StarDestroyer.Net BBS

SETTING: Off Hawaii's east coast.

Sunset. A probe flies over Pearl Harbor and begins transmission. Hawk, wearing a radio headset, stands in an Iowa class battleship-carrier bridge and stares at a monitor. He sees four 120-meter-tall antennas erected over each major facility-- the shipyard, the AFB, and a 100-meter-diameter sphere.

HAWK: What are those metal towers?

MAGNUS (RADIO): Shock! Force field projectors!

GRIMLOCK (RADIO): No worry! Force field need lot of energy, too much for Starscream to use for base defense!

MAGNUS (RADIO): He's right. The sphere may be a reactor. Destroy it, and the force field will collapse.

HAWK: Well, there's no point in holding back now.

Galvatron, whose new helmet resembles a crown, exits the sphere. He detects, shoots, and destroys the probe.

Hawk watches static cloud the monitor.

HAWK: There's our boy.

He changes frequency.

HAWK: This is Hawk. Target confirmed. Begin Operation Guillotine.

The Aerialbots escort five B-58As towards Pearl Harbor. The bombers fire 15 Skybolt ALBMs, turn around, and return to base; the Aerialbots continue their approach.

14 Sweeps rocket towards the Skybolts and fire R-4s, but the AAMs aren't accurate enough to intercept the ALBMs.

SWEEP: Shriek!

It crashes into a Skybolt, destroying them both. The other Sweeps use suicide attacks to destroy the ALBMs until only one is left.

Galvatron targets and intercepts the last Skybolt.

GALVABOLT: Pathetic.

Four active camouflage-equipped Kh-22s become visible just before their 350 kiloton nuclear warheads detonate upon the force field.

GALVABOLT: What?!

SILVERBOLT (RADIO): Aerialbots, unite and form Superion! We must destroy the reactor!

The Aerialbots obey. Superion rockets past five ghosts-- Skywarp and four Ravens-- and crashes into the weakened force field.

SUPERION: Argh!

His force field neutralizes the Decepticon force field, letting him land in front of the reactor.

Galvatron shoots Superion's head, scorching his helmet. The super warrior faces the Decepticon.

SUPERION: Not this time!

He thrusts the bayonet at Galvatron. The Decepticon's hands catch the blade and stops the bayonet point a meter from his chest. Superion rockets towards the reactor to slam Galvatron against the radiation shield.

GALVATRON: Argh!

SUPERION: Not ever!

The bayonet pierces Galvatron's chest armor. Superion uses him as a battering ram to crack the radiation shield and meltdown the reactor.

A USN fleet-- including four carriers, five battleship-carriers, three Alaska class guided missile cruisers, six amphibious assault ships, and six Sturgeon class nuclear-powered attack submarines equipped with dry dock shelters-- sails towards Hawaii.

Heat shields cover the Flagg's windows. In the bridge, Keelhaul watches static cloud a monitor; the static clears to show a mushroom cloud rises from Pearl Harbor.

KEELHAUL: Sigh. You cannot make an omelet without breaking a few pearls.

He puts on a radio headset.

KEELHAUL: Go Joe!

Shockwave and the Combaticons stand on the amphibious assault ship flight decks. The violet Cyclops skull, its eye shooting four thunderbolts, has replaced the Destroyer insignia on the Combaticons.

TEXT: Shockwave-- Destronger Commander (rank: 10).

SHOCKWAVE: Combaticons, attack!

Shockwave, Onslaught, Blastoff, and Vortex transform as Brawl and Swindle rocket from the flight decks. The F-12B leads the Combaticons towards Pearl Harbor.

The carriers and battleship carriers launch USN F8U, F-4, and Sea Harrier fighters; the amphibious assault ships launch AH-1J, UH-1N, and Tomahawk helicopters. Sankaidan shells rise from the sea to transform a dozen fighters into fireballs.

A F8U pilot climbs to dodge shrapnel.

F8U PILOT: Damn! Where in hell did that come from?!

Trypticon rises from the sea. His jaws lock around the F8U.

F8U PILOT: Ahhhh!

He ejects just before his fighter is crushed.

Omega, in battleship-carrier mode, dives. His plasma cannon fires to hit penetrate Trypticon's force field and hit the Giganotosaurus' neck.

TRYPTICON: Roarrrr!

Omega transforms and punches at the weak point in Trypticon's armor-- scorched by the plasma beam-- to behead his enemy. The Giganotosaurus dodges the fist and locks his jaws around Omega's right forearm.

OMEGA: Argh!

His left fist hits Trypticon's right optic, shattering it and forcing the Giganotosaurus to release him.

The helicopters fly past the ultra warriors. Sweat covers Flint's forehead as he tries to ignore the fight.

FLINT: Just look straight ahead. Just look straight ahead. Just look...

Trypticon's toe claws slash Omega's chest, breaking off an armor plate.

OMEGA: Argh!

FLINT: Yikes!

The plate flies towards his Tomahawk. Flint dives; the plate barely misses the helicopter.

At Pearl Harbor, the reactor meltdown blew apart Superion; the individual Aerialbots lie on the ground, in stasis lock. Silverbolt recovers.

SILVERBOLT: That hurt!

Scourge appears behind him. The Ceratosaurus' jaws lock around Silverbolt's head.

SILVERBOLT: Ah!

SCOURGE: Then prepare to enter a galaxy of torture, of pain and suffering beyond your wildest imagination!

A graser beam vaporizes the skull on the Ceratosaurus' forehead.

SCOURGE: Howllll!

The dying Ceratosaurus' head swings left and right; Silverbolt, his head still locked in Scourge's jaws, steps left and right to avoid being beheaded.

SILVERBOLT: Ah, ah, ah!

Shockwave hovers in front of him and shoots. The graser beam passes between Silverbolt's arm and torso to hit Scourge's spark core, destroying it. The Ceratosaurus releases the Aerialbot Commander and collapses onto the ground. Silverbolt puts a hand on his head.

SILVERBOLT: I wish aspirin could effectively relieve an Autobot's pain.

SHOCKWAVE: Where is the imposter?

Galvatron appears behind him and shoots. Shockwave somersaults backwards, dodging an artificial sun.

SILVERBOLT: Yikes!

He ducks; the sun barely misses his head.

SILVERBOLT: Aerialbots, regroup!

He runs to Skydive's side as Shockwave and Galvatron fight.

The Dinobots use their electromagnets to stay behind the dry dock shelters as the submarines transport them and SEALs towards Pearl Harbor. The Dinobots inflate weather balloons to float towards the surface; then they jettison the balloons and rocket towards Hickam AFB.

Nightracer detaches her external fuel tanks-- disguised laser carbines-- to shoot Grimlock, scorching his armor.

GRIMLOCK: Roarrrr!

He shoots. Nightracer somersaults backwards to dodge the plasma beams. An invisible Skywarp kicks her side, slamming her against the shuttle.

NIGHTRACER: Ah!

The shuttle fuel tank leaks.

NIGHTRACER: Shock!

She somersaults to land behind the control tower.

Skywarp shoots the leaking fuel tank, transforming the shuttle into a fireball. The explosion disrupts his active camouflage.

Nightracer stands behind the control tower, using her carbine targeting optic to target Skywarp without exposing herself. Then Skywarp deactivates his active camouflage; unlike the Combaticons, he didn't replace his Destroyer insignia.

SKYWARP: Nightracer.

NIGHTRACER: Skywarp, have you betrayed Starscream's teachings? Dishonored yourself by serving the Autobots?

SKYWARP: No, I'm a mercenary in Shockwave's service, not Grimlock's.

NIGHTRACER: The Decepticon Subcommander? He's here?

SKYWARP: Shockwave is forming a new army. Join us; together we'll conquer and rule new worlds.

Nightracer throws her carbines in his line of sight, and steps forward, and raises her hands to surrender. Grimlock targets her.

GRIMLOCK: Grrrr!

NIGHTRACER: Take me to Shockwave so I can evaluate your offer.

At Hickam AFB, the Combaticons unite and form Bruticus. The surviving Sweeps swarm around him, but the super warrior destroys them all. Bruticus hovers over a hanger.

BRUTICUS: Decepticons weak, Destrongers strong. Bruticus strongest!

The Constructicons-- Hook, Long Haul, Bonecrusher, Scavenger, Mixmaster, and Scrapper-- rocket through the hanger roof.

BRUTICUS: Who...?

The Constructicons unite and form Devastator, who puts Bruticus in a chokehold.

TEXT: Devastator-- Decepticon super warrior.

DEVASTATOR: Devastator stronger than you!

His arms strain to break off Bruticus' head.

BRUTICUS: Grrrr!

His dagger thrusts backwards to pierce Devastator's side.

DEVASTATOR: Ah!

The Ultimate Weapon hovers beside Bruticus as he grabs Devastator's arms, bends over, and throws his enemy into the hanger roof.

DEVASTATOR: Argh!

BRUTICUS: Die!

He grabs the Ultimate Weapon to shoot Devastator, whose heavy laser rifle shoots back. The super warriors rain missiles, shells, and laser beams on their enemy's force field.

Flint flies over the barracks as his Tomahawk approaches the HQ, a metal fortress the Destroyers built in 1942. A Viper in a USN uniform stands on a barrack roof, fires a Stinger, and damages one of the Tomahawk engines.

FLINT: Damn!

The Tomahawk crash-lands in the courtyard. Vipers swarm out of the barracks, towards the helicopter.

FLINT: Here comes the welcoming committee!

Roadblock's EATR breaks down the loading ramp and exits the Tomahawk, followed by Sparkplug's.

ROADBLOCK: Rock and roll!

The EATRs shoot at the Vipers. Two AH-1Js, Cobra markings replacing the US Marine Corps', fire Hydra 70 rockets at the EATRs. Roadblock shoots at the rockets to deflect them; one explodes in front of his EATR, blowing him off his feet.

ROADBLOCK: Whoa!

SPARKPLUG: Roadblock!

He targets an AH-1J.

Snake Eyes, Jinx, and Kamakura fall from the sky, projecting kenki at the captured helicopters. Roadblock watches the AH-1Js explode in midair as the EATR stands up; then the ninja land beside him.

ROADBLOCK: How'd you get here?

Snake Eyes points at a UH-1N, which hovers too high to be heard. Scarlett, the pilot, blows a kiss.

ROADBLOCK: I owe you guys a drink.

Flint, the copilot, and the gunners exit the helicopter, carrying M1911A1s and MG3 machine guns. Flint approaches Snake Eyes.

FLINT: Let's move before more of those freaks show up.

They run towards the HQ. Starscream's old frame-- a red Messerschmitt Me-263 fighter with golden thunderbolts painted on the wings-- appears above them, firing R4M 55 mm rockets and 30 mm cannons.

FLINT: Take cover!

Flint and the helicopter crew dive into a ditch. The EATRs rocket sideways to dodge the attack. Snake Eyes projects kenki to detonate the rockets in midair. Jinx and Kamakura parry the shells.

The Me-263 turns around to attack again. Snake Eyes jumps into the air to sever the left wing. The fighter transforms, detaches the leading edges of his wings-- burning red power sabers-- and parries, throwing Snake Eyes towards the ground.

Snake Eyes lands, aiming the sword point at Starscream's old frame. Serpentor pilots the robot, whose head is modified to resemble a biting cobra.

SERPENTOR: I knew you'd come, and lived every day for the moment I'd break you and avenge my honor. With the armor's power-- Starscream's power-- I'll crush you beneath my feet.

JINX, KAMAKURA: Silent Master...!

SNAKE EYES: (Continue your mission! This is between him and I!)

KAMAKURA: But...!

JINX: Yes, Silent Master!

She leads Flint and the helicopter crew towards the HQ, away from Snake Eyes and Serpentor.

The EATRs target Serpentor. Kamakura steps in front of Roadblock, shielding the Cobra Emperor.

ROADBLOCK: Move!

KAMAKURA: No. Silent Master wants to face Serpentor alone, to fight honorably. We must leave him to continue our mission.

ROADBLOCK: Damn it, this honor thing will kill you one day.

The EATRs follow Kamakura towards the HQ. Serpentor waits until the other Joes are gone.

SERPENTOR: Die. This I command!

He slashes. Snake Eyes jumps to dodge the kenki, and sees rockets approach him. He spins in midair, projecting kenki to intercept the rockets and covering himself with smoke. Serpentor flies through the smoke to impale Snake Eyes.

The ninja parries the thrust, uses his sword to pole vault towards the robot cockpit, and throws a satchel charge at it.

SERPENTOR: Ha!

He psychokinetically detonates the charge in midair, blowing away Snake Eyes and igniting his jacket.

SNAKE EYES: Hiss!

He lands, rolls on the ground to extinguish the flames, jumps to his feet, and aims the sword point at the robot.

Serpentor throws one sword like a boomerang, which flies in a circle to attack Snake Eyes' back. The robot dives to impale the ninja-- if Snake Eyes dodges one blade, the other will kill him.

The ninja jumps onto the thrown power saber and rides it like a surfboard.

SERPENTOR: Impossible!

Snake Eyes blocks his thrust, swings on the extended power saber, and kicks the thrown power saber towards the robot cockpit. Serpentor tries to catch the blade, but it severs the robot's fingers before shattering the cockpit canopy.

SERPENTOR: Argh!

Snake Eyes somersaults away from Serpentor and lands on his feet; the robot falls on its back. Serpentor doesn't notice the satchel charge in the cockpit, behind his head.

SERPENTOR: No, I am the Superman! I am genetically superior! I am destined to have absolute power, to...!

The charge explodes, killing him and igniting the robot.

Snake Eyes senses someone, raises his head, and sees a probe.

A Project 690 class attack submarine is docked at the submarine pen. In the submarine wardroom, Destro and Zarana stare at a monitor displaying images from the probe. Snake Eyes projects kenki to destroy the probe; static clouds the monitor.

DESTRO: Time to leave.

He opens the door and walks through the doorway. Duke stands beside the doorway, his long slide M1911A1 targeting Destro's head.

DUKE: But the party's just getting started!

Zarana draws her Makarov pistol. Bumblebee, crouching to fit in the corridor, suddenly reaches through the wall.

ZARANA: Eek!

Bumblebee grabs the pistol and crushes it.

DUKE: You better call your lawyer.

At Pearl Harbor, the Aerialbots are refueling from an underground fuel storage facility.

SILVERBOLT: Everyone ready?

AIR RAID: Ready to kick tail!

SKYDIVE: 77.0% functional.

SLINGSHOT: Let's do it!

FIREFLIGHT: No more holding back.

Silverbolt leads them out of the facility.

SILVERBOLT: Aerialbots, unite and form Superion!

The Aerialbots obey. Superion rockets into the sky, seeking Galvatron.

SETTING: The beachhead.

Elita, Arcee, and Magnus stand on LST decks, defending the ships.

MAGNUS: Autobots, roll out!

Arcee transforms into a pink Lockheed F-104G fighter with NF-104A modifications-- a rocket engine, enlarged vertical tail, extended wingtips, reaction control jets in the wingtips and nose cone, and extended engine inlet cones-- and approaches the beachhead. Automated 16 inch coast defense guns shoot at her. The NF-104A dodges the 1900 lb (862 kg) HE shells as her external fuel tank-- a disguised laser rifle-- fires to destroy the guns.

Elita rockets towards the beachhead, transforms, and drives towards the automated guns to help Arcee.

Magnus waits until the LST lowers its ramp to unload MBTs and APCs; then he jumps onto the beachhead. His arms detach and transform into M26 tractors; his feet detach and transform into trailers; his legs fold against his torso, which transforms into the Little David mortar base. Tractor One transports the mortar tube as Tractor Two transports the base. Magnus leads the US Army vehicles towards the HQ.

Galvatron and Shockwave hover over the HQ, their armor scorched and chipped. They hear Superion's engines roar as the super warrior approaches.

SHOCKWAVE: Your army is defeated; you are outnumbered and outgunned. Logic dictates you surrender.

GALVATRON: I have power beyond your strength, beyond the logic shielding your mind from fear-- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror that paralyzes you in the face of destruction. Face my power. Fear and despair.

He smiles as his fist touches the violet insignia symbolizing his allegiance to the Decepticons, replacing it with a golden insignia symbolizing his true allegiance-- to Unicron. His chest compartment opens to reveal the Galvamatrix-- an amethyst in a silver frame, a violet star in a dragon's jaws. The Galvamatrix energy surges through his frame, which burns violet as it grows.

At Hickam AFB, Bruticus and Devastator stop fighting and turn to see Galvatron.

BRUTICUS: What in the Pit is that?!

DEVASTATOR: Megatron?!

In the Pacific, a plasma beam hits Omega's chest, throwing him off his feet. The Giganotosaurus lunges to kill the Autobot, but suddenly stops and turns to Pearl Harbor; Galvatron is now bigger than both ultra warriors.

TRYPTICON: Impossible! No one bigger than...!

Omega jumps to his feet, thrusts his plasma cannon into Trypticon's mouth, and shoots off the Giganotosaurus' head; Trypticon's frame collapses onto the ocean floor.

OMEGA: You are bigger, but I am better.

He turns and limps towards Pearl Harbor.

At the HQ, Shockwave hovers in Galvatron's shadow, frozen in fear. Skywarp, Nightracer, and the Autobots arrive.

ELITA, ARCEE: By the Matrix!

Superion shoots Galvatron, but fails to pierce the Decepticon's armor. Galvatron grabs Superion, squeezes, and shatters his armor.

SUPERION: Ahhhh!

Galvatron and throws him into the sea.

Magnus buries the mortar base, assembles the Little David, and shoots Galvatron; the shell explodes harmlessly upon the Decepticon's armor. Galvatron stomps on the Little David, bending the barrel.

MAGNUS: Ahhhh!

Galvatron kicks the M26 tractors, which fly into the air and crash through the HQ wall. The Dinobots shoot Galvatron. Shockwave recovers and shoots, but their attacks are harmless.

GALVATRON: Pathetic.

He targets Shockwave and the Dinobots behind the Destronger; the shot will kill them all. Wheelie flies in front of Galvatron, throws a SADM into the fusion cannon muzzle, and flies away. The SADM detonates, bursting the barrel.

GALVATRON: Ahhhh!

ARCEE: Wheelie!

The prototype flies in front of Grimlock.

WHEELIE: Grimlock, quick! Give me Matrix!

GRIMLOCK: No! Grimlock Autobot Commander! Matrix is...!

Wheelie's hand burns red as he touches Grimlock's chest compartment, which opens to reveal the powerless Matrix-- an obsidian gem in a golden frame. The prototype grabs the Matrix, which absorbs his power and transforms into a diamond.

GRIMLOCK: What?!

Wheelie puts the Matrix in his chest compartment.

The Galvamatrix's power repairs the fusion cannon. Galvatron targets the prototype.

ARCEE: Noooo!

GALVATRON: I will burn you!

Wheelie rockets towards him as the fusion cannon fires, igniting the prototype. Wheelie's frame grows as he continues flying.

GALVATRON: I will crush you!

He reaches for Wheelie, who transforms into the reborn Optimus.

OPTIMUS: Until all are one!

He punches Galvatron's extended hand, shattering the arm and the cannon mounted on it.

GALVATRON: Impossible! My power is...!

Optimus fires his inflight refueling probe-- a disguised laser rifle-- to destroy the Galvamatrix.

GALVATRON: Noooo!

He collapses on the ground and shrinks to his original size. His optics reflect Optimus' face as the Autobot looks down upon him.

GALVATRON: You will not escape the Master's wrath. Your destiny... is to be devoured.

He dies.

Shockwave and the Autobots approach Optimus.

ARCEE: Wheelie?

Magnus limps in front of Optimus, whose mask lowers to reveal a face scarred by battlefield damage repairs-- scars the Autobot Commander received in his past life.

MAGNUS: Brother?

TEXT: Optimus Prime-- reborn Autobot Commander (rank: 10).

OPTIMUS: I've returned from the Allspark to complete my mission.

Elita hugs him.

ELITA: Oh, Optimus!

SHOCKWAVE: This is beyond my logic.

GRIMLOCK: Shut up. Logic not dictate everything.

He faces Optimus.

GRIMLOCK: Now you back, what you do?

SETTING: Decepticon Ministry of Propaganda.

Alpha Q's tentacles flail in anger as he faces Trion.

ALPHA Q-FAMINE: Why do you resist my interrogation? You need not endure torture; you need only tell me what I want to know. Why increase the intensity of your pain by such degrees? Why increase the length of your suffering by hours?

TRION: Countless Autobots have made infinitely greater sacrifices. My pain is trivial compared to theirs.

ALPHA Q-DEATH: We shall see.

He activates the Electrocutioner. Trion's teeth clench to deny Alpha Q the pleasure of hearing him scream.

A Quintesson enters the torture chamber and bows to Alpha Q.

QUINTESSON: Alpha Q, Galvatron--

Alpha Q's electrified tentacle lashes his face.

QUINTESSON: Shriek!

ALPHA Q-WAR: The Decepticons identify him as Megatron! You will identify him as Megatron!

QUINTESSON: Yes, Alpha Q!

He bends over until his head touches the floor.

ALPHA Q-FAMINE: Now speak.

QUINTESSON: Megatron has destroyed the rebels and is returning to Cybertron.

ALPHA Q-DEATH: Excellent. Watch him.

He points at Trion; then he rides an elevator to the command center. A hologram projector displays Galvatron's head.

ALPHA Q-WAR: Welcome back, Mighty Megatron. I will broadcast news of your victory so all Decepticons may know of your...

GALVATRON: You will be silent! My mission is not yet complete, for Shockwave abandoned his Autobot allies and fled before I could destroy him.

ALPHA Q-FAMINE: So Shockwave's legendary logic is but a shield for his own cowardice?

GALVATRON: I return to refuel and rearm, and to replace Sweeps killed in action, so I may continue my mission. This must be kept secret; no one may know the traitor had escaped justice.

ALPHA Q-WAR: Yes, Mighty Megatron.

Automated gun turrets track the stolen shuttle-- disguised as Galvatron's-- as it enters the atmosphere. In the cockpit, a computer manipulates Galvatron's severed head like a puppet. Shockwave hits a button to shutdown the computer.

SHOCKWAVE: I analyzed Alpha Q's response, and calculate a 67.1% probability he was deceived. Nonetheless, I advise caution in case his response was a deception.

Optimus and Elita sit in the pilot and copilot seats in front of him.

OPTIMUS: Understood.

ELITA: The rewards are worth the risk.

Keelhaul and Shipwreck sit behind them.

SHIPWRECK: Do you really want to spend your leave on a planet full of giant robots?

KEELHAUL: Shouldn't you ask yourself that question?

SHIPWRECK: Sir, as the Flagg's senior enlisted man, my duty is to assist you in issues of quality of life, discipline, training, and morale-- in this case, keeping you alive. I won't abandon my duty.

KEELHAUL: Thanks, Shipwreck.

The former Autobot Capitol appears in the windscreen as the shuttle approaches a rooftop spaceport. Optimus activates the intercom.

OPTIMUS: Get ready! Check equipment!

The Joes enter the airlock leading to the cargo bay.

20 Sweeps approach the landing shuttle. Explosions suddenly rock the shuttle, throwing armor plates in all directions; flames and smoke rise from the resulting holes. An armor plate hits a Sweep's optic, shattering it.

SWEEP: Shriek!

The cargo bay doors open to reveal Silverbolt, who holds the Queen of the Night-- Keelhaul's fighter, a M61A1 Vulcan-armed F8U-3 Crusader III with a sexy vampire painted behind the cockpit-- like a javelin.

SILVERBOLT: Ready?

JOES: Go Joe!

Silverbolt throws the Queen out of the shuttle; Keelhaul climbs in search of targets. Shipwreck pilots Silverbolt's old frame, which transforms into a Convair F-102A Delta Dagger fighter and rockets after the Queen.

Autobots, Destrongers, Skywarp, and Nightracer use the distraction to stealthily approach the Sweeps. The hunter-killer units, taken by surprise, are quickly destroyed.

OPTIMUS: Magnus, Dinobots, secure Section One!

He transforms into a red MH-47G special operations helicopter with Boeing 347 modifications-- four-bladed rotors with extended blades, a raised aft rotor pylon, wings, a stretched fuselage, and retractable landing gear-- and two 20 mm cannons. The back-mounted rotors unfold; his legs fold against his torso and his feet form the radome. His gorget swings over his head and form the cockpit. His arms join together under the cockpit so the shoulder-mounted wings are in position; six underwing pylons mount 16 AGM-114 Hellfire ATGMs and two Hydra 70 rocket pods.

OPTIMUS: Elita, Aerialbots, follow me!

He launches rockets, blasts a hole in the roof, and leads Elita and the Aerialbots into the Capitol. Silverbolt replaced the MB-1C weapons pod with a General Electric J93 turbojet engine pod-- a disguised bomb launcher for the Mk-53 thermonuclear bomb.

SHOCKWAVE: Combaticons, secure Section Two; form Bruticus if necessary.

COMBATICONS: Yes, Commander.

Magnus, the Dinobots, and the Combaticons form defensive positions around the Capitol, weapons aimed outwards.

Shockwave raises Galvatron's severed head and rockets into the sky as delta-winged fighters-- unmodified Sweeps-- and Decepticon flyers approach the Capitol.

SH0CKWAVE: The imposter is dead! As Subcommander under the true Megatron, I claim the title of Decepticon Commander! Who challenges me?!

SWEEPS: Shrieeeek!

DECEPTICON 1: Megatron is dead?!

DECEPTICON 2: It's an Autobot trick!

DECEPTICON 3: Megatron is invincible! He cannot be destroyed!

DECEPTICON 4: Destroy the traitor! Punish his deceit!

Shockwave throws the severed head at a flyer's wing, shattering it; the flyer tumbles out of control towards the ground.

DECEPTICON: Ahhhh!

Shockwave faces Skywarp and Nightracer.

SHOCKWAVE: Skywarp, Nightracer, provide air defense.

SKYWARP, NIGHTRACER: Yes, Commander.

They climb to engage the Sweeps and flyers. Kenki, graser and laser beams, shells, and missiles fill the air; dead and damaged Sweeps and Decepticons crash onto the streets below.

In the Capitol, Optimus leads the Autobots towards the torture chamber. Automated gun turrets deploy from the corridor ceilings to target the Autobots; force field projectors deploy from the walls to trap them. Optimus' HUD reads, "COMMAND TRANSMISSION: DEACTIVATE DEFENSES" as the turrets and projectors retract into the ceilings and walls.

Ten Sweeps crowd in the corridor to block the Autobots' path, and launch missiles. Optimus sets his rifle to "MAX" and shoots; the intense heat detonates the missiles in midair. He shoots again and blasts the Sweeps to pieces; the Autobots fly over their burning frames.

In the torture chamber, the Quintesson places his hand above the controller as a Hellfire blows open the armored doors. His Face of War turns to Optimus.

ELITA: Alpha Trion!

QUINTESSON: Jettison your weapons and kneel before us, or the Electrocutioner will burn out every circuit in his frame.

Trion frees his left arm, disconnects a cable linking him to the Electrocutioner, and lashes at the controller. The Quintesson's hand recoils in surprise.

QUINTESSON: What?!

TRION: Until all are one!

He activates the Electrocutioner to self-destruct.

ELITA: Noooo!

Optimus' right fist shatters the Quintesson's right optic; his fingers grip the socket to slam the cyborg against a wall.

QUINTESSON: Shriek! Release me!

OPTIMUS: Don't grieve, Elita; Alpha Trion is now one with the Matrix.

The Quintesson's electrified tentacles lash his arm. Optimus' left forearm-mounted terrain-following radar deploys a retractable power dagger; the blade burns red as it cuts off the Quintesson's right arm and three tentacles.

QUINTESSON: Shrieeeek!

OPTIMUS: Cooperate or I'll cut off the other arm.

The Quintesson smiles.

QUINTESSON: Take it; I won't need it in the void.

The Faces' optics burn red.

OPTIMUS: Fall back!

He drops the Quintesson and rockets through the doorway. The cyborg self-destructs, collapsing the chamber ceiling.

Above the Capitol, Keelhaul fires AIM-7Bs at three Decepticon flyers, hitting two and scorching their armor.

DECEPTICONS: Shock!

They shoot back. Keelhaul rolls to dodge the laser beams.

KEELHAUL: Damn, I should've asked the Air Force for some of those Genie air-to-air rockets with nuclear warheads!

SHIPWRECK (RADIO): You want an AIR-2 Genie, I'll get you an AIR-2 Genie! Just get clear of the blast radius!

KEELHAUL: Okay!

He climbs vertically; the Decepticons climb after him. Shipwreck waits for the F-102A HUD to read, "PROJECTED BLAST RADIUS: NO FRIENDLY UNITS PRESENT" before launching the AIR-2 Genie nuclear rocket; the warhead detonates in midair to shatters the Decepticons' frames.

DECEPTICONS: Ahhhh!

Keelhaul barely escapes from the shock wave.

KEELHAUL: Yee-ha!

He sees a metal planet rocket towards Cybertron.

KEELHAUL: Wait, that wasn't there when we arrived!

Skywarp, Nightracer, and the Decepticons stop fighting to see the approaching planet.

SKYWARP, NIGHTRACER, DECEPTICONS: What in the Pit is that?!

On the street, four Sweeps escort Alpha Q and the second Quintesson to Galvatron's head. Alpha Q raises the head to the sky and sees the metal planet behind it.

ALPHA Q-DEATH: Master...

In midair, Shockwave's HUD reads, "PROJECTED POINT OF IMPACT: SECTOR 01-05". He transforms and dives towards the Capitol roof.

SHOCKWAVE: Combaticons, form Bruticus. Project the force field over the Autobot Capitol. All other units, take cover.

Shipwreck watches Skywarp and Nightracer dive after the F-12B.

SHIPWRECK: What's he so afraid of?

SKYWARP (RADIO): Follow us if you want to live, humans.

The F8U-3 dives past the F-102A.

KEELHAUL (RADIO): I'm not arguing with him; neither will you, Shipwreck.

Skywarp, Nightracer, and the Joes land on the Capitol roof as the Combaticons form Bruticus. Magnus and the Dinobots' heads rise as Bruticus' force field envelops the Capitol; they see the approaching planet.

MAGNUS: By the Matrix!

GRIMLOCK: Monster come from Pit, not Matrix.

Unicron jettisons the metal shell disguising him as a planet. Debris rains on Iacon, damaging several Decepticons.

On Decepticon is beheaded. Her wingman watches the headless frame crash into an antenna and explode.

DECEPTICON 2: Zero, noooo!

Unicron, a winged robot with horned serpents' heads for hands and feet, reveals himself. Flames from six wing-mounted rocket engines form shadows, enveloping him.

TEXT: Unicron-- Dark God of Destruction. Creator and master of Galvatron, Scourge, and the Quintessons.

UNICRON (TELEPATHICALLY): (Decepticons... For a time, I thought you were useful, and considered sparing your insignificant little planet so you could serve me loyally.)

He transforms into a seven-headed hydra; he closes the jaws framing his face as his neck extends. His pauldrons unfold to form two serpents' heads; his arms and legs form four heads. His tassets unfold to form talons.

Unicron's psychic presence inflicts pain to everyone he influenced, including the Decepticons. Shockwave, Skywarp, and Nightracer put their hands on the side of their heads, trying to resist the pain.

SKYWARP: Argh!

NIGHTRACER: Ah!

Other Decepticons collapse onto the ground, paralyzed by it; some self-destruct to relieve their pain.

UNICRON: (That time has passed; now you shall witness Cybertron's dismemberment!)

The hydra's mouths open to reveal fusion cannons; artificial suns rain on Iacon, destroying Decepticon fortresses and everyone inside. Other Decepticons rocket away, trying to escape.

DECEPTICON 1: Ahhhh!

DECEPTICON 2: Retreat!

DECEPTICON 3: How dare you…?

An artificial sun vaporizes him.

DECEPTICON 2: The fool! Honor and courage have no place in the Pit!

On the Capitol roof, Bruticus strains to sustain the force field.

BRUTICUS: Grrrr!

Keelhaul opens the canopy to see Unicron with his own eyes.

KEELHAUL: Jesus Christ!

Nightracer turns to Shockwave.

NIGHTRACER: What are your orders... Commander?

SHOCKWAVE: Fight to the end.

He sets his graser to "MAX", shoots, and shatters one of Unicron's optics.

HYDRA: Grrrr!

SKYWARP: Spoken like a true warrior.

He lunges, his sword extended to shatter one of Unicron's optics. Nightracer tries to behead a serpent by raining laser beams on its neck.

UNICRON: (How dare you strike your master?!)

A serpent's head penetrates the force field to attack Shockwave. Bruticus kneels on the roof; his HUD reads, "FF PROJECTOR OVERHEAT".

BRUTICUS: Commander!

Shockwave somersaults to dodge the serpent's head, turns to face a second head behind him, shoots, and shatters the second head's left optic.

HYDRA: Grrrr!

SHOCKWAVE: I am master of myself. You are irrelevant.

UNICRON: (You overestimate your abilities. Proceed on your way to oblivion!)

A third head opens its mouth to swallow Shockwave. Optimus suddenly rockets through the roof; his laser rifle blasts the serpent's head to pieces.

HYDRA: Roarrrr!

UNICRON: (Prime? Impossible! I sensed your death, and the Matrix's light was extinguished with your spark!)

OPTIMUS: What was extinguished has been rekindled. What was dead has been reborn.

Elita and Superion follow him onto the roof. Optimus opens his chest compartment, reveals the Matrix, and empowers the Autobots, Destrongers, Skywarp, and Nightracer. Six serpents' heads rain artificial suns on the Capitol, but Bruticus' force field is now able to repel the fusion cannon projectiles.

UNICRON: (You cannot deny the inevitable! The void will devour you!)

A serpent's head burns blue as it neutralizes the force field. Shipwreck cowers as the mouth opens to swallow him.

SHIPWRECK: Ahhhh!

Grimlock shoots, blasting the serpent's head to pieces.

GRIMLOCK: Grimlock stronger than ever! Not afraid of mythical Dark God!

The upgraded Thunderer fires a Mk-53; the 9 megaton warhead blasts a hole in Unicron's chest armor.

Shockwave's HUD reads, "TYPE: REACTOR" as he targets the hole. He shoots; the resulting explosion blasts Unicron in half.

HYDRA: Roarrrr!

He psychokinetically pulls the scattered pieces together to reattaches them. The cracks in his armor burn blue as he repairs himself.

UNICRON: (Insignificant little Cybertronian! You do not have the power to defeat me!)

SHOCKWAVE: My individual power is insufficient for that task, but I calculate the Destrongers and Autobots' combined power to be sufficient.

A serpent's head opens its mouth to swallow Optimus. Elita runs towards the serpent's head, kicks, and shatters it to pieces.

HYDRA: Roarrrr!

ELITA: I won't lose the one I love again!

Unicron transforms to robot mode, minus his right hand, left pauldron, and right foot. Optimus faces the Dark God, holding the Matrix in front of him.

OPTIMUS: What was enslaved has been freed.

UNICRON: (My destiny is to destroy all creation and restore the universe to the void that is its original form! You cannot destroy my destiny!)

His left hand burns blue as the fusion cannon targets Optimus.

OPTIMUS: Return to the darkness from which you came!

He rockets towards Unicron; the Matrix projects a burning light to vaporize the Dark God.

TEXT: Crown of Stars-- Megatron's castle. Polyhex, Cybertron.

Optimus, Shockwave, and Hawk sit at a table, surrounded by US servicemen and Autobot and Decepticon unit commanders standing at attention. Shockwave's optic projects a laser beam to etch Cybertronian letters onto a metal plate-- the peace treaty-- and hands it to Optimus, who scans the treaty before his optics project laser beams to etch it.

Hawk examines English words written below the Cybertronian words. Bumblebee hands him a laser pen, which he uses to sign the treaty.

Elita takes the treaty and places it in a scanner, which makes two copies. She hands the copies to Optimus and Shockwave so they can scan them. Bumblebee holds the original in front of Hawk so he can examine it. Hawk nods; then Optimus, Shockwave, and Bumblebee hold the plates over their heads.

OPTIMUS, HAWK: Peace!

SHOCKWAVE: A gateway to the future has been opened for the Destrongers and Decepticons! Now that vital resources are no longer being wasted on a civil war, we will claim our birthright and conquer the stars!

Everyone cheers except Keelhaul, Shipwreck, and Magnus.

SHIPWRECK: What's he cheering about?

KEELHAUL: Before we came to Cybertron and kicked that seven-headed monster's tail, the President and Optimus brokered a deal between the British Prime Minister and Shockwave; if he and the Destrongers helped us, we'd give the one-eyed robot sovereignty over Burma unrestricted access to the resources there, including the newly discovered ruby mines.

SHIPWRECK: What?!

KEELHAUL: In exchange, he promises that Decepticon military units will never set foot anywhere else in our solar system.

SHIPWRECK: But he worked for Megatron! Can we trust him to keep that promise?

MAGNUS: Yes. It is illogical to attempt to conquer Cybertron or Earth in the face of strong Autobot and human resistance; the resources spent on such a campaign would exceed the resources gained. Logic dictates the Decepticons' resources will be better spent seeking, exploring, and conquering other planets in the universe. Shockwave intends to build a spaceport in Rangoon for that purpose.

SHIPWRECK: So instead of stopping the Decepticons from enslaving us, we're gonna let him go and enslave people on other planets?!

KEELHAUL: We already paid a heavy price for victory over Cobra and peace on Earth-- an estimated 80,000,000 human lives. I cannot even imagine the price for peace in the entire universe. If we can spare Earth and the human race from another World War...

SHIPWRECK: Damn.

They watch the Autobots, Decepticons, and Joes celebrate.

SETTING: Alpha Q's lab.

Four Sweeps guard the lab. Alpha Q leans over an operating table where the surviving Quintesson and two medical drones are assembling a blue clone of Starscream. They complete the task; the drones return to alcoves in the roof and shutdown.

ALPHA Q-FAMINE: So this is a clone of the greatest mercenary to fight in the Cybertron Civil War. Now let us see if my theory is correct and Alpha Trion's IFF code can substitute for the key to Vector Sigma. Transmit now!

The Quintesson turns to a computer console and types a command. Electricity arcs down the clone's restraints; his back arches as energy surges through his frame.

STARSCREAM: Ahhhh!

ALPHA Q-PESTILENCE: Enough!

The Quintesson types a command to shutdown the energy. Alpha Q faces the clone.

ALPHA Q-WAR: I am Alpha Q, your creator and master. Your name is Thundercracker; you are my sword, with whom I'll conquer Cybertron and rule over the Decepticons and Autobots as destined.

STARSCREAM: My name is Starscream. My creator was Shogun, former Master of the Terror Soaring Saber; I dueled against Shogun and granted him an honorable death, succeeding him as Master of the Terror Soaring Saber.

ALPHA Q-DEATH: Activate the self-destruct!

The Quintesson types the command, but nothing happens. The clone smiles, psychokinetically shatters his restraints, and jumps to his feet.

STARSCREAM: A true warrior must master every circuit in his body to master the battlefield; he must master the battlefield to be victorious.

His right fist shatters Alpha Q's right optic; his fingers grip the socket to lift the cyborg off the floor.

ALPHA Q-DEATH: Shriek!

STARSCREAM: You do not master every circuit in your body; how can you master mine?

QUINTESSON: Sweeps, destroy the defective weapon!

The Sweeps target Starscream, who detaches the leading edge of his left wing-- a burning red power saber. The reborn Destroyer raises the sword over his head, spins the blade, and projects kenki 360 degrees to destroy all four Sweeps.

QUINTESSON: Unicron save me!

He rockets away from the table, but Starscream psychokinetically stops him before he reaches the door. The reborn Destroyer smiles, aims the sword point at the Quintesson, and psychokinetically crushes his frame.

QUINTESSON: Shrieeeek!

His blood paints on the ceiling, a wall, and the floor.

Alpha Q's electrified tentacles lash Starscream's arm. The reborn Destroyer faces the cyborg and pyrokinetically ignites him.

ALPHA Q-DEATH: Shrieeeek!

He burns to death.

Starscream's hand opens to let Alpha Q's ashes fall onto the floor. His head rises to see his reflection in a mirror mounted over the table.

STARSCREAM: Hmmmm.

He types a command, ordering the drones to repaint him red with silver thunderbolts on the wings. Ten minutes later, an intangible "ghost" Starscream walks through a wall, out of the lab, to see two Sweeps guarding the door. He aims a sword point at the Sweeps, sneaks up behind them, becomes tangible, and beheads Sweep One. Sweep Two turns to see the head fall onto the floor.

SWEEP: Shriek!

Starscream beheads him before he can react. The reborn Destroyer's head rises to see the night sky.

STARSCREAM: The stars call for justice; they call for a warrior-king to bring order to the planets. This is only the beginning.

He transforms into a MiG-31M Foxhound fighter and rockets into the sky.