EPISODE 035

ACT ONE

The Star Voyager settles into her new position, taking a more defensible spot within the Yucutan peninsula, overlooking the jungles from a mountain vantage point. Inside, Diver's beat form carries in several crates into the crew's barracks.

SCUBA You're sure that's the last of the equipment?

DIVER Everything from the pyramid base is now on board and getting installed.

SCUBA So what's in this box?

DIVER All our personal stuff. Lio thought it would be a bad idea for the proto-humans to go through our private things.

SCUBA (smirking) Yeah, wouldn't want to be embarrassed for the ages with your junk in their hands.

Diver chuckles, and sets the crate down before opening it. Curious, Scuba sits up and starts moving over to investigate the contents.

DIVER At least you're not moping around anymore.

SCUBA (sighing) I'll be fine. What's a little heartache among friends, right?

DIVER Well, cheer up. The Predacons are almost beaten. Our ship is almost fully repaired. Things are looking good finally.

SCUBA Yeah, but that's usually when the shoe drops.

DIVER Maybe. But other than the Cyborg Beasts, what's left to worry about?

SCUBA I just have a bad feeling.

Lio Convoy and Lio Junior are in the command center of the ship, going over displays and readouts when the door opens to reveal two familiar forms. The two Maximals turn to see Moon's rabbit mode and Artemis's robot mode step solemnly inside.

LIO CONVOY (surprised) Moon. I wasn't expecting you.

MOON I've been keeping track of the progress of the humans, measuring their contamination.

LIO CONVOY I see.

MOON (uneasy) There is, perhaps, a greater worry.

LIO CONVOY What did you find?

MOON (uneasy) Three human settlements have been obliterated.

LIO JUNIOR (stunned) What?

Raising his hand, Moon causes the main screen of the command center to change views. Tactical displays are replaced with images of devastation. Trace remains of an early human rock-settlement are nearly buried in ash and ruin.

ARTEMIS Something – no, someone – went out of their way to destroy these settlements. They killed everyone and leveled them. MOON We did an analysis of the damage, but it didn't truly seem necessary. The damage was from corrupted angolmois energon unleashed as a destructive force.

Lio Convoy takes in the words, optics narrowed at the main screen.

LIO CONVOY Then we know who is responsible.

In the most rugged part of the Andes mountains, Hellscream and his team continue their way south. The four robot forms plow through the jungle, making slow but still deliberate progress.

DIRGEGUN This is taking forever. Can't we fly?

HELLSCREAM (weakly) Too much of a chance of the Maximals detecting our location if we take to the air for long. We're not strong enough to fight off them again.

As Max B steps closer to his commander, Hellscream lets out a pained groan and collapses again to one knee. He clutches painfully at his chest, trembling. The other Predacons rush over, but Hellscream raises his shaking hand to stop their approach.

HELLSCREAM (shaken) Stand back. There's nothing you can do for me.

THRUSTOR Is your damage that extensive?

HELLSCREAM (weakly) It's not damage, Thrustor. It's a presence. Something wants to take control of me. I can't fight it much longer.

THRUSTOR I can feel it, too, Hellscream. But maybe with repairs we can fight it off.

HELLSCREAM Maybe. But for how long?

This does nothing for the morale of his team, as all four of the Cyborg Predacons have been feeling the same power to some degree. Hellscream looks downcast, and almost defeated.

THRUSTOR Come on, Hellscream. We're almost there. When we're repaired, maybe we can a new way to fight this.

HELLSCREAM (weakly) Max B, Dirgegun, take a look topside to see if you can see the Nemesis out there. We should be close.

MAX B Roger.

The two Predacons lift up as order, breaking through the jungle canopy. They look forward, catching sight of the Nemesis, resting quietly at the base of a mountain a few miles from their position.

HELLSCREAM (weakly) Do you see it?

MAX B Roger.

DIRGEGUN We should be there in a couple of hours. It's not very far from here.

Dirgegun looks around again, then pauses. He narrows his optics and focuses on the ship, noting the presence of smoke coming from near the front of the downed ship. He makes out a dark violet shape moving out of it, and quickly disappearing into the surrounding jungle.

HELLSCREAM (weakly) What's wrong?

DIRGEGUN There's something moving near the ship.

HELLSCREAM Moving?

DIRGEGUN I'm going in for a closer look.

HELLSCREAM (worried) Wait! I don't think –

Dirgegun rushes down, taking out his weapon. As he approaches the ship, however, a white beam of light rushes from the jungle foliage below. Dirgegun screams out as it seems the light pulls at his very spark.

MAX B (worried) Dirgegun!

DIRGEGUN (agonized) What's happening to me!

Dirgegun struggles more, but it's of no use. His form starts to flicker, reverting to his original form as the corrupting energy is drained from him. After a moment, the beam stops, and Dirge trembles in place before falling to the ground, unconscious.

THRUSTOR (confused) Dirge? What the slag?

HELLSCREAM Thrustor, Catch him!

Without hesitation, Thrustor leaps up to catch his fallen comrade. Max B, for his part, turns and takes aim into the jungle, firing his weapons towards where the source of the beam would be.

THRUSTOR I've got you.

DIRGE (weakly) What happened to me?

THRUSTOR I don't know. Unless –

Thrustor turns to watch Max B's attacks. For a moment, they seem to be hitting only trees. But one shot manages to connect with something more solid. As a larger explosion starts to burn away the jungle, a familiar and terrifying form slowly moves skyward. Galvatron's dragon mode fans out its wings fully, and takes sights on Max B.

GALVATRON (grim) My loyal Predacons. How nice of you to finally come back to me after all this time.

THRUSTOR (shocked) Galvatron!

Galvatron lets out a dark laugh, and then heads over to Hellscream's position. Hellscream weakly leaps up, taking to the sky to confront his former commander. The shark-cyborg readies his weapon, unsure of what to expect.

GALVATRON You have something that belongs to me, the dark energon within your sparks.

HELLSCREAM (weakly) Galvatron, you must not claim it. You know what it does to us.

GALVATRON You are simply too weak to handle the power, Hellscream. Did you really think you had what it takes to become a god?

HELLSCREAM Better a failed god, then a successful fool.

Galvatron cannot help but laugh at this as he transforms to his daunting robot mode. Hellscream braces as Max B regroups with him.

GALVATRON You're already half-way beaten, Hellscream. You and your minions cannot hope to win against me.

HELLSCREAM You must be stopped. I know what that energon is. I know what it's doing. I can't let you take it.

GALVATRON You have little choice.

Galvatron reaches out for Hellscream, sending out the same strange light that had just hit Dirgegun. Hellscream screams out, unable to resist the attack.

ACT TWO

Hellscream screams out as the dark energies of his spark are ripped away from him. Like Dirge before him, he too flickers to his previous state. Max B turns, seeing this, and begins opening fire into Galvatron with everything he has.

MAX B Must protect.

Galvatron, at first, merely ignores the incoming attacks, but their severity effects even him. As the last blast connects, Galvatron himself screams out and backs away. Sadly, the damage is done, Hellscream has reverted to Starscream, and has been grievously weakened.

STARSCREAM (shaken) It's done.

MAX B Status?

STARSCREAM Very low on energy. But if Galvatron gets away now, he'll kill us all. I know what that energy is now. I know.

MAX B Roger.

Max B signals to Thrustor, and the two Predacon warriors rush at the stunned Galvatron. The would-be Predacon commander begins taking blast after blast from them. Though the shots appear to weaken him, he does not seem to take any true damage.

Galvatron (icy) Fools. Perhaps there was a time when your weapons could harm me. Perhaps they could have even destroyed me.

Galvatron arcs back, fanning back his wings sharply.

GALVATRON But now –

The dark matrix crystal within Galvatron's chest begins to glow brightly.

GALVATRON (defiant) Now I am a god! Hell breaks loose. A massive, powerful torrent of dark energy leaps from Galvatron's crystal and clutches onto Max B. This time, Galvatron is not content merely to absorb energy. Instead, his attack rips apart and smelts Max B's limbs, burning him under intense heat.

STARSCREAM (terrorized) Max B!

DIRGE (worried) There's nothing we can do for him now! We've got to get out of here!

Starscream is in shock, watching his friend, his brother be reduced to a burning wreck. Galvatron laughs as the blast ceases, and the inert form of Max B's ruins plunges to earth.

STARSCREAM (daunted) Max B. I'm sorry. It's my fault.

DIRGE (worried) Screamer, snap out of it!

Above, Thrustor rushes at Galvatron, still opening up with everything he can. Galvatron, though, is ready for him. As Thrustor nears, Galvatron counter-charges him and grabs the would-be attacker firmly.

GALVATRON With that dark energon you've become very brave, Thrustor.

Thrustor (scowling) Let go of me!

Galvatron lets out another dark chuckle, and Thrustor now has his turn to be drained. He screams out, flickering back into his original form as Galvatron drops him, leaving him to plummet to the earth below.

DIRGE (angry) He's gotten Thrust! Starscream! Wake up, dammit!

Starscream finally rouses himself. His optics focus on the falling Thrust, and it only takes him a moment to recover and leap to the air, transforming to his sleek jet mode. As Galvatron turns, he sees Starscream reach up and gracefully catch his comrade while returning to robot mode.

STARSCREAM Are you what I've been seeking to become? Are you the embodiment of the power I've craved for millions of years?

GALVATRON The power you've craved? The power I possess now is greater than you could ever know, Starscream.

STARSCREAM Now that you have it. What happens now? Haven't you killed enough of your own people?

GALVATRON My people? You are but expendable soldiers. Soldiers for which I have no longer have any need.

Galvatron returns to his dragon form, and lets loose with his fire breath. Fortunately, experience has taught Starscream the better part of valor, and he maneuvers steeply down to avoid the attack.

STARSCREAM Predacons, scarper!

DIRGE But where are we going to go?

STARSCREAM There's only one place left for us to go.

The trio of surviving jets, tired and weak, pull away from Galvatron at their best possible speed. Galvatron smiles, watching them go. Looking down, he then spots his last prize. In Max B's wreckage, the dark angolmois calls to him.

Scuba, Ikard, Tasmania Kid, Diver, Big Horn, Moon, and Artemis stand in the Star Voyager's command center, being addressed by Lio Convoy. The Maximal commander turns to them, once again, as Scuba steps forward.

SCUBA Galvatron? Are you sure?

ARTEMIS It feels like Galvatron. There's no one else on this world capable of such destruction.

TASMANIA KID But we took care of him months ago, didn't we?

MOON The Angolmois may have saved him yet again. Even corrupted matrix energy has powerful regenerative properties.

DIVER (worried) Oh, that's just great. What are we supposed to do? If he's survived everything we've thrown at him this far, what's left to hit him with? Foul language?

IKARD Diver, we've overcome terrible odds before. I'm sure there's a way we can handle this.

SCUBA (sighing) I don't know, Ikard. You've never seen Galvatron. I can't even begin to describe that kind of a monster. His power is immense.

Lio Convoy looks over his troops, sharing in their disheartened feelings. He allows a moment to compose himself, knowing what he and they are likely about to face.

LIO CONVOY I understand your concerns, Maximals. But we will find a way to defeat Galvatron, once and for all.

DIVER Or die trying?

Lio Convoy wants to find words to comfort, but knows that there are none. Resigned, he turns back to the main screen, still showing the devastated human settlements.

LIO CONVOY Or die trying.

Silence deafens the room as the meaning of Lio Convoy's words hit them all. None argue the sentiment, though, as each of them realize just how terrible a threat that they face, and what failing to stop him would mean.

The silence is broken by a single, eerie beep from the main console. Nervously, Scuba returns to his station and sits, calling up the tactical displays of the ship.

SCUBA Something's incoming.

DIVER (nervous) He's here already?

LIO JUNIOR Relax, Diver. Okay?

DIVER It was my grandfather's dying wish that I –

BIG HORN (annoyed) We've heard it before, Diver.

Dutifully, Scuba continues his work and isolates the source of the alert. On the screen, three Predacon symbols are indicated, making a beeline for the Maximal starship.

SCUBA Three Predacon energy signatures. This doesn't make sense, though.

LIO CONVOY Three? It's not Galvatron, then.

SCUBA No, sir.

DIVER Did the Cyborg Beasts leave someone behind?

IKARD Considering how bad of shape they were in, it's not –

As Scuba gets a fix on the signatures, the main screen changes views to reveal the battered forms of Starscream, Thrust, and Dirge. Smoke and energy bleed off of them as they work their way forward.

DIVER That's not Hellscream.

ARTEMIS (softly) Not anymore.

SCUBA They've reverted to their original forms? But how? I was still working on a way to drain that energy safely. I couldn't find anything.

BIG HORN (musing) BB's missing.

LIO CONVOY I noticed that too. Whatever happened, it appears it cost them more than just their Cyborg Beast forms.

Scuba looks over the screen, then turns back to his own console as another series of transmissions start up. Surprised, Scuba moves to call them up.

SCUBA We've got signal. Voice only.

LIO CONVOY On speakers.

STARSCREAM (radio) This is Starscream. We request safe asylum with the Maximals.

DIVER (surprised) He's kidding.

STARSCREAM (radio) We surrender. Repeat. This is Starscream. We surrender.

Surprised but not at-ease, Lio Convoy turns to the main monitor. The Predacon three jets continue forward to the base.

ACT THREE

Within the Star Voyager Artemis waits impatiently outside the recovery chamber. Lio Convoy waits as well, arms crossed, and clearly unhappy. When a freshly restored and repaired Starscream emerges from the chamber, it's clear exactly why he's unhappy.

LIO CONVOY (icy) I trust you function well enough, Starscream.

Starscream looks over himself, and his returned form.

STARSCREAM I've lost so much.

ARTEMIS At least you're alive.

Despite Lio Convoy's presence, Artemis doesn't hold back and steps forward to embrace her lover. Starscream nearly returns it, but steps back away from her, shaking his head.

STARSCREAM I don't deserve this kind of greeting, Artemis.

LIO CONVOY (icy) You finally found a conscience after millions of years?

STARSCREAM I don't have to answer to you, Lio Convoy. Right now we've got other concerns.

Lio Convoy nods his agreement, but his mood doesn't seem to lighten any. Starscream hesistes, but then turns to step away and out of the room. Lio convoy, however, firmly grabs Starscream's shoulder.

LIO CONVOY What happened to you? Where's your partner?

STARSCREAM Galvatron killed him.

LIO CONVOY (unphased) Go on.

STARSCREAM (curt) He also drained Dirge, Thrust, and I of our Angolmois energy. He's building up his own power to become a god.

LIO CONVOY (icy) So you have something in common with him. That was your goal in all this, after all.

Starscream finally gets angry, and pointedly removes Lio Convoy's hand from his shoulder. He turns around, facing the Maximal commander with narrowed optics.

STARSCREAM He is a god, Lio Convoy. He just doesn't realize which one.

LIO CONVOY What are you saying?

Starscream doesn't immediately answer, but another answer comes in the form of the entire ship shaking suddenly and violently. As Lio Convoy rushes over to the com panel, the lights suddenly turn red, and the klaxons begin to blare to life.

SCUBA (on speaker) Alert. Galvatron's attacking.

STARSCREAM Didn't take him long.

Lio Convoy scowls at Starscream, but turns his attention to the matter at hand, activating the com-link.

LIO CONVOY Scuba, status report.

On the bridge, Scuba scans over the terrain around the ship. He watches Galvatron's dragon form take several pot-shots at the ship's shields with his energy-breath assault.

SCUBA Shields took a couple of nasty hits, but they're holding. Big Horn, Lio Junior, Skywarp, and Santon were on perimeter.

LIO CONVOY (on radio) Get them back to the ship.

SCUBA They've already engaged.

Down below, Lio Convoy's optics widen in near-terror at the thought of his comrades in battle with the monster.

LIO CONVOY (worried) Engaged? No! Scuba get them back now!

Starscream watches Lio Convoy a moment, then turns his attention to a now very-trouble Artemis.

STARSCREAM Can they defeat Galvatron?

ARTEMIS (softly) No.

Galvatron rears back, taking another shot at the base with his powerful dragon breath. Despite the intensity of the attack, the Star Voyager's shields remain intact.

GALVATRON You've improved your ship since we last battled, Maximals. Not that it matters. Tank mode.

Galvatron transforms to his tank form, and plunges his boring drill into the shields. Though the energy barrier protests, it's clear that Galvatron is going to make progess. Behind him, Skywarp and Lio Convoy launch their counter-attacks against him. The blasts and missiles impact, but do nothing to dissuade Galvatron's relentless advance.

SKYWARP He could at least pretend like this is bothering him.

LIO JUNIOR He might be able to withstand our weapons, but even he's got to give way to physics. Santon, Big Horn, try to ram him out of the shield.

SANTON On it.

The buffalo and elephant beast forms move forward and start building up speed. Galvatron continues to plow forward, but doesn't ignore the incoming attack for a moment. His tail missiles launch, and rush at the two charging Maximals. Big Horn dodges aside from the explosion aimed at him, but Santon is forced off his attack as the blast nails him dead-on.

BIG HORN Come on, Primus, just a little bit of luck here.

Big Horn rushes, his bull form charging at Galvatron. The Predacon monster, though, maneuvers quickly, transforming and grabbing the charging Maximal as he does. Big Horn also transforms, only to find himself clutched firmly within Galvatron's grasp.

LIO JUNIOR (firmly) Let him go!

GALVATRON Is this a game to you, Maximals? Do you see this as just another fight that you must endure?

Big Horn struggles, trying to break free, but it's of no use. The Maximal is held firmly. Lio Junior readies for a shot, but cannot find one without risking hitting his comrade.

GALVATRON It's time you learn the true nature of your struggle.

Big Horn suddenly screams out in agony. Before the stunned force of Maximal and Predacon warriors, Big Horn's back erupts as powerful energy rips through him. The screams continue until they are cut short completely by the monstrous assault. Big Horn's body limply is thrown back from Galvatron's hand, and then disintegrates completely under the powerful energy assault that hand generates.

GALVATRON Dare you challenge me? At least the death of you Maximals shall provide me with some mild entertainment.

LIO JUNIOR (scowling) Entertain this, Galvatron. Maximals, transform to Magnaboss!

In a well-rehearsed motion, the forms of Skywarp, Lio Junior, and Santon leap up and together. Skwarp's wings embrace Lio Junior. Santon's form reassembles around the pair. Finally, the towering form of Magnaboss emerges, already drawing out his powerful sword.

MAGNABOSS (grim) All the death you've caused. All this destruction. You shall be rewarded in kind today, Galvatron.

GALVATRON (scowling) I do not fear you, Maximal.

Magnaboss wastes no more words, bringing up his sword against the monster he faces. Though out-sized, Galvatron fights on. The Predacon demon leaps up, parrying away the giant sword with his bare-arm. Already, Galvatron's chest begins to glow.

GALVATRON I had hoped to save my next example of dark matrix power for Lio Convoy himself. But, I suppose he should see what I have in store for him.

Galvatron rears back to launch his energy blast, but this is the opportunity that Magnaboss needs. Acting on instinct, he thrusts his sword forward swiftly, directly into the glowing gem.

Galvatron launches back, optics ablaze with energy. The gem fires, sending Magnaboss flying back. This time, though, the attack isn't focused, and though Magnaboss is wounded, death does not come for him.

MAGNABOSS Star Voyager, he's stunned. Open fire on him!

On the bridge, Moon, Starscream, Artemis, and Lio Convoy quickly enter and assume stations. Scuba lines up the still-stunned Galvatron in his sights, and calls the main cannon of the ship into action.

SCUBA (quietly) This is for Big Horn, you bastard.

The Star Voyager opens fire, sending a massive wave of energy into Galvatron. The Predacon demon screams out as his armor finally begins to fail him. Still, the chest gem bleeds its energy out. For the moment, it seems like Galvatron's threat is nearing its end.

DIVER We have him! Scuba, keep firing.

MOON (grim) It's too late!

Galvatron turns, smoldering. His optics flare crimson. Even as new blasts slam into his hide, he remains unmoving. The violet of his form fades, losing its blue tint. The dark black of his joints softens into a shade of gray.

GALVATRON No! I must keep control! I must –

Suddenly, Galvatron's form leaps to the sky. He screams out one last time, and the former colors are gone. Bathed in a dark energy, a new orange and gray Galvatron has emerged, and it is angry.

UNICRON (voice) The vessel is damaged. I assume control.

On the bridge of the Star Voyager, it takes only a fraction of a second for Starscream to voice what he's known.

STARSCREAM (daunted) It's Unicron.

The primal lord of Chaos has a new body, and he stands against the Maximals, the surviving Predacons, and the Star Voyager.

To Be Continued