Saturday, February 17, 2024

The Transformers: Redux, Issue 14: Decepticons Rising, Chapter Two

 Date: 6/7/2012

DECEPTICONS RISING, PART 2

(On Cybertron, Nightbeat is taking a walk.)

NIGHTBEAT: (narration) It was a dark and stormy night. Actually, scratch that, it was just a dark night. I was walking through the darkest corners of Cybertron, trying to keep a low head.... After all, there are quite some shady folk around here. Really shady. Primus, I hope I find Siren soon.

SIREN: Nightbeat?

NIGHTBEAT: Ah, Siren. Thank goodness you're--

SIREN: Why, of all the places on Cybertron, did you choose this one to meet?!

NIGHTBEAT: The Dead End is hive of scum and villainy, Siren. It's the perfect place to find someone with connections to the Decepticons...

SIREN: And just how are we gonna get them to talk?

NIGHTBEAT: Watch and learn, Siren. Watch and learn.

(On Garrus-Nine, Shockblast has gone on his rampage and stands over an injured Fort Max...)

SHOCKBLAST: You have no idea... You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this moment.

FORTRESS MAXIMUS: Actually... I have a pretty good idea. I think it's been since you entered your cell screaming for release. [Phrasing....]

SHOCKBLAST: You think, eh? I think it was long before then.... (He holds his cannon to Fort Max's head and is about to fire)

BLUDGEON: Don't.

SHOCKBLAST: What do you mean, "don't?"

BLUDGEON: Megatron wants him alive.

SHOCKBLAST: I don't take orders from Megatron! And I'm not part of your blasted faction!

FORTRESS MAXIMUS: You're all the same to me! (He draws a gun and fires. He misses and Shockblast blasts him in the chest)

SHOCKBLAST: Now... it's time to finish what I star-- (Bludgeon zaps him from behind to disable him) RAGH! (He collapses, unconscious)

BLUDGEON: Just be glad we didn't kill you. Spinister, take him and our Autobot "friend" away. Lockdown, the mission is a success. We've freed Shockblast and the rest of the prisoners.

LOCKDOWN: Um, yeah... I think that's an understatement... (He looks over to a whole BUNCH of Decepticons....)

(Back on Cybertron)

RATTLETRAP: PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!

NIGHTBEAT: Is that so? According to this newschip, it's been reported that you've been trading with Swindle. Who, as you should know, is a Decepticon...

RATTLETRAP: What makes you think I've been gettin' info from him?!

NIGHTBEAT: And have you?

RATTLETRAP: Well... I....

NIGHTBEAT: If you tell us all you know, we might find a place for you in the Autobots.

RATTLETRAP: All--all right. From what Swindle's told me, the 'Cons have had a mole planted in yer ranks ever since before the war started. That's all I know. Honest!

NIGHTBEAT: All right, thanks....

(He and Siren drive away)

SIREN: So, this spy's been with us since before the war.

NIGHTBEAT: Yes, that's what he said...

SIREN: So, who do we know that joined us shortly before the war?

NIGHTBEAT: Now that, Siren... is something we'll have to find out.

(Meanwhile, at Darkmount)

RAMJET: Lord Straxus, message from Lockdown.

LOCKDOWN: Lord Straxus, I have freed all Decepticon prisoners from Garrus-9, as per Megatron's request. And, as per your request, I've captured Shockblast.

STRAXUS: Excellent work, Lockdown. You'll be greatly rewarded.

LOCKDOWN: I better be, for all this work.

STRAXUS: Fear not, bounty hunter. Fear not.

(Back on Garrus-9)

BLUDGEON: Speaking of reward...

LOCKDOWN: Hmph. The Autobot isn't enough, I take it? (Referring to a knocked out Kick-Off)

BLUDGEON: Oh, him? Well, if you don't want him...

LOCKDOWN: Go ahead, take him. My trophy room's filled up anyway.

BLUDGEON: Gladly. Spinister, prep the ship.

SPINISTER: Heh! Ha! Ha! Ha!

(Unbeknownst to them, Fort Max is still online....)

(Back on Cybertron)

RED ALERT: Give me one good reason why I should access our secret data records for you.

SIREN: Aw, come on, Red Alert! We're pals, you and I!

RED ALERT: Not since you helped Sideswipe and Sunstreaker pull that "prank." Now give me one good--

NIGHTBEAT: We have recorded possible evidence that there's a Decepticon spy in our ranks.

RED ALERT: *beat* All right. So you say it's an Autobot who recently joined?

NIGHTBEAT: Yes, before the war.

RED ALERT: Well then, there's Bumblebee, Longarm, Bulkhead, Wasp--

SIREN: Wait, wasn't Wasp arrested?

RED ALERT: Yeah, but I doubt it's him. Could be Mirage. I don't trust him. Probably not Sideswipe...

NIGHTBEAT: All right, this isn't going anywhere. We need more evidence... but where do we find it?

SIREN: Hang on... what would be the best place to put a spy?

NIGHTBEAT: Cybertron Intelligence?

SIREN: Actually, I was thinking more like... the High Council.

(At the High Council tower)

NIGHTBEAT: You have got to be kidding me. You're actually thinking of going up to the High Council and asking them-- Don't answer that. You are actually thinking that, aren't you?

SIREN: Ah, don't get all worked up! We're just gonna see one Council member!

NIGHTBEAT: And that would be...?

SIREN: Xaaron.

NIGHTBEAT: (narration) Out of all the councilors, Emirate Xaaron was the least... prideful. Stern. Look, he wasn't a jerk, okay? So he was probably the best one to talk to....

NIGHTBEAT: Xaaron, sir?

XAARON: Yes, Nightbeat, what is it? Something on your mind?

NIGHTBEAT: (narration) I told him all about the spy stuff we got. When I was done, Xaaron took a while to reply. When he did answer, he said exactly what I was expecting.

XAARON: I don't believe the spy is on the High Council. I think the best place for him to be... is Cybertron Intelligence.

SIREN: D'oh!

NIGHTBEAT: Thank you, sir.

(They drive away)

SIREN: Don't say it.

NIGHTBEAT: I was--

SIREN: Don't!

(Soon, at Cybertron Intelligence HQ)

COSMOS: A Decepticon? Here?! NO WAY!

SIREN: Oh spark...

NIGHTBEAT: Yes, Cosmos. Can we speak with Longarm?

COSMOS: Is it Mirage? I bet it's Mirage. Cliffjumper thinks it's Mirage.

NIGHTBEAT: Oh, for Primus' sake....

LONGARM: Having a nice conversation, Cosmos?

COSMOS: Longarm! I, uh--

LONGARM: Is there something you need, Nightbeat?

NIGHTBEAT: Yes indeed, Longarm. Yes indeed.

(In Polyhex, Shockblast is delivered to Straxus)

STRAXUS: Ah, welcome to Darkmount, Shockblast. Did you have a nice trip?

SHOCKBLAST: Spark-stabbin'....

STRAXUS: I do believe you'll enjoy your stay. After all... we're all family here! HA! HA! HA!

(Back with Nightbeat and co.)

LONGARM: Well, there's certainly a lot of bots who could be the spy. I believe your best bet to find out who it is, is to go behind enemy lines.

SIREN: And how do we do that?!

LONGARM: Well, I have an agent stationed on the outskirts of Kaon. She may be able to help you.

(As Nightbeat narrates, Arcee drives into the hellish landscape of Kaon)

NIGHTBEAT: (narration) That's the problem with being a detective. You have to go to places where you don't want to go....

CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Arcee, Cosmos, Fortress Maximus, Kick-Off, Longarm, Nightbeat, Red Alert, Siren, Xaaron

    Decepticons: Bludgeon, Octopunch, Onslaught, Ramjet, Spinister, Straxus

    Others: Lockdown, Rattletrap, Shockblast

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