Date: 8/29/2013
THREE FACES OF MADNESS
NOVA PRIME: And just what is this, Jhiaxus?
JHIAXUS: It's an Overcharge drone. The first of the Triorian Guard. They have the ability to assume two different alt modes.
NOVA PRIME: Impressive. I'm sure they will be formidable warriors.
JHIAXUS: Oh, they will, my liege. I have no doubt about that.
(Several years later)
ASTRO: Hey, Blitz? Yo! Cybertron to Blitz!
BLITZ: What is it, Astro?
(Note: Blitz's face looks like Icy Blitzwing from Animated)
ASTRO: What's with the blank stare?
BLITZ: *Sigh* I've told you before...
ASTRO: Have you? 'Cos I sure as heck don't remember.
BLITZ: It's just... why must our job be restricted to our alt mode?
ASTRO: Oh, this again. Look, pal, the Functionists are in control, basically. If you hate your job so much, why don't you got to the Relinquishment Clinic or something?
BLITZ: But those places only offer temporary body replacement.
ASTRO: Well, it's that or nothing, right? Look, Blitz, Adaptus gave us these alt modes... maybe he had a reason!
(Later...)
BLITZ: Hey, doc? Can you open up?
KNOCK OUT: Go away! I'm too busy doing stuff worth my time!
AUTOTROOPER: Hey! What do you think you're doing out of the mines?
KNOCK OUT: Sorry, officer, he's late for an appointment. (He pulls Blitz inside) What are you doing here? If the security bots get even a mere hint of what I'm cooking--
BLITZ: Sorry.
KNOCK OUT: No... no, it's not your fault. Hardly anyone knows what I'm up to.
BLITZ: What do you mean?
KNOCK OUT: Know what that is?
BLITZ: A... cyber-cat? [It looks like ROTF Ravage]
KNOCK OUT: Yeah, it used to be. I've kinda... modified it a bit.
BLITZ: Which is why I came here. You like upgrading things, right?
KNOCK OUT: Er, yeah...
BLITZ: And you once volunteered at a relinquishment clinic, right?
KNOCK OUT: Shortly before I was rejected.
BLITZ: So, I was thinking, could you, like, I dunno, give me a new body?
KNOCK OUT: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold it! Number one: I've only upgraded wildlife. Number two: Do you have any idea how many laws I'd be breaking?
BLITZ: I know, but-- look, I'll change my name and everything. No one will be the wiser!
KNOCK OUT: Oh yeah?
BLITZ: Yeah!
KNOCK OUT: What sort of body did you have in mind? (Blitz tells him off-panel) A MEMBER OF THE TRIORIAN GUARD?! (His exclamation can be heard by passerby from outside) ...Yeah, I could make that work.
(Later...)
BLITZ: Well? Did you find one?
KNOCK OUT: Yup. At a nearby relinquishment clinic. Bought it from them for 30,000 Shanix. You owe me one.
BLITZ: Knock Out, I'd be happy to blige. Shall we get on with it then?
(Soon...)
KNOCK OUT: You know... I always wondered why I had a spark extractor... (He places Blitz's spark in the Overcharge drone)
BLITZ: It... it worked!
KNOCK OUT: You bet it did. See if the transformation cog still works.
BLITZ: (transforms into both vehicle modes) Ha! Ha! Yes, perfect!
KNOCK OUT: Glad you're satisfied. So, what's the plan from here on out, Blitz?
BLITZ: It's not Blitz, doc. I am Blitzwing, of the Triorian Guard.
(Iacon Vaults, days later...)
UNKNOWN: How many do you see, Octane?
OCTANE: Two Overcharges and the overseer. This won't be easy.
OVERSEER: Right then, I do believe everything's in or-- (Octane shoots him through the face) ARGGH!
OVERCHARGE: Intruder!
(It shoots at Octane who throws a grenade, blasting its head off. Blitzwing then shoots Octane in the arm.)
OCTANE: ARRR!!
BLITZWING: Heh. Can't say I've had that much fun since ever.
OCTANE: D-did you just...?
BLITZWING: What, you mean show emotion? Have a personality? Yeah, I'm kinda special. Tell you what, I know a medic down near Maccadam's. I'm sure he can get you retrofitted into a body more suitable for your antics.
(Later, again...)
OVERCHARGE: Unit Four-Three, you are needed for duty. Unit 43? Deploy for du--
BLITZWING: AGGH!
OVERCHARGE: -ty?
BLITZWING: Don't come in! (His face has switched from the default Overcharge face to his original face) It's not what it looks like!
OVERCHARGE: ... What is wrong with your faceplate?
BLITZWING: I--I don't know, er, Unit 72. I detached from my recharge slab and uh... and... my faceplate looked different. Roger, roger?
OVERCHARGE: ... Go see a repair unit.
(Knock Out's office...)
BLITZWING: (over comm) Doc?
KNOCK OUT: Hey, Blitzwing! You sure paid your debt; business is doing great!
BLITZWING: Doc, listen. There's something I need to tell you... my face is changing.
KNOCK OUT: Er, yeah. Forgot to mention that possible side-effect. It's common among those who body-swap. Something to do with your spark's signature...
BLITZWING: But, doc! If someone takes notice, I'm...
KNOCK OUT: Blitzwing?
BLITZWING: My brain feels funny.
KNOCK OUT: Another side effect. It'll wear off.
BLITZWING: I...
KNOCK OUT: Yes?
BLITZWING: I feel... I feel like... (His face switches to Crazy Blitzwing) I feel like shooting something.
(Beat)
BLITZWING: HAHAHAHAHAHAA!
VICTIM: What the-? ARRRRRGGH!
(The comm clicks off as Knock Out stares off in shock)
(Garrus-1, Luna 2...)
WARDEN: Dunno why they'd send a little bot like you here. These guys are the worst of the worse.
RUNG: Yes, well... I've dealt with bots like those.
WARDEN: Well, not like him. Here we are. Meet your psychiatrist, Blitz'. His name's Ring.
RUNG: Rung.
WARDEN: Whatever.
RUNG: So, Blitzwing... er... what's up?
BLITZWING: Hm? Oh, not much, other than... those pesky little nano fleas that float around my head! IF ONLY I COULD DESTROY THEM!
RUNG: ...Yeah, we're going to be here a while.
RUNG: (narration) Session 5: Still has random emotional bursts. Session 11: Not as destructive but still hostile. Session 49: Managed to have a conversation with one persona. Session 50: Managed to have a conversation that made sense. Session 85: First time without the stasis cuffs. Managed to resist the urge not to strangle me.
(Warden's office...)
WARDEN: So, verdict?
RUNG: I believe he is fit to stay with the Triorian Guard. However, he must stay under heavy supervision. I can't say I've ever had a patient like this. I think it would be best if all Triple Changers were put into the Guard, in order to prevent further situations like this.
WARDEN: All right, thank you for your assistance, Wrung.
RUNG: ... Don't mention it...
ASTROTRAIN: Blitzwing?
BLITZWING: Astro?
ASTROTRAIN: It's Astrotrain, remember? Anyway, there's some uprising going on. The dissidents call themselves Decepticons. Their leader, Megatron, used to be manual class... like us. Interested?
BLITZWING: Am I ever...
THE END
CHARACTERS
Triorian Guard: Astro/Astrotrain, Blitz/Blitzwing, Overcharge(s)
Others: Jhiaxus, Knock Out, Nova Prime, Octane, Rung, Warden
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