---Yeah, his is somewhat ugly...

RATTRAP : Of all the luck! One of them’s things practically landed on the Predacon base!

---Wait. It DID land on the base. Woohoo! IT KILLED THEM ALL!

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : But the other one won’t land too far from us, either. We have to get to at least one of them first!

[Quickly switch scenes to the Predacon HQ. Megatron is sitting down,

---Ahhhhhhh. Relief.

looking at a huge screen just overhead (like sitting too close to a movie theater screen, only farther back).

---Duhuhuhuh....

He rubs his chin. Scorponok, Waspinator, Inferno, and Tarantulas are there.]

---They're having a focus session.

MEGATRON : This possesses a unique dilemma - Do we try for just one, or do we go for them both?

---Who posseses a unique dilemma? Oh. It's probably the author.

SCORPONOK : [turns around] We don’t have much time, Megatron. Both have begun their descent!

---I hope they're decent.

MEGATRON : Scorponok, Tarantulas, and I will go for the close pod. Waspinator and Inferno, see to it that the Maximals have a more difficult time acquiring their new arrival.

---And what do you mean by that exactly.

WASPINATOR : Waspinator love surprises, but Waspinator also loves spoiling them too!

---And waspinator likes to spell and do math and clean for mommy.

MEGATRON : Then go, and quickly!

---I need my quarters cleaned.

[Waspinator and Inferno fly out of the base. Terrorsaur protests.]

---NO MORE TAXES FOR RESIDENTS!!!!

TERRORSAUR : What about me? I’m much...

---Hey.... That's Pterasaur. Or something like that.

MEGATRON : You will stay here and guard the base while the rest of us pursue the stasis pod.

---Uh.... Yeah.. I'll "guard" the base.... heh heh heh.

TERRORSAUR : [speechless] You mean...you mean...I get to take control of the base?

--- I thought he was speechless.

MEGATRON : Not quite. Blackarachnia will also stay here...as insurance that nothing disastrous occurs.

---Maybe not much insurance but for $6.95 a month, it's a STEAL.

[Terrorsaur lowers his shoulders in disappointment.]

---But I wanted to play with the guns...

BLACKARACHNIA : [To Terrorsaur] Like I’m happy about this too, toots.

---Like, for sure.

[Scene switches to Optimus Primal, Rhinox, Cheetor, and Airazor all running (or flying) towards their stasis pod.]

---MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : [To Rhinox] How much further to the stasis pod?

---400 lightyears.

RHINOX : We’re almost there.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : Airazor, begin to patrol the area. We may need some cover in case the Predacons decide to get a little TOO greedy.

AIRAZOR : Gotcha. [She flies away].

---Tag. You're it!

CHEETOR : Hey Optimus, do you think it was safe leaving Rattrap and Dinobot to guard the base? They aren’t exactly friends.

---Sure they are. This build character.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : All they need to be is friendlier to each other than to the Predacons and we should be fine.

RHINOX : Until something else breaks down, that is.

---Like the coffee machine. Now that's something to panic about.

[Switch to inside Maximal HQ. Rattrap and Dinobot are uncomfortably shuffling around in the command center.]

---Wanna play Bridge?

RATTRAP : Lizard lips, you think you can remember to brush in between meals next time?

---Next time you try to eat me.

DINOBOT : Just remember what some of those meals consist of...Rodent!

---It consits of a balanced diet of lamb meal, rice and a scientifically proven secret ingredient.

[Switch to Maximals closing in on stasis pod location. They transform to robot mode and stop. Looking up, the viewer also sees the problem - a cliff. Rhinox looks down at a portable tracker.]

---The power to do all your big Tracking jobs with the convienience you need.

RHINOX : According to this, we should be close to seeing it by now.

---You're standing on it mister.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : Not if it’s up there. Rhinox, you and the others try and find a way around. Someone needs to get to that pod first.

---Like me. To name a few.

RHINOX : Don’t worry, Optimus.

---Be happy.

[Optimus rockets upward and you see him land safely on the cliff. You then see Rhinox and Tigatron (back in beast mode) speaking to one another.]

---So you wanna go to the pool hall tonight?

TIGATRON : Do you have any suggestions, Rhinox?

---Lose the fur.

RHINOX : I’m a Rhino, not a mountain goat, Tigatron. I...

---I love you.

CHEETOR : Hey guys, [Tigatron and Rhinox look over to Cheetor

---And snap their necks and die. THE END.

(in beast mode)] I found an entrance to a cave!

---Wow. I can't believe I missed that.

RHINOX : We don’t have time to do any...[a communication from Optimus Prime interrupts him]

---SUPPER'S READY!

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : This is Optimus Primal. It seems like the stasis pod crashed through into some sort of cave.

---How convenient.

The stasis pod looks damaged, I’m going down to investigate.

[Rhinox and Tigatron look at each other, then to Cheetor.]

---You're grounded for a week.

RHINOX : (to Cheetor) Where’s this entrance again?

---Right infront of you. Duh...

[You see Rhinox, Tigatron, and Cheetor run through a cave tunnel that opens up into a large area. Optimus is near that entrance, but what stops them is the sight of the stasis pod.

---"It's so beautiful!"

It seems to be erroneously malfunctioning. They all stare at it,

---Duhhhhhh...... me not like stuff.....

then Cheetor looks over at Rhinox.]

---Let's Smash It!

CHEETOR : Woah! It’s, like, damaged.

---Brilliant observation there.

Can it be fixed, Rhinox?

RHINOX : I don’t know.

---My head. Hurts....

[COMMERCIAL TIME]

Scene 2

[Inside the Maximal HQ, you see Rattrap and Dinobot huddled over some communicator.]

---Playing an intense game of bomberman.

RATTRAP : Rattrap to Optimus Primal, this is Rattrap. Can you hear me?

[The communicator spits out only static.]

---Patooie zzzzzz

DINOBOT : Perhaps it needs more power.

RATTRAP : Hey, any more power and we’ll need to build a whole new generator just to use it.

---We did.
---Oh yeah...

DINOBOT : Bah! This base is a pile of bolts waiting to decay! [He slams his fist down onto a table,

---but it slipped and slammed Rat Trap's foot.

and you see the lights go out again. They both look up, then Rattrap looks at Dinobot.] Don’t say a word, vermin.

RATTRAP : Am I allowed to laugh?

---No. That's a direct violation of code 16534.465 section b.

[Switch to the cave, where everyone is in robot mode. The stasis pod is tripping out, sweeping that beam all over the place.]

CHEETOR : Is it supposed to be doing that?

---Yes. It enhances the futuristic feel of the show.

OPTIMUS : Not for that long. [To Rhinox] Can we artificially stop it?

RHINOX : There’s a chance that...[the beam sweeps over them extremely quickly]...that we can force the stasis pod to start forming the Maximal.

OPTIMUS : Will it cause any damage?

---Like heck it will!

RHINOX : I’ll be surprised if there hasn’t already been some damage.

TIGATRON : That would be unfortunate.

---Yes. Things getting damaged is unfortunate.

CHEETOR : You’re telling me. Man, of all the stasis pods that had to land...

---IT'S THE AMAZING "MAN OF ALL THE STASIS PODS" ON TONIGHT ON LETTERMAN!

OPTIMUS : Cheetor! Let’s stick to the issue at hand. [to Rhinox] Rhinox,

---Who else would he be talking to when he says "Rhinox"?

do what you can to fix the stasis pod.

RHINOX : I’ll try.

[Rhinox walks over to the stasis pod and opens up a panel.

---And throws it at Optimus.

He pushes a button, which activates a small screen. The text is mostly mumbo-jumbo, but Rhinox does a "Hmmm" face and presses another button.

---KABOOOOOOM!

The stasis pod stops scanning.]

RHINOX : [Turns around to other Maximals]

---"Hey! There was a "Stop immediate funtion" button. COOL!

I think it might just be a minor malfunction, Optimus.

OPTIMUS : Why is that?

---It just buned up in re-entry and crashed through a cliff. Guess.

RHINOX : It already had a creature selected. All I’ve done is to tell it to go to the next phase.

AIRAZOR : A malfunction? [Everyone turns their heads towards Airazor, who’s walking up to them.]

---Well maybe she is but that's no way to talk to her.

Sorry, but I only heard a little bit of it.

---The Malfunction part.

OPTIMUS : You should be patrolling the area, Airazor. We’ll contact you...

---Within 6-8 weeks of your reply.

AIRAZOR : Optimus, my communicator’s busted. I’ve been trying to reach you guys for the past couple of minutes.

---Try longer.

[Tigatron tries his communicator, as does Cheetor. Both of them get typical "out-of-order" beeps and noises.]

---"please insert another 75 cents to resume call."

CHEETOR : She’s right, Optimus. Our communicators are down.

RHINOX : Not our communicator, but the main antenna relay used for the communicators.

---That big dish on our ship.

Switch over to independent operation and see if it still doesn’t work.

TIGATRON : [Does the switch, then speaks into the communicator] Testing, testing.

---If this had been a real emergency...

[You see Optimus’ communicator "speak" Tigatron’s words.] It works as Rhinox says.

---Says what?

OPTIMUS : What would cause this to occur?

RHINOX : Any number of problems could do it, ranging from destruction of the antenna relay to...power failure (suddenly realizing the irony of his words) back at the base.

OPTIMUS : Rhinox, I want you to get back to the base and start repairs immediately. We can’t afford to be without communicators for long without the Predacons taking advantage of it. Airazor...

AIRAZOR : Yes?

---No? You choose.

OPTIMUS : Do a patrol of the area and see if you can get into contact with any of us. If you find any Predacons, don’t hesitate to fire first. [to Rhinox] Rhinox,

---He did it AGAIN! WE KNOW HE'S SPEAKING TO RHINOX!!!

how far can we communicate on our own power?

RHINOX : Not far, Optimus. The communicators were never meant to transmit with such a low amount of power.

OPTIMUS : Airazor, try not to stray out of communications range.

---I COMMAND YOU!

AIRAZOR : You got it. [She begins to leave.]

TIGATRON : Something very important has occurred, Optimus.

OPTIMUS : What’s that, Tigatron?

---I just ate a grenade.

TIGATRON : Our "friend" seems to have left his pod.

[Everyone, excluding Airazor, looks over and notices that the top of the pod is off AND ajar.]

---AT THE SAME TIME EVEN!

[Switch scenes to the Predacons to their stasis pod. They are running (Megatron, Scorponok, Tarantulas) and see it.

---with their eyes.

They slow down and transform into robot mode.]

SCORPONOK : Megatron, look! The pod...

---It's MELTING!

MEGATRON : Yes, Scorponok. I see it. [to Tarantulas] Tarantulas,

---We know he's talking to him already.

this pod looks damaged. Perhaps

---Because it just re-entered the atmosphere. That would do it you know.

an individual of your expertise can determine if the occupant inside it has been...irreversibly damaged.

TARANTULAS : Of course, Megatron. [Tarantulas walks over to the pod, and looks inside of it.] Megatron, the pod is empty!

---Let's rent it out!

MEGATRON : What? [Looks inside it himself, sees nothing.]

---It's empty. Of course there's nothing in there.

The Maximal has escaped. How unfortunate. Predacons...

TARANTULAS : Megatron, wait! [Tarantulas bends over

---and moons the rest of them.

and picks a very small object up. Megatron hastily takes it out of Tarantulas’ hands.]

---Trying to steal my binky will you?

MEGATRON : I presume you know what this is...

TARANTULAS : It’s the maximal behavior chip, Megatron.

---So this means we have a delinquent robot wandering around?

I’m surprised to see it this far away from the stasis pod.

MEGATRON : Meaning...?

---Pod: noun,the fruit, or its shell, in pease, beans, and other leguminous plants- the legume.-v.i. to fill as pods: to form pods:-pr.p. podd'ing

TARANTULAS : If the behavior chip was not in place when the maximal was being processed, then...

MEGATRON : Then it may not be a maximal after all. Hmmm, yes. [crushes the maximal chip in his hand].

---ouch.

Scorponok, let us search for this new, potential ally. [to Tarantulas] Very good work, Tarantulas.

TARANTULAS : I’ll go check the pod to see if I can identify what form it took.

---But since it landed in a snake pit, I have a pretty good idea already.

MEGATRON : Excellent. [Tarantulas leaves] This may be shaping up to be a very good day.

[Tarantulas walks over to the pod, and notices two animal types on the screen : Snake and bird.]

TARANTULAS : [To himself] Two creature types? That can’t be possible.

---I won't let it happen!

No, something must be wrong with the pod. Cause if it’s not... [Tarantulas stands up and looks around. They see the edge of a forest, the usual landscape.]

---Hey... You didn't finish you sentence there.

[Switch scenes to Predacon HQ.]

BLACK : Terrorsaur, you call this a defense strategy? [she points up to a screen with a grid]

---"CHECK!"

Please tell me you thought of this all by yourself.

TERRORSAUR : And I suppose you could do better?

---No. I just like to complain.

BLACK : Normally, I wouldn’t embarrass your work with my help, but considering I don’t want to be blamed for the Predacon base being overrun...

---I'm leaving.

[She sits down at a terminal and begins typing. Terrorsaur looks at her typing and then over to Megatron’s chair. He gets a grin and looks back over to Blackarachnia.]

---"THE CHAIR!".

TERRORSAUR : You know, Blackarachnia, you’d have a much better time ‘repairing’ my work over at Megatron’s throne.

BLACK : Replacing your work, beak-brain. There’s a difference.

---No there isn't.

TERRORSAUR : You’d save yourself a lot of time and effort working through Megatron’s terminal. [Blackarachnia stops.] He has all the top security code accesses, priority processing time with the main computers

--- and all the latest software!

...I envy his workstation and we are, technically, left in charge of the base.

BLACK : Terrorsaur, to even reply with a comment would be compliment enough to your shallow attempt at getting me in trouble with Megatron. However, because you can’t handle reality, I will. That’s Megatron’s seat, not mine. Case closed.

---And they never spoke again.

TERRORSAUR : Scorponok uses it, Tarantulas has used it...I’ve used it...

BLACK : Fine. You get in trouble.

---I will then. ..... Wait a minute...

TERRORSAUR : Well, if you want to be that way about it, I suppose you are technically correct.

---But legally wrong.

But I have to wonder that, with your ambitions, I’m surprised you haven’t. After all, suppose we are attacked by Maximals and you have to defend the base with this teeny-tiny monitor...

---And its CGA-graphics card.

BLACK : Terrorsaur, sometimes I live for the day that Megatron blasts you into a million pieces.

---Or more, preferrably.

[She gets up, walks over to Megatron’s throne and sits down.]

BLACK : Computer, reassign...

---And get me a cup of coffee while you're at it.

[Wrist and ankle bracelets immediately converge over Blackarachnia, including a neck harness as well. Blackarachnia offers some token resistance but it’s futile. A gun pops up out of nowhere and is aimed directly at the chair.]

---He tortures chairs in his spare time.

COMP. VOICE #1 : Intruder alert! Engaging auto-defense systems.

BLACK : Terrorsaur! You...you...

---...you...you...you...you... please reset...

TERRORSAUR : [laughs] Did I forget to mention that you need a temporary access code to interact with Megatron’s interface? Why Blackarachnia, it entirely slipped my mind!

BLACK : Terrorsaur, I swear...

---to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

TERRORSAUR : Under MY defense strategy, you have to keep perfectly still and quiet or the demagnetizer beam will stun you. It’s a far cry from the standard operating procedure of a swift three shots in the chest, but you know,

---stuff happens.

you’re right, Blackarachnia, your defense strategy would be better...

BLACK : You stupid son-of-a-...

---...a...a....a...please reset..

[The gun suddenly fires three shots

---of all numbers...

into Blackarachnia. Parts of her fly everywhere. Terrorsaur smiles as the gun is put away and the arm and ankle bracelets slide back into their original places.]

TERRORSAUR : OOPS. Must’ve not changed that part of the system yet. Oh well, I’m going to join the others now, Ms. Arachnia. Do you have...any objections? No?

---Answer me!

Well, I think I can trust you to "keep the fort." [Laughs hysterically as he leaves.]

[Switch scenes to Maximal HQ. Rattrap is obviously working on some piece of heavy machinery

---OBVIOUSLY!

---yeah...of course, dummy, look at the picture!!!

with Dinobot helping him pass tools.]

RATTRAP : [totally engrossed with what he’s doing] That thingy with the three mirrors

---Nice and specific...

[His hand is expecting it.]

---But the rest of him isn't. As you will soon see.

DINOBOT : [gives it to him] Are you sure you know what you’re doing?

RATTRAP : [tinkers around some more] Hey, I’ve seen Rhinox do this on more then one occasion.

---more then? Spelling error.

Besides, I’m a very quick learner. [Some sparks fly out and Rattrap is mildly electrocuted. Rattrap screams and jumps away.

---That tickles!

You see Dinobot’s head follow Rattrap’s trajectory.]

---I do?

DINOBOT : Too bad you’re also a very slow starter.

[Scene switches to Airazor flying around, high over the cave.]

AIRAZOR : [into communicator] Airazor to Optimus Primal, come in.

[Scene switches to Optimus Primal inside the cave. It looks as though he’s the only one in there.]

OPTIMUS : Optimus Primal here. What’s up, Airazor?

---Clouds. Oh, and Airazor.

AIRAZOR : I was going to ask you that. It’s been a while since you’ve been in there. Is everything OK?

OPTIMUS : I’m fine, Airazor.

---I'm talking aren't I?

I’ve sent Tigatron and Cheetor outside to guard the entrance in case of Predacons.

---You may have seen them considering the fact that you're flying RIGHT OUTSIDE THE CAVE!!

They may also have a chance of catching this thing if it tries to go out that way.

AIRAZOR : Do you think it might be a Predacon? Or a Predacon wanna-be?

---Or a combination of both!

OPTIMUS : I don’t know, Airazor, but I’m willing to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.

AIRAZOR : Well, it’s all clear up here.

---And the chance of rain has cleared up and the temperature is a nice 25 C.

I don’t think we’ll be seeing any of the Preds for today.

OPTIMUS : Stay alert anyway. Optimus Primal out.

[Optimus Primal hears the running of feet, but can’t place them. He sees maybe a quick shadow at best.]

---Just maaaaybe.

OPTIMUS : I’m not here to harm you, friend. If you are injured, we may be able to help you. But for us to do that, you have to first speak to me. Give me an indication of your health status.

[Switch to Terrorsaur flying, then descending towards the ground. He transforms, only to find that Megatron, Scorponok, and Tarantulas all appear to be injured and unconscious.

---That's a bad health status report.

Terrorsaur is terrified.

---TERRORsaur is TERRORfied.

Suddenly a voice comes out from behind him.]

---Would you like to buy a letter M?

VOICE #1 : Another heathen! [Terrorsaur turns around] Do you wish the same fates as your friends?

---They have more than one fate? QUANTUM METAPHYSICS!

[You get to see the Predacon in all of it’s glory...a snake’s body with bird wings (but in robot mode).]

---Kinda mixed up isn't it?

[COMMERCIAL TIME]

Scene 3

[Terrorsaur, still terrified, is standing there. Finally, he speaks.]

TERRORSAUR : Who are you?

VOICE #1 : I am Ozmandias, God of all lands that will ever be traveled.

---Whoa! Conceited!

TERRORSAUR : A what?

VOICE #1 : Atheist!

---I'm an Atheist! I just told you!

What pagan land have I emerged on where my name brings nothing but empty stares?

---With a name like Ozmandias, you'd get stared at quite a bit.

TERRORSAUR : It doesn’t have a name! We crashed here in our ship...

OZMANDIAS : A ship? What is that?

TERRORSAUR : A ship. A vessel capable of traveling through space. You do know what space is, don’t you?

OZMANDIAS : So your kind are not native here?

---Your kind IS... to be grammatically correct.

TERRORSAUR : In a word, no.

OZMANDIAS : Interesting...I have never met mortals who could travel the stars...are you sure you are not gods like me?

---well, I haven't checked if I was a God lately, but I thought that if I was a God, I'd know already.

TERRORSAUR : Well...where do you come from?

---Milwaukee

OZMANDIAS : I am from the stars, sitting at the right-hand of the mighty sun itself. I command all the lands that...

---Where is the right hand of a round object?

TERRORSAUR : Yeah, I know that part. Just why are you here, O mighty Ozmandias god?

OZMANDIAS : I need no reason for being, for I am not mortal! Fool!

---Doesn't that make you feel a little useless?

TERRORSAUR : [acting the part] Oh please, great god, do not think any less of me for my naive question?! I only wish to understand why you should appear to us now after all this time!

---I was bored and all my friends were at a Solitare tournement.

OZMANDIAS : Hmmm...a worthy response. You may yet be a worshipper of me, mortal one, unlike the others. For I...

---...For I....For I....For I....please reset.

[A mighty laser blast catches Ozmandias off-guard, and as he tries to recover, two more take it’s place.

---First place.

Ozmandias, though, has not fallen, and flies from laser fire just long enough to speak again.]

OZMANDIAS : Pagans! You curse my blessed arrival with your petty resistance! Your acts of atheism will not go unpunished! Then you will know the might and power of Ozmandias!

---The wonderful wizard of Ozmandias!

[Ozmandias flies away, as Terrorsaur just stares at him. Megatron grabs his attention.]

---And tears it to shreads.

MEGATRON : Well, Terrorsaur, for once your disobedience has actually worked to our favor.

TERRORSAUR : Megatron! Was that...?

MEGATRON : He caught us by surprise, Terrorsaur. I must say he was most impressive in what brief combat we had. Too bad he has chosen not to be on our side.

---But we survived. That's a plus.

TERRORSAUR : At least he won’t be on the Maximal side.

---Of course not. He's his own side.

MEGATRON : An interesting point. Come, let us retreat from this dreadful occurrence. Hopefully, the Maximals will be endowed with the same difficulties we have experienced today...

[Switch scenes to outside cave. Airazor is flying around.

---still....

Then, from immediately below, you see something swoop up.

---I do?

It’s Inferno, and he performs a one-two laser blast to Airazor.

---The ol' one two.

Airazor begins to fall to the ground as Waspinator and Inferno continue on. Airazor falls to the ground, lets out a moan, and goes unconscious.]

[Outside the cave entrance, Tigatron and Cheetor are in robot mode, guns drawn but visibly bored. Suddenly, Tigatron goes paranoid.]

---The disease known as "Spontaneous Paranoia" is spreading across the nation.

CHEETOR : Tigatron, what’s wrong?

---I'm paranoid!

TIGATRON : I don’t know, but there’s something...

[Suddenly, a laser blast hits Tigatron. Cheetor returns fire but is also hit. Tigatron tries to get up, but is hit again, and goes unconscious.]

[Inside the cave, Optimus Primal hears the shots and draws his weapon. Turning around, he walks closer to the cave entrance.]

---He's entranced by its stark beauty.

OPTIMUS : [into communicator] Cheetor, Tigatron, are you there? Airazor, are you there? [he turns around towards the cave] Whoever you are, hide so that they can’t find...

[Optimus is hit by three laser blasts, sending him crashing down to the ground. He tries to get up, but ultimately falls back onto the ground.

---I thought he failed to get up.

Waspinator and Inferno enter the cave, Inferno’s gun pointed clearly at Optimus’s head.]

---Yeah, you wouldn't want it pointed obscurely, now would you.

INFERNO : Only by destroying the queen can we destroy their colony.

[COMMERCIAL TIME]

---At the beep, commercial time will be exactly... 8:34.........BEEP!

Scene 4

[You see the tip of Inferno’s barrel practically touching Optimus’s head, but Waspinator gets Inferno’s attention.]

---HEY! Over Here!

WASPINATOR : Megatron said our mission was to...

INFERNO : [points towards pod] Look, another queen!

WASPINATOR : Ohhh, it’s empty. Where, where, where, could it be?

--- I, I, I, don't know.

INFERNO : The new queen must be destroyed!

[Inferno starts walking over towards the stasis pod, and then shoots it, destroying it in a single shot. Waspinator looks around nervously, sees something running in the shadows.]

---Get out of those shadows. Or you're grounded.

WASPINATOR : Over there!

[Both Waspinator and Inferno shoot at it, but obviously miss.

---We noticed that too.

They look around again, see another "running shadow".]

INFERNO : [points in general direction] There!

[The two shoot again, and again totally miss at what they were aiming at. A quick shot of Optimus slowly gaining conscienceness, beginning to reach for his gun.]

---They were aiming at a quick shot of Optimus slowly gaining conscienceness? And why was his conscience bothering him anyway?

WASPINATOR : This is scary.

---I'm scared.

Waspinator says our mission is through, Megatron did not say...

INFERNO : Must destroy the new queen. Must conquer their colony once and for all!

[As Waspinator turns around to leave, a laser blast hits Waspinator squarely in the chest.

---yes. It's rude to leave.

Waspinator flies backwards and hits a stalagmite.]

WASPINATOR : [looks at wound in chest] Ow. [falls unconscious, slumps to the ground.]

[Inferno aims at Optimus, but again, the running shadow distracts Inferno as he aims elsewhere to catch up to it. Assuming a crouching position, he quietly looks around. It’s dark and silent, with only the light coming down from the ceiling (via hole made when stasis pod crashed through).

---IT'S THE "VIA HOLE"!

Suddenly, a few pebbles hits Inferno’s shoulder.

---And he falls unconscious.

He looks up, just in time to see a large stalactite come down and pin his upper-right torso to the ground. Sparks fly out, his head wavers a little, but then falls on the ground.]

(As OPTIMUS leans against the wall, the figure walks up to him in beast mode. It is a mutated bat, with no wings or eyes.)

---That's a really useful animal there.

CREATURE: You risked your life to save mine. Thank you.

OPTIMUS: My name is Optimus Primal, leader of the Maximals. And you are...?

CREATURE: I don't know who I am.

---I'm having a personality crisis.

(TRANSFORMS to robot mode) But if your kind ever need assistance, I shall be here to help.

(Scene fades out to OPTIMUS and the rest of the Maximals walking back towards the AXALON.

---Boy, they recover fast.

As OPTIMUS comes up the elevator, he sees RHINOX sealing an unconscious RATTRAP inside the CR chamber. DINOBOT is also in the room, and the station appears to be back to normal.)

---It only appears so...

OPTIMUS: How is Rattrap?

RHINOX: He'll be fine. You look like you could use a spin in there yourself.

OPTIMUS: I can wait.

DINOBOT: This Maximal... did it live?

---It's a robot. It doesn't live.

(Everyone turns to look at OPTIMUS)

OPTIMUS: He's alive... he just needs some time alone, that's all.

---Oh... he's in one of his "moods"

TIGATRON: He'll come around, Optimus.

OPTIMUS: We certainly know where to find him.

---IN THE BAT CAVE!!!

CHEETOR: Man, I just hope the Predacons got what they deserved. (OPTIMUS glares at CHEETOR) Well hey, we didn't go after their stasis pod. That's kinda low, if you ask me.

OPTIMUS: We don't work or think like them, Cheetor. They'll make their own mistakes... with or without us.

---"But the mistakes they make with us are so much better...