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       #Post#: 417--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: March 1, 2014, 12:54 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 36 – Stranded
       Airdate: Saturday 1st March 2014
       Synopsis: Maradon. Huntdown is touring the new recruits,
       including Cross-Shot, Kickback and Rapax, around the Archaicon
       base; Airazor approaches, and makes clear his distrust over
       Cross-Shot’s presence, but Huntdown makes clear that she is
       welcome. Sawblade watches on all the while, intently observing
       the group’s interactions.
       A Quintesson escape pod rests in a barren, dusty arid region.
       The door opens, and Paladin steps out, followed by the other
       Maximals; they inspect their new location with varying levels of
       frustration. Mirage asks the Dawn Katana if he can identify the
       planet, but the black box states that it has no way of doing so
       when he is effectively an artificial mind in a sphere. Arcrise
       notices Waspinator staring at her, and asks, aloud, if he is
       okay. The others turn to their leader, and he freezes up –
       Mirage suggests they try to locate the nearest settlement, and
       leads the way. Paladin approaches Waspinator, and remarks that
       his telepathy may well have been clouded by his subconscious
       hope for Cross-Shot to not have been the turncoat.
       Paladin: I think… maybe the reason I couldn’t tell Cross-Shot
       was… was the one… is because, deep down, I hoped it wouldn’t be.
       I blinded myself to the truth.
       Waspinator exhaustedly excuses the younger bot, while Arcrise
       listens in behind them. Somewhere else entirely, an alien royal
       court is buzzing with discussion, while an aide whispers in the
       king’s ear. The monarch nods, and the aide, stepping back, blows
       on a trumpet-like instrument, calling attention. The doors at
       the far end of the hall open, and a cloaked figure steps in;
       they walk across amidst whispers, to the throne itself.
       Smirking, the king states that he understands that the new
       arrival is after the holy relic, but that he has no intention of
       handing it over without proof that they deserve it. The figure
       removes the cloak – it is Dinobot, with his left eye now
       replaced with a scope-lens similar to Dinobot II. The monarch
       recognises him, seemingly from the Kerritol broadcast, and
       Dinobot remarks that he will prove himself with actions if his
       previous words were not enough.
       Alien King: You’re... the Archaicon leader. The one who swore to
       stand against the Maximals and Predacons… aren’t you?
       Dinobot: If those words were not proof enough, then I will prove
       myself with actions. For both our sakes, let my words be enough.
       With the entire court silent, the king states that he shall
       allow Dinobot access to the relic; he steps down from his
       throne, and leads Dinobot out of the court. Outside, the king
       states that he admires the Archaicon’s resolve, and is willing
       to support his faction in their attempt to stop the Maximals and
       Predacons. Dinobot thanks him as they continue on.
       The Maximals continue voyaging through the wasteland – Prophecy
       sings to herself, much to Scale’s irritation, while Swingback
       and the Dawn Katana chat. Arcrise asks Wildfire if the team are
       always like this, to which he claims that they typically provide
       an interesting variety. She notices, up ahead, Waspinator and
       Mirage talking; the former-pharaoh is telling him that he can
       rely on her whenever he needs to, and that right now, the team
       needs to be able to rely on their leader.
       Mirage: Listen to me.
       Waspinator: I am listening.
       Mirage: I don’t just mean ‘hear the words’. Take them in.
       Process them.
       Waspinator: Just say it.
       Mirage: You can rely on me.
       Waspinator: I know.
       Mirage: Whenever you need someone, I’ll be there. I won’t let
       you stand alone. This team need a strong leader right now, and
       something tells me they won’t listen to me.
       Waspinator: How modest of you.
       Mirage: I’m trying to raise your spirits. That doesn’t mean I
       have to deprecate myself.
       Cross-Shot is looking through potential beast modes in an
       alternate mode library – Huntdown enters, asking why she chose
       not to an AMS, and she explains that she likes to carefully
       select her alternate mode. After a moment, she decides upon
       Peteinosaurus, selecting it and reformatting. Huntdown applauds
       her choice, but the archer heads off, stating that she wishes to
       be alone for now. Heading through the base, she passes Scorpinax
       and Toxiclaw, who are discussing Lacerator. Sawblade confronts
       her, asking her if she truly feels that the Archaicons are her
       rightful place. The former-Maximal confirms this, and Sawblade
       asks if it was his memory-play that caused her change of heart,
       to which she responds that it simply opened her eyes.
       Sawblade: And was it my fault? Did my little memory-alteration
       make you decide you were on the wrong team?
       Cross-Shot: No. It just helped to open my eyes.
       With that, she continues on her way. Sickleclaw approaches
       Huntdown in the alternate mode library, and asks him what is
       wrong. He assures her that he is fine, merely checking on the
       records, and the two leave. As the light starts to fade in the
       wastelands, the Maximals ponder setting down for the night.
       Scale vouches for it, noting that they have no idea what
       creatures may prowl in the night – even if they are powerful and
       skilled individuals, being prepared is a key element of victory.
       Waspinator agrees, and Paladin suggests a small rocky area
       nearby. The group continue on, with Arcrise trailing behind,
       deep in thought.
       In her new quarters in the Archaicon base, Cross-Shot reworks
       her synth-hair – no longer long and curled, it is now mid-length
       and straight. She looks in the mirror, remorsefully at first,
       before taking a deep breath and smiling hopefully. Deep beneath
       the alien court, the king leads Dinobot through dark corridors,
       eventually reaching a single chamber. Here, on a pedestal and
       enshrined by light, is a small, cube-like black object. Dinobot
       approaches it, placing his hand inside and lifting it. With a
       thought, it transforms into a large sword – the Archaicon leader
       notes that it is the Omniconfigurator, an object that can shift
       into any object imaginable.
       Dinobot: The Quintesson records were correct… the
       Omniconfigurator. An object of such power, it can transform into
       any object you desire. Legend states it derives from Amalgamous
       Prime himself.
       Suddenly, Lacerator appears behind the king, impaling his
       shoulders while noting that she has taken out the guards.
       Dinobot tells the king to hand over his domain and resources to
       the Archaicons, or face death. Shocked, the king asks why the
       faction would need this, and Lacerator claims that it is for the
       greater good. Dinobot holds the sword-form Omniconfigurator to
       the king’s throat, and the monarch concedes. With that, Dinobot
       and Lacerator head off, the leader carrying the
       Omniconfigurator. Night on the alien world; Waspinator is sat
       away from the others, when Arcrise approaches him. She starts
       off by apologising; when Waspinator asks what for, she explains
       that she was reborn too late to be able to help. She adds that
       she feels utterly useless – powers slipping in and out of
       accessibility, the team splintered just as she appears, and
       Waspinator with Mirage.
       Arcrise: I just… I feel useless. I can’t do a fraction of the
       things I should be able to do, half the time; I show up just too
       late to help the team stay together… and then… you’re… you’ve
       found someone else…
       At the last comment, the leader apologises to her, stating that
       he and Mirage ‘just happened’, but the phoenix-bot assures him
       that it is fine; she still has her own growth to complete,
       anyway, and she is happy for him. They embrace, only to hear
       Prophecy frantically yelling. The two rush over, and Prophecy
       announces that she has realised what planet they are on –
       Valoran.
       Cast:
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       Rapax – Billy West
       Kickback – Wendee Lee
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Alien King – Ron Perlman
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Lacerator – Erin Cahill
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 419--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: March 8, 2014, 12:17 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 37 – Other Vestiges
       Airdate: Saturday 8th March 2014
       Synopsis: Waspinator and Arcrise are left reeling by Prophecy’s
       revelation, although the other Maximals do not understand. The
       leader explains that Valoran is the planet that Necrocide, the
       villain controlling much of the Cybertronian race, comes from,
       and that it also once went to war with Cybertron.
       The Archaicon inner circle is gathered outside, as Dinobot
       (holding the Omniconfigurator) and Lacerator approach. Dinobot
       informs them that they now have control of an entire system of
       planets, and access to all of its resources. Airazor asks if
       they will relocate, but Lacerator viciously remarks that they
       have no need to abandon their own land, which provides them a
       tactical advantage, and that he should keep quiet.
       Airazor: Hey, so if we have all these planets now, are we gonna
       move out of this rust-hole?
       Lacerator: No. Having our own land away from that which we have
       taken gives us an advantage – a base of operations away from our
       primary forces. You’re an idiot if you think abandoning our base
       here would be a good idea. Don’t speak unless you have something
       worth saying.
       The inner circle heads inside, and Dinobot calls Sickleclaw
       over; while the younger bot is initially pleased, she frowns
       when the leader asks for her to bring Cross-Shot to his
       quarters. On Valoran, most of the Maximals are now sleeping,
       although Wildfire is awake and restless. Scale asks him what is
       wrong – the younger bot jumps, but then explains that he feels
       that he may have made a mistake in joining the Maximals. The
       mercenary remarks that he has made his decision now, and cannot
       change it: he simply has to keep on with all his might. Wildfire
       notes his uncertainty in his ability to do so, but Scale tells
       him (rather begrudgingly) that he can rely on him.
       Wildfire: I dunno if I CAN keep on, though. I kinda put on an
       act, but… I feel like I can’t keep up.
       Scale: *sigh* Okay. Well… I guess… you can rely on me. But don’t
       yap on about it, kid.
       Thanking his senior, Wildfire settles down. As Scorpinax enters
       his quarters, he finds a holographic Vok head floating by his
       computers. The Vok states that it is here to inform Scorpinax of
       the intent behind recent events. The Archaicon first asks if his
       duties are over now, but the Vok does not even acknowledge his
       question, telling him to lock the door and remain silent
       throughout the explanation. Sickleclaw knocks on Cross-Shot’s
       door; the former-Maximal answers, and Sickleclaw informs her
       that Dinobot wishes to speak with her. Cross-Shot thanks her
       team-mate, and heads off – Sickleclaw goes to lead her, but the
       archer notes that she already knows the way. Sickleclaw is left
       alone as Cross-Shot makes her way to Dinobot’s quarters.
       The Vok explains to Scorpinax that Hatchet was chosen as
       someone who could be manipulated into a tool – someone who could
       bring the Maximals and Archaicons together in one place. This
       was necessary as ‘elements need to be aligned correctly’, and
       certain discoveries needed to be made. Scorpinax asks what the
       Vok means, and the holographic projection notes that secrets are
       being kept from him. The Archaicon is not happy with this, and
       tells the Vok to leave, but the strange being notes that it
       shall return with his next duty shortly. Cross-Shot approaches
       Dinobot’s quarters, and the leader lets her in, remarking that
       he wishes to speak with her about her role in the faction. He
       assures her that he trusts her, and believes that she should
       train beyond her archery as a way of becoming more than she was
       with the Maximals. He leads her to an array of weapons, offering
       for her to take her pick; she selects two knives, and Dinobot
       praises her choice, suggesting she head off and train with them.
       The Peteinosaurus-bot courteously leaves, as Lacerator enters
       Dinobot’s quarters from another door, noting that he should not
       trust Cross-Shot so easily.
       Lacerator: Don’t let your previous allegiances cloud your
       judgement. She is not to be trusted so easily.
       As the sun rises on Valoran, the Maximals are starting to gather
       themselves. Wildfire wakes up to find Prophecy spooning him,
       much to his alarm. Swingback separates the two, and informs
       Wildfire that his charms are irresistible, flustering the young
       mech greatly and drawing the attention of Paladin, who stares at
       Swingback.
       Swingback: Heh, look at that. Your charms really are
       irresistible.
       Wildfire: Th-They- I’m- you mean, err- you- she- I- ah- uhm-
       The Dawn Katana A.I. generates a complex map of the planet, and
       Waspinator and Mirage start working out where they need to head
       – when questioned by Swingback, the black box notes that he had
       the planet’s data on file, he just could not discern it from
       just their immediate surroundings… not to mention, he only has
       room for planetary maps in his current system, so he can only be
       of so much use.
       As Airazor sullenly heads across the Archaicon base’s
       courtyard, Sawblade approaches him. He comments on the
       Meganeura-bot’s relationship with Lacerator, noting that it
       seems rather intense. However, he comments that Airazor is
       absolutely right – they should relocate to the source of their
       new power. His ego inflated, Airazor starts to comment on other
       things that he is right about, but Sawblade cuts him off,
       stating his belief that Lacerator’s tough image is nothing but
       an act. He suggests that Airazor should take her out when she
       least expects it.
       Airazor: Yeah… yeah! You’re right, damn it! Y’know what else? I
       can say whatever I like to whoever I want! And I can fly around
       at night! And if she thinks I’m going to handle those abandoned
       rifles out the back anymore-
       Sawblade: She provides a threatening image, doesn’t she? Tough,
       harsh, unmoving… but she’s PR. Nothing more. It’s an act,
       Airazor. I think it would be best for everyone if you disposed
       of her… wait until she’s not expecting it, and remove her from
       the picture.
       Still observing the planet map, Waspinator points out to the
       Maximals that there are a number of cities to the north, beyond
       a large expanse of water. Their current aim is to find a smaller
       town with less likelihood of conflict, secure a ship (the Dawn
       Katana takes offence to this), and contact the other Maximals.
       Paladin notes that they will either need a method to cross the
       sea, or stick to land and take a very long detour. Waspinator
       claims they shall cross that bridge when they come to it,
       leaving Wildfire amused at the prospect of them discovering a
       giant bridge across the sea. Mirage suggests that they start
       their journey in the mean-time, and Waspinator concurs, leading
       the group on their way. As Sickleclaw sits by herself, Huntdown
       approaches her, and quickly observes that she feels left out. He
       suggests that she continue training for now, but she snaps at
       him, telling him that all she ever does is train and Dinobot
       never pays her any attention. Huntdown claims that he has more
       pressing matters, but Sickleclaw deems herself important to him
       all the same.
       Huntdown: He’s our leader. He has more pressing matters than his
       relationships with each of us.
       Sickleclaw: I’m important to him! I matter! I’m supposed to
       matter!
       Transforming into Velociraptor form, she rushes off, leaving
       Huntdown by himself, while Cross-Shot watches on nearby. As
       Scorpinax hacks his way through everyone’s personal computers,
       trying to learn the secret being kept from him, the Vok
       reappears. The Archaicon hides his work, and the Vok explains
       that his new duty is to observe. Though Scorpinax does not know
       what the alien means, he realises that it is not a hologram this
       time. The glowing skull’s dreadlock-tentacles pierce Scorpinax’s
       eyes as he screams.
       Cast:
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Lacerator – Erin Cahill
       Vok 1 – Ron Perlman
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 421--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: March 15, 2014, 2:18 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 38 – Nowhere to Run
       Airdate: Saturday 15th March 2014
       Synopsis: The Maximals are trekking across the Valoranian
       wastelands, many of them getting rather irritable. As an
       argument starts to flare up, Mirage yells at the group, telling
       them to keep quiet. After a moment, Waspinator tells her that
       yelling sets a bad example; just before another argument can
       start, Scale notices a beeping noise… a red light appears on the
       ground, followed by dozens more on the ground and rocks,
       surrounding them.
       On Maradon, the Archaicons are gathered by their ship, bar
       Sickleclaw (and with Scorpinax’s eyes now subtly different).
       Dinobot, flanked by Lacerator, explains to the faction that they
       shall be headed out to a major battle between Maximal and
       Predacons forces on a non-colony world. It is going to be the
       biggest conflict they have yet involved themselves in… and their
       first without him being there. He declares that he has other
       business to attend to, and that Lacerator will be leading this
       mission. As the Archaicons start to board the ship, Lacerator
       makes clear to Dinobot that he should not favour Sickleclaw over
       the others, and the leader remarks that he is aware of this.
       Lacerator: I’ll warn you now: do not start treating Sickleclaw
       more favourably. It will not end well.
       Dinobot: I am aware, Lacerator, but duly-noted nevertheless.
       The ship takes off as Dinobot watches. Scale and Paladin attempt
       to work out the best way of dealing with the red lights around
       them; Prophecy almost skips off into their midst, but Swingback
       manages to hold her back. The Dawn Katana suggests they throw
       something at the lights to test them – Prophecy goes to throw
       the black box itself, only for the others to warn her not to.
       Wildfire picks up a pebble, and throws it into the sea of
       lights. Once the pebble hits one of the lights, the entire area
       erupts with laser fire – immediately, Prophecy generates an
       energy bubble around the others, protecting them until the
       lasers stop. Outside of the bubble, the whipped-up dust starts
       to settle, a group of Valoranians are visible. Scale immediately
       identifies them as bounty hunters, and the largest of them
       approaches the bubble, introducing himself as Haldrema. He
       remarks to the Maximals that his group, the O’mari, are aware
       that they are Cybertronians, and that there is an extraordinary
       reward for anyone who brings Cybertronians to the war council.
       Haldrema: You see, you’re Cybertronians – I’m sure you’re well
       aware of that – and it just so happens that there is an
       extraordinary bounty on the heads of your kind. If you set foot
       on Valoranian soil, you’re as good as dead. The war council pays
       wonderfully for Cybertronian trespassers.
       As the other O’mari start to advance, Prophecy rapidly expands
       her energy bubble, forcing them all back and sending them
       flying. Waspinator orders the Maximals to continue on, quickly.
       Dinobot, in Utahraptor mode, scours the land around the
       Archaicon base. Off in the distance, Sickleclaw, also in her
       beast mode, is skulking around – the leader heads over to her.
       Upon reaching her, he apologises; the younger bot notes that
       there is no need for an apology, but he tells her not to be
       modest. He is aware that he has been giving her no attention,
       but presently he has a lot to deal with. Sickleclaw goes to run
       off again, but Dinobot cuts her off, stating that he has chosen
       not to go on the faction’s latest mission so as to spend time
       with her.
       Dinobot: Child… I have forsaken leading my people for paying you
       attention. For the moment, I am here for you, and no one else.
       He asks her to show him how much she has practiced with her
       sword. The Maximals rush through a valley, with Arcrise noting
       that she can sense the O’mari steadily approaching. Mirage
       suggests they use tactics against the bounty hunters, as they
       are likely being herded. Agreeing, Waspinator has Scale and
       Swingback, in their beast modes, climb up the side of the
       valley, while he and Arcrise fly ahead. Mirage continues to lead
       the others on. The Archaicon ship reaches the planet where the
       Maximals and Predacons are fighting; Lacerator orders one of the
       lower Archaicons to pilot the ship down, and leads the rest of
       the inner circle to the hangar, which opens up. The six of them
       leap out, parachuting down to the midst of the battlefield with
       the chutes emblazoned with the Archaicon insignia. Lacerator is
       the first to land; she slices off the cords of her parachute,
       and charges into the battle, with Huntdown, Scorpinax and
       Toxiclaw following. Sawblade keeps Airazor back, whispering to
       him that this is his chance to off Lacerator, before leading him
       into the fray.
       Sawblade: Now’s the time, Airazor. No Dinobot, no one watching.
       Take her out.
       Back on the ship, Cross-Shot is evidently nervous, handling her
       knives as Kickback and Rapax prepare themselves. The ship lands
       down, and the Archaicons charge out.
       Haldrema, stood atop a rocky outcrop, contacts the other
       O’mari, ordering them to continue drawing in on the Maximals.
       All the while, Scale and Swingback reach the top of the valley,
       and witness two of the O’mari approaching; the two lower back
       down onto the valley wall, and Scale transforms, getting out a
       rifle and sniping one of the bounty hunters. As the Archaicons
       intermingle into the Maximal/Predacon conflict, Airazor sneaks
       off, finding a large clearing removed from the fighting. He
       contacts Lacerator, frantically telling her that she is needed.
       The Orthrozanclus-bot is initially uninterested, but when
       Airazor tells her that it is a code B17 situation, she becomes
       frantic, insisting that she will head over there.
       Airazor: Lacerator! You have to come quickly! My coordinates,
       now!
       Lacerator: I’m busy. What am I needed for?
       Airazor: It’s- erm, it’s a… code… B17 situation! Right here!
       Lacerator: Code B17?! Stay where you are, I’ll be there ASAP!
       On Maradon, Dinobot and Sickleclaw are duelling, with the former
       giving his student tips and advice all the while. It is evident
       that he is a masterful sword-user, and Sickleclaw is only just
       managing to hold her own. As she starts to falter, Dinobot
       suggests they take a break – he powers the Omniconfigurator
       down, and it converts back into its usual simple shape.
       Waspinator and Arcrise reach the end of the valley, and report
       back to Mirage that there is no sign of any of the O’mari.
       Arcrise, however, notes that she can still feel oncoming
       presences.
       Arcrise: They’re still coming. I don’t know where from, but I
       can feel them coming.
       Waspinator contacts Scale, who notes that there are no O’mari
       approaching as he and Swingback deal with the one remaining
       hunter atop the valley. However, as Mirage leads Prophecy,
       Paladin, Wildfire and the Dawn Katana through the valley, O’mari
       start to appear from the walls themselves, surrounding them. As
       Airazor waits in the clearing, Lacerator approaches. She
       explains to him that there is no such thing as ‘code B17’ – she
       simply wanted him to think that he had successfully tricked her.
       As spines grow from her palms, she tells him to prepare for his
       death.
       Cast:
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Lacerator – Erin Cahill
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Rapax – Billy West
       Kickback – Wendee Lee
       Haldrema – Steve Blum
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 428--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: March 22, 2014, 12:30 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 39 – Nowhere to Hide
       Airdate: Saturday 22nd March 2014
       Synopsis: Mirage, Prophecy, Paladin, Wildfire and the Dawn
       Katana find themselves surrounded by O’mari… but as the hunters
       attack, they find the five Maximals to be illusions, which fade
       away. Further down the valley, Mirage notes the O’mari’s ability
       to move through the valley walls, and has her group be cautious
       as they continue on their way.
       The Archaicons continue to fight against both Maximals and
       Predacons; Toxiclaw, especially, shows a savage joy in using her
       dangerous weaponry to indiscriminately slay members of both
       factions. Huntdown and Cross-Shot fight side-by-side, with the
       fembot using her knives fairly well. Impressed, Huntdown asks if
       she has been training, and she claims that she is almost always
       training.
       Huntdown: I thought you’d only just started using those knives.
       Cross-Shot: I have.
       Huntdown: Have you been training, then?
       Cross-Shot: There’s very little time that I’m not training.
       Scorpinax watches them all the while, Vok eyes observing. As
       Lacerator approaches Airazor, smirking insanely, the Meganeura
       bot asks why he has to be killed. Lacerator explains that he is
       a loose end, a thorn in the faction’s side, and obviously up to
       no good. He just about manages to avoid her first swipe, but she
       impales one of his wings with a stab and he has to tear it to
       free himself in time. Lacerator tells him of a young fembot who
       witnessed a plague amongst her home and had to kill everyone to
       save them, while ruthlessly attacking him. On Valoran,
       Waspinator and Arcrise are waiting at the end of the valley,
       when Mirage contacts them. Explaining that she cast an illusion
       of her group moving through the valley to lure out the O’mari,
       she half-heartedly apologises for not informing them, noting it
       was important to keep the illusion seeming real. She drops
       contact before Waspinator can argue back. Arcrise giggles a
       little, stating that it is fun to see him being messed around
       with.
       Arcrise: Y’know, it’s fun seeing a fembot run rings around you
       like that… messing around with you.
       Haldrema appears behind the two, and claims that he shall enjoy
       ‘messing’ with Waspinator too, before firing at the Maximal
       leader. He reels, and notices his body starting to weaken –
       Haldrema claims that it is a type of force blast which damages a
       Cybertronian’s body, but has no effect on species like
       Valoranians. Hearing this, Waspinator stands upright again, and
       explains to a surprised Haldrema that he can duplicate the
       abilities of others. Arcrise charges at the O’mari leader, and
       Waspinator contacts the other groups, ordering them to pick up
       pace.
       Dinobot and Sickleclaw continue to rest; the younger bot states
       that she is concerned as to the faction’s future – once, it was
       merely a group of non-participants in the Maximal/Predacon
       conflict, but now they are actively involving themselves.
       Dinobot explains that it is better for them to take action and
       help others than to do nothing, and informs her that honour is
       the most important thing to him, as it should be for her.
       Dinobot: Honour, child, comes before all else. It runs through a
       warrior’s circuits and veins. It encompasses his spark.
       Everything I do, I do in the name of honour… and it should be so
       for you, too.
       All the while, the Maximals and Predacons are starting to turn
       their focus more on the Archaicons; Toxiclaw becomes more
       vicious in her attacks, while Cross-Shot is mobbed by a group of
       Maximals. As she struggles against them, Huntdown strikes some
       of them down, and a thankful Cross-Shot (somewhat reluctantly)
       starts to fight alongside him. Scale and Swingback, having
       defeated the two O’mari atop the valley, trek along the edge to
       try and catch up with Mirage’s group – Scale notes to Swingback
       that she should use her fragment-induced feral state more often,
       but the fembot confesses that she does not like to use it too
       often.
       Scale: You’d do better fighting in that feral state of yours.
       Swingback: Yeah, well, I don’t really like using it if I can
       help it…
       Scale: Why? It’s a weapon, for all intents and purposes. You
       shouldn’t refuse a weapon.
       Swingback: Because it scares me. It scares me that there’s a
       monster like that lurking inside of me.
       They notice Mirage and her group below; Scale contacts her, and
       the two start to descend. Within the valley, Prophecy generates
       an energy bubble around the group to shield them, as they await
       Scale and Swingback’s arrival. Some O’mari start surrounding
       them, but Scale shoots one down from the valley wall, and
       Swingback leaps onto the top of the energy bubble, then to the
       ground, engaging some of the hunters while Scale continues his
       descent. Mirage orders Prophecy to erase the energy bubble, and
       leads the others into combat against the O’mari; she contacts
       Waspinator to inform him of the situation, even as Scale reaches
       the others and joins the fray. Waspinator watches Arcrise and
       Haldrema fight, pushing herself to the extreme, and orders her
       to stop. She is so taken in her actions that she pays no mind,
       and he continues calling out to her, until he finally calls her
       Illyiara. She immediately stops, shocked, and teleports herself,
       Waspinator and Haldrema back into the valley.
       A battered Airazor continues to be attacked by Lacerator, as he
       fruitlessly attempts to fight back. He decries her as a bad
       influence on Dinobot, but she claims that everything she has
       done has been in the best interest for the faction. Reaching up
       to her neck, she removes a part of her armour – a collar. Her
       form shifts, and even more spines emerge from her body, until
       she is coated; even her digits and teeth have become long, sharp
       spines. She charges at Airazor, further damaging him, and
       eventually sending him flying with a powerful strike. As she
       taunts the heavily-beaten flier, the sound of a saw rings out,
       followed by a chainsaw piercing through her chest – and spark –
       from behind. Sawblade greets Lacerator, applauds her work, and
       informs her that he shall take over her responsibilities.
       Sawblade: Well done, Lacerator. You’ve been a tribute to the
       Archaicons, you really have. Don’t worry – your responsibilities
       are safe with me.
       He draws the chainsaw up, meeting some resistance, and
       eventually cleaves her head in two. Her body collapses to the
       ground, and Sawblade thanks Airazor for his assistance, just as
       large, dark ships start to fill the sky. With the Maximals and
       O’mari gathered in one place, the fighting intensifies, though
       battered Haldrema is weaker than before. Paladin and Wildfire
       both make use of their fragment abilities, while Scale observes
       that the O’mari use chest-worn devices to phase through the
       valley walls. Getting an idea, he charges at Haldrema, pressing
       his hand to the hunter’s chest device and causing it to go
       haywire, before throwing him into the valley wall, leaving him
       trapped. Only one hand is sticking out, barely able to move. The
       other O’mari scatter, and Mirage touches Haldrema’s hand, using
       her psychometry to learn that the hunters have multiple sea
       vessels.
       Mirage: May need some telepathy to back this up, but his glove
       has contacted multiple sea-faring vessels. Pretty certain
       they’re specific to the O’mari.
       Paladin’s telepathy furthers this claim, learning a precise
       location, and Waspinator leads the Maximals off. The
       Maximal/Predacon/Archaicon conflict is interrupted as Imperial
       ships land, and hundreds of troops storm out. Sawblade, followed
       by a limping and beaten Airazor, orders the Archaicons to
       retreat, as the Imperial forces swiftly being to overwhelm the
       Maximals and Predacons.
       Cast:
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Kickback – Wendee Lee
       Rapax – Billy West
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       Lacerator – Erin Cahill
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Haldrema – Steve Blum
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 431--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: March 29, 2014, 1:01 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 40 – Across the Sea
       Airdate: Saturday 29th March 2014
       Synopsis: A fairly small boat glides across choppy waters. On
       board, the Maximals are talking amongst themselves, with Paladin
       and Arcrise the only ones sat by themselves. Mirage advises
       Waspinator to talk to them, as they are obviously troubled –
       Waspinator approaches Paladin first, and Mirage notes his
       hesitance to talk with Arcrise. Prophecy remarks that Waspinator
       and Arcrise used to have feelings for one another, just as the
       boat is violently rocked.
       Arcrise comments that their may be predatory creatures in the
       waters, and asks the Dawn Katana if he has any data on
       Valoranian wildlife, but the black box does not. Mirage uses her
       psychometry to ‘read’ what touched the boat, but only gets a
       glimpse of an oily, scaly back. She asks Prophecy to continue
       her explanation, but the crazed fembot has no idea what Mirage
       means, and returns to the conversation with the others.
       Waspinator tries to ask Paladin what is troubling him, but the
       lyrebird-bot refuses to explain, noting it is not important.
       When Waspinator insists that what concerns his team concerns
       him, Paladin snaps that he is fine, and the leader sighs, going
       to talk to Arcrise instead, only for Mirage to confront him. She
       asks him what his relationship with Arcrise was, and his first
       response is to ask if she is jealous. Mirage laughs him off, and
       insists that she simply wants to understand the previous
       relationship between the two.
       Mirage: Question.
       Waspinator: Go on?
       Mirage: You and Arcrise. What’s the deal?
       Waspinator: … are you jealous?
       Mirage: Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous! Honestly… I just
       feel it’s important to understand the relationship between the
       two of you, if you knew each other before all of this.
       Waspinator is unconvinced, but he explains (set to stylised
       ‘flashbacks’) that, in the previous timeline, there was a young
       alien woman named Illyiara, who he fell in love with. Hearing
       the name, Arcrise visibly flinches, although none of the others
       notice. Waspinator continues on – Illyiara ended up being
       ‘killed’ by the Shadow, although her species remain on the cusp
       of death, comatose, for a while… and seemingly, during this
       time, a group of Predacons appropriated her body as a living
       battery for their Arcrise Machine. It was through the Machine
       that the Maximals forged the current timeline, and the Machine
       itself recreated itself as Arcrise.
       Waspinator: In the end, we needed – the other Maximals and I –
       we needed to carve a new timeline into the universe. The Arcrise
       Machine was the means to that end. And when we used it, it
       decided to become a sentient being itself, Cybertronian in
       nature but drawing on Illyiara.
       Mirage: Which is Arcrise, obviously.
       Arcrise only recently remembered Illyiara, and died shortly
       after, waiting to be reborn once more. As Waspinator then goes
       to confront Arcrise, he finds her missing. Prophecy is doodling
       on the floor of the boat, currently drawing a large box, when
       she suddenly clutches her head – she enters a state of clarity,
       and immediately erases the drawing. Wildfire lets out a sigh of
       relief at Prophecy’s transition, and the fembot again apologises
       for her constant displays of affection towards him.
       As Paladin looks out across the sea, Swingback approaches him,
       asking if he has seen anything interesting. He simply tells her
       no, and when she presses him, he mimics her confession that she
       happens to flirt with people by default. The fembot is taken
       aback, more so by his mimicry ability than anything else (he
       remarks that it has little application, so he rarely uses it).
       Before she can address the statement itself, she notices a shape
       briefly arching up from the water in the distance. She rushes
       off, informing Mirage, who states that they need to work out a
       defence system. Waspinator finds Arcrise behind the boat’s
       cabin, experimenting with altering her appearance; when she
       notices Waspinator, she yelps in surprise, and turns silver and
       blue. The leader apologises for calling her Illyiara, but she
       states that it is not something he needs to apologise for; it
       just shook her deeply.
       Waspinator: Look… I’m sorry. About the ‘Illyiara’ thing… it just
       slipped out-
       Arcrise: It’s fine. You don’t need to apologise… it just took me
       by surprise. It shook me up.
       He embraces her, and assures her that she is no one but herself,
       though she questions rhetorically if she is not both Illyiara
       and Arcrise now. The ship is rocked again, and an oily black
       tail breaks the water. Scale picks up a couple of the ammo packs
       lying on-deck, and throws them into the water, causing the
       creature to approach again – as it does, he throws a tracing
       device onto its tail, and starts to track its movements through
       the water. Wildfire and Prophecy watch over his shoulders, as
       the creature gets further and further away… and then the boat is
       rocked again, from the other side. The Dawn Katana observes that
       there are multiple creatures, which Scale claims to be obvious.
       Dawn Katana: Huh. There must be more than one of these
       creatures.
       Scale: Must you point out the obvious?
       Paladin attempts a telepathic scan of the area, and notes that
       there are no other boats to assist them anywhere nearby. Mirage
       and Swingback emerge from the cabin, stating that there is a
       system which may generate a shield around the ship, but it is
       broken; Scale heads into the cabin as the ship continues to get
       rocked. Taking the opportunity, Wildfire asks Prophecy if she
       can remember what she painted in the bridge of the Dawn Katana.
       Waspinator and Arcrise enter the cabin, as Scale starts to look
       over the shield system. With the cabin crowded, Swingback opts
       to head outside again, while Mirage asks Waspinator and Arcrise
       if their chat went well. Swingback tries to squeeze past as the
       situation quickly becomes tense, with Waspinator telling Mirage
       to stop acting so immaturely. Scale yells at them all to be
       quiet, as the boat rocks harder. Prophecy explains to Wildfire
       that she loses her knowledge when she regains clarity, so she is
       unsure what the painting referenced, but Wildfire tries to help
       by stating that there was one more person, a fembot, amidst the
       group. Swingback bowls past, heading over to Paladin and drawing
       him back from the edge of the boat, but the mech snaps at her,
       telling her to leave him alone. Swingback becomes annoyed at
       this, stating that she still cares about him as a friend.
       Paladin goes to respond, but stops mid-sentence, and Swingback
       realises that he had started to develop feelings for her.
       Swingback: Hey, look, all the flirting aside, you’re still my
       friend, and that means I care about you, okay?
       Paladin: Well obviously I- … ah…
       Swingback: *realising after a moment* Oh!
       Paladin: Err-
       Swingback: Ooooh! You-
       Paladin: Swingback…
       Swingback: You fell for me!
       The boat tips at 45 degrees, and the bots on-deck struggle to
       stop themselves from falling into the water. Scale keeps himself
       secured to the floor of the cabin and works on, while
       Waspinator, Mirage and Arcrise are flung to one wall. Arcrise
       tells Mirage that she is happy for her and Waspinator, and has
       no intentions of stepping between them; however, she and
       Waspinator have a special bond, and Mirage will need to accept
       it.
       Arcrise: Mirage… I’m happy. I’m happy with things as they are,
       right now, with you and Waspinator together. I’m not going to
       step in between you or impose. But Waspinator and I… there’s a
       lot of history, and we share a… a bond. A special bond that
       you’re going to have to accept.
       The boat starts to tip further, and Scale notes that they will
       need to ward the creatures off, or else they will be stuck
       within the shield. Arcrise heads outside, diving into the waters
       and fending the creatures off, far enough back for Scale to
       safely activate the shield system. He, Waspinator and Mirage
       head out of the cabin, as Arcrise re-boards; Prophecy is the
       first to congratulate them, before her usual mental state
       asserts itself. Paladin and Swingback are the only two to hang
       back, while Prophecy nods to the Dawn Katana – the black box
       projects her painting, noting that he kept it too just in case.
       Mirage states that they can use it as a guide, while Wildfire
       curiously stares at the black-and-white fembot in the painting.
       Cast:
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 433--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: April 5, 2014, 11:57 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 41 – Martial Law
       Airdate: Saturday 5th April 2014
       Synopsis: The Maximals’ appropriated boat finally reaches shore;
       as the group joyously leave the boat and start off up the beach,
       Swingback steps in a trap. A large oily-black block forms around
       her leg, and as the other Maximals go to help her, a Valoranian
       rises up from the sands, his leg morphed into the trap. Multiple
       other Valoranians, in military gear, appear across the beach,
       weapons aimed at the Maximals.
       Dinobot is sat in the throne of a familiar alien royal court,
       with Sawblade stood to his right – Airazor enters, still
       somewhat worse for wear after his fight with Lacerator, and
       points out that the move to the kingdom was his idea. Chuckling,
       Sawblade insists that it was his, and suggests that Airazor
       return to his CR chamber. As the Meganeura-bot leaves, Dinobot
       thanks Sawblade for filling the void after Lacerator’s
       unfortunate demise. Sawblade states that it was an honour, and
       that he looks forward to further advancing the faction – all
       while smirking, out of Dinobot’s sight. On Valoran, the Maximals
       are still surrounded by the troops; Mirage suggests fighting
       against them, but Waspinator notes that they do not know what
       the troops are capable of. Scale suggests that Prophecy generate
       another energy bubble around them, but the fembot has no idea
       what he means, much to his annoyance.
       Scale: Prophecy, an energy bubble would be useful.
       Prophecy: Energy bubble? What’s that? You’re talking gibberish.
       Scale: … thank you.
       A higher-ranking Valoranian appears, introducing himself as
       Kavirao, and informing the Maximals that they are to be taken in
       and questioned (Swingback quips that it is better than last
       time). The troops lead them off. Huntdown and Cross-Shot train
       against each other in a large holo-deck – they each manage to
       take the advantage at various points, exchanging ever-more
       amorous stares all the while. They end up face-to-face, only for
       Sickleclaw to enter at that moment, causing the two to awkwardly
       part. As she starts to train, Sickleclaw asks the other two if
       they are concerned about Sawblade’s new role.
       Sickleclaw: Are the two of you… worried? Considering Sawblade’s
       new position…
       Huntdown expresses his concern, but Cross-Shot is unsure why it
       would be problematic; the Lycaenops-bot states that Sawblade has
       displayed a sinister, anarchic attitude since his introduction
       to the faction, and may have a negative effect in his new role.
       Cross-Shot asks why Dinobot has not noticed Sawblade’s sinister
       intent, and Sickleclaw comments that Lacerator was keeping him
       busy. The three all come to the realisation that Sawblade has
       exploited this blind-spot, and has now taken her place as
       Dinobot’s influential right hand.
       The Maximals are walked into the military base – Kavirao
       explains that they are one of many platoons placed across the
       planet, working as part of the Valoranian Global Armed Services
       (or VGAS). As the team are escorted to holding cells, Waspinator
       asks if Valoran is still opposed to Cybertron. Kavirao explains
       that the two planets ceased contact after the war, but
       politically-speaking, Valoran is apathetic towards Cybertron and
       its affairs.
       Kavirao: Once the war ended, our worlds dropped contact with one
       another. In terms of politics, though… what your people do is of
       no concern to us.
       There is still a general anti-Cybertronian atmosphere amongst
       the civilians, however, and criminals put bounties on the heads
       of any Cybertronian who enters Valoranian territory. Wildfire
       points out that they were attacked by a bounty hunter group, the
       O’mari, and asks why they did not transform like the troops.
       Kavirao disdainfully claims that the likes of the O’mari refuse
       to transform. One of Kavirao’s aides, Sepurar, notes that there
       are documents that must be filled when Cybertronians are
       apprehended, but Kavirao dismisses them, stating that the
       documents date back to post-war days. Toxiclaw is still setting
       up her new lab, when Scorpinax enters – she immediately observes
       his new optics, but does not enquire into them, and instead asks
       why he has come to her.
       Toxiclaw: Your optics are different. I haven’t seen anything
       about optic surgery in the records. You’re hiding something. I
       don’t care. What brings you here?
       He explains that, when Lacerator first joined the faction, she
       displayed the ability to fire sedative needles. He asks Toxiclaw
       if he could determine the structure of the chemical, as well as
       any others her body possesses; Toxiclaw states that it can be
       done, and that he should be thankful that lower Archaicons
       decided to bring her body back. Kavirao continues to talk with
       the Maximals, as Waspinator explains their mission. Amazed,
       Kavirao offers them a ship, before being shot through the chest.
       As the Maximals watch on, Sepurar shoots his commanding officer
       again, stating that the Cybertronians are and always have been
       the enemies of Valoran. With Kavirao dead, he turns towards the
       captive Maximals.
       Waspinator and Mirage both step forward, and Sepurar shoots
       them, only for the two to remain standing. As the Valoranian
       tries to take this in, Wildfire uses his telekinesis to bring
       the key-cards over. The Maximals unlock their cells, as Sepurar
       rushes outside, claiming that the Cybertronians killed Kavirao
       and are escaping.
       Sepurar: Quick! It’s the Cybertronians! They killed the sergeant
       and now they’re escaping! Take them out, now!
       The Valoranian troops weapon up, as the Maximals head out –
       realising how outnumbered they are, Waspinator sends Arcrise
       ahead, and she immediately knocks out many of the troops in a
       single blast. Up above, she manages to map out the path out of
       the base and into nearby mountains; Paladin telepathically
       passes this on to the others, and they start to make their way
       through the base, confronting troops as they go. Swingback soon
       becomes overwhelmed; Scale tells her to use her fragment
       ability, although she insists against it, doing her best to
       fight them off while Wildfire attempts to telekinetically force
       them back.
       Scale: Swingback, listen to me-
       Swingback: I’m not doing it!
       Scale: You’re going to have to.
       Swingback: No-
       Scale: Use your fragment ability. Access your feral state.
       Swingback: I can’t! I told you, I don’t want to let that happen
       again!
       Wildfire: If you’re going to, can you tell me so I can stop
       trying to keep these guys back?
       With the other Maximals getting farther and farther away, Scale
       tells Swingback that she has to accept her own emotions –
       reluctantly, Swingback accesses her feral state, ruthlessly
       attacking the troops as they desperately try to fight back.
       Scale quickly realises his mistake, just as Prophecy chronoskims
       in, turning to Swingback and coolly knocking her out with a
       gesture. Wildfires attempts to lift her unconscious body with
       his telekinesis, but Scale instead picks her up, leading
       Prophecy and Wildfire off – Prophecy generates an energy bubble
       around them, telling Scale that he should have asked sooner. As
       the other Maximals (Prophecy included) head towards the
       mountains, Sepurar approaches them, stating that they cannot
       run. Prophecy immediately chronoskims away, and Sepurar is
       confused, only for her, Scale, Wildfire and the unconscious
       Swingback to approach behind him, surrounding him. Waspinator
       states that they are not villains, as Wildfire knocks the
       Valoranian out. All the while, Sawblade enters his quarters,
       smirking, and mutters that there shall soon be pure chaos.
       Cast:
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Kavirao – Ron Perlman
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Sepurar – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 440--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: April 12, 2014, 1:17 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 42 – Where History Comes Alive
       Airdate: Saturday 12th April 2014
       Synopsis: The Maximals are walking through a Valoranian town, in
       greyscale courtesy of Scale’s stealth-mode device, trying to
       maintain discretion. They pass by a large museum, and Wildfire
       immediately states interest in investigating. Mirage and Paladin
       both agree, and although Waspinator is unsure, Prophecy leads
       the group inside. As they enter, they notice a monumental
       carving of Unicron, in planet mode, on the ceiling.
       The group are freaked out, and Swingback immediately wonders
       aloud why the Valoranians would have such a strong connection
       with Unicron. Wildfire cautiously suggests that they are
       descendants of the chaos bringer, but Mirage points down to the
       ground… where there is artwork of a godly figure, stood defiant
       against Unicron above. Waspinator reasons that perhaps their
       entering was a good idea, and sends Scale, Paladin and Arcrise
       with Mirage to cover one half of the museum while he, Prophecy,
       Wildfire, Swingback and the Dawn Katana go through the other.
       They head off in opposite directions. In the Archaicon fortress,
       Sickleclaw is pacing the corridors, obviously irritated. Airazor
       walks past, and tells her to move – the fembot asks if his
       idiocy is preventing him from noticing the danger that Sawblade
       presents, and he poorly bluffs his way into having her
       elaborate.
       Airazor: Hey, Whiny McDinobird, move your skid-plate.
       Sickleclaw: … I have a question for you.
       Airazor: Ahah, bring it on!
       Sickleclaw: Are you that much of an idiot that you haven’t
       realised how dangerous Sawblade is to this faction?
       Airazor: … well, y’know, there’s… there’s no reason I wouldn’t
       have. He’s all… super… dangerous and stuff… what makes you
       notice such an obvious fact, anyway? Tell me, why do you think
       he’s dangerous?
       She explains how Dinobot was being pushed into a more
       militaristic path by Lacerator, and Sawblade has now taken her
       role at Dinobot’s right hand. Pondering this, Airazor suggests
       they break away and form a new team, with him as leader, which
       Sickleclaw immediately turns down. She heads off, leaving
       Airazor’s feathers ruffled. In the museum, Waspinator’s group
       are walking through an area focused on geology, with Wildfire
       greatly interested, and Prophecy tagging along with him.
       Waspinator addresses Swingback, explaining that he choose the
       teams so as to have the opportunity to talk with her – he starts
       off by stating that he is proud of her for having faced her
       fears and tapped into her feral state before. The fembot
       responds that it did not end up helping anyway, but Waspinator
       claims that it is beside the point.
       Swingback: Thanks, I guess, but it’s not like it helped. I just
       attacked those soldiers indiscriminately. I might have even
       killed a few of them…
       Waspinator: I know, but that’s not what I’m trying to get at.
       He reminds her of the Shadow on Robus, his own darkest emotions
       conceptualised. Those emotions need to be accepted and dealt
       with, not locked up inside until she herself becomes nothing
       more than that feral self.
       Kickback and Rapax are loitering around in the holo-deck,
       making light conversation, when Sawblade passes by, ordering
       them to train or leave. Rapax asks why it matters, and the
       anarchic bot activates his circular saw, glaring sadistically at
       Rapax; he and Kickback quickly leave. Mirage’s group explore a
       section of the museum on technological advances, as Mirage and
       Arcrise remain awkwardly silent. Scale and Paladin try to ignore
       the two, looking over the technology and discussing it, but
       their attention keeps being drawn back to the fembots. Paladin
       telepathically suggests to Arcrise that she attempt
       conversation, but in the process, he gets ‘backwash’ of
       Illyiara’s memories.
       Paladin: Arcrise, just talk to her. About anything. This silence
       is agonising-
       *he is suddenly assaulted by flashes of Illyiara – her abusive
       father on Herroway, meeting Waspinator, the Hall of Matrices,
       the Total Conflict, and more*
       Unaware, Arcrise asks Mirage the full capabilities of her
       illusion-casting abilities; the immortal fembot starts to
       explain, as Scale and Paladin, relieved, continue to observe the
       technology. Scorpinax is in his quarters, when he receives a
       knock – opening the door, he finds Toxiclaw stood there,
       carrying a case which she places on a desk. Opening it, she
       unveils vials full of chemicals, each labelled; she notes that
       they are all different strains of Lacerator’s spine fluids.
       Scorpinax thankfully takes the case, although Toxiclaw warns
       that he will need to use them correctly, as they are dangerous
       in the wrong hands. She also hints that one of the vials may
       contain a cyber-venom of her own creation, before heading off.
       Toxiclaw: Oh, by the way… have you ever heard of that game… I’ve
       heard the term ‘Russian Roulette’ before.
       Scorpinax: I’m aware of it…
       Toxiclaw: One of those vials isn’t from Lacerator. I have my own
       cyber-venoms and the like, remember? So I’ll leave you with a
       little game.
       Entering the hallway, she passes Sickleclaw; the
       Velociraptor-bot considers telling her about Sawblade for a
       moment, but decides against in. Toxiclaw stares at the other bot
       as she walks off, while Scorpinax watches the events via
       security cameras within his room. As Waspinator’s group head
       into another area, the leader tries to move onto the other
       subject with Swingback… until the five notices the large image
       of Unicron and a Primus-like figure battling in the hall they
       have entered.
       Stepping forward, the Maximals start to read the information
       present – the legend of Unicron, the chaos bringer, from whom
       the creator-god of the Valoranians, Protus, was split. Protus
       fought against Unicron on various planes, until the two wound up
       trapped within planets. Protus then divided his essence, the
       Eternal Heart, and created the Valoranian race from the
       techno-organic ooze of the planet he had become part of.
       Wildfire makes clear his confusion, as the legend mimics the
       Cybertronians’ own, and Swingback proposes that the Valoranians
       adopted the Cybertronian creation tale, as societies often do.
       Waspinator points out, however, that Primus is a true existence,
       who he has even met and worked alongside – much to the others’
       surprise, minus Prophecy, who simply refers to it as the Duality
       myth.
       Waspinator: It’s worth bearing in mind that Primus is real,
       though.
       Swingback: Huh? Oh, I didn’t mean to tread on any beliefs of
       yours, Waspinator, sorry…
       Waspinator: It’s not faith. I’ve met Primus. Worked with him,
       too.
       Swingback: … you… ah…
       Wildfire: What kind of crazy adventures do you go on?!
       Dawn Katana: Let me get this straight… you’ve met your race’s
       creator-god?
       Swingback: You’re not pulling my leg, right? Or my tail, or-
       because this sounds like a joke.
       *Prophecy steps up to the main image*
       Prophecy: Duality myth.
       Huntdown is researching, as Cross-Shot watches on from nearby,
       obviously distracted by him. Kickback and Rapax enter, sitting
       down with her, and Kickback starts to gently enquire as to
       Cross-Shot’s feeling towards Huntdown. The former-Maximal is
       flustered, refusing to answer; Rapax makes clear that he has no
       concern for her romance. Mirage’s team regroup with Waspinator’s
       at the Protus/Unicron exhibit, and Prophecy explains that the
       oldest and highest civilisations have a myth that not one, but
       two beings were split off from Unicron – Primus and Protus,
       brothers. Each birthed a new species, which, upon gaining
       contact with one another, went to war over their apparently
       irreconcilable monotheistic beliefs. In truth, the Cybertronians
       and Valoranians are sibling species – the Eternal Heart is the
       Valoranian equivalent of the Matrix of Leadership – and their
       pasts and futures are intertwined. She goes to explain more,
       before putting her hand to her mouth, silencing herself.
       Prophecy: But basically, we’re sibling species. Primus and
       Protus, Cybertron and Valoran, the Matrix of Leadership and the
       Eternal Heart. Two sides of a coin. Our pasts, and our futures,
       are all intertwined. And obviou-
       *her right hand shoots up to her mouth, almost as if beyond her
       own control*
       Prophecy: Mhm-mhhmf mhm... mawhm…
       The other Maximals are left shocked, and Waspinator suggests
       they continue on their way. Prophecy is the last to leave,
       staring at the painting of the Eternal Heart. In the Archaicon
       fortress, Dinobot talks with Sawblade, as Sickleclaw stands
       nearby, watching and waiting.
       Cast:
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Kickback – Wendee Lee
       Rapax – Billy West
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 441--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: April 19, 2014, 12:16 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 43 – People of the Sun
       Airdate: Saturday 19th April 2014
       Synopsis: Dinobot is alone in his quarters, analysing data
       streams, when there is a knock at his door. He tells the visitor
       to enter, and Sickleclaw opens the door, walking in. Dinobot
       does not turn from the data, and the younger bot remarks that
       she has to talk to him about Sawblade.
       Another stretch of dusty, arid land on Valoran – the Maximals
       are taking a break, having been trekking for several hours.
       Waspinator and Mirage are viewing a map that they managed to
       purchase, which indicates that the nearest city with a
       spaceport, Sepurt, is on the other side of the Messural Dusts
       that they are headed through. However, it will take another day
       or so to cross the Dusts. Waspinator leaves Mirage to continue
       analysing the map, as he heads over to Swingback, sat chatting
       with Wildfire. He asks her aside, and leads her away from the
       others; she asks what is wrong, but before he can explain, he
       accidentally treads on something beneath the sand. An almost
       psychedelic, unnerving world instantly materialises around the
       Maximals, and Mirage quips that it is not on the map.
       Mirage: … what do you know, this isn’t on the map.
       Waspinator picks up what he trod on – a small and very low-tech
       contraption. He tells the Maximals to be on-guard, as he leads
       them off. In the Archaicon fortress, many of the lower-ranking
       bots are training, including Cross-Shot, who is showing great
       skill with her knives. Airazor enters, telling the bots to clear
       the area for him, as he starts using his wing-blades against
       holographic opponents. Watching this, Cross-Shot steps forward,
       offering to duel with him – the Meganeura-bot scoffs, before
       accepting. She lunges at him, and quickly manages to over-power
       and out-manoeuvre him, much to the cheers of the lower
       Archaicons. Dishevelled, Airazor tells the bots to keep
       training, and heads off.
       Airazor: Y-Yeah. Erm… keep training, all of you! Keep at it and…
       yeah…
       The Maximals continue through the Messural Dusts in their
       surreal state, only to notice figures up ahead – the ground
       starts to move, bringing the groups together. The new entities
       are tribal Valoranians, and the group’s leader, an elder
       shamanistic figure, explains in broken English that they are the
       Panlumena – meaning ‘those beneath the sun’. The Maximals have
       entered an Open Realm, unbound from the rules of reality… a
       place where they can discover themselves.
       The Shaman shows off one of the Open Door contraptions used to
       give conscious access to an Open Realm, the same thing that
       Waspinator stood on. Scale is confused as to why the whole group
       entered the Open Realm if only Waspinator activated the device,
       and the Shaman explains that they are ‘tied together’. The
       Panlumena can also freely pass between normal reality and Open
       Realms, to guide visitors. Mirage asks how they make their way
       out, and the Shaman claims that they must take another step on
       their journey.
       Mirage: We don’t have time for this. How do we get out?
       Shaman: Must take… next step in your journey.
       While Mirage is visibly frustrated, Waspinator asks how they
       take this step. Prophecy approaches the Shaman, and presses her
       hand to his head; after a moment, the Valoranian taps his staff
       to the ground. In the Archaicon fortress, Dinobot, the inner
       circle and Cross-Shot all collapse… and their minds materialise,
       as their physical forms, in the Open Realm on Valoran. Both
       factions are immediately tense, and the Shaman explains to the
       Archaicons that their presence is needed. With another tap of
       the staff, the factions are scattered across the Open Realm, in
       Maximal/Archaicon pairs, leaving the Dawn Katana with the
       Panlumena. Waspinator and Dinobot recover, and after a moment’s
       silence, Waspinator remarks that they must simple head back to
       the Shaman. Dinobot agrees, noting that he has no time for
       fraternising with the Maximals. He asks Waspinator where they
       are, and the Maximal leader states that they are on Valoran… to
       which Dinobot’s optics widen. Elsewhere, Scale and Toxiclaw
       start making their way across the Open Realm too, with Toxiclaw
       maintaining a vitriolic disposition towards the Maximal; Scale
       makes clear that he joined the team to make a change from his
       time as a mercenary, and that they are a better group than he
       first thought. As Mirage and Sawblade gather themselves,
       Sawblade pounces at her, attempting to kill her, only to find it
       is to no avail.
       Sawblade: … what? I can’t… A world where I can’t kill. Well I’ll
       be damned; there is a Pit after all.
       Mirage remarks that it would be futile anyway due to her
       immortality, and leads him off. All the while, Cross-Shot
       recovers herself, only to realise, to her surprise, that she is
       with Arcrise.
       Elsewhere, Paladin and Sickleclaw are headed through the Open
       Realm; Sickleclaw remarks that Paladin shall likely not care
       about what she has to say, before commenting on Sawblade’s
       influence on Dinobot. Paladin responds that it is of little
       concern to him, and suggests that, if she is so concerned, she
       should make it out while she can. The Archaicon is disgusted by
       his dishonourable suggestion. Cross-Shot enquires as to how
       Arcrise has been since her rebirth, and the powerful fembot
       sadly states that she returned just as Cross-Shot abandoned the
       faction. She adds that such a betrayal is not the Cross-Shot she
       knew, to which the Archaicon remarks that she has changed for
       the better.
       Arcrise: The Cross-Shot I knew – that I worked with, trained
       with – would never have betrayed us like that.
       Cross-Shot: I know. But I’ve changed… for the better.
       Swingback and Huntdown head towards the Panlumena, and the mech
       asks Swingback if he can have her opinion on something. The
       fembot says yes, and he asks if she has any advice for him in
       terms of love. Groaning, she responds that she has none. Dinobot
       informs Waspinator that this incident shall change nothing, and
       they are still enemies, which Waspinator agrees with; he points
       out, however, that their past cannot be altered. Wildfire and
       Airazor verbally spar as they trek across the Open Realm, and
       when Airazor asks Wildfire why he has any hope, the young bot
       thinks of the black-and-white fembot, with her image generating
       itself. Airazor scoffs, and claims that he himself only needs
       power. Only Prophecy and Scorpinax are not walking – the fembot
       comments on his Vok eyes, and informs him that everything he
       touches will crumble apart.
       Prophecy: Your new eyes look good.
       Scorpinax: Have we even met often enough for you to know what my
       old eyes were like?
       Prophecy: Your life is fragile, Scorpinax. Everything you touch
       will crumble, eventually. You have a touch of death.
       She refers to him as the observer, and then manipulates the Open
       Realm, bringing the two of them straight to the Shaman. As the
       others gather too, the Shaman taps his staff to the ground; the
       Open Realm fades away, along with the Archaicons. The old
       Valoranian informs the Maximals that what may have seemed like a
       hindrance has acted as a stepping stone, and then leads the
       Panlumena away. Dinobot and Sickleclaw awaken in his quarters;
       the leader recovers himself, and tells Sickleclaw not to worry
       about Sawblade. He insists that he have faith in her, and
       symbolically offers his left hand. Forcing a smile, she thanks
       him, and leaves as he loads up information on Valoran.
       Cast:
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Shaman – Frank Welker
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 443--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: April 26, 2014, 12:29 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 44 – Staring Back
       Airdate: Saturday 26th April 2014
       Synopsis: Ravager heads through the depths of space; on board,
       Skysquawk address his bolstered Predacon forces, informing them
       that their aim now is to grasp power in the outer colonial
       regions. The ship’s systems suddenly receive an alert that they
       have entered Archaicon territory; Skysquawk grins, and orders
       Ambush and Stampede to pilot the ship to the source of the alert
       as he views the Predacons’ huge weapons stockpile on a monitor.
       Night on Valoran; the Maximals enter a cave, as Mirage
       complains about the open realm having further delayed their
       trek. Waspinator takes her aside, and asks if her insistence on
       leaving the planet is a change of heart regarding the war
       against Necrocide’s empire; the jackal-bot corrects him, stating
       that she has had enough of being stranded in her lifetime.
       Paladin notices that the cave walls have modern writing on them,
       albeit in Valoranian, and that there seems to be a doorway
       further in. Scale suggests they investigate, as it could be a
       trap or something dangerous.
       Scale: It’s probably wise to investigate. It could be nothing,
       but it could be a trap set up for whoever enters the cave… or
       something dangerous could come out while we sleep.
       Concurring, Waspinator sends Scale, Paladin and Arcrise to
       investigate. Dinobot is sat at his throne with Sawblade and
       Sickleclaw to either side; the three are discussing the
       faction’s next moves, with Sickleclaw evidently less
       experienced, when Scorpinax enters, remarking that an intruding
       ship with a Predacon signal is approaching. Dinobot tells his
       subordinate to send the ship a message, directing them to the
       fields outside of the fortress, and leads his right and left
       hands out. As they leave, Sawblade discretely puts the fortress
       on lockdown; Scorpinax notices this, just as all of the doors
       across the building lock shut. Airazor in his quarters and
       Toxiclaw in her lab both notice this, while Huntdown and
       Cross-Shot find themselves trapped in a corridor. Scale, Paladin
       and Arcrise head through the doorway, and quickly find
       themselves in a mirror-filled natural maze. While Paladin
       telepathically reports back to Waspinator, Scale gets out three
       lite-tethers – he secures one end of each to the doorway, and
       the other ends to himself, Paladin and Arcrise. They head off in
       different directions to explore. Dinobot, Sickleclaw and
       Sawblade stand out in the fields as Ravager lands down; the
       Predacons step out, carrying great amounts of weaponry, and
       Skysquawk immediately threatens Dinobot, demanding his people
       and land.
       Skysquawk: Let’s not waste time with small-talk. Your forces and
       your land are as good as ours, Maxi- sorry, “Archaicon”.
       The Archaicon leader shrugs this off, and as the Predacons raise
       their weaponry, he uses the Omniconfigurator to remotely explode
       the weapons, damaging the bots.
       Scale, Paladin and Arcrise continue to explore the mirror-maze,
       not yet finding anything suspicious, although they each make
       sure to check for any hidden paths behind the mirrors. Out in
       the mouth of the cave, Mirage is recalling some of the events on
       Ra to Prophecy, Wildfire and the Dawn Katana, while Waspinator
       leads Swingback aside to talk with her. He informs her that
       Paladin’s feelings for her must be dealt with, even if she is
       not attracted to him herself. If she cares about him as a
       friend, she needs to talk with him and try to resolve
       everything.
       Waspinator: If you care about him – even as a friend – then you
       need to discuss this with him. You need to take the issue and
       work it out, somehow, or it’s going to hang over both of you.
       The fembot agrees, although she seems hesitant. As the Predacons
       recover themselves, Skysquawk orders the others to attack the
       fortress, while he deals with Dinobot; the Archaicon tries to
       contact those in the fortress, but the lockdown blocks the call.
       Annoyed, Dinobot sends Sickleclaw and Sawblade to prevent the
       Predacons from breaching the defences (and orders Sawblade to
       cancel the lockdown), while Skysquawk lunges at him. He shifts
       the Omniconfigurator into its sword form and starts to fight
       against the Predacon leader. While Waspinator joins in the
       discussion with Mirage, Swingback decides to sneak off into the
       mirror-maze, only to find Paladin’s reflection from deeper in
       the maze, rather than her own. Confused, she identifies his
       lite-tether by its individual colour, watching Paladin’s
       reflection all the while. Elsewhere in the maze, Scale is
       confused to suddenly see Swingback’s reflection rather than his
       own. Trapped in their corridor, Huntdown and Cross-Shot discuss
       the mech’s time in the Archaicons prior to her joining; the
       fembot notes that she admires his dedication, and that she feels
       there is a lot she can learn from him.
       Cross-Shot: I admire you. I-I mean, the way you dedicate
       yourself. You pretty much uphold the ideal I strive for
       everyday… you’re incredible. There’s so much I can learn from
       you.
       He responds with the same praise, and the two find themselves
       kissing. All the while, Toxiclaw works on a chemical that can
       burn her door down, while Airazor frantically tries to knock
       down his.
       The Maximals’ conversation has shifted to being purely between
       Waspinator and Mirage; Wildfire takes the opportunity to head
       into the mirror-maze, as the Dawn Katana follows him. Heading
       in, he quickly finds that he has Scale’s reflection, while
       Paladin’s suddenly changes to be Wildfire’s. Arcrise’s
       reflection shifts to Swingback’s, Swingback’s to Paladin’s, and
       Scale’s to Arcrise’s. Paladin telepathically orders the group to
       stop, and suggests that they head back to the mouth of the cave.
       Meanwhile, Dinobot and Skysquawk fight, with the Predacon
       decrying Dinobot as the same Maximal as before. The
       Utahraptor-bot snarls that he is much more now, and manages to
       drive Skysquawk to the ground. However, he refuses to kill the
       Predacon, instead ordering him to leave.
       Dinobot: I will not kill you. There is no honour in slaying an
       opponent such as yourself. My victory shall come as thus: you
       are to leave this land, this world, this region of space, to
       turn your back on my people, and to run as fast as you can in
       the hopes that, when the time comes, we may yet spare you.
       He walks off, but Skysquawk fires at Dinobot, causing a huge
       explosion. The Predacons, Sickleclaw and Sawblade all watch on,
       as the smoke clears and unveils the Omniconfigurator as a
       360-degree blast shield. The weapon transforms, and Dinobot
       charges, aggressively pummelling the Predacon, pinning him to
       the ground again, drawing the weapon (as a sword) through his
       enemy’s spark, and then sending an explosive charge through,
       exploding the body. Ambush orders the Predacons to retreat, and
       they rush aboard Ravager. Sawblade applauds and Sickleclaw
       watches on, confused, as the lockdown ends. Huntdown and
       Cross-Shot are embracing in the corridor. In the mirror-maze,
       the Maximals’ reflections keep switching, which is starting to
       disorient them – suddenly, as Paladin notices that Swingback’s
       reflection is actually from when she first joined the team, all
       of the reflections turn into Prophecy. She waves at the others,
       before the mirrors crack, now showing the Maximals’ true
       reflections. In the mouth of the cavern, Waspinator and Mirage
       realise that they are alone, and nonchalantly begin kissing.
       Waspinator: … were we talking for so long that everyone left?
       Mirage: We do seem to be alone now.
       Waspinator: Totally alone.
       Mirage: Just you and I.
       Waspinator: No one else.
       Mirage: Kiss me.
       Waspinator: I was getting to that bit.
       As the Archaicons being to repair the damage done to the
       fortress, Sickleclaw asks Sawblade what his intentions are. The
       anarchist states that he wants the faction – and Dinobot
       especially – to become stronger. He again praises Dinobot’s
       actions in his fight, which Sickleclaw ponders.
       Cast:
       Skysquawk – Lee Tockar
       Beachcomber – Edie Mirman
       Rampage – Laura Bailey
       Stampede – Lee Tockar
       Skydive – Corey Burton
       Ambush – Scott McNeil
       Drain – Mae Whitman
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 451--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Fragments
       By: Ashes Date: May 3, 2014, 11:51 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 45 – Blood Sport
       Airdate: Saturday 3rd May 2014
       Synopsis: A Venice-like Cybertronian colonial city; Huntdown and
       Airazor lead Cross-Shot, Kickback, Rapax and other Archaicons in
       a strike on the Maximals citizens. Dinobot, Sickleclaw and
       Sawblade watch on all the while from the Archaicon fortress, as
       the Archaicons tear through the city. Cross-Shot seems
       remorseful, but nevertheless determinedly takes part in the
       attack.
       The sun is high in the sky on Valoran – Wildfire complains
       about the heat as the Maximals walk through the streets of
       Sepurt. Mirage notes her surprise that a city with a spaceport
       would feel so basic, as they pass by numerous stalls and signs
       about gladiatorial combat. Waspinator agrees, although Mirage
       comments that she wishes to explore; the others agree, some more
       enthusiastically than others, and Waspinator begrudgingly gives
       them two hours to explore before they meet up at the spaceport.
       Swingback drags Scale off, although he comments that she should
       have other bots to explore with, but she notes that they can
       explore for ‘funky devices’ together. As they head through
       stalls, Swingback notices a set of peculiar, sleek and
       incredibly advanced devices. Scale joins her, as the vendor
       greets them, introducing himself as Venda (and not understanding
       the humour of his name).
       Venda: Greetings, valued customers! I am Venda.
       Swingback: Well yeah, but what’s your name?
       Venda: It is Venda. I just told you.
       Swingback: … you’re called Venda?
       Venda: Yes! My name is Venda!
       Swingback: You work at a stall… and your name is-
       Venda: I don’t know where you’re going with this!
       Swingback enquires about the devices, and Venda explains that
       they are customised Timaeus drives, designed to be used by
       humanoids rather than vehicular Cybertronians. Continuing on, he
       explains that Timaeus drives are devices that allow the user to
       travel across universal streams; excited, Swingback asks to
       purchase them, and Venda states that their cost is rank 680. The
       two Maximals are confused, but the Valoranian explains that
       items are purchased via gladiatorial combat. The Timaeus drives,
       being highly rare and valuable items, pertain to a rank 680
       combatant. As Arcrise joins the two, they quickly realised their
       error, but as Scale tries to cancel the deal, Swingback confirms
       it.
       Scale: Gladiatorial combat?
       Swingback: Oh… whoa.
       Scale: Well in that case, I’m afraid we’ll have to-
       Swingback: Say yes! We’ll buy these Tim-whatever drives!
       They head off towards the arena, following Venda’s directions,
       as Arcrise notices something in his stand that shocks her. Scale
       berates Swingback as they make their way to the arena, with the
       monkey-bot shrugging him off, cheerfully stating that it will be
       fun. She reminds him that while neither of them have brute
       strength, they are physically-adept and have great skill.
       The Archaicon team returns to the fortress; Dinobot praises
       their work as Sickleclaw, Scorpinax, Sawblade and Toxiclaw watch
       on. As they disperse, Huntdown and Cross-Shot heading off
       together, Dinobot asks to speak with Cross-Shot. In Sepurt,
       Waspinator, Prophecy, Paladin, Mirage, Wildfire and the Dawn
       Katana meet up at the arena, with Waspinator annoyed at the
       situation. The current gladiatorial match ends, rather
       violently, and the rank 680 match begins. Scale and Swingback
       enter from one end of the arena, while a hulking Valoranian,
       coated in weaponry, enters from the other end. The Valoranian,
       Orkos, fires towards the Maximals, but they move quickly,
       Swingback athletically crossing the arena while Scale throws out
       two grappling hooks. The gladiator easily divides his focus,
       knocking Swingback away and catching the hooks, pulling Scale in
       with the cables and firing brazenly… only for the weapons to
       malfunction. Scale smirks, as Swingback attacks Orkos from
       behind. Cross-Shot follows Dinobot into his quarters, and the
       leader immediately asks if she is happy with the Archaicons.
       Taken aback, the fembot claims that she is, but Dinobot asks her
       to be honest.
       Cross-Shot: What? Of… of course I’m happy.
       Dinobot: Be honest with me, child. Words hold great power; use
       them wisely.
       There is a pause, and Sawblade enters just before Cross-Shot can
       talk. Dinobot orders him to leave, but he claims to have
       important information to discuss. Irritated, the leader allows
       Cross-Shot to leave, and once she does, Sawblade tells him not
       to let past allegiances affect him.
       Dinobot: *snarls under his breath* You may leave, Cross-Shot.
       *she leaves, as Sawblade smirks slightly*
       Sawblade: I know you were Maximal buddies before, but you can’t
       let that affect you now. She’s an Archaicon. Don’t single her
       out, don’t worry about her concerns.
       Dinobot asks Sawblade if that is all he had to say, and the
       anarchist leaves a data-pad on Dinobot’s desk before leaving.
       Scale and Swingback manage to tag-team Orkos, managing to
       overwhelm him with their manoeuvrability and skill, and
       eventually tricking him into shooting himself with one of his
       back-mounted cannons. The Valoranian falls, and the crowd
       cheers. Swingback celebrates, working up the crowd even more,
       but she and Scale are asked to step aside as the next fight
       begins – an almost unheard of rank 1000 match. To the Maximals’
       surprise, Arcrise steps into the arena.
       The fembot’s opponent steps into the arena, a slender
       Valoranian who demonstrates great power. However, Arcrise
       transforms and flies at him, easily striking him, before
       transforming back to robot mode and thoroughly attacking him.
       Scale and Swingback join the other Maximals in the crowds,
       Swingback’s joy quickly subsiding as she notices the fight. As
       Arcrise’s opponent is more and more brutally beaten, Waspinator
       stands up amongst the baying crowd and calls out to her with the
       name Illyiara – she immediately stops, stepping back as her
       opponent collapses. She is declared the winner, but simply steps
       out of the arena, shaken. As Cross-Shot trains alone in the
       Archaicon fortress, Dinobot joins her. The two remain silent as
       they train side-by-side. Elsewhere, Sickleclaw visits Huntdown,
       stating that she has noticed his closeness with Cross-Shot, as
       well as her obvious dissatisfaction with the faction’s role.
       Huntdown flips the observation back on her, noting how quickly
       she fell in line with Sawblade’s machinations. Sickleclaw
       recites that Dinobot knows what he is doing, and that his honour
       shall overpower any manipulations that Sawblade attempts.
       Sickleclaw: Dinobot isn’t worried about Sawblade. I have faith
       in him. He’s driven by an honour so powerful that nothing
       Sawblade does will ever manage to crush it.
       She warns Huntdown to make sure that both he and Cross-Shot
       remain loyal. The Maximals retrieve their Timaeus drives from
       Venda, who then hands over to Arcrise the Lokon blade – last
       seen several years ago in the Golden City outside of the
       omniverse, during the Darkest Hour. Waspinator is shocked at the
       sight of it, asking aloud how it made its way to Valoran. Venda
       explains that there is a legend of three blades for two hands,
       foretelling that three all-powerful swords will be wielded by
       two fated hands in a battle that shall break one soul.
       Venda: There is a legend… passed through the generations since
       the earliest days. The legend of three blades for two hands –
       that on one fateful day, three swords of immeasurable power
       shall be grasped by two hands chosen by fate, emblazoned with
       the mark of the gods… three blades for two hands shall break one
       soul in that battle, on that day. So the legend goes, anyway.
       He believes the Lokon blade to be one of these swords. The other
       Maximals are intrigued, while Waspinator stares down at his
       right hand; he states that there must be another being with a
       Fibonacci spiral somewhere.
       Cast:
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Rapax – Billy West
       Kickback – Wendee Lee
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillan
       Sawblade – Nolan North
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Waspinator – Scott McNeil
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Paladin – Paul Rudd
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Venda – Omid Djalili
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       Orkos – Scott McNeil
       [hr]
       A.
       *****************************************************
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