Lunar Works Productions

Transformers: The Lost Adventures

Episode 3 Welcome to Planet Thrall

Starring:

Ultra Magnus stared across the vast emptiness of space. The view screen was cycling through the various quadrants surrounding his ship, the Tangent. It was a calm moment. All of the other Autobots were either charging in stasis or busily scanning the closest star system for any Decepticon energy signals or even better, for another power source to refuel their long patrol. For now, it was just Ultra Magnus and the void.

We’re picking up radio transmissions on multiple frequencies from planet 4220.6,” Broadside’s voice broke the pleasant silence, “They’re all encrypted but it doesn’t look too difficult, Ultra Magnus.”

“4220.6?” Kup said looking up from his console, “I think I remember that designation number.”

“As long as you’ve been around,” Hot Rod said with a laugh, his blue optics flashing, “Every designation number must tickle a memory circuit.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” said Kup, ignoring Hot rod, “Planet thrall.”

“What’s so special about Thrall?” asked Hot Rod.

“Energon, kid,” grumbled Kup, “Very potent energon.”

“That could be good, right?” asked Hot Rod.

“It would be,” said Kup, dismayed, “If it wasn’t for the source.”

“What would that be Kup?” asked Ultra Magnus. The large red, white, and blue Autobot patriot turned to face his old, weathered companion.

“The organics on Thrall,” said Kup with a grimace, “They bleed it.”

“Damn,” said Magnus. He turned to face the towering gray triple-changer, “What’s the status on those transmissions, Broadside?”

“I’m getting fragments now,” Broadside said, staring intensely into the monitor as lines of coded symbols scrolled past, “Energon… strafe… merge… Predaking.”

“Predaking?” asked a bewildered Hot Rod, “What’s that?

“Bad news, lad,” said Kup, “Real bad.”

“Pipes!” Ultra Magnus almost shouted, “Set a course for that planet. We’ve got Decepticons!”

“Aye, aye boss. Cruising for Thrall,” said Pipes. The large gun barrel’s on his forearms didn’t seemed to hamper him as he skillfully maneuvered his fingers across the keyboard and adjusted the shift’s velocity lever.

“Do you want me to reactivate my teammates, Ultra Magnus?” asked Broadside.

“No, you stay on those transmissions,” ordered the Autobot commander, “We have a little time before we’re planet side. We need all the intel we can get.”

Kup jumped up from his console and grabbed Hot Rod who was standing over his shoulder.

“Come on, kid,” growled the veteran, “Let’s go wake up Springer and the rest of his goon squad.”

“Alright!” cheered Hot Rod, “Time to bust some Decepticon turbo feeds with the Wreckers!”

“Listen, punk,” Kup grabbed the young Autobot by the gap in his fire branded chest plate, “It’s gonna get real dicey down there and you’re as green as they come. I’ve been fighting this war for millions of years on thousands of words. You stay close to me and away from those showboats and you may just live for half of that!”

“Okay, sorry Kup,” said Hot Rod, “I’m just ready to prove myself in the field.”

“Off the assembly line,” said a confident voice from the corridor attached to the bridge, “and into the fire! Don’t let Mother Kupper here put out your flames, Hot Rod.”

“Springer!” said Hot Rod, “How are you already activated?”

“Sometimes you just get a nose for these type of things,” said the green triple-changer as he walked by, patting the young Autobot on the shoulder, “Besides my battle sensor alarm just went off.” He winked at Kup by temporarily cutting power to his left optic and then started towards Ultra Magnus.

“Battle sensor alarm?” said Hot Rod, “Do I have one of those?”

“No one does, lad,” grumbled Kup, “He’s just pulling your cables. Let’s activate the others.”

“Blacker, Laster, Braver?” Broadside sounded off, “What in Primus’ name does that mean?”

Those are names of Autobots. Keep monitoring!” said Ultra Magnus. He turned to the giant view screen and leaned on the metallic, orange railing in front of him, “Teletraan 9, put Thrall on the viewer. I need to find us a nice soft spot to land.”

“I’m getting a lot of quick energy burst signatures,” reported Broadside.

“Laser fire,” said Springer, “Looks like we’re showing up fashionably late for the party.”

Ultra Magnus scanned the surface of the planet visually. The lasers were in plain view after a few moments. Cascades of violent energy spewed in long thin lines across the screen.

“Set us down near on the south edge of that canyon, Pipes,” ordered Magnus, “We won’t be in range of both sides of the battle if we head that way.”

“Hopefully you picked the one that won’t shoot at us,” said Springer, “But we Autobots have never been that lucky.”

Kup and Hot Rod charged back onto the bridge. The Jumpstarters Topspin and Twin Twist were right behind them followed by the heavily armed Roadbuster, the back-cannon mounted Outback, and the mad-bot with one optic, Whirl.

“I’m getting another reading from the dark side of the planet, “said Broadside, “Something really big!”

“Teletraan 9, scroll to the dark of the planet,” said Ultra Magnus, “What is that?”

“A moon maybe? It’s moving away though,” said Broadside. There was a hesitation to his voice.

“The markings. It’s a Decepticon ship,” said Ultra Magnus, “A damn big one too. But who would be out here? You recognize that ship, Kup?”

“Nope. Can’t say if I can place that monster,” said Kup.

“It aint that big!” said Twin Twist.

“Bigger than you,” said Roadbuster. He looked at his massive repulsor cannon and hung its cartridge belt over the missile launcher over his opposite shoulder, “Glad I brought plenty of ammo.”

Suddenly a blue flash of metal tore onto the bridge from the back. It was a light blue hover car that immediately skidded to a halt and flipped into robot mode and without hesitation went into a rapid tirade.

“SorryI’mlateUltraMagnus.Decepticonseverywhere!Autobotsmaybeaswell?

SomeoneforgottotripmyalertswitchsoI’mlate!Late!Late!”

“Sorry Blurr,” frowned Hot Rod. Kup shook his head.

“Heh, the fastest Autobot is the last to show up!” said Springer with a smirk.

“Incoming missile!” hollered Pipes.

“It’s coming from that ship! Evasive Maneuvers!” commanded Ultra Magnus.

“No time,” said Pipes.

The Tangent heaved violently and shook as the missile exploded into its hull. The impact was so deafening that the Autobots’ audio circuits suffered a collective white out. All save Pipes, Broadside, and Ultra Magnus lurched and fell into piles on the deck of the bridge. Despite the beginnings of a tailspin, the small blue Autobot, Pipes, managed to steady the ship’s trajectory enough to keep it on course for the a crash on the southern rim of the canyon.

Ultra Magnus signaled for his fallen troops to brace themselves for the crash landing. Maneuvering inside the spinning ship was nearly impossible, yet Springer managed to grab the rail beside his commander and give him a rye smile. It was the last thing Ultra Magnus saw before his optics shorted out into blackness. The Tangent had met the ground.