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Spotlight: Ravage
For those of you that have been keenly following my Vernoverse thread (Hursty), you'll be familiar with this.
But for the rest of you, sit back and enjoy, in entirety (the 1st complete draft of) - Spotlight: Ravage!
Part 1:
“The Decepticons are no more”, said Magnus, studying the two dark figures before him in the chamber. “But this war is far from over. The Predacons have thrown the rulebook out the window, so we’ve had to do the same.”
Rodimus spoke up. “As you’re both probably aware, some of your buddies are stupid enough to want to keep fighting and are now flying the Predacon banner. But when the Autobots win, and trust me, we will, ‘Cons like you will still have to answer for everything you’ve done during the course of the War. Bots like Megatron and Soundwave have got the easy way out.”
“I don’t like the idea of cutting deals with the enemy, but it’s come to out attention that Megatron had you both running errands behind Pred lines before the Hub assault” continued Magnus, who was enjoying Rodimus’ stern tone.
“If word of that reached Razorclaw, he’d be quite interested in finding both of you - so here’s the deal: You keep making those trips, but you’ll be reporting to us instead”, offered Rodimus, with no hint of kindness.
“And when it’s all over, your assistance in ending the War will be shown on your records, might even get you off some of the heavier charges”, added Magnus. “This is your chance to make amends. So, what do you say?”
The two Decepticons looked at each other, then silently agreed, nodding to their new Autobot allies.
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Part 2:
The two Decepticons stood in the light in the centre of an enormous room, as a large, familiar form entered, arms outstretched. “Laserbeak, Ravage, old friends! Welcome to the Predacons!”, announced Razorclaw, with little warmth in his raspy voice.
“I was saddened to hear about Soundwave. He was a great warrior, his talents were wasted under Megatron though, whose insane plans cost too many their Sparks”, he said, twisting the knife in the back of his dead leader, to the cheers of the Predacon troops in the darkness surrounding them.
“Our forces, however, grow stronger by the day”, he continued, motioning to the hall full of Predacon combatants, eagerly grinning in the darkness, studying the two ancient warriors. “And are buoyed by recruits such as yourselves.” There were sniggers from the Predacons in the darkness. Ravage and Laserbeak felt uneasy in the spotlight.
“But sadly there is little time for reminiscing about the good old days, we must get down to business.” Razorclaw, produced a large blaster, and from point-blank range, blew a hole through the chest of Laserbeak, who crumbled lifeless to the floor. Raucous cheering exploded from the audience of Predacons. Ravage prepared himself for the pain, but it never came.
“I won’t suffer fools!”, boomed Razorclaw. “I learnt that from Megatron, though he changed his tune towards the end - desperation will do that to you”, continuing his rant against his old master. He stepped closer to Ravage.
“There have been whispers, Ravage, voices in my ear asking why you’ve come. A more loyal Decepticon could never have be found, Megatron’s favourite pet, yet here you stand, ready to serve a turncoat.” The room was silent.
“You have talents I can utilise, Ravage, but let Laserbeak’s smouldering wreck be a lesson to you - if your resolve wavers even for a moment, you’ll end up on the slag heap next to your comrade. Have I made myself clear?” Razorclaw was now face to face with Ravage. Ravage held his gaze.
“As I said before”, Razorclaw said as he turned and exited into the darkness, “Welcome to the Predacons.”
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Part 3:
“The famous Ravage…” said a voice. Ravage turned to see a large red Bot approaching. “Or should that be infamous. Stories of your endeavours are legend. My name is Magmatron, one of Razorclaw’s Generals…”
“One of, but certainly not the only, much to Razorclaw’s relief I’m sure”, a cold voice said. Ravage and Magmatron were joined by three dark, imposing figures. “I am General Seethe, these are Generals Rampant and Cinder. I’m sure you’ve heard tell of us - the Tripredacus Brotherhood.”
“Their reputation for tactics precedes them. That for their courage is yet to be found”, said Magmatron, with a smile in the corner of his mouth, making no attempt to hide the bite of the cutting remark.
“Your addition to the ranks will only boost the fearsome prestige the Predacons enjoy” Cinder added, apparently unaffected by Magmatron’s jibe.
“Hmph”, said Magmatron with derision. “It’ll soon be clear to our honoured recruit who’s earned their ‘prestige’, and who stole it after the efforts of others.” The distrust between the Generals, Ravage thought, was clearer than anything at present. He was sure the Autobots would be interested in this.
“If you wish to discuss leadership styles, then we would be glad to oblige you, at another time”, said Seethe, dismissingly. All traces of Magmatron’s earlier smirk were gone. “Now, however, we have more pressing matters to cover with our new compatriot.”
Magmatron knew the conversation was over, and turned back to Ravage. “It was a pleasure to meet such a formidable warrior. It’s an honour to serve beside you.” Magmatron turned and walked away without so much as a look towards the three Generals.
The Brothers watched him leave, before ushering Ravage to accompany them. “Come, Ravage, we have much to discuss.”
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Part 4:
As the four figures continued down the corridor, Cinder began the conversation. “You will have to excuse Magmatron. He is eager to please and prove himself to anyone willing to listen, even one as new to our ranks as yourself.”
“His position has come through nothing but chance and stupidity - pay him no heed”, spat Rampant, clearly a Predacon of few words, but all of them spiteful.
“Razorclaw has informed us that we are to be your commanding officers. We are delighted to have been chosen, and are certain that we’ll make full use of your highly respected talents in espionage”, said Cinder, as they reached the entrance to a chamber, and ushered Ravage in.
“As Magmatron curtly alluded, we advise Razorclaw on matters of tactics and strategy.” The three Generals took positions behind a large console, Ravage on the other side of it. The door closed and locked with finality.
“We also monitor the intelligence gathering, intercepting Autobot and Maximal communications, something we’ve been successful with up until this point, but your addition to the fold will improve our abilities in this area to no end”, said Seethe, staring from behind the console.
“Given the amount of information we intercept, both foreign and friendly, we have also become an unofficial force for policing our own troops, weeding out disloyalty”, added Cinder. Ravage suddenly realised just how trapped he was.
“So as you can see, we wield considerable power and influence in this young faction”, ended Cinder.
“We’re under no illusions as to why you’re here”, said Rampant, coldly. Ravage was ready to fight his way out if need be, but didn’t give anything away. “With Soundwave and Megatron dead, you suddenly find yourself without a strong leader to stand behind.” More talking isn’t what Ravage was expecting from Rampant.
“You’re not a coward; you simply have no aspirations higher than post. You’re a soldier, you live to serve your faction.” Seethe’s words weren’t calming his circuits just yet. “We are no different”, he continued. “Our aim is to strengthen the Predacon Army in every capacity we can.”
“We want you to kill Magmatron.”
Silence greeted Rampant’s words. “He is reckless, brash, naïve and foolish, and breeds such poor qualities in the troops he commands”, spat Rampant. Ravage couldn’t believe what he was hearing. These Predacons would put Starscream to shame.
“For the Predacon leadership to stay strong, we can’t put our hopes in stray blaster fire to see out our wishes”, said Cinder, rejoining the discussion. “For the good of the Predacon cause, it must be a precise strike, one that finds its mark with full lethality.”
“In order for our path to be clear and the future to remain bright, Magmatron must be removed”, pressed Seethe. “Your skills for this task are second to none, and you’ve witnessed firsthand what an unstable leadership can do to a side.”
“We’ll give you time to consider your answer, but we know you’ll make the right decision”, added Cinder, “for the good of the Predacon cause.”
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Part 5:
“Have you read Ravage’s report?” asked Rodimus, throwing the tablet containing the report over the desk.
“He’s good, very detailed”, replied Bumblebee.
“Oh yeah, infighting amongst the Generals - who would have thought”, replied Rodimus, mocking the reports contents.
“Joke all you like, but if the report is accurate, and the leadership is that fragile, it lends itself to implosion”, said Magnus, returning from another meeting with a worried expression. “Razorclaw has shown himself to rule with an iron fist.”
“Yeah”, Bumblebee chimed in, “I mean, Laserbeak wasn’t just some Protoform off the shelf, he was an experienced warrior, and he killed him, just like that.”
“If Razorclaw could be removed…” began Magnus.
“Because killing him has been so easy to do before now”, said Rodimus, cutting him off.
“We didn’t have a man on the inside before now”, said Magnus, his mind somewhere else.
“Ravage?” questioned Rodimus.
“If he can get close enough...” said Magnus, only to be cut off by Rodimus, again.
“He’d be scrap before getting out of their compound.”
“Then we offer him protection”, said Magnus, now with anger in his voice.
“Protection? For a Decepticon?” asked Rodimus, not backing down from his objection.
“We’ve got to offer him something”, said Bumblebee, trying to ease the situation.
“A job that big carries an equally big price tag”, said Magnus, who didn’t like the idea of making a deal with Ravage in the first place, but knew there was nothing else to be done.
“How big?” said Rodimus.
“Amnesty”, said a commanding voice in the doorway. There, back on his own two feet for the first time in far too long, stood…
“Optimus”, Bumblebee said, delighted to see his leader back in the land of the living. All communication with Prime for the recent past had been done through his core consciousness. But there was something in his voice that gave confidence. Rodimus was also glad to see him, but continued his opposition to the idea.
“You can’t be serious, Prime.”
“Razorclaw’s Armada is headed for Cybertron.” Everyone fell silent. “We’ve lost communication with several Maximal outposts.”
“How long do we have?” asked Rodimus, now understanding Magnus’ worried expression.
“A week, at best.”
“We won’t be ready!” exclaimed Bumblebee.
“When have we ever been, old friend?” said Optimus, his voice strong and resolute. “If Ravage can stop Razorclaw, then we owe him his freedom.”
“You’re putting all your hopes of victory in a Decepticon?” queried Rodimus.
“In the spark of an enemy, there will be salvation, and in the darkest hour, there will be a light”, said Prime, reciting the Covenant, for which Rodimus had never held much stead.
“There’s got to be something else. What about the ship?”
Prime shook his head. “The scientists are still gun-shy after their last test, and progress has been slow since Csirac was killed.”
“You don’t know that he’s dead”, said Bumblebee with hope. “Maybe they’ve kidnapped him, trying to get him to help them.”
“As the Maximal say”, Rodimus interjected, “Better dead than Pred.”
“I would never wish harm to a fellow Autobot, but given his knowledge of our technology, I hope you’re right”, said Prime.
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Part 6:
Many subgroups have made their home within the Predacon ranks, perhaps most interestingly of all are the Voidists, who seem to have assumed a role as personal bodyguards for the Tripredacus Brotherhood. The Voidists escort them everywhere and follow their every command, without question. This has only added to the Brotherhood’s aura of intrigue, as no one seems to know a definitive story of their origins - it’s as if the Brothers just appeared on the battlefield. So for them to be obeyed by…
“What?!” said Rodimus, reading the section of Ravage’s report again. “These ‘Voidists’ are… Unicron Worshippers?” he asked.
“So he says”, replied Magnus, watching the door.
“Does he mean Sweeps?” Rodimus questioned, scanning the report further.
“I don’t think so. Prime was confident he took out the last of them with Galvatron”, Magnus answered, still preoccupied.
“So these freaks are following the Brothers around? Like they’re some kind of Unicron spawn?”
“We’ve seen Cultists before - they’re all nuts, and it’s been pretty quiet on the Unicron front since 2005, if you excuse Galvatron of course. So if the Brothers have spun them a story that they’re somehow of his making, then the Cultists would probably jump in front of blaster fire for them.”
“Must be a hell of a story”, said Rodimus, returning to the report, but he was interrupted by the arrival of several Maximals in the doorway, dwarfed by Optimus Prime behind them. The meeting to organise the defence of Cybertron against the Predacon Armada would soon begin.
Rodimus knew better than to doubt the Maximals abilities on the battlefield. Though smaller in size, they’d proven themselves worthy warriors against the Decepticons. Although the name was originally adopted by Earth-bound Autobots, the term ‘Maximal’ was soon adopted by all off-world Autobot forces. When the Predacons announced their separation from the Decepticons by destroying Earth, the Maximals (though still Autobots) became a force unto themselves to battle the Predacon threat.
The leaders took seats around the table.
“Welcome friends”, said Prime, bringing the meeting to order. “The future is rapidly approaching and soon the blasters will fall silent. This War has stretched for millennia, and its cost has been far too great, but I think we all sense that it is coming to an end. Let us make sure that those that have gone before us have no died in vain.”
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Part 7:
Ravage's inner monologue:
It is the eve of War and I don’t know who or what I’m fighting for: The battlefield is familiar, but not the names. I’ve joined a faction founded on the betrayal of my old one, but only because I’d made a deal with the enemy, and since arriving, I’ve been recruited by three ambitious Generals to do in another, whose only crime, in their eyes, is his success.
The Autobots - are still the enemy; I’ve made no peace with them. Who are they to dictate the terms of my freedom?! They haven’t won yet.
Razorclaw - The Autobots have failed to extinguish his Spark, and he’s proven himself a true leader throughout the course of this War - who am I to kill him? After all, he’s made of Decepticon parts. If he can win the day, then my freedom is assured, and with no Autobot strings attached.
The Brotherhood understand his importance as Leader. They’ve ordered their personal guard to aid in his safekeeping. He refused it, laughing off the need for added protection for a warrior such as himself, and I admit if I were him I would be offended to be offered such a thing, but they insisted. He is safe, from both the Autobots, and from their orders to me.
Magmatron - ‘sigh’. Deceit is at the very core of a Decepticon: we serve ourselves. The Brotherhood play the diplomatic card well, and their favour within the Predacons will continue to rise, even with the suspicious and mystery that surrounds them. To be in their favour in this new faction could only be an advantage to me. So in order to secure it, and perhaps to the detriment of the Predacons - Magmatron… must die.
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Part 8:
Ravage's inner monologue:
[Ravage is in hiding, not far from the frontline. He is watching Magmatron and his troops engage the Autobot enemy head on.]
*From inside Ravage's optics looking out, showing he has target lock on Magmatron*
He is a warrior of great power and courage. He stands beside his troops, shoulder to shoulder, against the enemy. True leadership like this is in short supply - I’ve only ever really seen it in two others: One carried the Matrix, the other wished to rip it from his chest.
*Montage of images of Magmatron delivering some good old fashioned ass kicking*
I served Megatron loyally until the end, with complete trust, even when others doubted it. That kind of trust can only be earned here, forged on the frontline, not scheming in the background, stealing victories from those who died to attain them.
*Close up of Magmatron enjoying tearing an Autobot apart*
There is much of Megatron in this young Predacon. Perhaps he is what this faction needs for the future - someone who will lead, instead of manipulate.
*Magmatron leading his troops forward*
Yes.
*Ravage following them in full stealth mode*
He is a leader of the future… For the future. There is desire in his eyes. There is hope for those around him. There is…
*Magmatron is cut down with very heavy blaster fire, taking extremely heavy damage and falls to the ground, we presume dead*
No!
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Part 9:
Ravage froze. Magmatron’s troops were returning fire in the direction from where the shots had come. They were yelling orders to each other to get Magmatron’s smoking body back to cover. Ravage could have helped, should have - the bright future for the Predacons Ravage had just seen now lay dying with Magmatron amidst the rubble. But Ravage did nothing. The troops soon retreated carrying the lifeless body; all Ravage could do was watch, thoughts racing through his processors. He was suddenly jolted back into action by the sound of approaching Autobot and Maximal forces. He ran.
As he made for the Predacon line, the details began to come into focus. Ravage had witnessed the very thing he’d been charged with doing. Magmatron was dead, but he wished he wasn’t.
He was soon well behind the Predacon line when he reactivated his communications. They screamed with chatter. Talk of a death - lots of talk. It seemed word of Magmatron’s passing had spread quickly. But as Ravage began to filter the noise, a different name was being shouted. Not Magmatron, but Razorclaw. Razorclaw… was dead!
A broadcast broke over the top of the chatter.
“This is General Seethe. With the tragic death of Razorclaw, Generals Cinder, Rampant and I are taking command of the Predacon forces. We’re ordering a temporary halt to engagement to regroup and take stock of loses. I repeat - an immediate halt to engagement to reorder our forces. Those who disobey will be terminated with extreme prejudice.”
Losses had been severe on both sides, but the Predacons had made strong inroads into Autobot positions before the pullback. The loss of Razorclaw and Magmatron would weigh heavily on the efforts going forward, but as long as the Brotherhood could maintain control of the group, the Predacons may still win the day.
But the Predacons were fracturing before Ravage’s eyes. Disheartened by the deaths of the two popular leaders, the Brothers were struggling to maintain harmony between the rabble of sub-groups. The Voidists had returned to the Brotherhood’s side, seemingly unharmed. Whoever got to Razorclaw was swift to get past such a formidable force.
Soon a new plan of attack was devised, and the battlefield rejoined. The Autobots had taken advantage of the lull and launched another TransWarp ship. The Brotherhood scrambled fighters to intercept it and engage the squadron of accompanying Maximal fighters.
In the sky above Cybertron, the Xelor fired up its engines. The crew onboard could do little but hope, knowing the fate that would await them if the engines failed.
Success.
The engines tore a hole through space and plunged the ship through it, bringing it back to before it actually left. The Autobots and Maximals now had a weapon of ultimate power.
The battle raged below on Cybertron unabated. Then, by some twist of the Universe, or by Primus’ hand, the Autobot and Maximal forces were bolstered by the return of four mighty warriors: Ironhide, Silverbolt and Prowl in an incredible combining form, and Grimlock! The tide had well and truly turned.
To press the point home, the Xelor completed another successful flight. The brotherhood had no choice - they offered the Autobots and Maximals their surrender on behalf of all Predacons.
The Great… was over.
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Part 10:
Somewhere, in what was a secret Predacon research facility, but now looked like it had been torn apart from the inside out, the rubble began to move. Deep beneath it a set of optics flickered. The debris erupted as a massive form surged upwards. It screamed with pain. As the dust settled, it studied its new form. Enormous, powerful. It looked upon its old body, then stepped on it, as the huge figure smashed its way from the building.
Magmatron… still functioned!
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Part 11:
“A job well done.”
Ravage sat opposite three old foes, miraculously returned from the dead.
“From the reports we’ve received, Razorclaw was very heavily guarded, but you somehow found a way to cut him down”, said Silverbolt. “You’ve done us a great service.”
Ravage sat in silence. He didn’t know who had slain Razorclaw, but if they believed him to be the assassin, then he wouldn’t tell them otherwise.
“You held up your end of the bargain - helping bring an end to the War”, said Ironhide, with coldness in his voice. “You were promised your freedom, and as much as I’d like to renege on the deal…” he continued, glancing to the two beside him for confirmation. He couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“All participation in the War is pardoned”, finished Prowl.
Silence returned to the chamber.
Ravage slowly stood up, received no sign of protest from the three behind the desk, turned and walked from the chamber.
A cold voiced called after him.
“Enjoy the peace, Predacon.”
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Part 12:
“Magmatron isn’t dead”, began Rampant, and Ravage’s optics widened. “He was carried from the battlefield, heavily wounded, so we can understand your, assumption, that your blaster fire had been lethal. But the fact remains that he survived, and has now acquired an improved form in the process”, Rampant stated, unsuccessfully hiding his frustration.
“However”, Seethe cut in, for which Ravage was relieved, “his temporary incapacitation served its purpose - we, the Tripredacus Council, are now the recognised leaders of the Predacon faction, and it is due in no small part to your actions.”
“You have valuable skills, Ravage. We may be in use of them again in the future, so we have a proposal”, said Cinder, speaking for the first time. “We have signed a temporary armistice with the Autobots and Maximals. A full Peace accord is being drawn up as we speak - the contents of which will be unpleasant for we Predacons”, he continued. “We will have to forfeit many rights and forgo a number of privileges, but given the alternative now that they are capable of traversing Time, a continued existence is a favoured outcome”.
“But we refuse to capitulate in entirety. Our day to rise up once again will come, and when it does, it will be clean and swift”, said Rampant.
“But until then, we have much to achieve: quietly, and without raising suspicion - a talent you’ve proven to possess”, said Cinder.
“We can offer you pursuits that would satisfy a warrior such as yourself, and in return for your service, we will grant you much, starting with a technologically improved form, one much more fitting to your new role as our Agent”, said Seethe, studying the great black form before them.
“Victory will be ours, in time”, said Cinder. “So what do you say?”
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Part 13:
Ravage opened his eyes and stepped from the machine, on two legs - a very different experience.
“Welcome, Agent Ravage”, said a purple Predacon. “Welcome indeed, tehehehehe…”
Ravage studied his new form as the purple Predacon, still cackling, left the chamber. The form was stronger, yet still as agile as his old one, well armed, too. But its greatest feature, cloaking technology, required immediate testing Ravage felt.
The body carried Predacon badges, and was made from stolen Maximal technology (with a few tweaks), but he was neither. As he disappeared into nothingness, a smile crossed his panther-like face - “Decepticons Forever…”
The End...
