"Other Voices, Pt. 2: Termination Day" - DiTillio - Final Draft 1.
BEAST WARS
"OTHER VOICES, Part Two: TERMINATION DAY"
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
BEGIN MONTAGE (from show #25) - RECAP OF PART ONE
NARRATOR(VO)
Last time on Beast Wars --
A WORMHOLE appears. In the center of the wormhole, a bright spark, like that of a distant star rushes at us. It gets brighter and larger, filling the screen with a FLASH. Then:
EXT. THE STONE SQUARE
A maelstrom of pulsating energy envelops the square. Something starts to form there, something massive. Then:
With a brilliant FLASH, the whirlpool effect ceases and a BIO-DOME is left where the square was.
EXT. THE BIO-DOME
Scorponok blows a hole in it.
Optimus and Rattrap rush inside.
INT. THE BIO-DOME
OPTIMUS(B) is held by pseudopods as he speaks to the head of UNICRON.
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(B)
We mean no harm, to you or this planet.
UNICRON
It is too late. You and your enemies have already contaminated the project...
ANOTHER ANGLE ON UNICRON.
UNICRON
-- Begin termination sequence.
EXT. - THE BIO-DOME
Optimus bursts out of the dome.
A wide, continuous beam of energy FIRES upwards from the Dome.
EXT. SPACE - STASIS PODS
The pods float in the atmosphere when suddenly the beam appears in frame, bathing the pods and continuing past them. The pods crackle, spark and fall, flotsam hit by a tidal wave. Then...
EXT. FURTHER IN SPACE - THE TWO MOONS
The beam lashes into frame and STRIKES one of the moons. The moon absorbs the beam's energy.
INT. MAXIMAL COMMAND CENTER - RHINOX(R)
Rhinox(R) works a console, frantic. Only one screen is up. it shows a simulation of the beam firing toward the moon.
RHINOX(R)
Divert all power to space scanner, lock on their beam and ride it --
MAXIMAL COMPUTER(VO)
Boosting power...Interlocking...
OTS Rhinox(R) on the screen as bursts of static give way to a view of the "moon" absorbing energy from the dome's beam. The "moon" is starting to SPLIT along clearly defined lines, unfolding like a flower...
Rhinox(R) reacts to the sight.
RHINOX(R)
What the slagging -- UHHHHH!!!
Widen as Rhinox(R) catches one of Blackarachnia's darts right in the back. A CYBERVENOM CHARGE surges thru him.
RHINOX(R)
AGHHHHHH!!! --
WIDER
Showing BLACKARACHNIA(R) and TARANTULAS(R) have entered the room. DinoBot(R), at another console, reacts, drawing his weapons.
Both Blackarachnia(R) and Tarantulas(R) open fire with their machine guns simultaneously. DinoBot is hurled backward by the firepower to CRASH against a console, which explodes.
Tarantulas moves quickly to Rhinox's console. Blackarachnia looks over his shoulder at the beam and the unfolding moon.
BLACKARACHNIA(R), TARANTULAS(R)
They are looking toward the beam.
BLACKARACHNIA(R)
What is it?
TARANTULAS(R)
The beginning of the end.
(low chuckle)
NARRATOR(VO)
And now Part Two of "Other Voices" --
END MONTAGE
EXT. SPACE - ALIEN MACHINE
What once was a moon is now an ALIEN MACHINE of awesome size. Energon surges pulsate on its surface as the beam fills it with power.
EXT. A HILLTOP - CHEETOR(B), TIGATRON(B)
They look up toward the alien machine. From their vantage point it looks like a pulsating ball of light at the end of the beam.
CHEETOR(B)
Suffering circuits! What do you suppose that is.
TIGATRON(B)
The light at the end of the world --
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(R,VO)
(static-filled)
Optimus Primal to Cheetor and Tigatron. Do you copy?
TIGATRON
Tigatron here -- ?
EXT. SKY - OPTIMUS PRIMAL(R), AIR RAZOR(B), RATTRAP(B)
They soar thru the sky, Rattrap(B) on Optimus's back. The beam is visible in the distance behind them. Small Energon surges are playing around Optimus(R).
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(R)
Head for base, fast. Code X --
TIGATRON(B, VO)
(static-filled)
On our way!
Rattrap looks over his shoulder.
RATTRAP(B)
I been saying it ever since we hit this mud ball -- we're all gonna die!
WIDEN to show Air Razor, and include Optimus.
AIR RAZOR(B)
I'm too young to die. And you're too nasty.
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(R)
We're not scrap yet. Rhinox will find a way.
They bank downward toward the Maximal base, as we:
CUT TO:
EXT. THE BIO-DOME
The Bio-Dome suddenly STOPS firing the beam. Ripples of Energon play slowly on it's surface, as we HEAR:
UNICRON(VO)
Termination sequence engaged. Return to Nexus Zero.
The energon ripples speed up again and the Dome is enveloped in a whirlpool of energy...
INT. PREDACON BASE - TIGHT ON COMPUTER GLOBE
We see the Bio-Dome in Megatron's computer globe as the whirlpool of energy disappears in a FLASH. The Bio Dome is gone, leaving only the Stone Square. PULL BACK to see:
MEGATRON(R) in his chair. TERRORSAUR(R), SCORPONOK(R) and WASPINATOR(B) are manning various other stations.
TERRORSAUR(R)
They're leaving! We scared them away.
MEGATRON(R)
Hardly. Computer, patch in space scanner...
Megatron hits controls, calling up a distant image of space. The beam is gone and it LOOKS from this distance as if one of the moons is gone.
TERRORSAUR(R)
The moon! It's gone.
SCORPONOK(R)
The aliens have destroyed it.
MEGATRON(R)
Dolts. It was never a moon. And it's far from gone. Computer, magnify image.
TIGHT ON COMPUTER GLOBE
As the image within magnifies, revealing the alien machine. It has absorbed all the energy and is mainly dark, except for an occasional power pulse on its surface.
SCORPONOK(R,VO)
What is it?
Megatron(R) studies the image.
MEGATRON(R)
I'd say it was the instrument of our destruction. Impressive, yessss.
TERRORSAUR(R)
(panicky)
What do we do?
MEGATRON(R)
Seal the base and charge all shields. I will see to the rest.
Scorponok, Waspinator and Terrorsaur move off. Pull in close on Megatron, as he looks at the alien machine intently.
MEGATRON(R)
Computer, activate Program Zero Hour.
PRED COMPUTER(VO)
Activating. Scanning for transwarp signature.
MEGATRON(R)
Now we'll see if my faith in Tarantulas's ability is justified.
We HEAR beeping sounds, as the view in the globe changes to a grid map of the planet. Then a "Blip" lights up on the grid.
PRED COMPUTER(VO)
Signature Located. Establishing position.
Zoom in on the blip as the computer builds a wire frame simulation of the Maximal Base around it.
Megatron is beside himself with joy.
MEGATRON(R)
The Maximal Base! And their shield
is down. Oh yessss. Computer scan
Maximal Base, use alien frequency -- **
The image in the globe glows as the scanner beam searches it. Icons pop up as appropriate. **
PRED COMPUTER(VO) **
Scanning. Two Maximals detected in
command center. Non-functional. Two
Predacons active in stasis hold. One
Predacon moving toward their position.
MEGATRON **
So my loyal drone is still with them.
Perfect. **
CUT TO:
INT. MAXIMAL BASE - STASIS HOLD - ON TARANTULAS(R)
Tarantulas is at the main computer of a stasis pod which is held aloft by ANTI-GRAV DISKS. He wears a CYBERLINK which plugs him directly into it. The computer is active.
POD COMPUTER(VO)
Transwarp drive functioning at tolerable levels. Force shields at fifty-five percent. **
TARANTULAS(R, VO)
Excellent.... **
(Line Omitted) **
Blackarachnia(R) joins him, glances at the pod.
(Line Omitted) **
BLACKARACHNIA(R) **
It’s a bit small for both of us. Of course it could be kind of romantic -- **
TARANTULAS(R)
This planet will be extinguished in less than a mega-cycle. I have no time for your inane banter. **
Blackarachnia(R) sneers and moves off as Tarantulas uses his cyberlink.
TARANTULAS
Download datatrax Argon.
As the computer starts to work, Blackarachnia looks back over her shoulder, at Tarantulas's back and takes out her toxic blaster.
BLACKARACHNIA(R)
(whispered to herself)
You won't have to put up with my
banter much longer... Partner. **
And then she's blasted by a thermal missile from OS, which sends her flying.
BLACKARACHNIA(R)
Ahhhhhhh!!!
She flies past Tarantulas(R) who looks up, as she impacts with a wall. Then he looks back to see:
Inferno(R) entering the bay, blaster trained on him.
INFERNO(R)
The Royalty will be interested to know what you spiders are up to.
Tarantulas(R) pulls off his cyberlink; steps carefully away from the pod, hands held high.
Inferno moves with him, uses a com-link.**
INFERNO(R)
Inferno to Megatron -- **
He gets STATIC. It makes him take his eyes off Tarantulas for a klik. Bad move. **
Tarantulas pulls out a blaster and fires. **
Inferno(R) is rocked by the blast, but quickly recovers and he is MAD!!! **
INFERNO(R)
You're no match for me. Burn traitor!
And with that he locks his flamethrower in place and cuts loose at the running, firing Tarantulas(R)...
Tarantulas(R) screams as he's enveloped in flame.
TARANTULAS(R)
Aggggghhh...
Tarantulas(R) flails helplessly, a human torch.
Inferno looks at the smoking Tarantulas(R) with glee.
CUT TO:
INT. PREDACON BASE - TIGHT ON MEGATRON
As he studies the wire frame simulation of the Maximal Base which now includes a data flow of Cybertronix symbols. There is a pulsating blip on the frame which suddenly goes out.
PRED COMPUTER(VO)
Transwarp signature no longer active.
Data flow aborted. Scan shows one
Predacon non-functional.
Megatron smashes his claw fist down.
MEGATRON(R)
No... What has that fool done!
FADE OUT:
End Act One
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. MAXIMAL BASE - NIGHT
Optimus(R) lands before the base with Rattrap(B) on his back. Energon surges are playing over him so he TRANSFORMS to Beast Mode. **
Air Razor(B) flies down and hovers beside them. They look toward the base. **
AIR RAZOR(B)
The shield's down.
Rattrap(B) is looking skyward.
RATTRAP(B)
And unless my opticals are malfunctioning so's one of the moons.
POV - OPTIMUS(B) ET. AL... In the night sky one moon shines.
BACK to SCENE as they react to the sight.
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(B)
Rhinox said something was happening out there.
Air Razor senses something OS.
AIR RAZOR(B)
Cheetor and Tigatron are coming.
RATTRAP(B)
Terrific. Now we can all get blown to hot burning slag together. **
OPTIMUS(B)/AIR RAZOR(B)
(a chorus)
Shut up Rattrap --
CUT TO:
INT. MAXIMAL BASE - STASIS HOLD
Inferno(R) is looking over the pod, starts to touch it.
BLACKARACHNIA(R, OS)
Uh,uh,uh, mustn't touch....
Inferno whirls, scans the bay, doesn't see her.
INFERNO(R)
So, you're still functional. I'll soon remedy that mistake.
He locks in his flamethrower, stalks forward.
Blackarachnia(R) clings to the ceiling and targets Inferno below with her web-launcher.
BLACKARACHNIA(R)
Don't count on it, ant-breath!
She fires.
Inferno(R) looks up, too late. An energy web entangles him. The web HITS him with a jolt of energy.
INFERNO(R)
Yaaahhhh.
He falls. Blackarachnia DROPS gracefully into frame, puts her launcher away.
BLACKARACHNIA(R)
That'll teach you to backshoot a widow.
She gives him a boot, then looks around her; sees the smoking body of Tarantulas, moves to it.
BLACKARACHNIA(R)
Poor Tarantulas...More to the point poor me. If he was right this dirtwad is about to go boom.
She looks around and then spots something:
CLOSE: POV - BLACKARACHNIA(R)... On Tarantulas's Cyberlink.
Blackarachnia picks up the link, snaps it on her head. She moves to Tarantulas, kneels down and plugs herself into a socket on his head.
BLACKARACHNIA(R)
Sorry about this partner but I need your datatrax to finish that ship.
She activates the cyberlink. And then she SCREAMS!!!!
CUT TO:
INT. MAXIMAL COMMAND CENTER - TIGHT ON COMPUTER SCREEN
On a screen is a view of the alien machine, now moving into a new position away from the other moon. We hear the lift rising OS and hear over
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(B, VO)
Rhinox -- ? DinoBot --?
WIDEN as Optimus(B), Rattrap(B), Air Razor(B), Cheetor(B) and Tigatron(B) enter. He and Rattrap move to the screen.
RATTRAP(B)
Great! The planet's about to get zorched and those two are on a positron break!
AIR RAZOR(B, VO)
Optimus --!
Optimus(B) and Rattrap(B) move to Air Razor(B), Cheetor and Tigatron(B) who are gathered around:
Rhinox(B) and Dinobot(B) both of whom are unconscious and covered with STASIS WEBS.
The Maximals exchange a glance.
RATTRAP(B)
The spiders...Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse. **
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(B)
Tigatron, Cheetor, get DinoBot and Rhinox to the R Chamber, quickly. **
Cheetor and Tigatron TRANSFORM to Robot Mode and attend to Rhinox and DinoBot. Air Razor(B) and Rattrap(B) follow Optimus(B) as he crosses back to the screen showing the alien machine.
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(B)
Rattrap, you and Air Razor search the base. Our Predacon visitors might still be here.
RATTRAP(B)
So let Sentinel handle them.
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(B)
We can't spare the power.
RATTRAP(B)
So I get to do it the hard way. As usual.
Rattrap(B) TRANSFORMS into ROBOT MODE, takes out his blaster. Air Razor(B) TRANSFORMS to ROBOT MODE, pulls out a hand scanner, gestures to Rattrap.
AIR RAZOR(R)
Let's hit it Mr. Positive...
Optimus(B) is working controls as they move off. He calls after them.
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(B)
One more thing. If you find them, I want them functional.
RATTRAP(R)
You just have to spoil my fun don't you...
CUT TO:
EXT. PREDACON BASE - NIGHT
We see enough to know where we are as we HEAR OVER:
PRED COMPUTER(VO)
Transwarp cell reactivated. Data Flow resuming.
INT. PREDACON BASE - TIGHT ON MEGATRON'S COMPUTER GLOBE
In the globe, we see a revolving wire frame simulation of the Maximal Base. There is a "blip" pulsating in the Stasis Hold area. Cybertronix symbols flash beside the simulation, data being downloaded. PULL BACK to show Megatron studying it.
MEGATRON(R)
At last, Tarantulas's plan proceeds. Inferno must have --
SCORPONOK(R,OS)
Megatron -- !
Scorponok(R) is manning the space scanner which shows the alien machine. A hole is opening in one end...
SCORPONOK(R,con't.)
There's a portal opening in the alien machine.
Megatron(R) hits a control, the view in his globe changes to the view of the alien machine, the hole in it getting bigger and bigger. It bristles with energy.
MEGATRON(R)
It's beginning.
(to himself)
Work quickly my eight-legged pawn.
CUT TO:
INT. MAXIMAL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Optimus(B) is also looking at the alien machine on a viewscreen.
MAXIMAL COMPUTER(VO)
Energy build-up in alien structure at tri-quantum levels.
OPTIMUS PRIMAL(R)
All available power to shields...