#045 - Catch My Drift, part 7

Since then, [DRIFT] has hunted the Decepticons from one end of the galaxy to the other, bringing his own brand of justice to the evil robots.*


Ramjet (voice): Youse t'ink dey helped 'im escape?


Thrust: Yeah, because that's what you do to 'bots that help you escape; destroy them.


Meanwhile, in the Decepticon Thrown Room . . .

Starscream: Getting Drift's soldiers to turn on him was easier than I could have hoped. Soon the leadership of the Decepticons shall be--.


Drift: Destroyed?

Starscream: Drift! How did you . . . ?


Drift: Silence! I joined the Decepticons for their strength and honor. Today, I see that those virtues have been abandoned in favor of ambition and greed.


Starscream: You think that killing me will end it? Your Decepticons are gone. The future is mine. So, what are you going to do?

Drift: I'm here to send a message.

*SLASH!*


Drift: See that Megatron gets that for me, won't you?

*From the AUTOBOT DRIFT toy packaging.

#044 - Catch My Drift, part 6

Starscream (voice): Let this be a lesson to all Decepticons. The only ways to rise in our ranks are strength of body and character.


Starscream: Nothing to say to that, traitor?


Starscream: Stand guard while I oversee operations back at headquarters in Megatron’s absence. If he escapes, suspicion will fall to you, his former soldiers. You have been warned.

Mindwipe: We obey, Commander!
Skystakler: We obey, Commander!


Skystalker: Why don’t you say anything in your defense, Drift? Don’t you have one? You think if you just brood there we’re going to let you go out of pity?


Drift: I will only speak to those worthy of my voice. The Decepticons used to be my brothers in arms. That is no more. Know this! I did not leave the Decepticons. The Decepticons left me when they turned their backs on honor.


Mindwipe: He’s not worth riling up. Leave him alone.

Skystalker: Like that’s going to happen!


Skystalker: So, Mr. Too-Good-to-Talk-to-My-Old-Troops, why are you wagging your jaw at me now?


Drift: So I can do this.

Skystalker: Slag in a helmet!

#043 - Catch My Drift, part 5

Something happened that changed [DRIFT], bringing home all the horror he'd inflicted.*


Megatron: Our victory today is bittersweet. All great leaders seem to be destined to attract treachery. Their true measure is how those leaders deal with traitors.


Megatron (voice): Drift –my second, my trusted, my most powerful – how would you deal with treachery?


Drift: Disloyalty is corrosion. As such, it must be eliminated quickly and without mercy. It must never be allowed to spread.


Megatron: I could not agree more . . . Seize him!


Drift: What is this?


Megatron (voice): Your own subordinates reported plan to supplant me as leader of the Decepticons.

Mindwipe: *whisper* Hold, Bludgeon.


Megatron: You should be pleased, Drift. Your soldiers’ loyalty is strong . . . to ME!

*From the AUTOBOT DRIFT toy packaging.

#042 - Catch My Drift, part 4

Acidstorm: Explain to me again why we’re shooting dead Autobots.

Skywarp: Starscream’s orders.


Acidstorm: Really? I mean – yes, he’s our commander, but you didn’t think to question why we’re out here wasting ammo?


Skywarp: Starscream’s orders.


Acidstorm: You’re such a slagging glitch! You mean to tell me that if Starscream ordered you to open the Plasma Energy Chamber, you’d just waltz on in, and—


Starscream: He’d open it, and consider himself lucky that he did not have to face the wrath of the most powerful of Decepticons.


Acidstorm: Ah, Starscream . . . so good to see you. I was just telling Skywarp about self-reliance.

Starscream: I’m sure.


Skywarp: I mean no disrespect when I ask, but aren’t Drift and Megatron more powerful than you, Starscream?


Starscream: I, of course, meant to exclude Megatron. He is, without question, the mightiest of ALL Cybertronians. Drift, however, is a mere obstacle. Right, Ramjet?

Ramjet: Youse gots it, boss.

Acidstorm: *whisper* Thanks for telling me Starscream was right behind me.

Skywarp: *whisper* Who’s the slagging glitch now?

#041 - Catch My Drift, part 3

Drift: Mindwipe, Skystalker; we will meet you at headquarters. Megatron wants us ALL a victory ceremony prior to the leaders’ meeting.

Mindwipe: I’ll see that Skystalker does nothing to embarrass you, sir.

Skystalker: What!?


Drift: Bludgeon and I must leave now if we’re to make it on time. We can’t all be blessed with flight modes, my friend. Mindwipe, make sure you make it there safely.


Skystalker: Why’s he always talking to you like you’re the boss?

Mindwipe: I DO outrank you.

Skystalker: Really? . . . gimme a ride back to base.

Mindwipe: I don’t think so—

Skystalker: Do it or, I swear to Primus, I’ll whine the whole way.


Skystalker: Now, isn’t this nice?

Mindwipe: *sigh*


Ramjet: Hey youse!

Skystalker: Hey yourself, aft breath.

Mindewipe: That is no way to greet a fellow Decepticon, Skystalker . . . even one of Starscream’s lowly Seekers.


Ramjet: I don’t know nuddin’ ‘bout dat, but I do know a couple a’ ‘Cons wit bearings da size a’ Unicron when I sees ‘em.

Mindwipe: What are you talking about?

Ramjet: Oh yeah! I’m s’posed ta believe you don’t know ‘bout Drift’s little coup comin’ up. Fer youse’s sake I hope Megatron believes dat.


Ramjet: I gots ta git. See youse at da ceremony. It’ll be a BLAST!

Mindewipe: Sky stalker, please get off of me.


Skystalker: What’s up, big guy?

Mindwipe: I feel a tremendous weight has been put on me.

Skystalker: After the load of scrap that pointy-headed freak just dropped, it’s no wonder.

#040 - Catch My Drift, part 2

Starscream: Just finishing off your half of the battlefield, Drift? My Seekers have nearly completed clean-up.


Drift: The Autobots have been defeated. My soldiers are satisfied.


Starscream: Your barbarians' satisfaction is not the point. Destroying the enemy efficiently is what matters.


Skywarp: Starscream, Megatron* wants to meet with all field commanders. We've collected a flag dropped by the retreating Autobots as a trophy to present to him.

Starscream: Excellent. Lord Megatron shall see which of his units is superior.


Drift: Skystalker!


Skystalker: What!!


Drift: Did any of our retreating enemies leave something behind?


Bludgeon: No, sir! This one dropped something as he hit the ground though.

*This story takes place before the events of Advent, Day Eighteen.

#039 - Catch My Drift, part 1

DRIFT used to fight for MEGATRON,


and was known as one of the most terrible warriors ever to stalk the face of CYBERTRON.*


Mindwipe: Great work, Drift. You are truly an inspiration to all Decepticons.


Drift: . . . .


Mindwipe: Great talking with you, sir!


Thrust: How can you idolize that jerk?

Mindwipe: Jerk!? He's the coolest, most dangerous 'bot there is.


Thrust: How do you know he's cool? You've never spoken to him. I don't think he CAN speak!

Mindwipe: Have you seen The Matrix?

Thrust: Yes.


Mindwipe: Neo was cool in SPITE of Keanu Reeves speaking, not because of it.

Thrust: Touché.

*From the AUTOBOT DRIFT toy packaging.