Monday, June 17, 2024

The Transformers: Redux, Issue 19: Decepticons Rising, Chapter Seven

     Date: 6/22/2012

RISE OF THE CONSTRUCTICONS

(Aboard the Nemesis)

SOUNDWAVE: Lord Megatron, we have received contact.

MEGATRON: Is that so? Put them online.

SCRAPPER: All hail Megatron!

MEGATRON: Ah, Scrapper. I've been expecting your call for nearly two months now.

SCRAPPER: Ah, yes. I... apologize for the delay. Anyway, I have my group ready. What are your orders?

MEGATRON: Head for Earth and begin the first stage in the plan.

SCRAPPER: We're on it, my lord. All right, boys... it's constructin' time!

(Meanwhile, Autobot Base on Earth)

RATCHET: Oh, this is just great. We've lost the Skyspy. Apparently it wasn't as inconspicuous as I would have liked.

OPTIMUS PRIME: Well, that's just Prime.

BUMBLEBEE: So, now what do we do?

RATCHET: Well, we could try sneaking onto the 'Cons ship... but that's stupid. (Computer beeps) Great. Now what?

PROWL: It seems to be coming from a construction site. Don't know why the 'Cons are there...

OPTIMUS PRIME: Best way to find out is to go there. Bumblebee, Ironhide, roll out! (They drive off)

RATCHET: Hey, Prowl?

PROWL: Yeah?

RATCHET: How come you never leave the base?

PROWL: I don't like humans.

RATCHET: Why not?

PROWL: They're smelly, lowly intelligent, and stupid.

RATCHET: Those last two are the same thing.

PROWL: I know. Because it's worth mentioning twice. And they're smelly.

RATCHET: Okay, I get it!

(At the construction site)

OPTIMUS PRIME: Well, I don't see any sign of the Decepticons here.

BUMBLEBEE: You don't think we got a false alarm, do you?

OPTIMUS PRIME: I'm somewhat doubtful of that, Bumblebee. Something isn't right here. You stay here and keep watch. Ironhide and I will search the area.

BUMBLEBEE: Great...

IRONHIDE: Huh. My scanners are still puckin' up 'Con signatures! But I don't-- AHHH! (He is hit by a crane arm) What the heck?! Did that crane just hit me?!

(The crane transformers)

HOOK: My sincerest apologies, Autobot. I didn't realize you were there!

IRONHIDE: Who the spark are you?

HOOK: The name is Hook. I'm a surgical engineer of the Constructicons, and I'm one of Scrapper's two advisors. Any questions?

IRONHIDE: ...No.

HOOK: Good. Constructicons, attack!

(Nearby, Bumblebee overhears the fighting)

BUMBLEBEE: What's going on over there? Hang on, guys! I'm coming! (He is grabbed from behind) Wha?! Hey! Let go!

SCAVENGER: I don't think so.

SCRAPPER: Ah, well done, Scavenger. Excellent bait for the Autobot leader. Hightower, cast the lure!

HIGHTOWER: Heh-heh-heh!

IRONHIDE: Take that, ya' Decepti-creep!

COMM: Optimus?

OPTIMUS PRIME: Bumblebee? What is it?

COMM: Come -ere.

OPTIMUS PRIME: Ironhide?

IRONHIDE: Don't worry, Prime. I can handle these guys.

OPTIMUS PRIME: Hang on, Bumblebee! I'm coming!

(Aboard the Nemesis)

MEGATRON: Ha! Now that the Autobots are distracted, Barricade can retrieve the last energon we'll need!

STARSCREAM: My lord, isn't it risky to send all of the Constructicons to fight the Autobots? What if one of them dies? Then the plan--

MEGATRON: Unlikely, Starscream. If I know the Autobots, they wouldn't be so quick in killing any of us.

STARSCREAM: And what if you're wrong?

MEGATRON: Then we go to plan B.

(Meanwhile)

WHEELJACK: *Sigh* There! I finished your stupid blueprints! Now can I go?!

KNOCK OUT: Hmm... very good! And no.

WHEELJACK: What?! Why?!

KNOCK OUT: Duh! So you don't tell the Autobots what we're up to!

WHEELJACK: Well, at least wipe my memory core! Anything to get off this ship!

KNOCK OUT: Well, while I could do that... I won't. Bye!

WHEELJACK: Hey! Come back here, you-- (He gets shocked) AGH!

(Earth)

OPTIMUS PRIME: Bumblebee? Where are you?

SCAVENGER: Right here.

OPTIMUS PRIME: Ahh! Who are you?!

SCAVENGER: We are the Constructicons. And we're here to destroy you. What more do you need to know?

OPTIMUS PRIME: ...Maybe where the heck Bumblebee is?

SCAVENGER: Oh, him? We're taking him to Megatron. Always nice to have an extra Autobot prisoner.

OPTIMUS PRIME: Not on my watch!

SCAVENGER: That's what I thought. Let's get him!

(The Constructicons attack and Optimus goes wild with his axe; knocking aside Scrapper, cutting off Hightower's crane arm, and shooting Scavenger)

SCAVENGER: Honestly... is that the best you could do?

(Nearby)

IRONHIDE: Dang, you guys are tough! I'm really gettin' sick of this!

HOOK: There's always the option of surrendering....

IRONHIDE: Thanks for the offer... but I'll pass! Prime, what's your status? (He sees OP fighting Scavenger) Nevermind.

SCRAPPER: (Grabs Bumblebee) Well, while Scavenger is keeping your friend busy... I'm taking you to-- (He gets knocked out by Ironhide)

BUMBLEBEE: Uh... thanks.

IRONHIDE: Don't mention it. Now c'mon, Prime needs our help.

SCAVENGER: I never thought I'd get the chance... to destroy the mighty Optimus--

(Out of nowhere, Lugnut arrives and delivers his PUNCH, clearing the battlefield)

LUGNUT: Constructicons... Megatron needs you on the Nemesis.

SCAVENGER: Very well.

(They leave by the time the Autobots recover)

OPTIMUS PRIME: Oogh...

PROWL: Optimus? This is Prowl. You okay?

OPTIMUS PRIME: We're fine, Prowl... but not for long.

MEGATRON: Well, thanks to the finished blueprints and the energon Barricade recovered... our project is ready!

SCRAPPER: Excellent! What's our first target?

MEGATRON: Knock Out managed to salvage the remains of the Autobot drone. In its databanks, he found the location... of the Autobots' ship!

SCRAPPER: And you want us to destroy it because...?

MEGATRON: Because I said so. Now go. Initiate the gestalt formation... and destroy the Autobots!

TO BE CONTINUED

CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Bumblebee, Ironhide, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Wheeljack

    Decepticons: Barricade, Bonecrusher, Hightower, Hook, Knock Out, Long Haul, Lugnut, Megatron, Scavenger, Scrapper, Soundwave, Starscream

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