A Question of Loyalty

**A Question of Loyalty** was a Spotlight Mission in June featuring **Drift** and **Hot Rod.**

* Difficulties: 3
* Chapters: 2

## Transcript

### Chapter 1: Gone Rouge

#### 1) Once A Decepticon

Part 1:

**Optimus Prime**: *Commander, I bring disturbing news. There are reports that our Autobot comrade Drift has...gone rogue.*

**Optimus Prime (MV1)**: *Rogue?! How so? He is an Autobot of unquestionable valour.*

**Optimus Prime**: *He was seen leaving our base uttering threats against an Autobot.*

**Optimus Prime (MV1)**: *I find that difficult to believe. Which Autobot?*

**Optimus Prime**: *Hot Rod*.

**Optimus Prime (MV1)**: *How can that be? Teletraan hasn't tracked Hot Rod's presence on this accursed planet.*

**Optimus Prime**: *Therein lies the intrigue. Perhaps if we find Drift, Hot Rod's presence will be confirmed... and allegiances can be certified.*

Part 2:

**Optimus Prime**: *Readings indicate the target is up ahead.*

**Optimus Prime(MV1)**: *By target you mean Drift? He is an Autobot. He is my friend.*

**Optimus Prime**: *If he has gone rouge, he is a target that may lead us to Hot Rod.*

Part 3:

**Optimus Prime(MV1)**: *Argh, Ratchet just sent word that I need to return to base.*

**Optimus Prime**: *For what reason?*

**Optimus Prime(MV1):** *He's been monitoring my bio-cyber readouts and is concerned I may have developed a Cybertonium leak.*

**Optimus Prime**: *If true, that could lead to serious malfunctions. Malfunctions that could jeopardize both you and the mission. I suggest you heed Ratchet's warning and head back to base.*

**Optimus Prime(MV1):** *I've never known Ratchet to be wrong. I shall head back. But on one condition... when you find Drift, know that he is an Autobot. Treat him accordingly.*

**Optimus Prime**: *I will treat him according to his actions, I can promise nothing more.*

Part 4:

**Barricade**: *Ah, the mighty purveyor of sentient freedom approaches.*

**Drift**: *He travels with the Commander... looks like someone is interested in a fight.*

**Optimus Prime**: *Drift! You keep dubious company... to say the least. I request that you return to the base. We have matters to discuss.*

**Drift**: *Matters can wait. I have business to attend to.*

**Optimus Prime**: *Decepticon business?*

**Drift**: *MY business. It does not concern one from your reality.*

**Optimus Prime**: *Am I to conclude your allegiances lie with the Decepticons?*

**Drift**: *If you want to discuss allegiances, talk to Barricade. I have only one allegiance now... vengeance!*

#### 2) AWOL

Part 1:

**Prowl**: *Commander, that punk Drift has gone AWOL and Decepticon. A bad combo if there ever was one.*

**Optimus Prime**: *Pump the brakes on accusations, Prowl.*

**Prowl**: *Why? By your own account he's been consorting if not conspiring with Decepticons. And, what about the vengeance nonsense?*

**Optimus Prime**: *It is true things seem awry. But I believe there is more to this than meets the optical receptors. I promised my alter-reality brethren that I would afford his Drift the benefit of the doubt. I intend to do so.*

Part 2:

**Optimus Prime**: *Drift's exhaust readings are growing weaker. We need to hurry.*

**Prowl**: *Why the urgency, Optimus? If Drift has returned to his Decepticon roots, let him go. We have enough headaches with the Quintessons and Megatron running amok.*

**Optimus Prime**: *I understand your concern, friend. But, I made a promise to bring him back. Besides, Drift was heard to have mentioned the arrival of Hot Rod. If that is true, Drift is our best lead to find him.*

Part 3:

**Prowl**: Hey, dumptruck...

**Mixmaster**: It's Mixmaster, Automoron.

**Prowl**: Whatever. Have you seen any suspicious looking samurai wannabes in these parts?

**Mixmaster**: Yeah, I saw him... was heading up the way. Rambling on about serving justice to a traitor. Little good that will do you, though.

**Prowl**: Oh, why's that?

**Mixmaster**: ***You've reached your final destination. Me!***

#### 3) Autobot Traitors

Part 1:

**Marissa Faireborn**: *Optimus, we're getting strange readings from your forward position.*

**Optimus Prime**: *I can confirm things are indeed strange here. Drift's trail has lead us to a new region.*

**Marissa**: *Be careful. Teletraan is registering temporal anomalies in the area that are off the charts.*

**Optimus Prime**: *Thanks for the update, we will proceed with due caution, but Drift must be found.*

Part 2:

**Mirage**: *You summoned me, Optimus?*

**Optimus Prime**: *Yes, the Commander and I need your unique scouting skills.*

**Mirage**: *I can guess why. Everyone back at HQ is talking about Drift going rogue. They say he's turned.*

**Optimus Prime**: *That has yet to be proven, but initial signs aren't reassuring.*

**Mirage**: *I know what it's like to be wrongfully accused of disloyalty. It is rather distressing. You want me to scout the path ahead for Drift, correct?*

**Optimus Prime**: *That is the plan. But be warned, this new terrain is fraught with peculiarities we haven't fully identified yet.*

Part 3:

**Mirage**: *Commander, Optimus... Drift awaits just ahead. And from what I can tell, he's definitely out of sorts.*

**Optimus Prime**: *By the horns of Unicron! Drift, what has become of you?!*

**Drift**: *Stay out of this, Prime. I bear you no ill will... just the Autobot traitor that forsook his own in our time of need!*

**Optimus Prime**: *Autobot traitor?*

**Drift**: *Yes, they called him Hot Rod. I call him dead.*

**Optimus Prime**: *I don't know what you speak of, but you must be mistaken. Return to base with me and we can sort this out. That's an order.*

**Drift**: *I don't take orders from you... fake Optimus. You want me to return? Then make me!*

### Chapter 2: Volatile Reunion

#### 1) Uncharted Territory

Part 1:

**Marissa**: *This new territory requires a new approach to scouting. I'm sending the aerial and stealth talents of Waspinator with you.*

**Rhinox**: *And, I'm tagging along to make sure we don't have anymore "defections." The bug was once a Decepticon aligned Predacon.*

**Waspinator**: *Bah... ancient history. Wazzzzpinator turned over a new wing.*

**Marissa**: *This is uncharted territory.*

**Waspinator**: *Who needs charts? All you need is Wazzzzpinator!*

**Rhinox**: ***... and my Chainguns of Doom!***

Part 2:

**Waspinator**: *Uh-oh, trouble ahead.*

**Rhinox**: *Commander, I believe we found what we're looking for.*

**Drift**: *That's right, it doesn't matter how many times you lecture me... I will find the one I seek.*

**Rhinox**: *The one they call Hot Rod.*

**Drift**: *Yes, and he lies in wait just ahead.*

**Rhinox**: *Commander, we should accompany Drift. This Hot Rod is the key. We must learn more.*

**Drift***: Come if you like. You'll learn how he dies!*

Part 3:

**Drift**: *There he is, the traitor. The Autobot that would not heed Optimus's call in a time of ultimate crisis.*

**Hot Rod**: *Drift, I get Spacebridged here to this Primus-forsaken land and you greet me like that.*

**Drift**: *I greet you like one who would cower while others perish.*

**Hot Rod**: *You know we all had our orders when we were on Earth.*

**Drift**: *Orders to hide while the rest of us risked our lives?*

**Hot Rod**: *Surely Optimus told you of my mission. I was playing the long game. The asset I was assigned to protect was too valuable to blow my cover.*

**Drift**: *All I know is good bots paid the most serious price for your cowardice. For that you will pay.*

**Ironhide**: *Yeah well. I was there when the Energon first hit the fan and I don't remember you being there. He had his orders. We all did. Hot Rod, take off, I'll handle this.*

#### 2) Brothers At Arms

Part 1:

**Prowl**: *Again we get a lead on Hot Rod... and again Drift is in the middle of it.*

**Bumblebee (DOTM)**: *Enough of the name calling and accusations.*

**Prowl**: *Easy for you to say, he's your Drift.*

**Bumblebee(DOTM)**: *Mine? I don't "own" any sentient beings. It's kind of against Prime's directive.*

**Prowl**: *The Drift we're looking for is from your reality, so you're accountable for his actions... and loyalties.*

Part 2:

**Prowl**: *Look at who we found. Deceptidrift!*

**Drift**: *Still the accusations when the true traitor, the true rouge lies ahead?*

**Bumblebee(DOTM)**: *That's enough. There are no rogues... no traitors! only Autobots. One and all!*

**Drift**: *For a bot once of few words, you now say a lot.*

**Bumblebee(DOTM)**: *I say what must be said. Now, let's go find our brother, Hot Rod.*

**Prowl**: *To Bring him in?*

**Bumblebee(DOTM)**: *To hear him out...*

Part 3:

**Prowl**: *Target acquired. Commander, Drift, let's bring him back to HQ. Let the Primes sort this.*

**Drift**: *You heard him traitor, you're coming with us.*

**Hot Rod**: *I don't think so. From the short time I've been here on this bizzare planet. I'd say you're all mad. I'm not going anywhere.*

**Bumblebee(DOTM)**: *Hot Rod, you need time. I've been there.*

**Drift**: *What are you saying?*

**Bumblebee(DOTM)**: *I'm saying my friend needs time to adjust to his new surroundings. You are going to let him be...for now.*

**Hot Rod**: *Bee, you don't have to fight my fight.*

**Bumblebee(DOTM)**: *After we went all through on Earth, it's the least I can do. Now go, clear your head... Optimus awaits.*

#### 3) Bring Him Home

Part 1:

**Optimus Prime (MV1)**: *Commander, Bumblee relayed the circumstances of your last encounter with Hot Rod. He, Drift and Bumblebee were under my lead. I have failed them.*

*I shall venture forth with you and try to restore order... and help our brother Hot Rod.*

**Bumbleebee(DOTM)**: *What he said.*

Part 2:

**Optimus Prime(MV1):***Hot Rod, my friend. It is good to see you. I wish it were under different circumstances.*

**Hot Rod**: *You mean circumstances that don't involve Autobots accusing me of being a traitor? How about Decepticons blowing up anyone they encouner? Maybe you're talking about weird looking bots that turn into beasts and insects?*

**Optimus Prime(MV1):** *I understand, this alternate reality is distressing. Let us help you.*

**Hot Rod**: *Thanks, but no thanks. I'm outta here until I am certain who I can trust. I don't know what you've got under the hood old bot, but I'm pretty sure you're not catching me!*

**Bumblebee(DOTM)**: *Optimus, let's roll out!*

**Optimus Prime(MV1):** *Patience, Bee, patience. He'll tire and when he does, we'll get him the help he needs.*

Part 3:

**Optimus Prime(MV1):** *So, Hot Rod, are you ready?*

**Hot Rod**: *Ready for what?!*

**Optimus Prime(MV1):** *Ready for us to help you understand the gravity of our collective situation... and the perils we must overcome...together.*

**Hot Rod**: *Why should I trust you... or anything else? I spent years on my own, undercover on that crazed Earth. I can take care of myself.*

**Optimus Prime(MV1):***It pains me to do this, but you leave me with no choice. Commander, you are authorized to use whatever means necessary to persuade Hot Rod to return to HQ with us. It is for his own good.*

**Hot Rod**: ***That's what they all say. Let's do this!***

Part 4:

**Optmus Prime(MV1)**: *Good work, Commander. Hot Rod's extended exposure to the ill effects of the Dark Energon in the atmosphere has tampered with his circuitry. I'll get him back to HQ and see what Ratchet can do for him.*