1) I'm making a lot of assumptions regarding what will happen in the first movie, and am fully aware that most of these assumptions will be wrong.  Oh well.

 

2) This is my first time attempting a script format, so be gentle.

 

3) Several scenarios have been lifted from Version 2.0, but it's my fanfic so it doesn't matter.

 

4) There is some profanity, but there aren't many bad words, and there are no F-bombs.  I'd estimate that about 3 of the 7 dirty words appear in this, as well as one term from the rolodex of love - but when it comes to this erm, either you already know it, or it will look like a silly, innocuous insult.

 

 

 

TRANSFORMERS 2: ESCALATION

 

 

 

 

EXT. CYBERTRON, DECEPTICON REMOTE ENERGON DEPOT IOTA - DAY

 

A half dozen DECEPTICON WARRIORS in robot mode are guarding a small outpost on the outskirts of a long abandoned town.  Ancient scorch marks and battle craters litter the area, along with rusted body parts of victims of those ancient battles.  The outpost has four pre-existing energon silos, and a fifth is being erected by the pre-Earth modified CONSTRUCTICONS, all in vehicle mode.  Sounds of the construction are all that can be heard over the metal landscape.

 

 

CUT TO small platoon of about a dozen AUTOBOTS led by pre-Earth modified ULTRA MAGNUS quietly advancing through the deserted streets toward the outpost.  Utilizing hand signals, Magnus instructs various small groups to hop from one object offering cover to the next object offering cover.

 

Magnus advances as well and silently stops behind an old shed and crouches against the back of it.  A moment later he is joined by CHROMEDOME, who squats next to him.

 

CHROMEDOME

(whisper)

 

Are they slaggin' crazy?  Leaving only six guards and six construction workers stationed at an energon depot?  Shockwave must have blown a fuse in his neural net.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

(whisper)

 

Yeah, it doesn't make sense to me either.  I know that he's been keeping the bulk of his forces in stasis to conserve energon, but he must realize that to leave Depot Iota so vulnerable will ultimately cost him energon, not save it.

 

Ultra Magnus twists and peers around the corner of the shed.  After examining the Decepticon forces, he turns back to Chromedome, shrugs and smiles.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

But I've never been one not to capitalize on an enemy's stupidity.

 

 

CLOSE UP Ultra Magnus raises his wrist communicator to his mouth.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Autobots, go!

 

 

CUT TO previous shot of Ultra Magnus and Chromdome, now springing into action and charging around either side of the shed, taking aim and firing upon the Decepticon guards.

 

CUT TO aerial view of Autobots advancing on the outpost, firing on the Decepticons.  The Decepticon guards return fire, a couple with aerial alternate modes transform and attempt to take to the sky, only to be shot down.  The Constructicons transform into robot mode and fire on their attackers as well.

 

CLOSE UP of the upper body of a black 'Seeker' in robot mode firing at the Autobots.  His chest explodes as a missile connects and he falls backward to the ground.  His comrades can be seen behind him, all of whom are systematically picked off, all except the Constructicons, who are firing from the cover of the silo and other large pieces of equipment that they had been installing.

 

CUT TO aerial view of Autobots moving in on the Constructicons, their fire lessened but a few shots still exchanged.

 

CUT TO shot of all of the Constructicons disappearing behind the same large silo.

 

CUT TO Ultra Magnus and Chromedome cautiously moving forward, several yards apart, their rifles ready to fire.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Optics lit, Autobots!  Nothing's ever this easy!

 

The ground shakes and a large thud is heard as a giant unseen foot takes a step.  Ultra Magnus and Chromedome raise their optics upward to take in the sight that the audience cannot see.  A shadow falls over them as another thudding footfall lightly shakes the ground.

 

CLOSE UP profile of Chromedome's head, Ultra Magnus's head and upper body clearly seen in the background several yards away.

 

CHROMEDOME

(in awe)

 

Holy Primus.

 

Ultra Magnus turns frantically toward Chromedome and reaches out for him.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Chromedome!

 

Suddenly, the edge of the Cybertronian equivalent of SCRAPPER'S shovel (DEVASTATOR'S right foot) blurs through the screen, slicing Chromedome's head from his shoulders.

 

CUT TO front view of Chromedome's decapitated body, his head dropping out of the sky and landing three hundred yards behind him.  His frame drops to its knees, and then falls forward to the ground.

 

CUT TO front view of Ultra Magnus firing forward and up at the unseen giant, calling out to his troops to follow suit.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Fire at will!  I want nothing left of this thing but green and purple filings!

 

CUT TO some of the other Autobots who are initially stunned, terrified and unsure of how to react, but upon hearing Ultra Magnus’ order, open fire on the unseen giant, their expressions shifting to rage and eagerness.

 

CUT TO three other Autobots, also firing, their expressions quickly registering terrified disbelief as their weapons apparently are ineffective against the still unseen giant.

 

CUT TO side view of two Autobots firing up at the enemy, POINTBLANK and GUZZLE.  The left foot of Devastator (Mixmaster's cab section - still pre-earth vehicular) stomps down at them, crushing the head and shoulders of Guzzle and the legs and waist of Pointblank.  The impact creates a thunderous 'thud'.  Pointblank cries out in agony.

 

POINTBLANK

Arrrgggghhhhhh!

 

CUT TO Ultra Magnus charging toward the pinned and injured Autobot, his rifle blasting at the unseen giant.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Hold on, Pointblank!

 

CUT TO a giant purple hand swooping down out of the air.

 

CUT TO the purple hand swooping down from behind him and gripping Ultra Magnus' thigh, hoisting him into the air.  Off screen, ROADBUSTER calls out.

 

ROADBUSTER

(O.S.)

Magnus!

 

CUT TO Roadbuster rallying the Autobots to his position to better organize their fire on the enemy.  He takes a knee and positions his weapons upward.  Other Autobots fall in beside and behind him.

 

ROADBUSTER

Autobots to me!  Sporadic, unorganized bursts are having no effect on this thing, but a unified barrage might.

 

Roadbuster twists and calls out to BACKTALK, a small green Autobot standing near the back of the group.

 

ROADBUSTER

Backtalk, transmit word of what's transpiring back to BLASTER!  He needs to let KUP know what they'll be up against in case we fail!

 

TWIN TWIST

We're not going to fail, Roadbuster.

 

Roadbuster turns back forward and glares up at the still unseen giant.

 

ROADBUSTER

That's the spirit Twin Twist.  Now Autobots....Fire!

 

An impressive display of ordinance launches from the weapons of the Autobots, their faces hopefully expectant as the impact explosions sound off and the lights from the blasts illuminate their faces. 

 

MONTAGE of shots impacting isolated parts of Devastator’s frame.  The images are not large enough to give a clear view of Devastator, just enough to demonstrate that the ordinance is having no real impact.  Deep laughter is heard over the barrage and explosions.

 

DEVASTATOR

Ha ha ha ha ha.

 

CUT TO Roadbuster and other Autobots.  Their faces turn dejected, as it's clear their weapons did not achieve the desired effect, but they maintain their determination and fire again.

 

In the rear, Backtalk frantically yells into his wrist communicator, which is amplified by communications equipment strapped to his back.  Thudding footsteps are heard as well.

 

BACKTALK

(over the sounds of the battle)

Blaster, come in!  The Decepticons have a giant warrior, one with amazing strength!  Our weapons have no effect on it!  This thing is unstoppable!

 

FADE TO BLACK

 

BLACK

 

BACKTALK

(O.S.)

Unstoppable!

 

 

INT. PENTAGON CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

 

CLOSE UP of US SECRETARY OF STATE GWENDOLYN PRICE looking forward.  The US JOINT CHEIFS OF STAFF and UN SECURITY COUNCIL are seated behind her, as are various other US MILITARY OFFICERS.  She is standing at a podium positioned in the aisle way between two sections of seats; the others are all seated behind her.

 

SECRETARY PRICE

So, I guess the basic question at hand is, can the Decepticons be stopped?

 

CUT TO close up of OPTIMUS PRIME'S face

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I believe that we have demonstrated that they can.

 

CUT TO side view of the auditorium that they are in.  To the right are Price and the seated humans.  To the left are Prime, IRONHIDE and PROWL, all standing.  Prime stands just a few inches shy of the ceiling.

 

SECRETARY PRICE

I realize that you and your Autobots marooned here on Earth may have the capability to keep Megatron and his small group in check, but in prior discussions, both you and your chief advisor Prowl have disclosed that at the time of your departure, the war was going in favor of the Decepticons.  So you'll understand if your ability to get the better of a handful of Decepticons on a few occasions does not convince us to open up the possibility of a full scale Decepticon invasion.  Especially given their views of organic life forms.

 

CUT TO view from behind and over the humans of Optimus Prime and his lieutenants flanking him.  Prime is nodding.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I understand your concern, and any option that would put Earth at risk would instantly be dismissed by me.  But the code we plan on using is one that would only be recognized and decipherable by a small handful of my most trusted officers.  Even if Cybertron is completely overrun by the Decepticons, the message would be most likely disregarded, or at the very least, completely indecipherable.  And even if they did take an interest in the signal, there would be no way for them to trace it through the wormhole back to this system.

 

CUT TO GENERAL PETER MAYWEATHER rising from his seat with the US Joint Chiefs.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

Please forgive us if we remain skeptical, Optimus Prime.  You're asking us for permission to send a probe to Cybertron, one that gives away our position and a description of Earth's energy resources, not to mention a breakdown of information regarding our species and various cultures.  Everything an invasion force needs to set us up before knocking us down. 

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(O.S.)

 

As I mentioned, the message will utilize an unbreakable code.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

(chuckles)

Yes, I'm aware of your confidence in your code.  I, however, am confident in only one thing, the Decepticon desire for conquest.  Determined warriors faced with an opportunity like this would find a way to crack the code. 

 

General Mayweather shakes his head disapprovingly.

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

A true military leader would be aware of this.

 

CUT TO Ironhide standing behind and to the left of Prime, angrily pointing at General Mayweather.

 

IRONHIDE

Now wait just a minute, ya’...

 

Ironhide is silenced as Prime raises a hand.

 

PAN RIGHT to Optimus Prime

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I have heard that there might be concerns regarding my leadership, General Mayweather.  Perhaps it's time that we addressed them.

 

VIEW OVER PROWL'S RIGHT SHOULDER, a shot looking toward an empty and dimly lit section of the auditorium beyond the last rows of seats.  There is a slight shift in the shadows, and Prowl's head instantly snaps toward that direction.

 

CLOSE UP of Prowl's face as he stares intently in the direction that he thought he saw something.  In the background, Mayweather is heard replying to Prime.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

(O.S.)

Right, no point in beating around the bush.  There's no doubt that your frame is one of the most powerfully built war machines that I've ever seen, or that that computer in your head makes you a highly intelligent piece of equipment.

 

A new lens slides over Prowl's optics, changing their color.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

(O.S.)

No, my worries, and the worries of the President stem from whether or not you have the cajones to make the tough decisions.

 

VIEW THROUGH Prowl’s optics of the area that had caught his attention a few moments ago, but now the image changes colors as Prowl views the area through different visual spectrums.  Several different spectrums are used, but the various scans reveal nothing.

 

VIEW FROM over and behind humans at the Autobots

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Please elaborate, and I kindly ask you to refrain from referring to us as pieces of equipment.  We are living, sentient beings.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

The jury's still out on that one, big guy.

 

VIEW LOOKING AT MAYWEATHER

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

But I’ll be happy to go into further detail regarding our concerns of your ability to lead the Autobots to victory over the Decepticons.  Let's just say that I, and those I represent, don't think you have the ruthlessness required to do whatever it takes to win.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(O.S.)

Believe me, General, I will undertake any ethical action to attain victory.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

(laughs gently)

You must realize, Autobot, that what is considered to be ethical is directly related to what is at stake.  If I were to get into a fight with an unarmed man and knock him down, I'd let him back up.  Now if that man was armed, I’d keep beating on him until he stopped twitching.

 

VIEW OF PRIME'S FRONT as he crosses his arms.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I think I see where you're going with this, though your analogy is not the most effective.

 

VIEW LOOKING AT MAYWEATHER

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

Well then, how's this for an analogy?  It’s the summer of 1945, and you are a living, sentient biological life form by the name of Harry Truman.  You are at war with an enemy that is thoroughly indoctrinated by a strict ethnocentrism, bears a warriors' code that glorifies a death in battle, and is led by someone that is viewed by the majority of his followers as some sort of infallible god.  I think that this is an analogy that you could appreciate, right Prime?

 

CLOSE UP of Optimus Prime, his face contorts to show his annoyance at the human

 

VIEW LOOKING AT MAYWEATHER

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

So you're Harry Truman, and you're presented with a chance to end the war utilizing a new and highly destructive weapon.

 

CLOSE UP OF OPTIMUS PRIME

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

(O.S)

Well Prime, do you drop the bomb or don't you?

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

My answer is probably the same one that Truman would have given in 1944; I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

(O.S.)

An unacceptable answer with so much at stake.

 

VIEW of Secretary Price, who sends a look in the direction of Mayweather.

 

SECRETARY PRICE

General, that's enough, we're not here to discuss this issue at this time.

 

Price then turns forward to look at Optimus Prime

 

SECRETARY PRICE

We’re here to discuss the option presented by Optimus Prime concerning his planned communication with Cybertron.  My concern with this undertaking is has to do with the security of the project itself.  If in fact the Decepticons are able to crack your code, or even to piggyback a message of their own through your wormhole to their comrades on Cybertron, humans, as a species stand to be wiped from existence.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(O.S)

I assure you, Madam Secretary, that there is absolutely no way for the Decepticons to crack the code that we will be using. 

 

VIEW OF OPTIMUS PRIME

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

And as for the Decepticons getting a message back to Cybertron, the wormhole generation technology that they possessed was destroyed when their ship went down, and in order to do any 'piggy-backing', they would have to be aware of this mission.  As of now, the only ones aware of this are the individuals in this room, Wheeljack, Jazz, and your respective national leaders.

 

VIEW OF AND BEHIND PROWL

 

Prowl is still looking forward, his head slowly twisting as he persistently scans the room to see what he thought he had seen earlier.  Behind him, there is a ripple in the shadows and a pair of red optics dimly flaring.  The optics disappear and more rippling is visible as the near-invisible object darts away.

 

SECRETARY PRICE

(O.S.)

All right Optimus, I'm still very worried, but I appreciate your pro-active approach to ridding the planet of Megatron.

 

 

VIEW OF SECRETARY PRICE

 

SECRETARY PRICE

So barring any objections from those present here...

 

Secretary Price turns and looks at the members of the Security Council, all of which shake their heads to indicate that they had no objections.  She turns back and smiles at the Autobot leader.

 

CUT TO outside of Pentagon.  View looking in through the perimeter gates, guards are visible.  Pan to follow barely visible ripples as the near-invisible form sprints at amazing speed across the grass and bounds over the fence. 

 

SECRETARY PRICE

(O.S.)

I'll recommend to the President and the U.N. Security Council to allow the launch of your probe.

 

PAN with the image as it continues down the sidewalk along the street.  Several dozen yards later, in a section of the sidewalk where a parked truck blocks much of the view, the cloaking field is disengaged and RAVAGE is visible, but only for a second as he bounds over a parked car, transforms to a motorcycle, and hits the street speeding, causing a couple cars to swerve and nearly crash into one another.  Ravage continues down the street, and a second later a holographic image of a human rider appears on top of him.  The holographic rider turns back toward the drivers that he nearly caused to get into an accident, who are cursing at him, and flicks them off.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(O.S.)

Thank you Madam Secretary.

 

 

INT. AUTOBOT CYBERTRONIAN HEADQUARTERS, HALLWAY - NIGHT

 

Heavy footsteps are heard as a hulking figure makes his way through the dimly lit hallway.  It is pre-Earth modified GRIMLOCK, though the shot is from behind him and only reveals the back of his head and massive right shoulder.  Pre-Earth modified SMOKESCREEN and TRACKS are walking toward him, each a little over half his size and both clearly intimidated by him.  They give him a wide berth as he makes his way toward an open doorway up ahead.  The voices of the as yet unseen KUP and BLASTER are coming from the room.

 

KUP

You'd better have a damn good reason for bringing me here, Blaster.  My priorities right now are retrieving Ultra Magnus and figuring out a way to counter whatever monstrosity routed the platoon that he was leading, not listening to some useless garbling you picked up from orbit.

 

AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE DOORWAY

 

Grimlock, still only seen from the back, turns and peers into the room to see Kup standing behind pre-Earth modified Blaster, who is seated at a communications console.  Pre-Earth modified EJECT, STEELJAW and REWIND are also in the room manning other pieces of equipment.

 

BLASTER

Would you still consider the garbling useless if I were to tell you that that the hailing codes matched those of the Ark, and that the message was encrypted using the Trion Code?

 

KUP

(stunned)

What?

 

BLASTER

We can certainly de-garble it, but the energon required to do so would exceed what our department has been allocated for an entire decacycle.

 

KUP

You can garnish my personal rations to cover this!  Do whatever it takes to make that static coherent.  After losing Ultra Magnus, we need all the good news we can get.

 

Blaster smiles as he begins typing into the console.

 

BLASTER

All right, I guess you're the boss, sort of.  Eject?

 

Eject begins making adjustments to the equipment he's seated at, and after a few moments the screens on all the equipment in the room glow brighter and the humming of some of the equipment gets louder.

 

EJECT

This should be enough juice to get the metal shavings out of their mouths.  Feel free to give it another shot Kup.

 

INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

 

View of Blaster and Kup staring straight ahead at the screen and speaker at the console Blaster is seated at.  They are oblivious to Grimlock standing in the  doorway, his features hidden by shadows.

 

KUP

I'm not getting any younger, Blaster.

 

BLASTER

(under his breath)

Hard to imagine you being any older, either.

 

KUP

What was that?

 

BLASTER

It's coming through now.

 

Blaster twists some dials and flicks some switches.  Some SIZZLING and STATIC are heard before a voice comes through.

 

JAZZ

(O.S.)

I'm sending a big shout-out to all my Autobuddies back home on Cybertron.  This is Jazz here to tell ya' that Prime, Prowl, Ratchet, heck, the whole Ark crew is alive and well on an organic world named Earth.  I'm forwarding the coordinates of our location now.

 

OVER KUP AND BLASTER'S SHOULDERS

 

The screen that Kup and Blaster are looking at bursts to life, initially displaying a view of the Milky Way solar system, and then the picture zooms in to an outer region of it, and then continues to zoom in to our solar system.  Cybertronian characters scroll across the bottom of the screen.

 

JAZZ

(O.S.)

It took a little time, but we've achieved a tentative truce with the only higher-functioning species on the planet, small organic creatures called humans.  I've included basic language and cultural information about them for your downloading enjoyment.

 

DOORWAY

 

Closeup of Grimlock's glowing red optic narrowing as he takes in the information.  Only his visor and a tiny bit of his black face are revealed.

 

JAZZ

The bad news is that MEGATRON and his band of goons are alive and well too, and have brought their own brand of joy to this new world.  So in addition to slugging it out with the Decepticons, we've got to look out for our new little buddies.

 

GRIMLOCK

(lightly)

Grrrrrrr.

 

HALLWAY

 

Pre-Earth modified Grimlock turns away from doorway and transforms to Cybertronian tank mode after a few steps.  Tank rolls off screen.

 

JAZZ

Prime figures that if we can eliminate Megatron, the humans will be willing to share some of their energy resources with us.  And let me just say that we're talking about enough energy to drive the 'Cons off of Cybertron forever.

 

 

EXT. OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE OF AUTOBOT CYBERTRONIAN HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

 

Pre-Earth modified SLAG, SLUDGE, SWOOP and SNARL are milling about outside the hidden entrance to the subterranean base, waiting for Grimlock.  A slat in the ground slides open, and Grimlock (tank mode) rolls out the entrance and past his waiting troops.

 

SWOOP

So how goes the rescue planning?

 

GRIMLOCK

Come with me.

 

Swoop simply shrugs at having his question ignored, and along with the other robots, transforms to his vehicular mode and sets out after Grimlock.

 

JAZZ

(O.S.)

You just need to keep any and all info regarding Earth on the down low, 'cause if Shockwave were to find out and send troops, Earth would probably be blasted to dust in our cross-fire. 

 

 

INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

 

Shot of Kup and Blaster smiling at each other as they listen to Jazz's words.

 

JAZZ

(O.S.)

So how would some of you nice fella's like to pay a visit to this blue and green paradise?  I'll be happy to take you to all the hot nightspots.

 

BLASTER

Can you slaggin' believe that?  Whoooo!

 

Blaster spins around in his swiveling chair.  Kup lets him spin around twice before grabbing the chair to stop it.

 

KUP

Just make sure this doesn't leak out!  This could go terribly wrong if Shockwave got wind of it.

 

EJECT

Sirs...

 

Kup and Blaster turn toward Eject

 

VIEW OF EJECT

 

Eject nervously looks from one officer to the other.

 

EJECT

I've detected another message that seems to have been bounced through the wormhole that delivered ours.  I'm having difficulty identifying the code, but I'm pretty sure it's Decepticon.

 

VIEW OF BLASTER AND KUP

 

Blaster and Kup look at each other crestfallenly.

 

KUP

Smelt it all.

 

 

EXT. DECEPTICON CYBERTRONIAN HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

 

INT. DECEPTICON THRONEROOM

 

SHOCKWAVE sits upon a throne as Pre-Earth modified RATBAT plays back a message from MEGATRON.

 

MEGATRON

Rejoice Decepticons, for your lord and master continues to function.  I, Megatron, leader of the Decepticons, bring news of my awakening and expansion of our glorious empire to the third planet of this system designated Sol.  It is currently infested with all forms of organic life, but once Optimus Prime and his underlings are eliminated, the cyberforming of this mud ball will begin.  Upon the extermination of all indigenous organics, we shall take advantage of the one contribution their kind provides - vast fossil fuel resources!  Ha ha ha ha.

 

CLOSE UP OF SHOCKWAVE'S FACE

 

MEGATRON

But to expedite this, I will require reinforcements from Cybertron to be dispatched here immediately.  The coordinates have been attached to this communication, as well as a specifications for dozens of forms native to this world.  Decepticons may not need to disguise themselves, but only a fool dismisses a potential advantage for no reason, so be sure to format the reinforcements to blend into this planet.  My will be done!  Decepticons forever!

 

Message ends (CLICK). 

 

Wide out of Shockwave and Ratbat.  Shockwave drums the fingers of his one hand against the armrest.

 

RATBAT

There is also a private message addressed specifically to you.  Would you like me to provide you a recording and leave the room?

 

SHOCKWAVE

Don't insult me with your feigned respect of privacy.  Just play the message that I'm certain that you've already heard.

 

Ratbat opens his mouth to protest, but thinks better of it.  Instead he plays Megatron's postscript.

 

MEGATRON

(O.S.)

This message is for Shockwave, assuming he still functions.  Shockwave, my most trusted lieutenant, I will require you to breathe new life into a program long since shelved due to energon shortages.  Now that the vast energy resources of the Earth are all but in our grasp, it is time to see our war-world project to fruition!  I have no doubt that your impressive data retention abilities will allow you to instantly remember the most minute of details regarding this project, and what will be required to bring it back on-line.  The conquest of Earth is but the first step in the great Decepticon Empire.  Play your part well and your seat at my right hand will be secured.  Decepticons forever!

 

RATBAT

Primus smiles upon you Shockwave.  While I am ignorant of any aspect of this war-world project that Megatron spoke of, I do see the incredible value that this organic planet provides.  Plus, you've been looking for a worthy destination to plant a spacebridge, and Megatron has provided you with one. 

 

SHOCKWAVE

Yes, and it only took him fifty thousand vorns.

 

RATBAT

So whom are you going to dispatch with the bridge?

 

SHOCKWAVE

(long pause)

Let's make it clear to Megatron that our military research and development has not been idle during his absence.  Instruct BLITZWING and SCRAPPER to have their teams report to the infirmary for reformatting.

 

 

INT. ARK CONTROL ROOM - DAY

 

VIEW from behind BUMBLEBEE, SPIKE and WHEELJACK watching footage of a NASA space walk on the main viewscreen as they are seated at the control console, relaxing.  Spike's seat is a regular human sized one hoisted up on some sort of hydrolic lift so that he's at the same level as the Autobots.

 

WHEELJACK

You know, it seems silly that I'm not allowed to redesign the human's spacecraft and spacesuits.  All because of a belief put into their organic skulls by a 60's sci-fi show.

 

BUMBLEBEE

I think the bickering between governments about alien technology upsetting the balance of power had more to do with it.

 

SPIKE

Yeah, we've grown to like being the only superpower, and I sure the Pentagon is going to do all they can to keep you bucket-heads from screwing it up for us.

 

WHEELJACK

Well, whatever the reason, it just seems unfortunate to see humans precariously tip-toeing through space because the technology that their lives depend on is so primitive.  With just a few tweaks I could increase their safety and mobility tenfold.

 

SPIKE

I don't know.  It may be good that you're not allowed to mess with our stuff, Wheeljack.  After all, when your contraptions blow up on your fellow Autobots, all it takes is a visit to Ratchet to undo the damage.  With us, damage like that can't really be undone.

 

WHEELJACK

Ah, come on, Spike, you're exaggerating.  My inventions don't blow up that often; right Bumblebee?

 

BUMBLEBEE

Ahhh, I wonder how Prime's doing?

 

WHEELJACK

Way to bust my bearings, guys.  Seriously, you don't think my stuff is that volatile, do you?

 

Spike and Bumblebee share a glance and a smile.

 

SPIKE

Uh, I think you'd be better off discussing Prime, Wheeljack.

 

FADE TO BLACK

 

 

INT. OPTIMUS PRIME'S QUARTERS - DAY

 

Optimus Prime is sitting down on a slab and reclining to a laying position very wearily.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(thought)

Are the humans right?  Do I lack the ruthlessness necessary to defeat the Decepticons?

 

CLOSE UP Prime's face.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(thought)

They would not be the first to raise this concern.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Engage stasis lock.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(thought)

My mind will be better able to dwell on this after a recharge.

 

Optimus Prime's optics dim to opaque.

 

ZOOM IN quickly to Prime's right optic.

 

 

EXT. ETHEREAL PLAIN - LIT LIKE DAY, THOUGH NEITHER DAY NOR NIGHT TRULY APPLY

 

Optimus Prime finds himself alone on a featureless outdoor landscape.  The ground is metal and very shiny.  The area is well lit, though there is no visible sun or other source of illumination.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Hmmm, don't think I've ever had this dream before.

 

VIEW rotates around so that it's behind and looking past Prime.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

This peace is almost more unnerving than the apocalyptic visions I normally have.

 

A mist gathers several dozen yards ahead of Prime, and the outlines of three humanoid-shaped forms can be seen emerging from it.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Ah, here it comes.  What'll it be this time?  Megatron?  Unknown Decepticons?  Minions of a chaotic deity?  Or one of the other regulars that haunt my downtime?

 

SENTINEL PRIME

This communion, like the visions you describe, serves to better prepare you for the trials you will face in time.

 

The forms fully emerge from the mist, revealing they to be SENTINEL PRIME, PRIMA and PRIME NOVA - former Primes long since deceased.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I...I know you.

 

SENTINEL PRIME

Yes.  You know all of us in a way, you just recognize me from the historical data tracks.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Sentinel Prime.  But...how?  Am I one with the Matrix?

 

PRIMA

No.  You remain functional.  We have simply chosen to reveal ourselves to you at this time.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I see, but if I may ask, why now?  I have sought your wisdom since first having the mantle of leadership bestowed upon me.

 

SENTINEL PRIME

You may have been seeking our wisdom, but you have never required more than what you already possess.  That is why you were chosen.  We commune with you now not to impart any knowledge or insight, but merely to reinforce what you already know.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

And what is it that I already know?

 

PRIME NOVA

That you are more than worthy of the mantle you bear.  Of us all, you are the greatest.  You are the one destined to light our darkest hour. 

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

No.  I accepted my role as leader, and will lead my soldiers to the best of my ability, facing any tribulations that lay before me, but I cannot accept talk of destiny.  Primus' greatest gift to us was that of free will, and to believe in any pre-destination seems a mockery of that gift.

 

SENTINEL PRIME

You are thinking in terms of absolutes.  Free will exists in conjunction with Primus' grand view.  His view possesses the flexibility required by that gift of free will, but there are certain events that must transpire, challenges that can only be met by a select few; or in some cases, a chosen one.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I pray that this is merely a dream.  I am overwhelmed as a military leader; I cannot bear the burden of being a champion of Primus.

 

PRIMA

Your doubts, misplaced and counterproductive as they may be, are not completely without foundation.  There will be tasks ahead of you, tasks that you will find to be abhorrent and be reluctant to perform, but perform them you must.  You are the Prime, and the greater good must be preserved, no matter the cost.

 

The three deceased Primes turn back toward the mist and begin walking toward it.

 

SENTINEL PRIME

Farewell, brother.  We know the journey ahead of you is daunting, but face these trials with the confidence that you above all others are equipped to meet them.

 

The forms disappear into the mist.

 

CLOSE UP Optimus Prime's face.

 

ZOOM IN to his right optic

 

 

INT. OPTIMUS PRIME'S QUARTERS - DAY

 

CLOSE UP of Prime's face.  A beeping is heard.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME'S WRIST COMMUNICATOR

(O.S.)

BEEP...BEEP...BEEP.

 

ZOOM OUT as Prime pulls himself off the slab and onto his feet.  He raises his wrist communicator to his face.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Prime here.

 

WHEELJACK

(O.S.)

Sorry to pull you out of stasis, Prime, but we've detected something in Earth's orbit that you need to take a look at.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

On my way.

 

FADE TO BLACK

 

 

EXT. SPACE ORBITING EARTH

 

A space shuttle hovers in orbit as an ASTRONAUT floats freely, connected to the open bay of the shuttle by a thin tether.

 

ASTRONAUT

With the assistance of my helmet-mounted video feed, boys and girls, you are now sharing my view of our beautiful planet.  Feel free to wave to yourselves.

 

After a few seconds the astronaut slowly and awkwardly twists around so that he is now looking out away from Earth.  CUT to view from behind astronaut looking into deep space.

 

ASTRONAUT

In contrast to Earth's living beauty, outer space seems to be little more than a desolate void.  But looks can be deceiving.  Space holds many mysteries and wonders, and perhaps some of you will grow up to uncover some of these mysteries.

 

A ripple in space appears in the distance ahead of the astronaut, and a moment later a small Autobot shuttle cuts through.

 

ASTRONAUT

What the...?

 

The ripple vanishes and the craft slowly steadies and approaches.

 

ASTRONAUT

Houston, cut the feed to the networks and patch in the Pentagon!

 

INT. AUTOBOT SHUTTLE

 

Swoop pilots the ship as it approaches the space shuttle and the space-walking astronaut.  The other members of the team are squeezed into the cockpit around him, all looking out the window in front of them at the shuttle and the Earth behind it.

 

SWOOP

Primitive spacecraft, no discernable weaponry, crewed by minuscule organic bi-peds.  The characters on the side seem to indicate those that speak the language known as English constructed it.

 

GRIMLOCK

Looks like we're in the right place.

 

SLAG

(pointing)

The squishies sure like their flying garbage.  There's another one.

 

ASTROTRAIN in space shuttle mode cruises around the human shuttle and toward the Autobot craft.  Grimlock and his team are unaware that this is anything other than another human space shuttle.  Just as various warning sensors begin going off on the console in front of Swoop, Astrotrain opens fire on the Autobot shuttle. 

 

The astronaut watches on, the image of Astrotrain crippling the Autobot ship reflected in his visor.  Then the image of Astrotrain turning around, approaching and then firing at the human is reflected as well.

 

INT. PENTAGON HALLWAY - EARLY MORNING

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER walks briskly down the busy hallway, LIEUTENANT MARCUS NICOLOSI struggles to keep up the pace and maneuver around OTHER OFFICERS attending to their own business as he converses with Mayweather.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

HorseBlot, Nicolosi!  Granted, their A.I. is generations beyond our wettest dreams, and I have no doubt that they've been programmed into believing that they're alive, but ultimately they're nothing more than complex, oversized toasters.  There is no spark of the Divine listed anywhere in their schematics.

 

NICOLOSI

Well sir, it's funny that you should use that terminology.  You see, according to...

 

Nicolosi is interrupted as TWO SOLDIERS approach them and salute the General.

 

FIRST SOLDIER

Sir.  The SECRETARY OF DEFENSE requests your presence immediately.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

Ah hell, what now?

 

 

EXT. SKY OVER SAN DIEGO - DAY

 

The Autobot shuttle emerges in the distant sky, and is soon seen hurtling downward, a trail of smoke coming from it.

 

INT. COCKPIT OF AUTOBOT SHUTTLE

 

Swoop is banged around as he desperately tries to control the crashing ship, flames and smoke are emanating from the console he's working on.  Slag, Sludge and Snarl are busy trying to put out other fires, while Grimlock calmly peers straight ahead out the window at the quickly approaching ground.  Downtown San Diego is quickly approaching.

 

GRIMLOCK

The city may not be the best place to land, Swoop.

 

SWOOP

Ugh.  Thanks for the suggestion boss.  I'll take it under advisement.

 

Swoop leans back, pulling the stick back with him and snapping off the back of the chair he's seated at.  The view of the city shifts as the shuttle turns to the northeast of the city.

 

SLAG

Yeah, I'll rest easier knowing that my remains will be found in mud and other organic crap as opposed to metal and glass.

 

GRIMLOCK

Shut up Slag.

 

Mountains rush up and the craft crashes.

 

 

EXT. SKY - DAY

 

Astrotrain, still in space shuttle mode, flies alongside a Decepticon shuttle.  A door on the side of the shuttle opens and Blitzwing and OCTANE jump from it. 

 

BLITZWING

(into wrist communicator)

Reconnoiter with Megatron; we'll make sure that these Autobots are finished.

 

Blitzwing and Octane transform to plane modes.

 

SCRAPPER

(O.S.)

Got it.

 

 

EXT. SAN DIEGO WILD ANIMAL PARK DINOSAUR MOUNTAIN - DAY

 

Swoop and Sludge are standing guard outside of the crashed shuttle, smoke, dust and broken trees are everywhere, the horns of emergency vehicles are heard in the distance.

 

SLUDGE

Swoop, what was the probe for?

 

SWOOP

The data concerning this world's mechanical forms was destroyed in the crash.  We needed to scan new mechanical alternate forms.

 

SLUDGE

Why?

 

SWOOP

So that the shuttle's automated repair bay can reconfigue us into those forms.

 

SLUDGE

Why?

 

SWOOP

So we can blend in with forms native to this planet.

 

SLUDGE

Why?

 

SWOOP

Oh for Primus' sake, will you stop asking stupid questions?

 

SLUDGE

Sorry.

 

SWOOP

Don't worry about it Sludge.  I'm sorry for snapping at you.

 

SLUDGE

(hesitant)

Swoop, what are Grimlock, Slag and Snarl doing?

 

Swoop shakes his head, but the sounds of jet engines pull his attention away from his comrade's repeated questions.

 

SWOOP

Incoming!

 

A pair of missiles impacts the ground near the two Autobots, sending them hurtling through the air and scorching the already heavily damaged hull of the shuttle.  Blitzwing in jet mode zips by overhead.

 

BLITZWING

Congratulations on surviving the crash!

 

Blitzwing swoops back up into the sky, turns back down and speeds toward Sludge, who is climbing off of the ground. 

 

BLITZWING

Here's your reward!

 

A moment before impact, Blitzwing transforms to tank mode and slams into Sludge.  Swoop gets up off of the ground and starts toward his comrade, but turns as he hears a horrible noise coming through the trees behind him.  Astrotrain in locomotive mode bursts through the trees and bashes into Swoop before the Autobot can react.

 

Blitzwing climbs out of the crater created from his impact with Sludge, laughing.  He starts to walk away but a hand reaches out and grabs his leg.  Sludge is holding him, his head and shoulders sticking out of the hole, and he jerks back and throws Blitzwing back through the trees.

 

OCTANE

You're a durable piece of slag, aren't you?

 

Octane transforms from jet mode to robot mode and stands over Sludge.

 

SLUDGE

Not Slag, I'm Sludge.

 

OCTANE

Yeah, I give an exhaust cloud.

 

Octane opens fire on Sludge, forcing him back into the crater.

 

SNARL

Seeing as you're into cheap shots...

 

Snarl in stegosaurus mode leaps from the doorway of the shuttle, lands a few feet from Octane, swings his massive body, and slams his tail into the Decepticon.

 

SNARL

How's this?

 

Snarl looks at his spiked tail.

 

SNARL

This form isn't without its charms; but it still sucks.

 

Astrotrain transforms to robot mode and begins firing on Snarl, but a stream of flame soon encompasses him.  Slag, who’s mouth is the source of the flame, walks out from the shuttle, maintaining his blast of fire as he makes his way into the ravaged forest.

 

SLAG

Save your firepower for me, Femme!

 

Blitzwing comes running through the jagged trunks of the toppled trees, firing at Slag.  Grimlock emerges from the shuttle in robot mode and simply glares at Blitzwing, who stops running and firing and meets his glare.  Blitzwing looks to his comrades, sparks and fluid shooting up from Octane's chest and Astrotrain's molten rifle welded to his hand.

 

BLITZWING

Decepticons, retreat.  We’ll finish these wimps another time.

 

The Decepticons transform to their flight modes and vanish into the sky.

 

CLOSE UP Grimlock

 

GRIMLOCK

Get them into the repair bay.

 

 

EXT. DESOLATE STRETCH OF LAND ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CLEVELAND - DUSK

 

Megatron and the other original EARTH-BOUND DECEPTICONS approach the landed shuttle where Scrapper, HOOK, MIXMASTER, LONG HAUL, SCAVENGER and BONECRUSHER are standing outside of it waiting for them.

 

MEGATRON

Ah, Scrapper, it is good to see you.

 

SCRAPPER

And it is glorious to see you as well, lord Megatron.  Word of your continued existence has re-invigorated Decepticons everywhere.

 

STARSCREAM

Such pathetic boot-licking is obviously born out of fear, and not devotion.

 

SCRAPPER

And here I thought that the continued existence of Prime and his crew was the only downside to learning of your survival.  It's unfortunate that your spark continues to burn, Starscream.

 

MEGATRON

Starscream's spark will burn as long as his contributions outweigh his treachery.  Though I must admit, his ledger is starting to lean away from the contributions column.

 

STARSCREAM

I am the greatest flier in existence.  The asset I present to the Decepticon Empire is worth any price.

 

MEGATRON

That theory may be put to the test sooner, rather than later.

 

Megatron looks to the sky and sees the three triplechangers approaching.

 

MEGATRON

But for now let us prepare the way for our conquest of this organism-infested world.  SOUNDWAVE, forward my instructions to Shockwave.  Constructicons, begin assembling the spacebridge, but leave it in transportable components.  Upon its final assembly...

 

Megatron points to the Davis-Bessie Nuclear Power Plant in the far distance.

 

MEGATRON

That will be its power source.  Get to work!

 

 

EXT. ALONG NORTHBOUND CALIFORNIA INTERSTATE 5 - EVENING

 

Grimlock, Slag, Sludge and Snarl are marching north in dinosaur modes.  Hundreds of terrified MOTORISTS are scrambling to get out of their way, driving off the road, causing accidents and many leaving their cars to flee on foot.  Swoop in pterodactyl mode approaches them.

 

SWOOP

You know boss, I kind of get the feeling that our chosen alternate modes are not as inconspicuous as we had thought they'd be.

 

GRIMLOCK

Your return from scout patrol had better be for a reason other than to deliver smart-ass comments.

 

SWOOP

Relax, oh mighty commander, I bring news of an approaching Autobot shuttle.

 

Just as Swoop makes his announcement, the shuttle in question can be seen approaching from the north.  A few moments later the shuttle manages to find a clearing to land between scattered cars and Jazz, SIDESWIPE and SUNSTREAKER cruise down the opening entrance ramp in vehicle modes.  SPIKE is in Jazz's driver's seat.  The cars stop several dozen feet from the Dinobots, Spike gets out of Jazz and the Autobot cars transform into robot modes.

 

SPIKE

You guys never mentioned you had Dinobots.

 

SIDESWIPE

(to Sunstreaker)

They're bearing Autobrands, so don't start blasting away, psycho.

 

SUNSTREAKER

Go smelt yourself, 'Swipe.

 

JAZZ

(to the siblings)

Enough you two. 

 

JAZZ

(to the Dinobots)

Greetings.  I am Jazz, and I am here on behalf of Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots.

 

GRIMLOCK

You always did love the sound of your own voice.

 

Grimlock and the other Dinobots transform to robot modes.  The other Autobots, who had been holding their weapons in a relaxed manner, suddenly raise them to the ready as they recognize them.

 

GRIMLOCK

Oh, that's right.  We weren't exactly on the best terms when you guys left.

 

SPIKE

Uh, what's going on guys?  They're Autobots, right?

 

JAZZ

Yes and no.  They are Autobots, but they're members of what you'd call a fringe militia group, a group whose methods practically mirror those of the Decepticons.

 

VIEW OVER AND BEHIND Jazz and others, looking at Dinobots

 

SLAG

Ah, come on.  We're worse than Decepticons, you sludge-spouting wuss.

 

BUMBLEBEE

(O.S. - through Jazz's wrist communicator)

They've sworn off the established Autobot leadership and military, claiming we're too soft to ever beat the Decepticons.  Grimlock, the one with the gold chest, has repeatedly made the assertion that he is the rightful ruler of the Autobots, and has openly challenged Optimus Prime on numerous occasions.  Oh, and Jazz, I've forwarded news of this development to Prime.

 

JAZZ

Well done buddy.  So Grimlock, is this another insane attempt to seize power away from Prime?  I almost hope so, as I've been looking forward to seeing him knock your head off your frame for countless vorns.

 

SWOOP

Not a likely scenario Jazz, even if that's what we were here for.  And not everyone in your little group finds our methods to be so appalling.

 

Swoop nods toward Sunstreaker.

 

SUNSTREAKER

Hey, I'm all for taking the gloves off, but even I have some regard for civilians.

 

GRIMLOCK

We've learned to regard them as well. 

 

SNARL

Yeah, we’re speaking their local language, aren’t we?  That should clue you in that we’re not the butchers you make us out to be.

 

GRIMLOCK

(to Snarl)

Enough.

 

GRIMLOCK

(to Autobots)

Much has happened since your group abandoned Cybertron.  I had assumed that Kup would have filled you in by now.

 

 

INT. ARK PRIVATE MEETING ROOM - NIGHT

 

Grimlock, PROWL and IRONHIDE are all seated at a round table with several vacant seats.  Ironhide and Grimlock are heatedly glaring at each other.

 

IRONHIDE

Why the hell are we humorin' this slag-plated bucket-head?  He's been gunnin' fer Prime since the day Optimus got the Matrix, and no steamin' load about forming an alliance with Magnus is going to convince me he's changed his ways.

 

PROWL

Let it go, Ironhide.  We should know soon enough whether or not Grimlock is telling the truth.

 

IRONHIDE

Ah, I still don't like havin' him here.

 

GRIMLOCK

Then why don't you remove me old-timer?

 

IRONHIDE

Don't tempt me, ya' big bucket a' nuts!  I've been itchin' fer the chance to tear ya' apart since the early days of the war.

 

PROWL

That's enough, both of you.

 

GRIMLOCK

Well Ironhide, here's your chance.  You'd be doing us all a favor by giving me a reason to snuff that ancient spark of yours.  It's something that's long over-due.

 

Ironhide rises to his feet, knocking his chair to the floor.  Grimlock remains seated with his arms crossed, chuckling to himself.  Prowl rises to his feet as well.

 

PROWL

I said that's enough!

 

The door to the room slides open and in walks Optimus Prime.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I'm surprised you guys haven't come to blows yet.

 

GRIMLOCK

Come back in a couple minutes.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

No, I think I'll stay.

 

Optimus Prime sits down at the table, Prowl follows suit and Ironhide finally does so as well.

 

IRONHIDE

Can we finally brig this exhaust port and his band of thugs?

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

No, it seems that he was telling the truth.  During our absence from Cybertron, the Decepticons launched a series of successful campaigns that nearly wiped the Autobot forces from existence.  To survive, all Autobots needed to present a united front, so Magnus and Grimlock formed a tentative alliance.  Of course, this little trip to Earth was without any authorization, or even any notification.

 

GRIMLOCK

My charming spontaneity is part of the package.  Magnus learned to deal with it in time, but please let me know if it's going to be a deal-breaker for you.

 

PROWL

Not all of us are upset to hear this news of this alliance, Grimlock.  Your forces have always been extremely effective, and you personally have proven to be an exceptional military leader.  Perhaps a little too brutal, but it's hard to argue with your results.  Of course, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't concerned that you might still be gunning for Prime, as Ironhide pointed out.

 

GRIMLOCK

Then maybe I should clear the air a bit.  I am most fit to lead the Autobots to victory over the Decepticons.  I have no doubt that Optimus Prime would make a better peacetime administrator, but he lacks the ruthlessness to overcome the likes of Megatron and Shockwave.

 

Grimlock looks down at the table and pauses for a moment before looking back up at the others.  Prowl and Ironhide send a glance at one another, both noting that this was the second time in less than 24 hours that they had heard this sentiment.

 

GRIMLOCK

But for the sake of this unified front, I will refrain from any attempts to physically seize power.  I am confident that in time, my successes in battle will make it clear to even Prime himself that the Autobots' best chance at victory is with me at its head.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Fair enough.  You will certainly be given ample opportunity to prove yourself.

 

Optimus Prime reaches out to shake hands with Grimlock.  Grimlock refrains from taking it.

 

GRIMLOCK

We're allies, but that doesn't mean I like, or even respect you.

 

Grimlock gets up and marches out of the room, barely giving the door time to open for him.  The door slides shut behind him.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Kup was right; he really has mellowed over the vorns.

 

IRONHIDE

Good to hear that old wheel barrel is still alive and kickin'.  Sounds like he and Magnus have got their hands full.

 

Optimus Prime shakes his head sadly

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Unfortunately Magnus has been captured.  He was leading a raid when he and his troops encountered a force that wiped them out.  The few survivors that made it back reported that some sort of giant super-warrior, one that was all but impervious to their weapons, had overcome them.  Magnus was last seen in this creature's grasp.

 

PROWL

Great.  Magnus is either captured or dead, the Decepticons have successfully created triple-changers, they apparently have some invincible giant, and the only thing remotely resembling good news is that we'll have Grimlock wandering around the base.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

We are facing some daunting challenges, but these are challenges that we shall both face and overcome.

 

A BEEPING comes from the speaker mounted on the table.  Prime presses it.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Go ahead.

 

JAZZ

(O.S.)

Sorry to disturb you Prime, but we're getting word of a Decepticon attack on a nuclear power plant in Cleveland. 

 

Optimus Prime and the others get up from their seats.

 

PROWL

Time to face another challenge.

 

 

INT. COCKPIT OF HUEY ATTACK CHOPPER - DAWN

 

General Mayweather yelling into a radio speaker over the sounds of the copter.  Through the window in front of him, the Decepticons are standing outside the nuclear power plant and being advanced upon by human military, both sides firing furiously at one another.  The enormous spacebridge is visible just outside the facility, a series of tubes and other cables coming from it and going through a hole in the wall.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

Well they didn't just show up, Colonel!  That structure must have taken some time to erect!  It’s the size of an auditorium, for Christ’s sake!

 

The General shakes his head in frustration as he hears the reply through his headset.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

Pre-fabricated my ass!  Hell, even if they were able to put that thing together in the last hour, we should have been notified fifty-nine and a half minutes ago!  Judging by the number of size ninety-seven footprints around here, they've been here all goddamn night!

 

Once again Mayweather doesn't like the answer.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

I'm sick and tired of you pissants always blaming your ignorance on Soundwave jamming frequencies!  I shouldn't have to rely on hippy environmentalist protestors calling 911 to know that aliens are attacking a nuclear power plant!

 

The pilot suddenly jerks the stick and the view shifts just as a series of lasers are seen lancing toward the copter.  They impact and the interior of the cockpit is a chaotic jumble.

 

 

EXT. SKY - DAY

 

The copter is flaming and falling, but crashes in one piece.  Mayweather and another soldier exit and stumble away from the wreckage.

EXT. BESSIE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT - DAY

 

Scrapper and Hook are putting the finishing touches on the space bridge, which has one side almost flush against the outer wall of the facility, while the other has several hundred yards of open runway in front of it.  THUNDERCRACKER is standing next to them, acting as a seemingly unnecessary last line of defense for the spacebridge.  Despite the unlikelihood of the humans breaking through, he still fires into their ranks from time to time.

 

HOOK

Wait a minute; you're telling me that these creatures have been around for over a couple million years?

 

THUNDERCRACKER

More or less.  Originally shorter, hairier, slopier foreheads, but yeah, they've been around in one form or another.

 

SCRAPPER

And their ability to split the atom is one gained less than a vorn ago?

 

THUNDERCRACKER

(laughing)

Yup, the brains of these squishies work even more slowly than SKYWARP's. 

 

SKYWARP

(O.S. - through Thundercraker's wrist communicator)

Eat my exhaust pipe, Thundercracker!

 

Scrapper stops working on the spacebridge and shuts the panel over the section that he had been working on.  He looks up at Hook and nods.

 

SCRAPPER

That's it.

 

Scrapper twists his head toward SOUNDWAVE, who is standing a few dozen yards away, watching the battle and silently relaying information to the various Decepticons trashing the American military.

 

SCRAPPER

Hey Chatterbox!

 

Soundwave turns and acknowledges Scrapper, but says nothing.

 

SCRAPPER

Tell Megatron that the spacebridge is complete.

 

SOUNDWAVE

Acknowledged.

 

EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY

 

Megatron in tank mode is plowing through a section of the American ground forces at roughly seventy miles per hour. 

 

SOUNDWAVE

(O.S. – through communicator)

Lord Megatron, the Constructicons have completed the spacebridge.

 

Megatron transforms to robot mode, lifts a tank off the ground and flings it.

 

CUT TO tank smashing into two other tanks and crushing several infantry soldiers.

 

CUT TO Megatron laughing as he fires on other portions of the human forces.

 

MEGATRON

Excellent.  alert Shockwave of this and tell him to have the prisoner ready for execution, and my legions ready for deployment.

 

SOUNDWAVE

(O.S. – through communicator)

At once mighty Megatron.

 

 

EXT. CYBERTRON - DAY

 

Shockwave is standing at a mobile commutations station a hundred yards from the Cybertronian spacebridge.  The view pans out to reveal Ultra Magnus fastened to a post nearby, and thousands of Decepticons lined up in formation starting a couple hundred yards behind him and stretching back for over a mile.  He reaches down to the console in front of him and switches off the speaker.  He then opens another channel.

 

SHOCKWAVE

Ratbat, come in.

 

RATBAT

(O.S.)

Yes, lord Shockwave?

 

SHOCKWAVE

I have received word from Earth that the spacebridge is complete.  My instructions are to begin the proceedings in exactly five breems.  Make certain that the planetary transmission will be ready.

 

RATBAT

Of course Commander.  Whether on private screens or on the mass-viewing monitors we set up in each city-state, every optic on Cybertron will witness the return of our great leader, the execution of the last vestige of Autobot leadership on Cybertron, and the launch of the Decepticon Galactic Empire.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(not sharing in his underling's enthusiasm)

Yes, a glorious day for the Decepticons.

 

Shockwave switches off the channel to Ratbat.

 

 

INT. COCKPIT OF AUTOBOT SHUTTLE - DAY

 

Prime is piloting the shuttle; Grimlock is in the co-pilot's seat.  Through the side window a second Autobot shuttle is flying along side.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(into wrist communicator)

Here we are.  Autobots, get ready to roll out!

 

Grimlock chuckles.

 

GRIMLOCK

We 'Dinobots' don't roll, we stomp. 

 

Grimlock turns around to look at Slag, Snarl, Swoop and Sludge, who are standing back.

 

GRIMLOCK

Metal or flesh, we stomp everything that gets in our way.

 

The other Dinobots nod and smile.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Don't even joke about it.  They're sentient beings, sentient beings with the right not only to freedom, but also to live their lives. 

 

Optimus Prime twists so that his optics are only an inch away from Grimlock's optic.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

So the only things you'll be stomping are Decepticons.

 

Optimus Prime turns back and starts to land the ship.  A view of the spacebridge is in the distance.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

And maybe that too.

 

The view still through the front window, a distant object drops through the clouds and approaches quickly.  Prime and Grimlock catch sight of it, and as it becomes apparent that the object isn't going to stop or turn, they look at each other.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME, GRIMLOCK

(in unison)

Evacuate shuttle!

 

 

EXT.  A FEW MILES FROM BATTLE FIELD - DAY

 

The newly landed shuttle is seen in profile, Blitzwing enters the frame in jet mode, transforms, and collides with the shuttle in tank mode.  Snarl and Sludge jump clear as the impact occurs.  The shuttle is obliterated.

 

Blitzwing bounces off the ground and through the tail section of the craft, laughing maniacally over the sounds of impact and tearing metal.  The tank skips across the ground at hundreds of miles an hour, but still manages to remain upright.  After several miles he manages to gain control of his frame and turn around.

 

Slag wrenches off a chuck of ship that was on top of him and roars as he gets to his feet, standing amidst the debris of the craft.  He sees Grimlock's leg jutting out from a pile of wreckage and starts toward him to help dig him out, but upon catching sight of the laughing Decepticon tank heading back toward them, furiously marches out of the wreckage and starts running toward Blitzwing.

 

Cut back to the wreckage and Prowl, Ironhide, Jazz, Ratchet, Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are running toward it.  A fiery red blade slashes through the pile above Grimlock, and after a flurry of metal parts being tossed into the air, the Dinobot Commander is standing in the center of the remains of the ship.  Grimlock turns toward the approaching Autobots.

 

GRIMLOCK

Optimus Prime wasn't hard enough to survive that.  Help me dig out the Matrix, and we'll give him a proper funeral service once I've led you to victory over Megatron.

 

The Autobots eye Grimlock angrily, but before anyone can speak the sounds of a loud engine and twisting metal are heard deep beneath the pile of metal rubble.  A moment later a red truck blasts free of the debris and hits the ground rolling.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Primus, that was unpleasant!

 

Optimus Prime transforms to robot mode and addresses his Autobots and the four Dinobots that are present.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Is everyone all right?

 

GRIMLOCK

Everyone present and accounted for.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

What about Slag?  Where is he?

 

They all turn and look as Slag transforms into triceratops mode and continues his charge at Blitzwing.

 

EXT. NEAR THE CRASH SITE - DAY

 

Side view of Slag and Blitzwing charging toward each other.  The shot zooms in slowly as they get closer, and then a thunderous roar as the tank and dinosaur collide.  The shockwaves of the impact are nearly visible, the collision is so intense.  Both warriors are thrown back a few feet, but immediately ram each other again.  After a few seconds it becomes clear that Slag is the stronger of the two, pushing Blitzwing back.

 

Just as Slag starts increasing the momentum by which he's shoving Blitzwing, the Decepticon tank lowers his turret cannon and unloads on the top of Slag's crest.  The triceratops is thrown back a couple dozen yards, the top-center portion of his crest blown away.  Blitzwing starts rolling forward again to press his advantage, but Slag is quick to shake the blow off and is once again on his feet charging forward, snorting furiously as he does so. 

 

 

EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY

 

Optimus Prime leads the Autobots in car modes, and Grimlock, Sludge and Snarl in dinosaur modes into the battle, carefully manuevering through the routed human forces.  Starscream, Octane, Skywarp and Astrotrain drop down out of the sky and fire away at them.

 

STARSCREAM

Ah, the great Optimus Prime, ever the glory-hog.  You simply cannot let Ultra Magnus enjoy his day in the sun, can you?

 

The Autobots veer to avoid the attacks, but continue forward.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

What do you mean by that, Starscream?

 

The Decepticon jets and space shuttle start turning up toward the sky to begin another attack run.  Starscream laughs, as though ready to respond to Prime's question, but the reply is interupted as a pterodactyl, drops through the clouds upon them.  Starscream, Octane and Skywarp evade Swoop's attack, but Swoop clutches Astrotrain in his talons and drags the triplechanger to the ground. 

 

The Autobot ground forces take advantage of the disarray and continue forward toward the space bridge.  Megatron in tank mode leads the other Decepticon forces out to greet them.

 

MEGATRON

Thank you for coming Prime.  It will be such an honor to dispatch two Autobot leaders in one day.

 

GRIMLOCK

How'd he recognize me in this mode?

 

Megatron transforms and fires at the Autobots.

 

MEGATRON

Any just who in the pit are you supposed to be?

 

Grimlock transforms and returns fire at the Decepticons.

 

GRIMLOCK

Recognize me now, Slagmaker?

 

MEGATRON

Ah Grimlock, Blitzwing mentioned that you’d made the trip to this soon to be cyber-formed world, though I'd never have thought that Prime would ask you to be his date for this little party.

 

GRIMLOCK

Eat slag, you rusty trombone!

 

 

EXT.  NEAR CRASH SITE - DAY

 

Slag and Blitzwing are still in their alternate modes engaged in a shoving match, Slag with his horns locked to the front of the tank.  Bolts of electricity emanate from the tips of Slag's horns, which damage Blitzwing's turret to the point that he cannot fire again from it.  Slag then jerks his body back and to the side, hurtling Blitzwing into the air and bouncing off of the ground.

 

Capsized, Blitzwing transforms into robot mode and angrily marches toward Slag with his sword drawn.  The snorting triceratops glares him angrily for a second before transforming to robot mode as well, also with sword drawn.

 

The two furiously charge each other and immediately begin slashing away.  Unlike the previous contest, it's clear right away that Slag is the more powerful of the two.  Both land impressive slashes against each other, but the blows to Blitzwing seem to cause damage, the blows to Slag are ignored.  The Dinobot swings powerfully across his chest and lops Blitzwing's sword-holding right hand off at the wrist.  He then slashes back, slitting Blitzwing's throat several inches deep.  He then raises his downward-pointing sword high above his head, grips it tightly with both hands, and thrusts it down through the front of Blitzwing's throat and into his torso. 

 

Slag releases his grip of the sword, and allows Blitzwing to stumble backward a couple of steps, the Decepticon's head forced back by the sword, his chin resting against the hilt and handle.  Liquids and sparks shoot up from the wound as gurgling sounds eminate from Blitzwing's mouth.  Grinning broadly, Slag steps forward, grabs his sword, pulls it free, draws it back and slices in a downward-diagonal movement that cuts through Blitzwing's left should and exits his torso just above his right waist.  The two pieces of Blitzwing's lifeless body slide away from each other, and as they hit the ground Slag leans back, looks to the sky and lets out a victory roar.

 

SLAG

Rrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

GRIMLOCK

(O.S.)

Now that you're doing nothing but playing with yourself, why don't you come join the battle?

 

SLAG

(under his breath)

Afterburner.

 

Slag transforms and starts charging in the direction of battle.

 

 

EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY

 

Snarl bashes Soundwave with his tail, sending the blue Decepticon flying back through the air.  Thundercracker in robot mode fires upon Snarl, but his attention quickly shifts to the brontosaur bearing down on him.  A moment later Sludge plants his front right foot into Thundercracker's chest and stomps him into the ground.

 

Megatron is in the distance, watching angrily as he's being pelted by Autobot firepower.  He turns toward the Constructicons, who are returning fire at the Autobots.

 

MEGATRON

Scrapper, do it now!

 

SCRAPPER

Of course, mighty Megatron.

 

The Constructicons all transform to vehicular mode, and then begin transforming further, Long Haul, Hook, Scavenger and Bonecrusher taking to the air.  After several long seconds, a giant, vaguely humanoid shape takes form, and then the optics light up and DEVASTATOR comes to life.

 

DEVASTATOR

Devastator lives!  Autobots, die!

 

The enormous Decepticon begins stomping toward the Autobots, easily kicking Sludge into the air and flying hundreds of yards away.  The Autobots fire on the giant in unison, but their ordinance is useless.  Megatron laughs as the Autobots scurry to get out of Devastator's way, who kicks human tanks into the air as if they were soccer balls.

 

 

EXT. CYBERTRON - DAY

 

Shockwave is standing before the mouth of the space bridge, he turns as several other Decepticons wheel Ultra Magnus, still attached to the post mounted on a wheeled platform, to a position just off to his right.

 

SHOCKWAVE

Hello Magnus.  Glorious day, isn't it?

 

Magnus is weary, and has obviously spent a great deal of time recently being tortured.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Eat slag, you spark-less calculator!

 

Shockwave walks toward Magnus and leans in so that their faces are only inches apart.

 

SHOCKWAVE

What troubles you most, the fact that you will be dead soon, the fact that Megatron continues to exist, the fact that your friends will soon share your bleak fate, the fact that the Decepticons will soon spread throughout the universe, or the realization that your deep-seated fears have proven correct?  Fears that you are an inept failure, a failure thrust into a position that is far too great for your broad, but ultimately weak, shoulders to bear.

 

Shockwave peers intently as Magnus allows his face to fall away in shame.

 

SHOCKWAVE

Yes, that's it.  The realization that you've been right all along about your weakness is what troubles you, and thrills me, most.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Thrills?  It hardly seems logical for anything to thrill you.  You should merely find my demise to be advantageous.  Anything else would seem unfitting for a soul-less killing machine like you.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(lightly chuckling)

Oh believe me Magnus I bear a spark.  And as your executioner will one day learn to his detriment, I bear ambition as well.

 

RATBAT

(O.S.)

Lord Shockwave, it's time to begin the presentation.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(into his wrist communicator)

Thank you Ratbat.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(whispered to Magnus)

It has not been nice knowing you, Ultra Magnus, but what is about to happen makes all the annoyance you've caused worthwhile, even if I must ham it up.  But, a charismatic and emotionally charged speech can really motivate the troops, so ham it up I will.  Enjoy the show, and then enjoy the void.

 

Shockwave walks away from the prisoner and takes his place in front of the space bridge once again.  A camera crew is in place and begins filming him once he nods that he's ready. 

 

SHOCKWAVE

Denizens of Cybertron, I Shockwave am pleased beyond measure to provide you with the opportunity to witness the greatest event in the history of our great world.  Lost to us for fifty thousand vorns, the greatest leader in Cybertronian history will be returning through this spacebridge in mere moments.  And along with his return, hundreds, no thousands of tons of much needed energon.

 

 

EXT.  NUCLEAR POWER PLANT - DAY

 

Optimus Prime and Megatron exchanging blows and grappling.  The momentum ebbs and flows, but neither gains any sort of decisive advantage over the other.

 

MEGATRON

I would have thought you to sell your soul to the chaos bringer before aligning yourself with Grimlock.  Not that that unholy alliance will do you any good, certainly not against my Devastator.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

How many times do I need to steal certain victory from you for you to realize that I can kick your can on any given outing, Megatron?

 

Prime lands a right cross that knocks Megatron on his butt.  Megatron laughs and rubs his jaw as he climbs back to his feet.

 

MEGATRON

(laughing)

Well, look whose ball bearings seem to have finally dropped.  That almost passed for arrogance, Prime.  You've been spending far too much time with Grimlock.

 

Megatron lunges at Prime, tackles him to the ground, and starts choking him.

 

MEGATRON

As punishment for your insolence, I'm going to keep you alive long enough to watch me execute your dear friend Ultra Magnus.  That's what awaits me on the other side of that spacebridge.  That, and an occupation force large enough to conquer and cyber-form a dozen Earths!

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(enraged)

No!

 

Prime throws off Megatron, but the Decepticon continues laughing as he gets back to his feet and continues the brawl with Prime.

 

VIEW DEVASTATOR AND DINOBOTS

 

Not far from Prime and Megatron, Grimlock in T-Rex mode charges and jumps upon Devastator, getting as high as his waist.  The dinosaur bites and slashes, but does little to no damage and is ultimately swatted away and hits the ground hard.  Snarl is battering Devastator's thigh with his tail, while Sludge rams into him from behind.  Both efforts are just as futile as Grimlock's.  Swoop strafes Devastator from above and is followed by two F-22 Raptors, but their combined firepower has no effect. 

 

View follows Swoop and the jets as they clear Devastator, but Starscream drops into view and blasts all three of them.  Swoop remains aloft, but the human jets explode and crash to the ground.

 

VIEW OTHER AUTOBOTS AND DECEPTICONS

 

Wide view of the rest of the battle.  The battle for the other Autobots is not going much better.  Skywarp, and Octane in jet modes have the Autobots pinned down, and the Decepticon ground forces are battering away at them as well.  Astrotrain in locomotive mode barrels through a makeshift structure that Jazz and Sideswipe had been using for cover.

 

VIEW BATTLE FROM A DISTANCE

 

All the while, General Mayweather watches on as he and several of his officers are positioned on a nearby hill, what little hope he had fading fast.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

Sweet Jesus, this is bad.

 

VIEW FROM SIDE OF GENERAL MAYWEATHER

 

A young COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER runs toward the General holding a sheet of paper.

 

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

I'm afraid it's worse than it appears, sir.  The big ear we've got pointed at the leaders picked something up.  Here's a transcript translated from Cybertronian.

 

The General snatches the paper and reads it.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

(dejectedly)

Blot.

 

 

EXT. CYBERTRON - DAY

 

Shockwave walks to his right, over to the Autobot prisoner hanging from their post.

 

SHOCKWAVE

As if simply continuing to exist and providing us with a world rich in energy resources weren’t enough, Lord Megatron will also execute the last of the Autobot leaders; thereby bringing an end to the Autobot scourge that has afflicted our great world for far too long.

 

Shockwave grabs Ultra Magnus by the chin and forces the prisoner’s head up to face the camera.

 

SHOCKWAVE

That’s correct Cybertron, on this day; our lord and master Megatron will eliminate Ultra Magnus once and for all.

 

Shockwave releases his grip on the dejected Autobot’s head, allowing it to drop to its previous hanging position.  Shockwave makes his way back to the spacebridge, walking to the side opposite the prisoner.

 

SHOCKWAVE

Yes Cybertron, this will truly be a day of monumental and glorious events.  In mere moments, the noble warrior king that will lead us to dominion of the universe will walk through this bridge.  In just a few more moments...

 

 

EXT. NUCLEAR POWER PLANT - DAY

 

Slag, in dinosaur mode, finally arrives, approaching Grimlock, in robot mode, from behind.  Ahead of them, Devastator is unsuccessfully swatting at Swoop, but takes out his frustration at missing on more of the human ground forces.

 

SLAG

I thought the bigger they are, the harder they fall?

 

Grimlock turns and glares at Slag.

 

GRIMLOCK

That may still be true.  We just haven't gotten him to fall yet.

 

VIEW FROM BEHIND GRIMLOCK AND SLAG

 

Slag steps forward so that he is now standing next to Grimlock looking at the rampaging Devastator.

 

SLAG

Should I ram him?  This mode is pretty good for that.

 

Grimlock shakes his head and looks down at Slag.

 

GRIMLOCK

No, it won't do any goo...Wait a minute.

 

Grimlock leans over and takes a close look at Slag's horns. 

 

VIEW OF SIDE OF GRIMLOCK AND SLAG

 

Without warning, Grimlock steps back, grabs Slag by the tail and hoists him into the air.

 

SLAG

What the hell are...

 

GRIMLOCK

Trust me, this is a good idea!

 

WIDE VIEW OF GRIMLOCK SPINNING SLAG

 

Grimlock proceeds to spin around several times before 'hammer tossing' Slag straight at Devastator's head, Slag growling in anger the entire time. 

 

SLAG

Grimlock you assho...

 

VIEW OF DEVASTATOR'S HEAD

 

Slag hits Devastator's head, his right horn piercing and embedding itself into Devastator's right optic.  Devastator howls in pain.

 

DEVASTATOR

Aaarrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

VIEW OF SIDE OF DEVASTATOR

 

Devastator reaches and grips Slag by the tail, wrenches him away from his face and swings him hard downward, slamming Slag's triceratops head hard against the ground, tearing it off of the rest of Slag's body and sending chunks of ground in every direction.

 

VIEW DEVASTATOR FROM OTHER SIDE AND SLIGHTLY BEHIND

 

From behind Devastator, Sludge and Snarl each slam their tails into either leg as Swoop soars at him from the front and strafes him with lasers and missiles. 

 

CUT TO Grimlock transforming to dinosaur mode and charging Devastator, leaping high into the air and planting his feet into Devastator’s upper chest.

 

VIEW OF FRONT OF DEVASTATOR

 

The attacks, combined with the agony of his heavily damaged optic force Devastator to fall backward and land with a thunderous crash to the ground.  Grimlock is thrown off of the giant’s torso.

 

VIEW FROM BEHIND DEVASTATOR

 

Grimlock transforms to robot mode, sword drawn, sprinting forward and jumping onto the downed giant, standing upon his chest and hacking away at his face with his sword.

 

 

EXT. NUCLEAR POWER PLANT - MORNING

 

Optimus Prime is still grappling with Megatron, but witnesses what is happening with Devastator and sees an opportunity.  Prime administers a series of jabs and crosses to Megatron before hip-tossing him. 

 

VIEW BEHIND PRIME

 

Megatron hurtles to the ground and Prime turns toward the battle between the Dinobots and Devastator, transforms to truck mode, and begins driving toward Devastator.

 

VIEW TO THE SIDE OF DEVASTATOR AND GRIMLOCK

 

Devastator leans forward to get up, but a thrust of Grimlock's sword to his gouged optic forces his head back down, twisting away from Grimlock's weapon to the right. 

 

CLOSE UP OF DEVASTATOR'S FACE

 

Devastator's good left optic widens and flares as he catches sight of something. 

 

VIEW FROM OPPOSITE SIDE OF DEVASTATOR'S HEAD

 

The red truck speeds toward Devastator's head at over two hundred miles per hour.  Grimlock jumps clear just as Prime slams with tremendous force into Devastator's already battered face, the sound of the collision awful and overwhelming. 

 

VIEW OVER DEVASTATOR

 

Chunks of metal from both robots fly in every direction, and the mangled red cab skips off to the side, bouncing hard, end over end against the pavement.

 

VIEW OF PRIME'S FRONT END APPROACHING, sparks flying as the bouncing of the truck is replaced by skidding, and then finally Prime skids to a stop.

 

VIEW LOOKING UP TO TOP OF DEVASTATOR'S CHEST

 

Grimlock leaps back onto the top of Devastator's chest, the giant barely stirring beneath him.  Grimlock looks in the direction of the smoking frame of Prime, amazement on his face.

 

GRIMLOCK

I guess he was built with a set after all.

 

CLOSE UP of Grimlock as he tosses his sword up in front of him, the blade rotates so that the point is facing downward, and he catches the handle

 

CUT TO Devatator's battered face beneath him wearily rotate his head and look up at Grimlock.

 

CUT TO Grimlock hoisting his downward facing blade up and then driving it down with tremendous force.

 

VIEW OF OPTIMUS PRIME

 

Optimus Prime's smoldering frame, still in truck mode, is lying on his side.  Footsteps are heard against the ground, and a large shadow falls over the battered semi.

 

MEGATRON

(laughing)

Well done, Prime.  I didn't think you had it in you.

 

VIEW MEGATRON STANDING OVER PRIME

 

Megatron stands over Prime, smiling as he aims his cannon at the truck. 

 

VIEW OVER PRIME

 

Prime slowly and painfully transforms, but is still laying across the ground, completely at Megatron's mercy.

 

MEGATRON

It's over Prime.

 

GRIMLOCK

No!

 

VIEW SIDE OF GRIMLOCK AND MEGATRON

 

Grimlock slams his shoulder into Megatron, knocking the Decepticon leader away from Prime and onto the ground.

 

GRIMLOCK

Nobody kills Prime.

 

VIEW OVER MEGATRON'S SHOULDER

 

Grimlock marches toward Megatron.

 

GRIMLOCK

(lower)

Nobody but me, Grimlock.

 

VIEW FRONT OF MEGATRON

 

Megatron rises to his feet to meet the challenge with a smile.

 

MEGATRON

I don't abide others taking what is rightfully mine.  That is a lesson that I will be all too happy to teach you, Grimlock.

 

Megatron lunges forward and lands a couple of punches that send Grimlock stumbling back.

 

VIEW OF GRIMLOCK'S SIDE

 

Grimlock turns toward Sludge, Snarl and Swoop and points to the spacebridge.

 

GRIMLOCK

Destroy that contraption while I deal with this exhaust port!

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Nnn...No!  No, wait.

 

VIEW PRIME

 

Prime painfully rises to his feet.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Not yet.

 

 

EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF BATTLEFIELD - DAY

 

VIEW OF a communications station less than a mile from the space bridge.  General Mayweather is speaking into a phone as soldiers are busily conducting their business around him.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

That's correct sir.  An invasion force that Megatron claimed could conquer a dozen Earths.  Provided the device works, it seems to be more than big enough to accommodate such a force.

 

General Mayweather nods as the unheard reply comes through.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

I understand sir, the damage would make Chernobyl look like a mild fart, but given what's at stake, I feel that it's a necessity.

 

General Mayweather listens for several seconds, but starts shaking his head negatively.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

No, Mr. President, I doubt that the bomber would get close enough to unload its payload.  The Decepticons allow the fighters close simply because they view them as sources of harmless amusement, but they are capable of detecting heavy ordinance and would take out a bomber many miles from here.

 

Again General Mayweather listens for several seconds, but starts shaking his head negatively.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

No, they do have a flier now, but it's not a jet.  No, it's a pterodactyl.  Yes, that's right, the dinosaur.  And it wouldn't be much support.  Even with this beast, the Autobots are about as useless as cans on a bull when it comes to aerial combat.

 

Again General Mayweather listens for several seconds, this time smiling as he shakes his head.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

No sir, there is another option.

 

CUT TO view of a large, lead-lined crate resting on the back of a flatbed truck.  Mayweather is in the background talking on the phone.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

It is the very definition of a desperate act, one that makes the option we just discussed seem ideal, but one way or the other, that invasion force isn't getting to Earth.

VIEW DECEPTICON JETS AND AUTOBOTS

 

Starscream leads Octane, Astrotrain, Thundercracker and Skywarp in an attack run on Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Ironhide, Ratchet and Prowl.  Ironhide is manning his gun-mount.

 

STARSCREAM

This seems such a waste of my abilities.  I should be out-maneuvering generals, not exterminating useless grunts.

 

CUT TO Ironhide firing his cannons up at the jets

 

IRONHIDE

Eat smelt, ya' backfire!

 

VIEW SKYWARD

 

Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker all easily bank upward to avoid the shots.  Octane banks to the left, but takes a shot to his wing.  Astrotrain's maneuverability is such that he avoids nothing, and winds up taking a half-dozen high-powered shots to his front and underside.

 

VIEW SIDE OF AUTOBOTS

 

Astrotrain attempts to transform to train mode in mid-air above the Autobots, but crashes to the ground mid-transformation. 

 

CUT TO Octane crashing due to the shot to his wing.

 

CLOSE UP OCTANE as he transforms to robot mode and wearily stands up in the trench created by his crash landing.

 

SUNSTREAKER

(O.S.)

As Jazz would say, it’s time to smack my Starscream up.

 

VIEW PROFILE OCTANE

 

Octane turns his head towards Sunstreaker's voice, and has two yellow fingers driven into his left optic, shattering it.

 

WIDE OUT Sunstreaker and Octane

 

The larger Octane furiously swings at Sunstreaker, who easily ducks the blow

 

OCTANE

Slagger!

 

VIEW OPPOSITE SIDE OCTANE AND SUNSTREAKER

 

Sunstreaker comes up from the duck on the other side of Octane and immediately delivers a downward thrust kick that buckles Octane’s right knee.  Octane falls on that knee and in a single fluid motion; Sunstreaker whips around him and gets him in a half nelson with his left arm.

 

VIEW FRONT OCTANE

 

From behind and above Octane, Sunstreaker draws a pistol with his free right arm and positions it downward into Octane’s mouth.

 

SUNSTREAKER

Open wide you big ugly mutt!

 

CLOSE UP OCTANE

 

The pistol fires down Octane’s throat three times, his optics flare and molten metal and other fluids lead out of various crevices

 

SUNSTREAKER

(chuckling)

Sweat dreams, slag-eater.

 

ASTROTRAIN

(O.S.)

Bastard!

 

VIEW SKY

 

Astrotrain, with smoke trailing from his underside in train mode, speeds toward Sunstreaker and the corpse of Octane.  Suddenly Astrotrain is blasted across the ground

 

CUT TO Autobot shuttle zooming by overhead, smoke coming from the mouths of its front cannons.  FOLLOW shuttle as it zips by over Astrotrain, who lays on his side in locomotive mode.

 

SPIKE

(O.S.)

I told you guys’ fitting this thing with human-scale controls was a good idea.

 

VIEW UPWARD INTO SKY

 

The underside of the shuttle is seen as it shoots past.  As it speeds out of the screen Swoop in pterodactyl mode is seen dropping out of the sky, the inert frame of Laserbeak in his talons.  PAN to follow him downward, where Soundwave, Rumble and Ravage are firing on Jazz and Wheeljack.  Ravage is sprinting toward the Autobots and leaps into the air, but Swoop hurls Laserbeak into him, slamming both animalistic Decepticons to the ground. 

 

VIEW GROUND LEVEL

 

Rumble and Soundwave look up just as Swoop snatches Rumble and pulls him into the sky.  Soundwave starts to aim his rifle at Swoop, but is tackled to the ground by Jazz and Wheeljack

 

VIEW SKY

 

Shot is from over and behind Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp as they break through the clouds in arrowhead formation back toward the battlefield.  Unlike with their previous run, the Autobots clearly have the upper hand.

 

STARSCREAM

Slaggin' triplechangers couldn’t overwhelm a flock of pigeons.

 

VIEW SKYWARD

 

View from behind and over Ironhide's head as the jets approach.  He starts squeezing off shots at them, shots they easily evade.

 

IRONHIDE

(whispering)

That's right, ya' winged bucket-heads, keep yer’ optics pasted to the big guns.

 

WIDE OUT Thundercracker and Starscream swoop by over Ironhide, strafing his position and destroying his gun mount.  A few shots connect with Ironhide as well, but he ignores them as he jumps away from the mount with his rifle in his hand, twists around so that he's facing up and behind where the jets are pulling away, and fires after them.

 

VIEW SKYWARD where Ironhide's shots connect with Thundercracker's thrusters, forcing the jet to drop downward.

 

THUNDERCRACKER

Arrgh.  You rusty old spawn of the pit!

 

CLOSE UP Ironhide smiling and waving good-bye.

 

IRONHIDE

Adios oil-patch.

 

From behind Ironhide the dark form of Skywarp is seen speeding toward him.

 

SIDESWIPE

(O.S.)

Watch it, old-timer!

 

Ironhide's head is pulled out of the frame just before a series of shots whiz right through where it used to be.

 

CUT TO Sideswipe and Ironhide rolling across the ground.  With exceptional speed and agility, Sideswipe is immediately back on his feet and launching his shoulder rocket at Skywarp, who is only just passing by a hundred feet above them.

 

CUT TO underside of Skywarp as his left wing explodes and he plummets to the ground in the distance.

 

SKYWARP

Argh!

 

CUT TO Sideswipe and Ironhide.  Sideswipe offers a hand to help Ironhide back to his feet, smiling at the old timer, who is looking at the falling Skywarp.

 

SIDESWIPE

You're welcome.  Oh, and to answer the question that's bouncing around the inside of that antique head of yours; yes, I really am that good.

 

 

EXT. CYBERTRON - DAY

 

View through camera of Shockwave standing before the spacebridge, looking as annoyed as his featureless face will allow him to.  A beeping emanates from his wrist.

 

WRIST COMMUNICATOR

Beep beep

 

RATBAT

(O.S. – through communicator)

Sir, the spacebridge is receiving something.  Mass is roughly that of Megatron's.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(whisper)

It’s about time.

 

Shockwave lowers his wrist and acknowledges the cameras trained on him.

 

SHOCKWAVE

The technical difficulties seem to have been worked out, so without further ado, I present Cybertron’s greatest hero…

 

Shockwave holds his hand out to the spacebridge, ready to announce Megatron as he comes through, and the camera PANS slightly to fully encompass the spacebridge entrance.  An energy build-up from within the spacebridge comes into being, but instead of the Decepticon Commander, a battered red truck bursts through at a high degree of speed.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(O.S.)

What?

 

 

INT. AUTOBOT CYBERTRON HEADQUARTERS - DAY

 

View over Kup and Blaster as they are watching a view screen depicting Prime interrupting the execution.

 

KUP

Pious slag, is that who I think it is?

 

BLASTER

(suddenly excited)

Who else could it be?

 

KUP

Tell me you're recording this!

 

BLASTER

You bet your rust covered fender!

 

KUP

Get this footage out to every Autobot!  Spread the word...

 

 

VIEW ULTRA MAGNUS

 

Close up of Ultra Magnus dejectedly raising his head.

 

KUP

(O.S.)

Prime’s back!

 

VIEW OPTIMUS PRIME

 

CUT TO Prime speeding, turning as he hits the breaks, and transforms to robot mode, taking in his surroundings.

 

VIEW ULTRA MAGNUS

 

CLOSE UP Ultra Magnus' face registering shock, but then his optics light up hopefully.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

(bewildered whisper)

Prime?

 

VIEW SHOCKWAVE

 

Shockwave shakes his head in angry confusion and walks toward Prime.  He is raising his cannon arm as he makes his way to the Autobot.

 

VIEW FROM BEHIND PRIME

 

Prime raises his rifle at exceptional speed, easily winning the 'quick-draw' contest with Shockwave and blasting the Decepticon in the chest.

 

VIEW FRONT PRIME

 

CLOSE UP Prime's face catching sight of Ultra Magnus, his optics narrow and cheeks raise in the closest thing to a smile his visored face is capable of displaying.

 

VIEW ULTRA MAGNUS

 

CLOSE UP Magnus' face, a smile coming over it as well.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

(joyful whisper)

Prime.

 

VIEW DECEPTICON LEGIONS

 

A tremendous roar from the Decepticon legions is heard.

 

DECEPTICONS

Rrroooooaaaaaaarrrrrr!

 

VIEW THROUGH MEDIA CAMERA

 

Prime, through camera, charges toward Magnus, battering Shockwave along the way.  Prime fires several shots that destroy the binds holding Magnus to the post and arrives just in time to catch his friend as he falls forward.

 

VIEW PRIME AND ULTRA MAGNUS

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Good to see you again Magnus.

 

Ultra Magnus smiles as he and Prime turn toward the space bridge.  Prime has his arm around Magnus and is carrying most of his weight as they hobble quickly toward the giant device.

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Yeah, you too.

 

VIEW FRONT OF SPACE BRIDGE

 

Just before going through the bridge, Prime turns and unloads several shots on a few of the advancing Decepticons.  He and Magnus then dive through.

 

 

EXT. POWER PLANT - MORNING

 

Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus fall to the ground as they emerge through the space bridge.  Prime looks up to Bumblebee, who is manning the control panel.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Shut it down!

 

VIEW OF BUMBLEBEE

 

Bumblebee's head barely clears the top of the control structure.

 

BUMBLEBEE

You got it, Prime.

 

VIEW LOOKING DOWN AT PRIME AND MAGNUS

 

A pair of big gray feet approach the downed Prime.

 

CLOSE UP Prime's head as he looks up

 

VIEW BEHIND PRIME'S HEAD LOOKING UP

 

Prime sees Sludge standing over him.

 

SLUDGE

Grimlock's busy, so I guess you tell Sludge what to do.

 

VIEW OVER PRIME'S HEAD

 

Prime turns his head slightly to see Grimlock and Megatron still slugging it out.  Prime bobs his head in exhaustion as he gives his order.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Destroy this thing.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

(O.S.)

Belay that order!

 

CUT TO Mayweather marching forward, several other OFFICERS following behind him.  Behind them is the flatbed truck with the lead-lined crate.  The lid of the crate is removed, and the walls of the crate fall away, revealing a nuclear bomb.

 

 

CUT TO MEGATRON AND GRIMLOCK

 

Megatron and Grimlock have their hands around each other’s throats, but it looks as though Megatron is getting a slight upper hand.  Missiles impact against his side, blasting him away from Grimlock.

 

VIEW OVER GRIMLOCK

 

Swoop 'swoops' down and away from Grimlock and Megatron after his strike on the Decepticon leader.

 

VIEW FROM BEHIND GRIMLOCK'S HEAD

 

Grimlock angrily turns his head toward Swoop, who is lowering and transforming to robot mode.

 

GRIMLOCK

How dare you?

 

Swoop starts walking toward Grimlock.

 

SWOOP

You know I'm not one to interrupt your honor bouts, but if you conduct a radiological scan of that thing on the truck over there, you might realize that I was right to do so.

 

Swoop turns his head toward the spacebridge (out of frame), and Grimlock's head follows.  Grimlock nods.

 

GRIMLOCK

Ummmm.  Good call.

 

VIEW FRONT OF GRIMLOCK

 

Grimlock walks forward; Megatron is starting to lift himself off the ground.  Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Prowl and Ratchet are approaching from a few dozen yards behind Grimlock.  Grimlock delivers a powerful kick to Megatron's jaw, sending Megatron back to the ground flat on his back.  Grimlock turns toward Swoop and the other Autobots and starts pointing to them before pointing down at Megatron.

 

GRIMLOCK

(points to Swoop, Sideswipe, Prowl and Sunstreaker)

You, you, you and you, take care of this piece of slag.

 

Grimlock then points at Ratchet

 

GRIMLOCK

And you...

 

Grimlock points off screen

 

VIEW DINOSAUR HEAD AND BODY OF SLAG

 

GRIMLOCK

(O.S.)

Take care of those pieces of Slag.

 

VIEW GRIMLOCK as he trots toward the space bridge, but stops suddenly and runs toward the pieces of Slag.  He scoops up the triceratops head and starts back toward the space bridge.

 

GRIMLOCK

Hey Slag, hope you don’t mind me borrowing your head.

 

 

VIEW FRONT OF SPACE BRIDGE

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

I appreciate your efforts to wrestle this from Decepticon control, but you will refrain from destroying this device.  It is on American soil, and therefore is now American property!

 

VIEW OPTIMUS PRIME

 

CLOSE UP Prime's face, his head shaking in disbelief.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

General, you don't understand!  This bridge leads to the heart of Decepticon territory.  There are tens of thousands of Decepticon warriors on the other side just waiting to come through. 

 

VIEW OF GENERAL MAYWEATHER

 

CLOSE UP General Mayweather's smiling face.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

You have no say in this.  You assured us this couldn't possibly happen, and you couldn't have been more wrong. 

 

General Mayweather smiles.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

But I'll make you a deal Prime.  Once we've sent something through, you can grind this thing to BB's.  But for now, tell your rotund yellow buddy to back away from the controls.

 

VIEW FRONT OF SPACE BRIDGE CONTROLS

 

Bumblebee stands his ground, and a mobile lift with a couple of SOLDIERS in the basket is forced to stop its progress toward the controls.

 

BUMBLEBEE

Whatever you're up to fella's, it's not going to happen without Prime's say so.

 

VIEW FRONT OF SPACE BRIDGE

 

Mayweather stands in front of Prime

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

Order your man down, Prime.  This is our soil you're leaking on.

 

Prime points to the device the humans are wheeling toward the bridge.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Is that what I think it is?

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

What this is is none of your concern!  Now order your man down now!

 

GRIMLOCK

(O.S.)

He won’t let you do it!

 

VIEW SPACE BRIDGE CONTROL PANEL

 

Grimlock marches toward the controls and bats Bumblebee from behind out of the way.

 

GRIMLOCK

I will.  Move runt!

 

Grimlock turns to the humans in the cherry picker.

 

GRIMLOCK

You squishies know how to work this contraption?

 

The soldiers look to General Mayweather

 

CUT TO General Mayweather

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

We carefully observed Bumblebee as he figured out how to send Prime through.  Now I've got a question.  Just who the hell are you supposed to be?

 

CUT TO Grimlock

 

Grimlock marches to the front of the spacebridge and stands before the humans, Prime, Magnus and Sludge.  He peers down at the construct that the humans wheeled toward the bridge entrance.

 

GRIMLOCK

If this is what I think it is, then I'm your knight in shining armor.

 

SLUDGE

Grimlock's armor not that shiny.

 

GRIMLOCK

Shut up, moron.

 

VIEW Optimus Prime struggling to get up

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Grimlock, stop. 

 

VIEW PRIME rolling over and looking at Mayweather.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

What’s the plan, General?  Set the timer, point that truck at the entrance, open the gate and pray that the Decepticons on the other side have provided enough leeway to let it roll through?  You’re taking one heck of a chance.

 

GENERAL MAYWEATHER

And what alternative do you suggest?

 

ULTRA MAGNUS

Bah weep graaagnah wheep ni ni bong?

 

SUB-TITLE: What is going on?

 

Optimus Prime looks at Magnus before addressing the General as he twists his head to view the mouth of the space bridge behind him.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

It’s time for me to cross that bridge, General.

 

Prime turns and looks at Grimlock as he painfully climbs to his feet.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I’ll need your help.

 

Grimlock pauses for a moment before tossing the triceratops head to Prime.

 

GRIMLOCK

I think I know what we’re going to do.  You might find this useful.

 

Prime looks down at the head, shudders uneasily as he realizes that this is a piece of one of his warriors.

 

GRIMLOCK

Don’t worry, Slag does his thinking with his little head.

 

Prime seems to accept the thought of using Slag’s beast head as a weapon, grips the inside with his left hand so that it is now a horned shield.  Prime then looks down at Mayweather and points at the bomb with his right hand.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

I suggest that you turn that thing on now.

 

 

EXT. CYBERTRON - DUSK

 

Aerial view over Shockwave's shoulder of hordes of Decepticons gathered near the entrance to the spacebridge, while Shockwave hovers in the air above watching. 

 

RATBAT

(O.S. – through communicator)

I'm sorry Shockwave, but until they open the portal on their end, we cannot travel through the space bridge.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(into his wrist communicator)

Thank you for explaining my technology to me, Ratbat.  Just keep utilizing the communications channel to try and reach Megatron.

 

RATBAT

(O.S.)

Sir, the portal is open!  Something is traveling through now!

 

SHOCKWAVE

(into wrist)

Captain Bludgeon, prepare for assault!

 

CUT TO view of troops directly in front of Space Bridge.  Foremost of the group is BLUDGEON, a predominantly red and green robot.

 

BLUDGEON

(eagerly)

We are prepared.

 

CUT TO front view of spacebridge

 

View over the shoulders of Bludgeon and other Decepticons nearest to the bridge.  The entrance to the bridge begins to energize, and a moment later a T-rex barrels though, head down and ramming through the front line of Decepticons. 

 

VIEW FROM SIDE as Grimlock's ram sends Bludgeon and all the troops behind him back.  Grimlock then swings his tail at the Decepticons to his right (opposite side of viewer), knocking them back, and then chomping down on a Decepticon to his left, biting off his head, shoulders and upper chest, allowing the rest of the frame to fall dead.

 

VIEW FROM FRONT OF SPACE BRIDGE as Snarl and Sludge, in dinosaur modes, march through, flames jetting from their mouths.

 

CUT TO BLUDGEON as he and the troops closest to him get to their feet.

 

CUT TO CLOSE UP of Grimlock as he opens his mouth, revealing the openings of two flamethrowers.  Flames dart out at viewer.

 

CUT TO BLUDGEON.

 

The heads of Bludgeon and the troops closest to him are engulfed in flames.  The flames subside, and the Decepticons that had been in their path have fallen to the ground with the exception of Bludgeon.  But Bludgeon's face has been melted away, revealing his skeletal under-frame with glowing red optics.  The skeletal face emits a broad smile.

 

CUT TO FRONT VIEW OF GRIMLOCK, Prime emerging through the space bridge behind him holding the nuclear device.  A Decepticon warrior leaps over Sludge and toward Prime, but Prime swats the Decepticon away with Slag’s head.  Another warrior breaks past Snarl, but Prime twists and impales his chest with both of the larger horns on Slag’s beast head.

 

CUT TO BLUDGEON

 

Bludgeon opens his mouth as his troops gather behind him.

 

BLUDGEON

It’s the Prime!  Charge!

 

CUT TO GRIMLOCK as he raises his clawed dinosaur foot and plants it into Bludgeon’s chest, thrusting he and several other Decepticons behind him back.

 

GRIMLOCK

Shut up and die.

 

CUT TO OPTIMUS PRIME as he holds the device in his right hand, draws it back, and hurtles it forward through the air.

 

VIEW FROM SKY

 

The device clears the heads of the first few rows of Decepticons, but comes down and barrels through the middle ranks of Decepticons, causing those it hits and those touching those it hits to fall back to the ground.

 

CUT TO FRONT OF SPACE BRIDGE

 

Grimlock turns and starts marching back toward the bridge past Prime.

 

GRIMLOCK

Clock's ticking boys. 

 

Prime, Sludge and Snarl follow him through.  A moment after they disappear, pre-Earth modified RAMJET, THRUST and DIRGE follow after them in Cybertronian jet modes.

 

CUT TO OVERHEAD VIEW OF SPACE BRIDGE

 

Shockwave yells into his wrist communicator.

 

SHOCKWAVE

Follow them through you idiots!

 

RATBAT

(O.S.)

Too late sir.  The portal has closed once again.

 

CLOSE UP SHOCKWAVE

Shockwave twists his head

 

VIEW FROM SKY

Shockwave looks down at the device that Prime had thrown through his troops.  He raises his cannon arm and it emits a series of lights that cover and scan the device.

 

SHOCKWAVE

Oh no.

 

WIDE OUT as Shockwave turns back toward the heart of the city and starts flying away from the scene as fast as he can.  The other Decepticons look up at him in confusion.

 

CUT TO shot of Shockwave flying toward the viewer, the space bridge, legions of Decepticons and the immense cyber-forming equipment in the distance behind him.  Just as he flies past, a flash erupts from the heart of the warriors as the nuclear weapon detonates.

 

WIDE OUT shot of Shockwave fleeing at top speed, but caught by the 'shockwave' of the blast (no pun intended).

 

 

EXT. EARTH - DAY

 

Megatron batters Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Prowl and Swoop away from him.

 

MEGATRON

I've had enough of you whelps!

 

Megatron turns around and snarls as he marches toward the spacebridge.

 

MEGATRON

Prime!

 

CUT TO Thrust, Ramjet and Dirge firing on Wheeljack and Jazz to aid Soundwave, Rumble, Ravage and the still unconscious Laserbeak.  Starscream, in jet mode, zips past them.

 

STARSCREAM

Hey boys, long time no see.

 

Shot follows Starscream as he speeds toward the unmoving frame of Devastator.  A series of cables launch from the underside of Starscream and latch onto Devastator.  The jet struggles at first to lift the giant, but finally gets Devastator in that air.

 

CUT TO frontal view of Starscream as he tows Devastator through the air behind him.

 

STARSCREAM

Megatron can keep you three idiots, provided you make it out of this fiasco alive.  I, heh heh, I am more than content having this corpse, and the gestalt technology it possesses.  Whether or not the components still live is irrelevant, their cerebral circuitry and frames can be recycled and rebuilt to better suit my needs.

 

WIDE OUT of Starscream and Devastator disappearing into the distant sky.

 

STARSCREAM

(O.S.)

I think I'll start by ridding them of these silly construction modes.  Any brigade of mine requires more combat-ready frames.

 

CUT TO Prime and Megatron grappling.  Though far more injured, Prime is holding his own.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

The day is ours Megatron; the humans are setting explosives around your spacebridge as we speak, your giant is dead, and Magnus is alive and safe.  You’ve failed again.  Surrender now and you will be treated fairly.

 

GRIMLOCK

(O.S.)

Primus, just when I though you had a set, Optimus!

 

CUT TO Grimlock marching toward Prime and Megatron

 

GRIMLOCK

Here's how it's really going to happen Megatron.  You're going to be taken into custody, brutally I might add, and then tortured for information.  Once we've gotten all the intel we want out of you, you'll be executed.  The method of the execution will be determined by how forthcoming you are with that intel.

 

VIEW OF MEGATRON AND PRIME

 

Megatron pushes away from Prime and fires his fusion cannon at Grimlock.

 

VIEW OF GRIMLOCK thrown back and to the ground as the blast hits him in the chest.

 

VIEW OF MEGATRON

 

Megatron turns to fire on Prime, but Prime lunges at him and lands a right cross across Megatrons jaw, sending the Decepticon falling back.

 

SOUNDWAVE

(O.S.)

Mighty Megatron, we must retreat!

 

CUT TO Soundwave hanging from the bottom of Thrust as they make their way to Megatron.  Thrust comes to a stop and hovers over Megatron for a moment before lowering and allowing Soundwave to reach down and take Megatron's hand.  They then depart with the other surviving Decepticons.

 

CUT TO Prime staring after them.

 

CUT TO Ironhide and Prowl approaching Grimlock.

 

IRONHIDE

I heard what ya' did for Prahme, ya Dinobot!

 

Ironhide extends his hand.

 

IRONHIDE

Protectin’ him from a horde a’ ‘Cons was a noble thang.  I owe ya’ one.

 

Grimlock gets to his feet without taking Ironhide’s hand.

 

GRIMLOCK

I was fooled into thinking Prime was worth protecting.  Given how soft he seemed when dealing with Megatron, it appears his worthiness as a leader was short lived.

 

CLOSE UP OF IRONHIDE as he displays a snarl.

 

IRONHIDE

Why you slag-talkin’…

 

SIDE VIEW of Sludge and Snarl approaching from behind Ironhide, Snarl intentionally bumping his shoulder hard.

 

SNARL

Smelt off, you malfunctioning bucket of sludge.

 

Sludge sends him a hurt look.

 

SNARL

(looking at Sludge)

No offense pal.

 

CUT TO Ultra Magnus pulling away from Wheeljack, who had been downloading human languages into his neural net, and marches toward the potential fray.

 

CUT TO Sludge, Snarl and Grimlock bracing for a brawl.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(O.S.)

Enough!

 

CUT TO Optimus Prime, Jazz, Bumblebee and Sideswipe approaching, intently staring forward at the Dinobots.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

Grimlock, I realize that the differences between us can’t be erased by a few moments on the battlefield, but at the very least, those few moments made it clear that together we can defeat legions.  I don’t expect you to like, or even respect me, but at least acknowledge that we need each other to win this war. 

 

CUT TO Grimlock, Sludge, Snarl, and Swoop, who stare at the other Autobots uneasily, but refrain from acting aggressively.

 

OPTIMUS PRIME

(O.S.)

The issues between us will be addressed, Grimlock, but the resolutions to those issues will be reached peaceably.  Is that understood?

 

Grimlock glares at Prime and Magnus for a moment longer, before turning and leading the other three functioning Dinobots back toward the craft that was settled on the ground in the distance.

 

GRIMLOCK

I have my position, and I'm not budging from it.  But I'll hear you out.  What you did today deserves at least that.

 

MAGNUS

Bah?

 

SUB-TITLE: What?

 

Wheeljack approaches Magnus from behind.

 

WHEELJACK

Sorry Prime, my Rosetta File still has a few bugs.  But we'll have Magnus speaking English in no time.

 

CUT TO Prime, Sideswipe, Jazz and Bumblebee

 

JAZZ

I guess he should just be thankful that you didn't blow his head up.

 

Autobots laugh.

 

 

INT. CYBERTRON, DARKMOUNT FORTRESS SUBTERRANEAN CHAMBERS - NIGHT

 

Shockwave stumbles through the dimly lit hallway.  Much of his inner workings and skeletal frame are visible, some of which is glowing in the darkness. 

 

SHOCKWAVE

(mumbling to himself)

I lead the Decepticons to victory on Cybertron, despite the energy famine.  I maintain the lives, health and morale of our vast legions.  I continue to develop our super-weapons research.  I all but wipe out the Autobots… 

 

VIEW FROM BEHIND SHOCKWAVE

 

Shockwave continues stumbling down the hallway, apparently heading to a large metal door with a Decepticon symbol carved into it.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(mumbling)

Everything is in order; everything is going as well as logically can be expected.  And then he returns.

 

VIEW FROM SIDE

 

Shockwave reaches the door, and slides his hand cannon into a slot next to the door.  A light emanates from the slot and the door opens.  Shockwave stumbles through the doorway.

 

INT. WAR WORLD PLANNING CHAMBER

 

As Shockwave enters, overhead lights slowly turn on, illuminating the room.  Shockwave continues toward the center of the chamber.

 

SHOCKWAVE

(mumbling)

Megatron has taken the empire I built and drove it to the verge of ruin.  He makes promises, raises expectations, and delivers only defeat.  His return was nothing more than a curse, his words nothing more than directions to disaster.

 

VIEW FROM BEHIND AND ABOVE OBJECT HANGING ON THE WALL.  Shockwave stumbles and finally stops before this object, looking upon it intently.

 

SHOCKWAVE

Even his calls to renew the war-world project would drive us to starvation were it not for a divergent branch of research that I had taken upon myself to conduct; a branch of research that I had been conducting for countless vorns.  I found a way to acquire the ultimate war-world without having to build it. 

 

PAN slowly around to take in the right side of Shockwave and the left side of the object on the wall.  Though still not able to see it, it is clear that the object is a flat metal carving hanging on the wall.

 

SHOCKWAVE

Fore it exists already!  No doubt manufactured by our distant ancestors, a weapon so terrible that they came to both villify and deify the device.  A construct of such vast power that they sent it countless light-years away, leaving its final location a mystery to all but the high priests of Primus.

 

The pan finally completes its arc behind Shockwave, looking over his shoulder at the carving.  It is of UNICRON, planet mode.

 

SHOCKWAVE

I have yet to encounter a mystery that I am unable to solve.  The chaos bringer will soon be mine.

 

 

END