Table of Contents:
Series Overview
Characters
Episode Guide

The Autobots think of it as the Golden Age, but it wasn't that golden for everybody. While the Autobots lived in prosperous cities most of the regions inhabited by Decepticons had few natural resources and were suffering from bad management on top of it.

The Decepticons were ruled by the High Council, which consisted of the mayor regional warlords, but the council members had little actual say. The real power lay with the Council's president Straxus who cared little about the well-being of any except his own city of Polyhex.

The warlords' situation was getting more and more desperate, but Straxus was too wary to give any one of them a chance at his life.

Our story begins with a desperate pact between Megatron and Starscream. Together they manage to catch Straxus unawares and drive him into exile. In the struggle for succession however they are rivals. Megatron finally wins the succession conflict, but the economy of the Decepticon regions has already broken down, the regions are falling apart. In diplomatic meetings as well as on the battlefields Megatron has to use every trick in his arsenal to keep them together and stabilize the economy as much as possible.

At the same time Starscream still follows his own agenda. If Vos breaks away from the council all will be lost for Megatron. Somehow he has to bind Starscream and his treacherous quartet to his efforts and then there’s also a new figure to contend with: A new Autobot hero who appeared out of nowhere and calls himself Optimus. The last three episodes each leave a future threat open that could be used in a possible second season.

The Steria Group
Megatron
Cyclonus
Soundwave
Thundercracker
Motormaster

Decepticons
Starscream
Dreadmoon
Skywarp
Swindle
Mirage

I’ve changed the G1 stats only slightly, but wrote new backgrounds for most characters.

Megatron
Strength: 10
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 4
Endurance: 8
Rank: 9 (at the beginning of the series)
Courage: 9
Firepower: 10
Skill: 9

Function: Warlord of Steria
A former gladiator, Megatron excels at all forms of one on one combat. He had to give up the gladiatorial fights, when the impoverished people could less and less afford going to the games and the arenas intakes were no longer big enough to finance many battles. A rebellion of desperate gladiators brought him to power in Steria, one of the biggest of the Decepticon territories. However Steria is poor. Most of its population are miners, but the resources they mine aren’t of top quality and the industrial cities they supply are poor as well thanks to Straxus’ high taxes. The Autobot industries pay higher prices, but Steria lies too far from the Autobot borders. The transport would be costly and hard to organise on such a large scale.

Cyclonus
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 9
Endurance: 8
Rank: 8
Courage: 9
Firepower: 8
Skill: 8

Function: Saboteur
Cyclonus was one of Megatron’s original supporters in the rebellion that brought him to power in Steria. Due to that long partnership he is Megatron’s most trusted advisor. Cyclonus’ ability to remain calm and rational at all times balances Megatron’s temper and makes Cyclonus even more dangerous than his weapons and speed. A talent few recognise is his ability to manipulate others through well chosen words. Hence he excels in diplomacy as well as on the battlefield.

Soundwave
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 2
Endurance: 6
Rank: 8
Courage: 5
Firepower: 6
Skill: 10

Function: Communications
At the beginning of the series Soundwave is one of Straxus’ lesser advisors. He sees the danger of economical collapse, but his warnings are ignored. After Straxus is chased off he chooses Megatron as his new commander. Megatron doesn’t quite trust him and Soundwave hasn’t had a chance to really prove himself to him, yet, but Megatron is very fond of Soundwave’s cassette children the likes of who he has never encountered before. Especially with Laserbeak he has formed a fast bond. Soundwave’s intelligence and mind reading abilities are a big asset to the Steria group.

Thundercracker
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 4
Speed: 9
Endurance: 7
Rank: 7
Courage: 8
Firepower: 7
Skill: 7

Function: Adjutant/Warrior
Megatron took over Thundercracker with the leadership in Steria. The young mech functioned as a sort of secretary for his predecessor and Megatron didn’t really have a replacement on hand. Despite his tendency to question the effectiveness of Megatron’s chosen path Thundercracker has proven surprisingly useful and loyal. He might run off someday, if his doubts grow too big, but he would never turn on Megatron.

Motormaster
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 6
Speed: 5
Endurance: 10
Rank: 7
Courage: 9
Firepower: 7
Skill: 4

Function: Security
Motormaster too is a former gladiator, but he wasn’t part of the rebellion. He wandered into Steria at a later time and Megatron took him in thanks to his impressive strength and endurance. Motormaster is an excellent fighter, but a bit dull in a conversation and completely unfit for diplomatic missions. His temper once aroused is worse than even Megatron’s, but he doesn’t anger as easily.

Starscream
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 10
Endurance: 7
Rank: 9
Courage: 7
Firepower: 6
Skill: 8

Function: Warlord of Vos
Unable to match Megatron for strength or firepower, but still his most dangerous rival, Starscream is fast and tricky. His home city of Vos once used to be Cybertron’s biggest air base and still produces the planet’s best flyers. During the last war the city was heavily bombarded by Autobots and most of it is still in ruins. The radioactive contamination has by now reduced to an almost bearable level, but the city still is in urgent need of rebuilding and medical assistance. Straxus however has always ignored those demands. Starscream, who lost his entire family in the attack, is decided to become Decepticon leader so he will no longer have to beg for help that should have been given automatically and to take revenge on the Autobots. To get there he is willing to use any methods.

Dreadmoon
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 10
Endurance: 7
Rank: 8
Courage: 7
Firepower: 5
Skill: 7

Function: Adjutant/Warrior
A much more recent creation than Skywarp, Dreadmoon was never exposed to such a high level of radiation. In fact by the time he was created the medics of Vos had developed ways to better shield their creations from radiation and Dreadmoon’s radiation levels are lower than Starscream’s on the outside. Like all Decepticons created in Vos since the bombardment he is radioactive to the core, though, and occasionally requires medical treatment for it. Dreadmoon is still young and inexperienced. He idolises Starscream and would never betray him, but Starscream is too wary to trust even him.

Skywarp
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 10
Endurance: 7
Rank: 8
Courage: 9
Firepower: 8
Skill: 8

Function: Warrior
Skywarp is a playful prankster who spends more time teasing Starscream than giving him advice. Starscream however secretly enjoys the verbal sparring. Maybe he considers Skywarp a replacement for his dead brothers. Skywarp was among the first Decepticons built in Vos after the Autobots’ bombardment. His teleportation ability is the result of the still high radiation levels at the time. He pays a high price for it however. The radioactive contamination of that first generation after the bombardment is even higher than that of Decepticons like Starscream who lived through the actual attack. It has permeated every part of Skywarp’s body and causes occasional glitches. His circuits require frequent radiation check ups and regular replacement to keep the illness in check.

Swindle
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 5
Endurance: 6
Rank: 5
Courage: 5
Firepower: 7
Skill: 10

Function: Informant
Swindle was unlucky enough to be visiting Vos when the last war broke out and didn’t manage to get out of the city in time. After the bombing leaving was impossible for a while and Swindle ended up organising the black market and staying in the city permanently. Starscream has been using him as an informant and to do the unsavoury dirty work ever since. Nobody really trusts Swindle not to sell them out, but he’s still useful to keep around. Swindle himself considers himself the most important businesscon of Vos. The rest of the team consider him a lackey.

Mirage
Strength: 6
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 7
Endurance: 5
Rank: 5
Courage: 7
Firepower: 6
Skill: 10

Function: Autobot Spy
Mirage was sent by the Autobot Prime ( Optimus’ predecessor, not Optimus, yet ) to spy on the Decepticons after Straxus had been driven off. At first he only watches and tries to asses the different factions, but after being discovered by Starscream, is blackmailed blackmails him into helping him a few times by threatening to reveal him to the other Decepticons. During his first mission for Starscream Mirage develops a tentative friendship with Swindle and soon finds himself drawn more and more into the group. Of course Starscream and his crew don’t trust him, but neither do the Autobots and at least the Decepticons don’t trust each other any more than they do him. Mirage’s undercover persona that he shows the Decepticons has grown less and less an act to the point that he himself is unsure who the real Mirage is: The Autobot spy, or the Decepticon trickster? He feels almost, but not quite, at home in both worlds.

Episode 1: The High Council
With Starscream's trickery and Megatron's strength and firepower the warlords manage to drive off Straxus. Soundwave, one of Straxus' lesser advisors attaches himself to Megatron. The Decepticons rejoice, but the episode ends with the question who will lead them now and distrustful looks between the council members. ( Megatron, Starscream, Thunderwing, Shockwave, Collossus, Galvatron, Scorponock ... )

Episode 2: Candidates for the Throne
All of the warlords state a claim for succession. In Megatron's strategy meeting with his advisors however Cyclonus quickly discounts all candidates other than Megatron and Thunderwing, who are the only ones who have both cunning and power as well as a large following. Soundwave however warns against overlooking tricky Starscream. He may not be powerful, but he is very cunning and has a bigger following than both of the others. It was after all Starscream's plan that finally worked to get rid of Straxus. Ravage and Laserbeak are sent out to spy on Thunderwing and Starscream. Motormaster notices Swindle trying to sneak in. Swindle is chased off, but nobody notices the door opening and closing without anyone being there. Back in Vos the strategy meeting is more chaotic, but comes to similar conclusions. Megatron is considered the most dangerous rival that needs to be gotten rid of first. Swindle is once again sent to Steria to sabotage Megatron, but Laserbeak has heard it all and Swindle is captured by Motormaster and Cyclonus.

Episode 3: The Secret Agent
Today the final candidates for the throne are to be decided upon. Threats, blackmail, weapons and intrigue abound as warlord after warlord is convinced to step down. Thundercracker informs Dreadmoon that Megatron has Swindle. If Starscream doesn't step down, Megarton will bring him out as proof of Starscream's treachery. As Starscream nervously paces in a small meeting room pondering the problem he accidentally collides with the invisible Mirage. In return for Starscream's discretion Mirage frees Swindle just in time and Starscream, Megatron and Thunderwing are left as the final candidates.

Episode 4: Arena
The final decision about the succession will be made in one on one battles. In a hard fight Megatron defeats Thunderwing, but gets hurt himself. Starscream, his next opponent is still fresh and unhurt. Cyclonus, with Motormaster and Thundercracker, 'convinces' the referee to give Megatron the choice of weapons. Megatron picks swords, which are too heavy for Starscream to be comfortable with. Mirage is hired to sabotage Megatron's weapon, but in the battle Megatron, the former gladiator, manages to disarm Starscream with his bare hands. The rest of the crew, without Mirage enter the battle until Motormaster manages to grab Starscream from behind and Megatron forces him to surrender.

Episode 5: Straxus
Straxus returns with an army of pirates. Megatron still hasn't consolidated his power and Starscream plays a double game until Megatron finally manages to win him with the promise of the position of Air Commander, if his 'invisible agent' manages to sabotage Straxus' ships. Mirage succeeds and Straxus retreats swearing revenge. Out of spite he blows up Polyhex's main energon storehouse in parting.

Episode 6: Politics of Hunger
The loss of the energon storehouse has forced Megatron to ration energon in Polyhex, the only city that used to have enough energon until now. The Decepticons need a large amount of energon and soon. Megatron orders to attack Autobot cities and steal energon from them. After some discrepancies between him and Starscream about the strategy the first attack is a big success. For the moment the famine has been prevented, but it won't last for long.

Episode 7: The Rise of Optimus
In their second attack on an Autobot city Megatron kills a young worker called Orion Pax. Again the attack is a big success, but Starscream starts calling for caution. The Autobots will sooner or later start fighting back. Megatron refuses to listen even though his own advisors are a little worried as well. Indeed a new, powerful Autobot warrior appears in the next attack and drives the Decepticons back with less energon than they'd hoped for. Mirage reports that the monster's name is Optimus.

Episode 8: A World of Doubt
Thundercracker is disappointed. He expected everything to be better once Straxus was gone, but the Decepticons are still struggling to survive and now they are at war with the Autobots. He feels like his efforts have been in vain and decides to leave, but the Decepticon air forces need him. Starscream sends Skywarp out to find him. In a seedy bar Thundercracker blurts it all out to Skywarp and a first friendship is formed across the political sides as Skywarp shows Thundercracker how much they have achieved after all and how important he is for their continuing efforts.

Episode 9: Trade Agreements
To help improve the distribution of goods among their people Megatron is tying to get a trade agreement between Skorponock and Galvatron, but the two highly irascible warlords can't stand each other and Starscream, who fears that a partnership between his two biggest neighbours might become a threat to Vos, is doing his best to sabotage the talks. Indeed for a while it looks like Skorponock and Galvatron are about to unite in a military effort against treacherous Starscream, but Soundwave and Cyclonus finally manage to talk them into concentrating their efforts against the Autobot monster Optimus and his growing army. If the Decepticons are to survive the war against the Autobots, they cannot afford to waste energy battling each other.

Episode 10: The Autobot Hero
Motormaster is beginning to admire Optimus. After all due to his vehicle form he is closer to the Autobot than his fellow Decepticons. Especially the jets keep looking down on him.

In Scorponock's city a virus has broken out. Only the Autobots have a cure. Megatron tries to take it with force, but Starscream, who likes the idea of Scorponock's forces being weakened by the illness, warns the Autobots. Optimus and his army stop the attack. Motormaster suggests to ask the Autobots for the cure, but Optimus convinces the Autobot leaders to refuse the untrustworthy Decepticons. Motormaster is deeply disappointed in the Autobots. Meanwhile the virus is beginning to spread into Vos. Mirage is shocked by his people's heartlessness and steals the cure for the Decepticons.

Episode 11: Mind Games
After a disagreement with Skywarp, Dreadmoon walks out on Starscream. Soundwave contacts him and tries to convince him to join Megatron's group and spy on Starscream for them. Dreadmoon seems undecided for a while, but in the end his loyalty to Starscream wins out. Soundwave gives up and at the end of the episode turns his efforts towards Swindle instead. Swindle seems inclined to sell Starscream's secrets, but we never hear his final answer.

Episode 12: Rebellion
A rebellion of Straxus loyalists has broken out in Polyhex. Rumours of the old leader's return are going around. As it turns out they have been spread by Starscream in an attempt to stir unrest in the city which has become very important to Megatron. In the end Cyclonus spreads a counter rumour providing false proof that Straxus has been killed by Autobots. At the end of the episode these news reach a very annoyed Straxus who is already making plans for another attack on Megatron.

Episode 13: Sides
Mirage receives the order to kill Megatron. He knows that their leader's death would plunge the Decepticons into chaos. Even Starscream knows better than to want Megatron to die. Mirage is torn between his loyalty to his people and his Decepticon friends. He attempts to fulfil his mission, but cannot bring himself to pull the trigger. He returns to Iacon to submit to the punishment of the Autobot leaders. To his surprise Optimus speaks out in his favour saying that Autobots are supposed to be compassionate and reminding them that Mirage was built to be a spy, not an assassin. He is not programmed for cold blooded murder. Mirage is forgiven, but it is decided to give the mission to another. Mirage isn't told who.