17 - AVP - Autobot vs Predator

[Grand Moff Muffin]

FACT-FILE INTERFACE

MILITARY PATROL

Allegiance: Decepticon
Function: Front-line assault
Sub-group: Micromasters
First appearance: The Last Days of the Transformers War: Nucleon

"The ultimate force is the force of destruction."

Image source: botchthecrab.com/archive/

The bullies of the battlefield, the Military Patrol learned to fight while terrifying the steel streets of Cybertron. Merciless and as cold as solid ice, they were feared by their Autobot enemies for their fierce and unrelenting attacks, often circling their target, blasting it again and again until nothing but ashes remained. Each team member was firmly convinced that he should be leader, and they frequently took potshots at one another out of spite.

Bombshock transformed into a Leopard 2 main battle tank. ("Take it with force or you'll never take it at all.") Dropshot transformed into an armoured personnel carrier with rotating twin cannons. ("Hit until it hurts, then hit it again!") Growl transformed into an FMC XR311 combat support vehicle. ("If it moves, crush it!") Tracer transformed into a Boeing AH-64 Apache twin-turboshaft attack helicopter. ("Pummel the enemy, and victory is yours.")

The Military Patrol's constant bickering and refusal to work together made it impossible for them to complete a mission, so they disbanded and went their own separate ways. Dropshot died alone during the battle with Unicron. Bombshock and Growl were permanently deactivated by the Autobots in the Battle of Klo. Tracer went rogue and launched a series of vengeful attacks on civilian population centres, including one on Nebulos, but was finally tracked down and destroyed by the half-Nebulan Circuit-Breaker Dani Dareheart in the Murderpits of Derut Four in the year 2018.

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FACT-FILE INTERFACE

MONSTER TRUCKS PATROL

Allegiance: Autobot
Function: Ground transport
Sub-group: Micromasters
First appearance: The Last Days of the Transformers War: Unicron

"We're a giant wall of Autobot might!"

Image source: botchthecrab.com/archive/

Until they met Overlord in 1991, nothing was known to stop the Monster Trucks Patrol when they rolled out. Hard-driving road warriors who travelled fast and heavy, they were incorporated with sophisticated auto-driver control systems and modulated weapons stations. Their energon-ignited engines enabled them to barrel through almost any obstacle, making them unstoppable when roaring in full-throttle. Micromaster robots expanding to full size in vehicle mode, they would utilise their massive strength to transport wounded Autobots through the battle zone, or drag Decepticons back into the heat of the battle.

The Monster Trucks Patrol were Big Hauler ("The battle isn't over until the last Decepticon has fallen!"), a semi cab, Heavy Tread ("I ram Decepticons into the breakdown lane, just for the fun of it!"), a tractor-pull funny car, their leader Hydraulic ("Hit them hard and they'll fall like rocks!"), a Ford Bronco, and Slow Poke ("Too rough to quit, too tough to lose!"), a REO Speed Wagon.

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[Grand Moff Muffin]

FACT-FILE INTERFACE

RACE TRACK PATROL

Allegiance: Decepticon
Functions: Mobile assault, base operations
Sub-group: Micromasters
First appearance: Prelude to the Predator War: Where to, Chaps?

"There are two kinds of fighters, Decepticons and losers."

Image source: botchthecrab.com/archive/

In 1988, the Decepticon police car, Barricade, was sent to Shanghai with his comrades Sideways and Sixshot to rescue the giant Wheelcon, Demolishor, who had been cornered by the Chinese military. Demolishor been driven mad by his wounds, and Sixshot's job was to get close enough to calm him down and bring him in while the two Decepticon cars drew the human soldiers away. But things went badly wrong, leaving Sideways and Demolishor dead, Barricade half-destroyed and Sixshot blamed for going off-script. Barricade was rebuilt as a Micromaster and put in command of the new Decepticon Race Track Patrol.

Barricade now transforms into a Ligier JS31 F-1 race car. ("Winning is everything!") Ground Hog transforms into a Dodge Shelby Charger funny car. ("The roar of an engine is music to my ears!") Motorhead transforms into a 1987 Callaway B2K Chevrolet Corvette. ("Burning rubber smells like victory!") Roller Force transforms into a Baja buggy. ("Unless you're behind me, you're in my way!")

The ultimate speed demons, the Decepticons who became the Race Track Patrol learned to drive on Cybertronian freeways with some of the meanest, nastiest drivers in the universe. In their brief time on Earth in 1989 and 1990 they enjoyed swerving in and out of traffic, cutting each other off, tailgating and sending each other into tail spins. All four of them are equipped with turbo-powered energon engines that can rocket them to speeds in excess of Mach 1, and on Earth they would often forget their mission and get sidetracked with their dangerous roadway antics. But the Race Track Patrol are extremely powerful when they work together as a team, and on a number of occasions successfully used their illegally-powered engines to win drag races to help finance the schemes of Scorponok's Decepticons.

Despite, or perhaps because of what happened on Earth in 1988 (Barricade's role in which remains hazy to this day), the Race Track Patrol's leader remains well-disposed towards Sixshot, and in the year 2021 the team spends much of its time at the Sixchanger's remote Cybertronian outpost, Fortress Scorponok, maintaining and upgrading the base's systems in preparedness to resist a future attack by enemy Robo Machines or Zoids.

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FACT-FILE INTERFACE

FUNCTIONS IN TIMES OF PEACE UPDATED: EARTH



The armoured vehicular Autobot BASHER, Matrixed in August 2018, is equipped with infra-red scanners, remote-controlled surveillance cameras, heat-seeking missiles and laser beam trip-wires for short-range covert operations. Basher combines with his partner (usually Tracks) to form an interactive bodysuit with intelligent weapons systems.

Basher & Tyrannitron - Enhanced Firepower
Beachcomber - Geologist
Bluestreak - Jessie's car - part-time
Brawn - Safari Park Ranger
Browning - Gunman
Bumblebee - Buster's car - part-time
Carnivac / Chainclaw / Slag / Sludge / Snarl / Swoop / Ultra Magnus - Wanderers
Defensor - Defensive Operations
Gears - Safari Park Ranger
Hoist - Maintenance & Actor
Hound - Safari Park Ranger
Hubcap - Collector (Deal-Maker)
Inferno - Search & Rescue
Ironhide - Search & Rescue
Jazz - Events Promoter (Music)
Jetfire - Earth Defence Commander
Off Road Patrol - Actors & Crime-Fighters
Omega Supreme - Defence Base
Optimus Prime - Internet Security
Outback - Safari Park Ranger
Pipes - Collector (Museum Curator)
Powerglide - Search & Rescue
Race Car Patrol - Actors & Crime-Fighters
Seaspray - Search & Rescue - part-time
Sixbuilder - Construction Team - under construction
Sixturbo - Urban Rescue - under construction
Sixwing - Air Support - under construction
Skids - Anthropologist
Smokescreen - Events Promoter (Motoring)
Spanner - Space Bridge
Superion - Defensive Operations
Swerve - Collector (Assessor of Finds)
Tailgate - Machine Rights Campaigner
Tracks - Gentleman of Leisure

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FACT-FILE INTERFACE

FUNCTIONS IN TIMES OF PEACE UPDATED: IACON

Air Patrol - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Battle Patrol - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Camshaft & Jungaroo the Kickback Kangaroo - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Cliffjumper - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Cloudraker - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Construction Patrol - Construction (under Grapple)
Cosmos - Intelligence & Communications (under Mirage)
Crosshairs - Technology (under Wheeljack)
Deadwheeler - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Doublecross - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Downshift & Squire Squirrel the Flying Attacker - Joint Assistant Director, Internal Security (with Red Alert, under Pointblank)
Erector - Construction (under Grapple)
Fastlane - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Grapple - Director, Construction
Grotusque - Director, Strategy
Groundshaker - Director, City Defence
Gusher & Pipeline - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Hopper - Decepticon City Liaison
Huffer - Construction (under Grapple)
Landfill - Construction (under Grapple)
Metro Squad - Internal Security (under Pointblank, Downshift and Red Alert)
Metroplex / Scamper / Six-Gun / Slammer - Defence Base
Mirage - Director, Intelligence & Communications
Overdrive & Killer Koala Gray - Assistant Director, Strategy (under Grotusque)
Overload & Underground the Miner Mole - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Pointblank - Director, Internal Security
Prowl - City Commander (direct reports: Grapple, Grotusque, Groundshaker, Hopper, Metroplex, Mirage, Pointblank, Wheeljack)
Quickmix - Technology (under Wheeljack)
Quickswitch - Assistant Director, City Defence (under Groundshaker)
Red Alert - Joint Assistant Director, Internal Security (with Downshift, under Pointblank)
Repugnus - Intelligence & Communications (under Mirage)
Rescue Patrol - Internal Security (under Pointblank, Downshift and Red Alert)
Retro & Surge - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Roadfire & Drillbuster - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Scoop - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Sonic Bomber & Sonic - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Time Warrior - Intelligence & Communications (under Mirage)
Trailbreaker - Deputy Assistant Director, Strategy (under Grotusque and Overdrive)
Warpath - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)
Wheeljack - Director, Technology
Zetar & Speeder - City Defence (under Groundshaker and Quickswitch)

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FACT-FILE INTERFACE

FUNCTIONS IN TIMES OF PEACE UPDATED: TYREST

Image source: botchthecrab.com/archive/

The NEUTRO-FUSION TANK is a high-impact battle tank armed with a fusion cannon, corrosive smoke shells, anti-aircraft photon machine guns and heat-seeking mechano-sensors. The tank converts into a ground-to-air, wire-guided missile launcher and a search-and-destroy jet throne.



NEEDLER and SCORPULATOR were originally semi-sentient Decepticon drones that conducted attacks without reason or warning, ripping their victims to scrap metal with their armour-crushing pincers and razor-sharp claws. However, in August 2018 they were Matrixed and given full sentience, making them altogether more thoughtful, complex characters. Needler is armed with flame-throwing turbo blasters and combines with his partner (usually Bombshell) to form an interactive bodysuit with intelligent weapons systems. Scorpulator's tail shoots twin pulse laser beams, and he transforms into an acid spray gun, occasionally wielded by Devastator.

Airwave - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Astrotrain - Transport & Cameron Space Control Liaison
Axer - Bounty Hunter (affiliated to the Action Master Consortium)
Birdbrain - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Blast Off - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Blazemonster & Dog Hunter the Pixelated Pointer - Firestorm Troopers (under Sixshot)
Blitzwing - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Bombshell - Intelligence (under Kickback)
Brawl - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Bristleback - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Brunt - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Constructicons - Construction & Technology (under Scrapper)
Constructor Squad - Construction & Technology (under Scrapper)
Divebomb - Perimeter Security (under Razorclaw)
Double Punch - Enforcer, Action Master Consortium (under Gutcruncher and Slicer)
Full-Tilt - Perimeter Security (under Razorclaw)
Greasepit - Director, Energy Provision
Gutcruncher - Director, Action Master Consortium
Headstrong - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Icepick - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Kickback - Director, Intelligence
Needler & Scorpulator - Enhanced Firepower
Onslaught - Joint Director, City Defence
Overkill/Skullgrin/Slugfest - Procurement - on probation (under Swindle)
Pounce - Intelligence (under Kickback)
Race Track Patrol - Base Operations, Fortress Scorponok (under Sixshot)
Rampage - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Razorclaw - Director, Perimeter Security
Reflector - Intelligence (under Kickback)
Scowl - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Shrapnel - Energy Provision (under Greasepit)
Sixshot - Base Commander, Fortress Scorponok
Slicer - Chief Enforcer, Action Master Consortium (under Gutcruncher)
Slog - Joint Director, City Defence
Sports Car Patrol - Perimeter Security (under Razorclaw)
Swindle - Procurement & Autobot City Liaison
Tantrum - Energy Provision (under Greasepit)
Trypticon - City Commander (direct reports: Astrotrain, Greasepit, Kickback, Onslaught, Razorclaw, Scrapper, Sixshot, Slog, Swindle, Wood Beetle)
Turbo Master - Enforcer, Action Master Consortium (under Gutcruncher and Slicer)
Vortex - City Defence (under Onslaught and Slog)
Wildfly - Perimeter Security (under Razorclaw)
Wingspan - Intelligence (under Kickback)
Wood Beetle / Condorassin the Condor Assassin / Icky Iguanamonster / Knight Owl - Mobile Tactical Unit

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FACT-FILE INTERFACE

FUNCTIONS IN TIMES OF PEACE UPDATED: AUTOBOT MOBILE FORT (ARMOURED CONVOY & BATTLEFIELD HEADQUARTERS)

Image source: botchthecrab.com/archive/

The ARMOURED CONVOY is a trailer truck with communications, fuelling and offensive capabilities. It divides into an interceptor shuttle and fortified battle headquarters equipped with a multitude of defensive weaponry, including heat-seeking ballistic buzz bombs, a long-range photon cannon, a rapid-fire disintegration laser and double-barrelled pom-pom cannons.

Afterburner - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Blaster - Chief of Communications
Chase - Scout (under Nautilus)
Circuit - Scout (under Nautilus)
Freeway - Intelligence Operative (under Nautilus)
Full-Barrel & Overflow - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Glitch / Lionizer / Push-Button / Road Rocket / Sights / Top-Heavy - Enhanced Firepower
Grand Slam - Communications (under Blaster)
Hardspark & Strong Humongous Hippo - Border Security (under Nautilus)
Hothouse - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Hotspark & Dark Dragoon Raccoon - Border Security (under Nautilus)
Ironworks - Communications (under Blaster)
Jackpot - Base Commander (direct reports: Blaster, Mainframe, Nautilus, Scattershot, Skyfall)
Kick-Off - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Lightspeed (Technobot) - Scout (under Nautilus)
Mainframe - Joint Chief Technician (with Skyfall)
Nautilus - Chief of Border Security, Intelligence Operatives, Scouts & Trackers
Nosecone - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Over-Run - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Powerflash - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Rad - Technician (under Mainframe and Skyfall)
Raindance - Communications (under Blaster)
Ramhorn - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Rescue Force - Special Operations (under the direct command of Thunderclash Prime)
Rollbar - Tracker (under Nautilus)
Rollout - Intelligence Operative (under Nautilus)
Rumbler - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Scattershot - Chief of Base Defence
Searchlight - Scout (under Nautilus)
Skyfall - Joint Chief Technician (with Mainframe)
Springer - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Sprocket - Scout (under Nautilus)
Steeljaw - Tracker (under Nautilus)
Strafe - Base Defence (under Scattershot)
Thunderclash Prime - Autobot Leader (direct reports: Countdown, Prowl, Jackpot, Rescue Force)
Wideload - Transport (supporting the base defenders and technicians)
Wildspark & Run Amuck Smileduck - Border Security (under Nautilus)
Windmill - Base Defence (under Scattershot)

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FACT-FILE INTERFACE

FUNCTIONS IN TIMES OF PEACE UPDATED: PLANET BEAST

Black Zarak & Blitzkrieg Devilbat - Emperor of Darkness (Decepticon)
Doubleclouder - Godmaster of Mischief
Flame - Troubleshooter (Autobot)
Galaxy Shuttle - Shuttle Service (Autobot)
Godmaster Darkwing - Space Gangster
Godmaster Dreadwind - Space Gangster
Grand Maximus - Planet Beast System Commander (Autobot)
Gripper - Assault Force Leader (Autobot)
Javelin - Gladiator (Decepticon)
Lightspeed (Brainmaster) - Scout & Messenger (Autobot)
Longtooth - Undersea Defence (Autobot)
Red Phoenix the Blazing Eagle & Puzzlecolour - Protector (Autobot)
Shocking Shark / Jeerermonkey / Monkeyfighters / Rainbow Sam - Pirate Ship (Decepticon)
Sixknight - Vagabond
Victory Lion - Thundertank (Autobot/Thundercat)

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FACT-FILE INTERFACE

FUNCTIONS IN TIMES OF PEACE UPDATED: OTHER WORLDS



ACTION MASTER THUNDERCRACKER, neither Autobot nor Decepticon, was Matrixed by Katy Witwicky in 2008. Cobbled together by humans from parts of the Decepticons Skywarp and Thundercracker recovered from Scorponok's base, together with Nucleon-infused pieces of Starscream retrieved from the Ark, he is unable to transform but rides a Solo Mission Jet Plane resembling a purple F-117 Nighthawk, which converts into high-density exo-suit battle armour made from Galvatron's remains and so impervious to most armaments. Action Master Thundercracker is contemptuous of anyone who is unable to fly. He engages the enemy in high-speed dogfights at high altitudes, then dives straight down, pulling up at the last second and causing his opponent to crash. He is able to fly very fast at low altitudes, skimming across treetops and dodging obstacles with death-defying accuracy. He is armed with a sonic boom blaster and has also inherited Skywarp's ability to teleport. Sitting astride the Solo Mission Jet Plane, he is not very aerodynamic, and manoeuvres more easily in the vacuum of space.



VANGUARD is a mobile, armoured, double-barrelled tank, Matrixed in August 2018, who gives his partner (usually Sideswipe) cover fire when fighting it out with intergalactic menaces. Vanguard combines with his partner to form an interactive bodysuit with intelligent weapons systems.

Action Master Thundercracker - Space Marine
Astro Squad - Interstellar Defence (under Countdown)
Blurr - Archivist, Junkion Embassy
Chromedome - Computer Consultant, Nebulos
Countdown - Interstellar Defence Commander
Eject - Interstellar Surveillance, Cameron Space Control
Godmaster Optimus Prime - Interstellar Protector
Grand-Ass Base / Robocritter / Spinner - Star-fighter Carrier, Pequod
Grimlock - Interstellar Protector
Gunrunner - Space Marine (Pretender)
Hot Rodimus - Ambassador to Halfworld
Kup - Storyteller, Junkion Embassy
Landmine - Ambassador to Femax
Lubedash - Stunt Driver, Nebulos
Metalhawk - Space Marine (Pretender)
Multiforce - Ambassadors to Cameron
Nightbeat - Private Detective, Nebulos
Perceptor - Ambassador to the Junkions
Punch - Space Marine (Powermaster)
Revaway - Ambassador to Nebulos
Rewind - Archivist, Cameron Space Control
Sideswipe - Space Marine (Powermaster)
Siren - Cameron Space Control Liaison, Nebulos
Skater - Ambassador to Lithone
Sky Garrison / Shotbomber / Bullorn the Bludgeonly Bulldog - Space Marine Flagship
Sky Lynx - Interstellar Protector
Skyhammer - Space Marine (Pretender)
Sunstreaker - Space Marine (Powermaster)
Vanguard - Enhanced Firepower
Whirl - Planetary Defence, Lithone
Windcharger - Space Marine (Powermaster)

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