Though he was pleased that Megatron had recognized the wisdom of treating him like a guest instead of a prisoner, the Boy nevertheless managed to find his current circumstances irritating thanks to the presence of a character that had been downgraded from the status of somewhat useful minion, to pure comic relief.
"Oohhh. When Wazzzpintator has important news, Megatron dismisses it out of hand. But when small fleshybot has news, he gets rewarded. Why can't the Universe ever be fair to Wazpintator"?
Seeing an opportunity to make another ally, for when surrounded by a crew of treacherous villains it was always good to have leverage, the human male loudly hummed in consideration as he answered the buzzing Predacon's question.
"Probably because it has a reward for you. But in order for it to give it to you, you have to suffer. One of those cosmic checks and balances sort of thing".
Having expected Waspinator to display either joy or anger at this knowledge, the villainous adviser was somewhat caught off guard by the depressive sigh that escaped the bot's manidbles.
"Maybe. But Wazpinator would prefer if Universe made it easier to put up with this suffering. Wazpinator missed chance to become shiny new Transmetal. And that means that Maximals now have easier time of turning Wazpinator into scrap".
Sighing in annoyance with the self pitying Predacon, though he was sure he would regret it since there were some characters that were too sad to earn animosity, the villainous advisor posed a question that had always puzzled him.
"Maybe you wouldn't incur as much damage if you chose to use every weapon you have available to you. You can shoot lasers from your eyes. I don't see why you don't use them when they can give you the most benefit".
At this, the green colored Predacon let out another sigh.
"Wazpinator would like too, but sadly Wazpinator has suffered too many blows to the head. And Wazpinator might not be the smartest Predacon in Transformer history, but even Wazpinator knows better than to go to Spiderbot for parts. Even if it might improve Wazpinator's chances of remaining in one piece".
Conceding that point with a nod, for he knew full well that Tarantulas penchant for sadism was only a couple of steps down from a certain crustacean, the Boy decided to change topics as Waspinator revealed his quarters.
"Thanks for the help Waspinator. However before you go, would it be possible if you could bring me some sort of cooling unit? You might be used to living over a pit of lava, but I'm not? If you do this, I'd be more than happy to help you find a way to lessen your trips to the CR tank".
Receiving a silent, but nevertheless eager nod from the insect like Predacon, the Boy enjoyed the momentary silence that followed Waspinator's exit. Only to have his previously quiet companion break the silence.
"Ok, so what the deal with these guys? A bunch of giant metal beings living in a house with a burning basement? Not exactly the normal crowd you deal with. But since normal is something that hasn't happened since I met you, what's the angle"?
Sparing a glance at his albino companion, the Boy took a moment to compose his thoughts before he gave the bat a slightly edited version of their hosts.
"When it comes down to it Bartok, the Predacons come from a society that in many ways mirrors the one that you had once lived in. There are the haves, and have nots, and suffice to say that the Predcons are sick of being the have nots. To that end since they know that they lack the power to openly challenge the might of the Maximals, though my knowledge is a bit spotty when it comes to current Cybertronian politics, Megatron and his crew sought to partake on a more radical solution to achieve their goals. But of course, like every faction that enjoys a dominant position, the Maximal's dispatched their own group to ensure that the status quo is maintained. Hence the reason why we are here".
Left unsaid of course was that the Megatron also wished to establish a Predacon led empire, with him in the driver seat of course, but the villainous advisor thought that it would be best to keep silent on this part.
Which is why he was secretly relieved when the small white mammal decided to change topics.
"Okay fine sure that's a more worthwhile mission than some of the other jobs I've done in my life time, but gotta ask, what's going on with the giant bug? Poor fella seems convinced that everything is out to get him. And I'm not sure talking about his problems is gonna fix him".
Chuckling in amusement at Bartok's observations, the Boy chose to be as vague as possible as he listed his various plans to improve Waspinator's performance.
"You'd be surprised how useful a pep talk can be Bartok. But despite Waspinator's….problems, he has a variety of good qualities than tend to get overlooked since he isn't as…up to date as the rest of the Transformers. Rest assured, I already have some ideas on how to improve his usefulness, but for now, I have work to do".
Earning a sigh from the little bat, the Boy let loose another chuckle as he heard his companion's mutterings.
"Oh sure. I'll be rest assured while waiting in a overly warm death trap surrounded by towering psychos. Shouldn't be too much of a problem due to past experiences. Though even Rasputin knew enough that the best scheming was done in a comfy environment. Even if the greedy bastard kept all the good food for himself".
Shaking his head in amusement at Bartok's grumblings, the villainous adviser turned his attention back to the task at hand.
For since it was clear to him that he had landed in the early segments of the second season of the show, he knew that he didn't have a lot of time to implement the changes he want to make.
He was still unsure of what he wanted to happen to Black Arachnia, though should she return to her Maximal roots he had an idea on how to ensure that she would never be accepted by the crew of the Axalon.
He had a basic plan on how to make Waspinator less accident prone. Though his memory on the creation of the second generation of Transmetals was somewhat hazy. Which meant that a more immediate solution would have to be found.
And he had to determine whether or not it would be a good idea to have an earlier introduction for the Transformers that currently rested within the last 3 stasis pods.
One of them was useless without the discovery of the darkest character in the series. And he did not want to be anywhere near Rampage if/when he learned that he was the one to give Megatron the idea of splitting his spark in two.
And the other…the other he didn't honestly know how he should proceed.
For on one hand it was possible to have the most innocent character on the show rescued before her pod's damaged state twisted her beyond recovery. But on the other hand, he was uncertain if he wanted Transmutate to join a faction that would treat her like a servant. Or at worse a bargaining chip to keep a certain murderous crab in line.
But since he was uncertain if Rampage would form a bond with the less damaged bot, that really left only one option that he was not quite prepared to take.
For not only would it provide a boon to the very forces he was trying to thwart, but it would also place him in the debt of one who probably already wished his death.
Fortunately however, the familiar sound of scuttling metallic insects helped to determine his course of action.
Which he knew would probably complicate his mission as it stood.
For if there was one constant aspect about any version of the Transformer Universe, it was that the position of the primary villain was always lusted after by his treacherous underling.
And since Terrosaur had been offlined, and the fact that the spark of Starscream never lived up to it's promise of returning, that left only one viable option.
He would have to make a deal with the devil.
Or in this case….spider.
…..
As a bot who believed full heartedly in the saying that 'knowledge is power', Tarantulas had taken steps to ensure that there would be nothing that happened on the Predacon vessel that would escape his notice.
And to that end, he had used a considerable amount of his meager resources to ensure that every chamber in the crashed ship had at least 3 of his little drones waiting to catch every little detail of Megatron's growing madness.
Of course the damn widow had somehow managed to find a way to keep her quarters free from his little intruders, and Megatron occasionally proved quite adapt when it came to spreading misinformation, but the transmetal spider had little to worry about considering the space the human was no inhabiting.
Which meant that his little helpers had a clear unobstructed view of the list that the boy was working on.
"Heheheheh. Hmmmm lets see. 'Giving Waspinator upgraded weaponry to take advantage of his ability to surprise his enemies'? Hmmm. Interesting solution, but far from impressive. 'Preventing Black Arachia from joining Maximals by souring Silverbolt's impression of her'? Now that is more amusing, though having the treacherous female suffer a more…permanent punishment would be better. 'Improving current cloning technology'. Hmmm, doable but hardly the solution that would keep him safe from Megatron's wrath".
Shaking his head in disgust as he thought of the tyrant's already questionable command decisions, Tarantulas found his visor growing in astonishment as he read the next item on the boy's list.
"Hehehehehe. 'As a peace offering tell Tarantulas everything he wants to know about the aliens'. Hmmm. Tempting. Very tempting. Not sure if it makes up for blackmailing me with knowledge of the Nemesis, but it's a step in the right direction at least".
Seeing that the boy was stuck on comprising his next bit of wisdom, the transmetal spider tapped a claw to bring up the current status of his secret trump card.
"Hmmm. Repairs to engines and transwarp battery at 13%. Repairs to outer hull at 21%. Weapon systems at 9%. And repairs to power generators at 19%. It will take at least a year before I've finished, and a lot can happen between now and then. Though I suppose that the use of such a warship is unnecessary in I can gain access to the Ark".
Cackling at the thought of destroying the greatest leaders of both the Autobot and Decepticon factions, Tarantulas failed to notice that the boy had resumed his writing.
Which in turn ensured that he didn't experience the transformer equivalent of a shock induced heart attack.
For while he was a mad scientist, as well as a member of his chosen faction's secret police, there were some lines that even he wouldn't cross.
And near the top of that list, merging sparks was one of them.
…..
"Ahh it does the spark good to see one's minion arrive with such promptness. Even if said minion is a member of a race that sided with a faction that sentenced mine into centuries of servitude. I trust that you have used the time I gave you wisely"?
Earning a sharp nod from the human, Megatron smirked.
"Excellent. Now, since my troops are busy securing the perimeter from any unwanted Maximal intrusion, why don't we begin by discussing how I became ruler of Cybertron. Don't want them to give them any ideas of copying my actions. Yeesss".
Waiting patiently for the boy to compose his thoughts, the transmetal tyrant lost his amused expression as he processed the words of his less than impressive advisor.
"Well first, it starts with the Maximal's dragging you back to Cybertron in chains".
….
And I think that's enough for now.
Hopefully this is enough to satisfy you all.
Can't recall if he had the ability to shoot lasers from his eyes in later seasons, I don't think he did at anyrate, but I thought improving Waspinator was one of the first things I'd do. Yes he's comic relief/gets destroyed rather easily after the introduction of the Transmetals, but he still manages to get the drop on his stronger enemies despite his disadvantage, so to my thinking it wouldn't be too hard to decrease his time in the CR tank by giving him better weaponry (direction I was thinking was similar to Dinobot arming up when its only him, and transmetal Rattrap and Cheetor against the Predacons (Silverbot is temporarily a Predacon, and Rhinox is trying to revive Optimus Primal). And then of course, theres the idea of turning him into transmetal 2.
Tarantulas of course is his usual scheming self, but is beginning to see advantage of dealing with the boy. As for the status of the Nemesis, just guessing since I would think Tartantulas's efforts in repairing the vessel would go faster once he's openly declared his more independent status (i.e. after Ravage reveals his role as a mole in Megatron's operation).
Anyways, hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
Plz review, no flames.
Til next time.