AQUABLAST
Allegiance: Decepticon 
Sub-group: Stormtroopers
Function: Engineer
“Listen! That’s the music of one of my super-tuned engines! And think what terror it must strike into the hearts of those Autobot cowards…”

History: A short while before Optimus Prime became leader, Megatron gained control of the Matrix Flame and used it to bring to life several new warrior groups. One such group was the Stormtroopers, powerful ground-assault fighters that can fire long-range corrosive acid. They were designed to be powerful, to be blood thirsty and to be completely loyal to high command. They were front-line soldiers for millennia, with Aquablast performing emergency repairs on damaged equipment and wounded soldiers in the middle of combat, before being taken offline when Blaster’s rebel group attacked Darkmount in 1986. They were repaired in time for the battle against Unicron, and in the aftermath happily joined Bludgeon, whereupon they were captured after a battle in London in 1994. After gaining their freedom, they became seperated and Aquablast eventually ended up assigned to a secret R&D base in the Rad Zone with Snipe.

Profile: Aquablast is a frightening combination of an ultra-practical mind and a bloodthirsty streak. The workings of an engine is like poetry to him. Enjoys ramming headlong into fights, as long as they aren’t against really powerful foes like G2 Megatron. His best friend is Snipe, mainly because they’ve been living in isolation together for so long that they’ve grown on each other like poison ivy.

Abilities: He can repair anything under the most strenuous of conditions- his thick armour protects him from enemy firepower, allowing him to repair machines in the middle of heavy firefight. He can spray any kind of liquid from his vehicle mode front (which becomes a gun in robot mode), from high-pressure water to (normally) corrosive acid. His vehicle mode is a sleek armoured sports car.

Weaknesses: He obeys orders totally, without question, leading him into deactivation a lot. If his liquid-firing mechanism malfunctions, he can blast a hole in his vehicle mode front.

SNIPE
Allegiance: Decepticon 
Sub-group: Skyscorchers
Function: Technoligian
“Brute force is not the way. My technology can devise infinitely more successful, subtle and unpleasant methods…”

History: To his eternal disappointment, Snipe has never made much of an impact on Transformer history. As a Skyscorcher, he was originally one of a hundred such Decepticons designed by Megatron’s for bombing raids, before Tornado had all but three others killed through his vicious tactics. When Iacon fell, the Skyscorchers were pushed back to menial jobs and Snipe spent most of his time managing Autobot slaves. His only claim to fame was that he helped design the Warworld, but in his first combat situation in millennia On Hydrus 4 in 1991, he was promptly thrashed and captured by the Autobots, while his fellow Skyscorchers went on to help blitz London for Bludgeon. After that, he was chosen by Megatron to create a Bill Clinton android, but once that scheme was foiled he was placed in the background again. He’s spent the last few centuries working in a secret lab in the Rad Zone, watching TV and griping to Aquablast about his unrealised dreams of glory.

Profile: Snipe is fast and independent with an incredibly sharp mode. He could be the greatest scientist ever, if not for his incredible laziness- he assumes his talent is enough and that he doesn’t really have to work for anything, causing his flashes of brilliance to come to nothing.

Abilities: Transforms into a sleek blue plane armed with a dual purpose radar targeting system/rocket launcher placement on his undercarriage. In robot mode, this transforms into his personal weapon. He boasts a massive IQ.

Weaknesses: Supreme laziness and arrogance is Snipe’s undoing. He often gets in trouble for going his own way instead of obeying orders.

POUNCE AND WINGSPAN
Allegiance: Decepticon 
Sub-group: Clones
Function: Infiltrator and Data Processor
"Terror is the stage on which I perform." / "Knowledge is the most deadly weapon of all."

POUNCE is sly, silent, and savage. The right machine for the right job. Works alone, deep in enemy territory, with an open-ended brief to destabilise Autobot forces. Has no mercy. In puma mode, can leap up to 7 miles. Possesses superior eyesight, including night vision, and an enhanced sense of smell. In robot mode, laser range finder and target lock system in optical sensors provide 99.4% accuracy with twin anti-personnel missile launching bayonets. Almost as stealthy as Ravage. 

His clone brother, WINGSPAN, is always poking his beak where it doesn't belong. Incredibly nosy. Has a voracious appetite for new data to analyse. Looks in people's windows as readily as he spies on enemy troops. In hawk mode, has superb vision. Chemical and infra-red sensors collect and analyse geographical data, and locate resources. In robot mode, has two electro-burst rifles.

DRENCH
Allegiance: Decepticon 
Sub-group: Stormtroopers
Function: Coordinator
“A well-run campaign is my greatest pleasure.”

History: Drench’s history is similar to that of Aquablast’s. After the Stormtroopers escaped Autobot custody in 1995, they became seperated and Drench worked as coordinator for various Decepticon commando squads. After failing to prevent the destruction of his part of the Warworld armada in 2386, he was demoted by Soundwave and in a rage, turned to blackmailing to regain his old position, which led to Soundwave being  ousted as a traitor and the fall of the Decepticons.

Profile: Drench is a bully, a tyrant and universally hated- he must have his own way at all times or he will take hideous revenge, no matter how much damage this will do to the Decepticon cause. But despite this he is indispensable at coordinating units with grim efficiency.

Abilities: His vehicle mode (a sleek armoured car) can smash its way through the toughest of barriers and he has cunningly concealed liquid-blasting weaponry- a jet of water from him can topple a house. In robot form he commands great physical strength and superb marksmanship. Heightened vision and communications abilities allow him to track many troopers at once.

Weaknesses: His vengeful nature has led to the crippling of several Decepticon units throughout the years, all because he never had the full level of control he wanted. If his liquid-firing mechanism malfunctions, he can blast a hole in his vehicle mode front.

SOUNDWAVE

Allegiance: Decepticon
Sub-groups: Squad 117 (as commander), Nemesis crew
Functions: Communications, Joint Second-in-Command, Decepticon Leader: 1985-1986 (Earth), 1992-1993 (Earth), 2008-2009 (Cybertron and Earth), 2012-2013 (Cybertron), 2386-2397.
Status: In J’nwan
"Cries and screams are music to my ears."

History: Soundwave was one of the founding members of the Decepticons, his strategically sound advice and Nanobot-born mind-reading powers making him invaluable to Decepticon Leader Megatron. In 1985 he actually got his first shot at leadership, and, while he underestimated the fighting power of Optimus Prime when he kidnapped Bumblebee, he inflicted numerous casualties on the Autobots during the Dinobot Hunt. He further earned the respect of his superior officers - and hedged his bets on who would emerrge triumphant - when he convinced Megatron and Shockwave to agree to a joint leadership rather than continue feuding the following year. Soundwave has always managed to avoid serious damage to his person, cleverly missing the battle with Omega Supreme in 1986, somehow avoiding deactivation in 1989 despite Starscream's best efforts, and keeping a low profile in the 1991 war with Unicron. He made an error of judgment in 1992 when Starscream convinced him that together they could usurp Megatron and Shockwave, but when the two leaders regained their positions Soundwave managed to convince them of his innocence. Given Starscream's past record, they were more inclined to believe Soundwave, and he escaped without serious blemish to his record. He again managed to avoid damage in the battles of 2005-2006, and became legitimate Decepticon Leader again in 2008 following the death of Shockwave, though he had no option but to hand back the reigns to Galvatron when he returned from the Time Wars in 2009.

In 1992 Soundwave realised that Inferno was immune to his mind-reading, and vowed to find out why. He appeared to have failed in this task when the Autobot apparently died in 2008, but then during the Time Wars he encountered a similar phenomenon in Red Alert. Eventually he confided in Ravage, and before too long the Decepticon master spy trailed the Autobot Security Director to his secret base and in 2030 uncovered the anti-Nanobot conspiracy. He played a vital role in this, uncovering the Master Planet’s true intentions.

During the Eugenesis Wars Soundwave commanded the Decepticon army on Cybertron in Galvatron's absence and forged an alliance with the Autobots to defeat the Quintesson invaders. His mind-reading abilities coupled with his communication skills enabled him to free all the Transformers taken captive by the enemy and restore to them the ability to transform. Soon afterwards in 2013 he biomorphically spawned a Quintesson. His alliances with the Autobots both at this time and later in the 2030 Nanobot War, together with his irritation at having to hand back command to Galvatron, bring into question his future allegiances.

Despite Galvatron’s rule, Soundwave was able to exert much influence covertly. In the Software Wars, he uncovered the Combaticon’s secret dealings and had them help in the counterstrike. In the 24^th Century, he had many meetings with Ultra Magnus, the Head of Security, and orchestrated the suicide of Blaster. Even worse, he dealt with Star Saber to have the Decepticons attack the Barricade, solely so he could get rid of Galvatron- many Decepticons were killed, and Soundwave was left in control. Soundwave’s last time as leader was wrecked by Drench, who blackmailed him by threatening to reveal many of Soundwave’s shady dealings. This emotionally damaged Soundwave, and when Drench’s information became common knowledge, Soundwave was chased out of the Decepticon’s. This was traumatic for him, and he became an exile in space.

Soundwave spent the centuries engaging in nostalgia-poisoned memories and psychically feeling his Cassettes die. With the death of Ravage in the Beast Wars, Soundwave decided to go out with a bang and chased the crew of the Odyssey (who he mistakenly believed were hunting down Decepticon fugitives) with his Predacon companion Iguanus, so he could wreck their mission. The experience actually caused more damage to him, as when he found Blitzwing the Triple Changer tried to have him secretly killed and Soundwave executed him. By the end of the journey, Soundwave decided he’d had enough and threw his weapons away, denouncing his lifetime of war. That done, he was able to enter J’nwan, where he resides now.

Profile: It is said that Soundwave can hear a fly sneeze. It is also said that beneath his smooth-talking, affable surface beats the generator coil of a blackmailer. Those who know these two facts about him are very careful what they say within earshot of him. Soundwave is the ultimate opportunist and will use anything he can to advance his status in the eyes of Decepticon Leader Megatron. He doesn't worry about what others think of him because he knows he is nearly indispensable. Although they all despise him, the other Decepticons pretend to like him rather than get on his bad side. As Rumble explains, "Soundwave always has the last laugh."

After his blackmail and exile, Soundwave ended up slightly skewed in his memories and emotions. Driven by a need to redeem himself in the face of Ravage’s death, he went through many experiences that eventually left him humbled and disgusted by his previous life and times.

Abilities: Soundwave's sensors can detect radio transmissions of the lowest energy levels. He can read minds by projecting Nanobots inside a subject's brain, be they robot or carbon-based, which monitor the electrical impulses therein, radio back and allow him to create a computer model of their thought patterns within his own cerebral circuits, effectively 'seeing' their thoughts. Originally he had to be in close proximity to his subject in order to perform this task, but controlled electrical stimulation has improved his range and allowed him to read even the minds of Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge, something he was unable to do when he first met them back in 1986. Red Alert and Inferno remain stubbornly immune, however. This link allows him to be psychically connected to his Cassettes, and he felt them all die.

Soundwave serves as the Decepticons' communications relay station. Originally he could keep them all in radio contact with each other within a radius of 100 miles, but his transmission range has since been increased to 2000 miles thanks to Imperial technology. His photographic memory is due to the immense information storage capacity of the magnetic disks in his chest, which also now has storage space for up to two Spy Cassettes when he shrinks in size and any number in robot mode. In the 20th Century he transformed into a Sony Walkman cassette player. His current alternate configuration is a modified version of this.

Soundwave has great physical strength. He carries a high-amplification directional radiowave sensor and a concussion blaster gun, and in addition has the use of a non-sentient reconfiguring partner known as Wingthing which was built in 1991 when it looked like he would lose the ability to transform. This mindlessly loyal, lethal cohort of Soundwave's is all too eager to carry out his every vengeful whim and diabolical scheme. Upon command, Wingthing transforms into a second metal-piercing concussion cannon.

Weaknesses: Soundwave sometimes gets overconfident about his value to the others. At times his hateful personality has resulted in retaliation from them, or worse yet, his abandonment during battle with the Autobots. This led to his ruin in the late 24^th Century.

SHOCKWAVE (Dark Universe)

Allegiance: Decepticon
Sub-groups: Nemesis crew
Functions: (Dark Universe) Military Operations Commander; Decepticon Leader, Earth 1985-1986, Earth 2009; (Primary Universe) Decepticon leader mid-25th Century.
Status: Deactive
"Clarity of thought before rashness of action."

History: His history follows that of the 'real' Shockwave up until April 1986, when the Primary and Dark Universes diverged. Here Optimus never encountered Ethan Zachary and died, and so Shockwave was unable to exploit the following depression & paranoia of Megatron, and their power struggle continued for years. Shockwave proved useful in the bloody conquest of Cybertron, though when Galvatron took control in early 2006 he found his influence waning. When the discovery of a second Blurr (the Primary Universe version, here after the Time Wars) came about, Shockwave dedicated his mind to discovery the truth behind this and the arrival of the six Autobot Time Warriors. When Cybertron was destroyed by Unicron, Shockwave led a small force to Earth, intending to kill Galvatron there and usurp him, but he was knocked offline by the two Blurrs. When Galvatron was abducted from the dimension in 2009, Shockwave took control and helped the Autobots construct a time-jump device to find Galvatron & bring him back before Unicron destroyed Earth. Using this device, he escaped to the Primary Universe and spent centuries there in secrecy before making his move in the mid 25th Century to bring the various Decepticon factions together- he attacked various Autobot groups & Swindle's amnesty seekers; and captured the Constructicons and Jetfire, removed their brain modules and replaced them with drone ones so he had loyal, emotionless elite soldiers. He was thwarted by Windcharger and Ravage, resulting in him, his elite and a group of Autobots being buried offline on a distant planet.  

Profile: Of all the Decepticons, Shockwave's method of operation is the most characterised by the cold, brutal efficiency one would expect of a purely mechanical being. He enters every battle not with the bloodlust of his comrades, but with a scientist's approach to solving a problem. The problem is always the same - how can he use his abilities to most effectively eliminate the greatest number of his enemies, the Autobots? All too often, he finds the answer. He seeks supremacy over the Decepticons not because his ego demands it, but because his logic circuits dictate it. He feels emotion hinders achievement, leading him to remove it from his elite soldiers in the mid 25th Century. With smug certainty Shockwave believes the reins of Decepticon power will inevitably be his - after all, he reasons, it's only logical.

Abilities: Among the Decepticons, Shockwave's power is second only to Megatron's. His total command of the electromagnetic spectrum allows him, in his ray-gun mode, to emit a coruscating beam of energy in a wide variety of forms - high-energy explosive gamma rays, x-rays that allow him to see through almost anything, blinding visible light, super-hot infra-red rays and radio waves that can either send messages or jam other radio signals are but a few of the weapons in Shockwave's arsenal. Never having been adapted by the Ark to an Earthly form, Shockwave remains a size consistent with his robot mode when he transforms into a ray-gun, that is, more than 35 feet long. He can fly in either mode using powerful jet thrusters in his boots (which become the handle in his ray-gun mode), and he has a particle beam weapon in the place of his left hand which can be adapted to mimic the abilities of his alternate configuration, though it is considerably less powerful. He can fire a high-precision laser beam from his single optic sensor and has immense strength and endurance.

Weaknesses: Shockwave's wave-emission power and flight ability are limited by his high rate of fuel consumption. But although he uses the same type of liquid fuel as his fellow Transformers, he can also utilise radioactive fuels in the small nuclear reactor housed within his torso, which substantially eliminates his liquid fuel dependency problem. Although his logical brain centre, almost identical to Prowl's, is usually an advantage, more intuitive and emotional thinking processes often confound him, particularly when his adversary is a human.

ICEPICK
Allegiance: Destron 
Sub-group: Pretender Monsters
Function: Demolitions

"From today's rubble-strewn fields shall emerge a new Decepticon world!"

Profile:  A fanatical follower of Planned Obsolesce, this metallic monster preaches about the destruction of things today so they can be recycled as more advanced technology tomorrow. Due to this belief, he shows a severe lack of concern for collateral damage when in battle, viewing it as beneficial. Icepick has proved his worth time and again on special operations, leading his fellow Pretender Monsters with zeal and patriotism for the Imperial cause.

Abilities: Icepick's alternate form is a near useless walker probe. However, he has access to two distinct Pretender shells, both of which can withstand any explosion. His Monster shell's claws can pierce through twelve inches of pure grade steel and leap a distance of 1.8 miles. His Tyrannosaurus shell is armed with a fireball cannon and increases his strength & mass, allowing him to barrel through enemies.

Weaknesses: His alternate form serves no real purpose and has no real speed & firepower. His Monster shell is ungainly and top heavy. Any damage to the shells are felt by Icepick.

SCOWL
Allegiance: Destron 
Sub-group: Pretender Monsters
Function: Sonic Saboteur
“Control sound, and the faintest whisper becomes the deadliest weapon..."

Profile: Scowl is a terrifying, merciless warrior and one of the Destron's greatest terrorist agents. Despite this, he is rather vain- he originally became a Pretender because he realised nobody found his normal form terrifying enough! Now he is willing to use the psychological effects of his Monster shell to good use in battle and in torturing captured enemies. 

Abilities: Scowl's alternate form is a near useless walker probe. He has access to two distinct Pretender shells, a troll and a Stegosaurus one, but neither serve much of a purpose beyond defensive augmentation. Hypersonic stereophonic implants give him mastery over sonic frequencies- he can pinpoint the quietest sound and shatter steel using the same power. A dual-sonic disrupter gun provides firepower for both his robot form and Dinosaur shell.

Weaknesses: His alternate form serves no real purpose and has no real speed & firepower. His Stegosaurus shell negates his speed, and any damage to the shells are felt by Scowl.

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