06.May.06

Beast Wars Symmetries:

Patronage

By: Everblue

“Excellent job, Tarantulas,” Megatron crooned. “With our joint efforts, we will most certainly finish off the Maximals this time!”

“Ah, where would you be without my expertise?” Tarantulas chuckled.

“Most likely playing the role of a hackneyed alien invader to Earth,” Megatron replied with a smile. “That much is certain.”

“Scorponok, would you be so kind as to hand me those microchips?” asked Tarantulas in a tone that was anything but flattering.

“Where do you plan on installing them?” Scorponok inquired.

“Within its frontal lobe,” responded Tarantulas.

For hours, they had been working on their latest invention, an advanced android known to them as Magna Volt. The best of care was taken to ensure that it was endowed with the finest of alloys and the best of programming. What they planned on using the robot for, on the other hand, had anything but the best of intentions.

“Are you sure this Magna Volt creature is the answer, Megatron?” Tarantulas remarked. “After all, he is, in all technicalities, a spark-less drone.”

“Though he lacks a spark, he is far more than a mindless drone, my dear Tarantulas,” Megatron smiled. “He is only the first step to conquering this wretched planet!”

“Hmph, I fail to see how.”

“You will understand in due time, Tarantulas.”

“There are some things I have my doubts about, Megatron.”

To Scorponok, it looked like Megatron and Tarantulas were about to open fire on each other. Nevertheless, the tension between the two was short lived as they immediately went back to work again. The project they were working on was what was most important. Only Megatron’s desires were projected more on their work than anything else.

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“Why Terrorsaur try to slag Megatron last night?” asked Waspinator.

“He had it coming.”

The two Predacon were lounging around in the living room playing video games. Out of the corner of Waspinator’s eye, he noticed that Terrorsaur’s wounds from last night had not completely healed. Megatron had beaten him quite severely for his attempted coup and even now, Terrorsaur’s face was showing it.

“Waspinator not sure overthrowing Megatron is good idea.”

“You wanna take marching orders from that saurian for the rest of your life? That’s your problem.”

Waspinator rolled his eyes. Megatron had also forbidden Terrorsaur from using the CR bath for a week. The rust strewn across his red helmet looked worn-out and haggard.

“So Waspinator, tell me something…”

“Hmm?”

“When we conquer this Earth and return to Cybertron, what do you plan to do?”

“Waspinator want to lead attack on unsuspecting Maximals! Waspinator has plans of becoming great Predacon general… help conquer planet as Megatron’s second-in-command or even better… conquer planet with all Predacons behind Waspinator’s back!”

As Waspinator surveyed Terrorsaur’s face, it became evident that the red Predacon had wanted to say something but thought better of it.

“Terrorsaur have something to say?” Waspinator inquired.

“I, uh, think you’d make a great Predacon general… yeah, that’s it!”

“Terrorsaur not being sincere!”

“Well too bad, bug face! It’s the best you’re gonna get!”

“Why Terrorsaur so snappy?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, my pride hasn’t quite recovered from the beating last night.”

“That not good reason to take it out on Waspinator!”

“Whatever, I’m off to see what the others are doing in that lab.”

In their casual banter, neither of the two realized what was going on behind the scenes that Megatron had been working so hard on within the past few weeks. Unfortunately for them, their livelihoods were at stake.

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“Excellent, Magna Volt has been completed!” Megatron exclaimed. “Our work has been fruitful, has it not?”

“Indeed it has,” Tarantulas chuckled. “I also took special care to install his personality chips.”

“Speaking of which, what is his personality like?” Megatron asked.

“Ruthless… obedient… and 100 percent loyal to you, Megatron,” Tarantulas replied.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Megatron knew better than to take Tarantulas words at face value. He had detected an insincere tone in Tarantulas’ reply but for now, he had his creation to attend to.

“So, you are Magna Volt, correct?” Megatron asked.

“Affirmative… and I serve only you, Lord Megatron.”

Before Megatron there stood an emaciated and gaunt robot wrapped in black robes. Its face was revealed under its hood as expressionless and detached with no mouth, nose, or ears. What it did have, however, were two narrowed eyes that radiated with a familiar blue glow. Even more revealing about it were the two spinal gauntlets on its arms which, through a tiny glass opening, radiated the same glow of energon as his eyes.

“Excellent!” Megatron bellowed happily. “State your programming more explicitly this time!”

“My primary objective is to serve the one known as Megatron and Megatron alone. My secondary objective is to pave the way for an empire in his name. Furthermore, all other goals remain open to my free will so long as they do not conflict with my main objectives of obeying the terms set by my lord and master.”

“He certainly knows his place well, unlike my other minions,” Megatron whispered to Scorponok who simply nodded in return.

Magna Volt said nothing. Scorponok, for one, found his silence to be unnerving.

“Magna Volt,” Megatron commanded. “Demonstrate to us your abilities, if you would.”

“I require a suitable target for this demonstration,” Magna Volt replied. “Any target mobile or immobile would satisfy my requirements.”

Megatron and Tarantulas glanced towards each other slowly and then towards the unwitting Scorponok. A feint chuckle escaped from Tarantulas’ mouth as the grin on Megatron’s face widened.

“What’re you guys looking at me f—AAAAHHHHH!”

A powerful surge of electricity shot out from Magna Volt’s gauntlet and blasted Scorponok in the chest, throwing him clear across the room.

“You’ve done well, Magna Volt,” Megatron commended. “I have a feeling you will become a most honored member of this team!”

Magna Volt bowed deeply before Megatron. Realizing that he had not even explained the technology behind their creation, Tarantulas was the first to speak up again.

“His power comes from the energon crystals within his gauntlets,” the Predacon scientist explained. “He may absorb and redirect electrical energy on any whim thanks to some special wiring techniques.”

Megatron put his hands on Tarantulas’ shoulder and led him away from Magna Volt until they were within a certain distance.

“I assume you installed the neural chips within his system as well?” Megatron asked in a hushed voice. “If that creature so much as turns again me…”

“Don’t worry,” Tarantulas reassured him. “Such thoughts will not enter his limited programming.”

“Very well,” Megatron huffed. “I will require Magna Volt, however, to deal with certain… inequities within the next few days.”

“What do you mean?”

By this point, Megatron had beckoned Magna Volt to join them. As the lean robot gathered with his two Predacon creators, Magna Volt displayed a curiosity most profound. Without any reservations, Megatron spoke more openly to where all in the room could hear him.

“My patience with Terrorsaur has grown most thin!” Megatron explained with more than a hint of anger to his voice. “Too many times has that asinine avian gotten away with making attempts on my life and my position!”

Tarantulas rolled his optics. If Megatron thought Terrorsaur was treacherous then he had another thing coming to him! However, Tarantulas was also careful enough to hide his disdain for Megatron, unlike the hapless Terrorsaur.

“Remember, Megatron,” Tarantulas reminded him. “It is not uncommon in Predacon society for a lower ranking Predacon to seek to usurp those above him. I fail to see how Terrorsaur is committing any major crimes.”

Megatron immediately fixed him with a scathing glare and it was at that point that Tarantulas decided to shut up.

“I assume you want me to take out this Terrorsaur, correct?” Magna Volt asked.

“You’re catching on, Magna Volt,” Megatron chuckled.

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Terrorsaur could hardly believe what he was hearing. Just as he was on the nick of entering the room, he had heard Megatron, Tarantulas, and a third being discussing him!

The fact that Megatron despised him was no surprise. This time, however, what he had heard was more than just mere disdain. From the window, he had caught glimpses of Megatron, Tarantulas, and a new robot.

He hadn’t really heard that much of the conversation honestly. Two things from the conversation, on the other hand, jumped out at him.

“I assume you want me to take out this Terrorsaur, correct?”

“You’re catching on, Magna Volt,”

Grinding his teeth together, Terrorsaur quickly disappeared from the scene before anyone could notice him. There was no way Megatron was going to get rid of him that easily!

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“I’ve never seen anything like this on Cybertron…” Cheetor muttered.

The slums of Crimson City were inhabited by few people. It was as if the area was plagued endlessly with crime and poverty. Several years ago, it had been overwhelmed by gang wars that nearly tore the community apart. Now, it seemed to be nothing more than abandoned city blocks with scattered remnants of homeless beggars and drug dealers.

While it was true that Optimus Primal and the Maximals had helped to put an end to the gang violence ever since their arrival, the slums still seemed destined for self-destruction with little to no hopes of recovery.

“It’s a shame that with all its achievements, the human race hasn’t learned to treat each other like sentient beings,” Rhinox observed.

“They’re also even more divided than our people,” Optimus agreed. “On Cybertron, we only have Maximals and Predacons but here, they’re divided into an almost infinite amount of races and factions. That in itself is bound to start conflicts.”

“Yeah, well, what cares about ‘dem?” Rattrap snorted. “All we gotta do is look out for Numba’ One… ourselves, that is!”

Optimus glared at Rattrap. “That kind of attitude doesn’t seem to run smoothly with our Maximal code.”

“Look, boss monkey,” Rattrap replied. “If ‘da humans found out ‘bout us, they’d be on our tails in an instant. Are we really willin’ to serve a race that wants ‘ta mount our heads on their walls?”

Before Optimus could reply, an assailant appeared before them wielding a handgun.

“Hand over ‘yer cash, now!”

Optimus and Rhinox looked at each other and then towards the assailant. The robber before them was a teenage youth of mixed races. He wore a plain white t-shirt with torn jeans. His hair was unkempt and the color of his eyes was hidden by the sunglasses he wore.

“Told ya so,” Rattrap muttered.

“I said hand over the cash now or--”

Moving faster than a human eye could see, Optimus Primal snatched the gun out of his hand.

“Why are you doing this?” Optimus demanded.

“Hey, man… stay cool!” the youth stuttered. “What the heck are ya!”

For a moment, the young man was seemingly terrified of a large gorilla in front of him, holding him up. Soon, though, he recovered his wits in order to put on a tough act once again.

“There are better ways to making a living,” Optimus reprimanded him. “You could get a legitimate job and create a better life for yourself!”

“Easy for you to say, monkey boy,” came the reply. “Down here in the slums, it ain’t as easy to move out and just ‘create a better life’ or anything like that!”

“What’s your name?” Optimus asked.

“The name’s Pete. And don’t think you can go around preachin’ to me!”

Optimus turned to face his teammates. “Mind if we have a moment in private?”

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“So how did you end up in this place?” Optimus asked as he and Pete walked down the streets.

“I don’t even remember who my parents were,” Pete replied. “All I remember since I was a kid was some gang leader taking me in when I was 6 and raising me like I was his own.”

“You must’ve had a hard life.”

“Yeah, so maybe I don’t have cable TV. I’ll live!” Pete smirked.

“Is there any way I could help you out of your situation?” asked Optimus sympathetically.

“I could try to get cash out of you again,” Pete joked. “This time by asking you instead of holding you up.”

“I suppose we’re getting somewhere,” Optimus chuckled.

“The only place you’ll be going is the Inferno, Optimus Primal!”

Pete gasped as he looked up. What stood on the rooftops before them was a cloaked figure with two revealing gauntlets on his left and right hands. His face was hidden by a metallic mask that hid all his features minus his eyes.

“Who are you?” Optimus demanded.

“The name’s Magna Volt,” replied the newcomer. “Megatron told me about you.”

“The heck’s going on here?” Pete demanded.

“Megatron sent you?” Optimus growled.

Magna Volt ignored the young man and continued with Optimus. “I’m his latest errand boy, Primal! You and your Maximals just so happen to be my first assignment!”

“Trust me, you don’t want to do this,” Optimus warned.

“Spare me, Optimus,” Magna Volt groaned. “Don’t think you can hide behind your witless human facade forever.”

To the surprise of Optimus and the helpless Pete, the gauntlets on Magna Volt’s arms began powering up as several surges of electricity traced their way across the small glass opening on the gauntlets containing the energon.

Before Optimus could react, Magna Volt raised his hand and struck Optimus with a powerful surge of electricity. As Optimus staggered back from the assault, Magna Volt struck him with another blast, this time throwing him to the ground. Pete stared in blank horror as the holographic image that surrounded the Maximal he had encountered fell.

“I figured an electrical overload would be powerful enough to incapacitate you,” Magna Volt gloated. “Anyways, time to finish this!”

Magna Volt charged up again and fired another electrical blast but this time, Optimus rolled to the side to avoid the shot and fired his own shot from his wrist-mounted gun. Magna Volt quickly raised his arms up in protection as the shot struck his gauntlets and sent him reeling back from the blast.

“Guess you aren’t such a pushover after all,” Magna Volt laughed.

This time, Magna Volt smashed his fist to the ground, sending another charge of electricity through the ground like a snake zig-zagging towards its prey. Optimus tried to leap out of the way but unfortunately, was not fast enough. The surge of power forced him to his knees causing the Maximal leader to cry out in pain.

Finally, when Magna Volt felt satisfied enough with the punishment he had dealt, he turned his attention to Pete.

“Whoever you are, I suggest you disappear before you suffer the same fate as your benefactor,” Magna Volt warned.

Pete’s instincts told him to run but somehow, all the courage had gone out of his legs to the point where he was frozen with fear. He could not lift a leg muscle no matter how much he wished.

“Okay then,” Magna Volt shrugged. “Guess you’ll be going out with a bang after all!”

Magna Volt raised his hand and fired a volley of electrical energy towards Pete with no remorse. Pete cried out as the blast surged towards him but before he could react, a large pair of arms wrapped around him and flung him to safety.

Magna Volt was visibly surprised.

“You can still stand after all that punishment!”

“I won’t let you hurt any innocent bystanders!” Optimus growled. “This is between you, me, and Megatron!”

“Innocent? Don’t make me laugh!” Magna Volt scoffed. “That pathetic junkie will be back on the streets to do his usual rounds after this day’s over! Such is the nature of humanity!”

“You’re wrong!” Optimus retorted. “There is hope for humanity to change! All they need is encouragement and guidance!”

“Save the preachy morals for the afterlife, Primal,” Magna Volt groaned. “You have your own life to worry about right now!”

“Worry about your own safety, spark plug!”

Before Magna Volt could react, Cheetor, in full robot mode, rammed into him and knocked him to the ground. Soon, Magna Volt found himself facing all four Maximals.

“Nice to see the whole gang’s here. It’ll save me the trouble of tracking all of you down individually!”

Magna Volt’s gauntlets charged up but before long, the power of his electricity died down until it was a mere hum.

“What the slag’s going on here!” he shouted. “Why aren’t my gauntlets working?”

“Simple,” Rhinox replied. “You ran out of steam.”

“Blast you all!” Magna Volt screamed.

When he looked up, he saw the weapons of all the Maximals brandished towards his direction.

“Raising your voice ain’t gonna do you no good,” Rattrap taunted.

Magna Volt glared down and saw the sewer hole beneath his feet.

“Well, I got a train to catch so hopefully you won’t mind if I bail out on you at this time.”

Magna Volt ripped the sewer lid out from its place and threw it towards the Maximals who immediately opened fire. One shot from Rattrap struck him in the arm as Magna Volt leaped down into the sewer and escaped.

Cursing loudly to himself, Magna Volt ran off into the underground maze of the sewers to lick his wounds and head back to base.

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“You failed to destroy them?” Megatron demanded.

After Magna Volt had finished recharging himself off the electrical rails provided to him by Megatron, he spoke.

“Affirmative. I did not finish Optimus Primal and his team as you had instructed.”

“I suggest that you endeavor, in the future, for success in all your missions,” Megatron warned. “The price of failure, should it increase, will not come cheap.”

“I understand. From now on, I shall strive to succeed in all your missions!” Magna Volt replied humbly.

“See that you do,” Megatron rumbled ominously. “After the Maximals are destroyed, you will concentrate your power on Terrorsaur. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Lord Megatron.”

“I have another assignment for you to complete along with the destruction of the Maximals.”

Magna Volt decided not to reply but simply waited for the order.

“Destroy the Crimson City slums and leave not one building unscathed,” Megatron commanded. “I want that area bulldozed for a new robotics firm. Not only will you help my company, you will most likely attract the attention of the Maximals whom you are to destroy in the process. Is that understood?”

“Understood, boss.”

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“That went well,” Magna Volt cursed. “How much longer must I keep up this act?”

“You keep it up for as long as I tell you to,” Tarantulas replied.

“Then I’m allowed to blow Megatron to Kingdom Come?”

“Precisely, my friend. It must be done in a manner so that I will be there to witness him on his knees begging for mercy!”

“I like your style, Tarantulas.” Magna Volt replied. “You’re a much better boss to work for than Megsy!”

“Though Megatron has only partial ownership over you, never forget who you true master and creator is,” Tarantulas chuckled. “Your indentured servitude towards Megatron is only a farce.”

“I won’t forget,” Magna Volt responded. “Just have faith in me.”

“Oh, I will.”

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Incidentally, Optimus and the Maximals decided to stay overnight in the slums for a duration. At this time, they did not require the use of their holographic disguises anymore.

“Why do we have ’ta wait out here based on ‘yer hunch?” Rattrap complained. “We don’t know if he’s comin’ back or not.”

“He’s coming back alright,” Optimus replied. “Megatron created him for a specific purpose and I don’t think he’ll be going far. Besides, we can‘t let him roam free while innocent people are living here.”

“What do you suppose he is?” Cheetor asked.

Rhinox was the first to reply. “Magna Volt is most likely an advanced android programmed by Megatron with a mixture of Earth and Cybertronian technology. Such a combination can’t bode well.”

“Well whoopty-do,” Rattrap said with a snide tone. “Even if he is advanced, ya gotta keep in mind that he’s still just a sparkless drone.”

“You want to talk about sparks, rodent?” came a voice from above. “They’ll be flying soon enough!”

Rattrap and his companions looked up. Sure enough, Magna Volt was perched on top of the power lines like a vulture waiting for its prey to die.

“I suggest you get down from there, sparky,” Rattrap chided. “A walking tin can like you can’t be allowed ’ta roam free.”

Without a word, Magna Volt charged up his gauntlets and clasped both hands together, creating a large orb of energy. With a shrill battle cry, he launched it towards the ground, generating a massive shockwave that threw back all four Maximals.

“Yeowch!” Rattrap exclaimed as he got up shakily. “Since when did this Energizer Bunny get so much power?”

“You’re mine, socket boy!” Cheetor snarled as he transformed to beast mode and lunged at Magna Volt.

Before Cheetor could make contact, the electricity around Magna Volt’s body charged up and engulfed the young Maximal, electrocuting him and throwing him back several feet.

“Careful,” Optimus said cautiously. “We don’t want to get too close. That’ll risk damaging our circuitry extensively.”

“Optimus,” Rhinox advised. “I think I see his weakness.”

“What is it?”

“After my lens zoomed in on his super structure, I noticed that the source of his power came from those strange gauntlets on his arms. More specifically, the power comes from the energon crystals within his gauntlets!”

“Any ideas on how to take out his power source?”

“Ehh, you’ll have to get back to me on that,” Rhinox replied hesitantly, “but we can start with the basics.”

Rhinox immediately took out his chain guns and fired at Magna Volt. None of the shots struck, unfortunately, as the electricity around his body stopped the bullets dead on their tracks.

Magna Volt held up his hands and blasted a shot that struck Optimus square in the chest, throwing him back and knocking him into Rhinox who also felt the aftershocks of the attack.

As he towered over Optimus Primal, Magna Volt stared down in disdain. “Time to finish this, Primal.”

“Leave him alone!”

“What’s this?” Magna Volt laughed.

Pete, the young man Optimus had met previously, stood in front of Optimus’ body with both arms spread.

“Back off, kid,” warned Magna Volt. “This is your last chance. Either you step aside or I turn you to dust.”

“I ain’t gonna do it, man,” Pete yelled back. “I don’t know who he is or what he is, but this guy saved my life! I’m not about to back down!”

Magna Volt only glared at him with disdain.

“All my life, I’ve never been a good person,” Pete smiled cynically. “I can see that now thanks to him! This is my one shot at redemption and doing something worthwhile so I ain’t gonna waste it!”

“Have it your way, punk,” Magna Volt laughed condescendingly.

“Yo, spark plug!”

Whirling around, Magna Volt saw Rattrap to his side with an open blaster pointed towards him.

“Pathetic,” Magna Volt grumbled. “You really think you can take me out with that little toy?”

“No, but I know another little toy that can!” Rattrap responded by turning his gun and firing a stray shot that whizzed past Magna Volt.

“Now, Cheetor!” Rattrap shouted.

Only when Magna Volt turned around, did he realize what had happened. The shot from Rattrap’s gun had struck a fire hydrant, causing a large fountain of water to erupt into the air like a volcano. Cheetor quickly clasped both hands into the fountain, redirecting the blast of the stream. Magna Volt howled in terror as the burst of water struck him and short-circuited him beyond belief. A large surge of electricity coursed through his body as he screamed in agony.

Finally, Rhinox tore an old, rusty lamp post from the ground and used it as a bat to smash Magna Volt against the side of an abandoned building.

“Good job, team,” Optimus smiled as he and the other Maximals gathered around the fallen body of the android.

“We may have to take his body back to base to determine exactly what it is that he’s made of,” Rhinox suggested. “Otherwise, Megatron will just build another robot even stronger than him.”

“Oh, come on!” Rattrap lamented. “Do we really have to take this bucket o’ bolts back home?”

“Is he out for good?” asked Cheetor.

“Looks like it,” Rhinox replied. “That power surge must’ve done him in.”

“And now it’ll do you in!” Magna Volt cried as his optics opened with maniacal glee.

“What does it take to stop this guy!” Rattrap shouted as he and his comrades stepped back.

“I may only be at half power,” Magna Volt hissed, “but it’s more than enough to take out the four of you--”

Before Magna Volt could finish what he was about to say, a plasma shot struck him from behind and knocked him down, this time for good.

“Terrorsaur!” Optimus cried.

Sure enough, Terrorsaur and Waspinator appeared out of the sky with all evidence of Magna Volt’s incapacitation pointing to them.

“Back off, Optimus Primal,” Terrorsaur snorted. “My quarrel today isn’t with you.”

To show the Maximals he was serious, Terrorsaur put away his weapons. Likewise, he tapped Waspinator to do the same.

“I don’t know whether to feel indignant or grateful,” said Optimus. “Why are you doing this?”

“Don’t misunderstand, Primal,” Terrorsaur snorted. “I’m not doing it for you.”

“Yeah, well it still don’t make sense, buzzard brain,” Rattrap retorted. “What do you get outta this?”

“That not for mouse-bot to know!” Waspinator buzzed angrily. “Stay out of Waspinator and Terrorsaur’s business!”

After several cycles of tension had passed, Optimus motioned for the Maximals to put down their weapons as well.

“Nevertheless,” the Maximal leader continued. “We’re grateful for your help.”

“I ain’t grateful,” Rattrap muttered defensively.

“Yeah, well…” Terrorsaur chuckled slightly. “Let’s just say that my livelihood was at stake.”

With nothing further to say, Terrorsaur and Waspinator grabbed the fallen Magna Volt and flew off as quickly as they could.

“Say the word, boss monkey, and I’ll take ‘em down!” Rattrap growled as he brandished his pistol.

“Not today, Rattrap,” Optimus told him. “I don’t think those two are going to bring Magna Volt back to Megatron at all.”

“Man, that was unreal!” Pete exclaimed. “You guys are amazing!”

Optimus patted him on the shoulder. “Guess this means you’ll be starting a new life soon enough, hmm?”

“Of course,” Pete replied. “I guess I never thought about how ugly or miserable my life was until you showed me.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Optimus smiled. “If you ever need any help, we’ll be there.”

“I know how strange it is with me being some hoodlum and you being some giant robot,” Pete said nervously, “but thanks for everything you’ve done for me.”

“Don’t mention it,” Optimus replied with a smile.

“See,” Rhinox whispered to and elbowed Rattrap simultaneously. “People can change.”

“Whatever, big green,” Rattrap whispered back. “I guess humans have their uses every now and then as reliable shields.”

“Rattrap!”

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“This is the place!” Terrorsaur declared. “We dump him here!”

“Why dump electro-bot in junkyard?” Waspinator asked.

“If we dismantle him here, there’s no way anyone will ever find out about him!” Terrorsaur replied.

“Terrorsaur really not like electro-bot,” Waspinator buzzed.

“Rather obvious isn’t it?” Terrorsaur snorted. “I overheard Megatron talking to this guy telling him to take me out. Is it any wonder I acted out of enlightened self-interest?”

“Megatron get angry if he find out,” Waspinator stammered nervously. “Terrorsaur sure this is good idea?”

“Wouldn’t you do the same if a hit was ordered on you?”

“Waspinator’s head hurt…”

“Yeah, well… worry about it later,” Terrorsaur urged. “Right now, we have a job to do.”

As Terrorsaur and Waspinator dragged Magna Volt’s body towards the compactor, the android’s eyes hummed to life.

“Electro-bot’s power come from gauntlets, Waspinator notice,” the Predacon wasp told his companion.

“Yeah, some sort of energon crystals in there supposedly charge him up,” Terrorsaur replied.

In a flash, Magna Volt grasped a small battery from the ground and absorbed as much energy from it as he could with his gauntlets.

“You smell something funny?” Terrorsaur asked.

“Not really, why?” Waspinator replied curiously.

“The only thing smelling in a few second will be the stench emanating from your rusted corpses!” Magna Volt cried as he sent two electrical surges into Terrorsaur and Waspinator, forcing them to drop him.

“Slag!” Terrorsaur shouted. “How’d he get back up again?”

“You must be Terrorsaur,” Magna Volt accused. “I have specific orders to destroy you!”

“Spare me the ‘bot of mystery routine!” Terrorsaur mocked. “When all is said and done, you’re just a drone without a spark!”

Before Terrorsaur could react, Magna Volt’s fist connected with his face, knocking him backwards.

“Spark or no spark, I’m still more than a match for the two of you!”

Waspinator held up his gun to open fire, but Magna Volt fired a short volley that knocked the missile launcher out of his hands.

Magna Volt immediately smashed his fist into the ground, allowing a powerful electrical surge to strike Terrorsaur and Waspinator. As the two Predacon flyers cried out and sank to their knees, Magna Volt grabbed them by their throats and slammed them into the remains of a Toyota truck.

“After I destroy the two of you, Megatron will soon follow!” Magna Volt cried as he held them by their throats.

“You’ll do what to Megatron?” Terrorsaur exclaimed, feigning shock. Secretly, he turned on his com-link to record what Magna Volt was saying.

“You heard that right, lizard lips,” Magna Volt gloated. “Once I’m through with you two, I’ll destroy Megatron just like I was told.”

“That’s good to know… NOW, Waspinator!”

On cue, both Terrorsaur and Waspinator stared down at Magna Volt’s gauntlets.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Magna Volt groaned.

Immediately, optical lasers erupted from the eyes of both flyers and shattered the glass on Magna Volt’s gauntlets that held the energon crystals. The energon hummed violently as they were struck by the laser beams of Terrorsaur and Waspinator. It didn’t take long for Magna Volt to process what was happening. The energon within his gauntlets were unstable and now, the optical beams had ignited them!

“NO!” he screamed.

“Oh yes,” Terrorsaur laughed as he and Waspinator punched Magna Volt off and took advantage of their flight to launch themselves into the air and watch from a safe distance.

Below them, they saw a small explosion engulf Magna Volt. When the smoke cleared, they landed again.

“Ha! Electro-bot is nothing without his gauntlets!” Waspinator mocked.

“Please…” Magna Volt begged as he stepped out into the open. “No more!”

Terrorsaur felt a sadistic glee run down his spine when he saw that Magna Volt’s arms had been blown off rather unceremoniously. A few loose joints could be seen but now that Magna Volt had been crippled, Terrorsaur was ready to move in for the kill.

“Oh yes, there’s gonna be plenty more where that came from!”

-----------------------------------------------

The look on Megatron’s face was contorted into a mixture of both amusement and frustration. After hearing the recording Terrorsaur made, his facial expressions remained barely decipherable. Both Terrorsaur and Waspinator had their fingers crossed the entire time.

“I see… the treachery of Magna Volt cannot be tolerated,” Megatron finally said with a huff. “Perhaps I was mistaken to think that mere drones without sparks could perform to the standards of a Predacon’s job.”

“Guess this means I get to keep my job, eh?” Terrorsaur smirked arrogantly.

“Yes, I was… mistaken to think that you had outlived your… usefulness…” Megaton confessed at last.

Terrorsaur could not help but laugh inwardly. He could tell that Megatron had to swallow much of his ego to admit it.

“Hey, Waspinator,” Terrorsaur whispered.

“Hmm?”

“Thanks for your help!”

“Terrorsaur is welcome!”

“Not so fast, you two!” Megatron bellowed.

“Huh?” Terrorsaur and Waspinator asked simultaneously.

“Though you have proven yourselves useful, there is one contrivance I cannot overlook!” Megatron declared angrily.

He switched on Terrorsaur’s com-link to play a sample of what Magna Volt had said.

“Once I’m through with you two, I’ll destroy Megatron just like I was told.”

“Not once did you consider prying out the information of exactly who wanted him to destroy me?” Megaton demanded.

“Well, heh heh…” Terrorsaur laughed nervously. “That thought didn’t exactly enter into my noggin’ at the time…”

“Nonetheless,” Megatron glowered. “ I have my suspicions as to who really programmed Magna Volt this way.”

He turned around and glared at Tarantulas who sat at the far end of the room working on stabilizing a new batch of raw energon. When Tarantulas saw Megatron, the Predacon scientist merely turned around and whistled innocently.

The End.