Robot Trek II
The Nonocons return and are deadlier then ever, while Bop must confront his past.
Robot Trek III - Next--->
Part 1
Anthony is seen in the holoroom sparring with his close friend Mike Quartz. After Mike defeats him, Anthony exits the simulation and joins the Zapbots on Gearatron for a formal celebration set to a waltz-like performance, with Speedy playing piano. Several Zapbots question Botimus Prime about Anthony’s recent absence. Meanwhile, Roberta pressures Pliers to finally set a date for marriage, while Ultra Attack arrives looking for the Snow Team.
Anthony arrives in his Shortstop body and joins the festivities, but the celebration is abruptly interrupted when a device crashes into the chamber and projects a hologram of Amphotron, warning the Zapbots of the Nonocons’ return. Disturbed by the message, Anthony orders Fortress Misslemax prepared for immediate departure.
Three months pass with no sign of the Nonocons, though reports surface of a massive warship appearing near several planets. During this time, Anthony and Mike grow increasingly strained, frequently arguing over Anthony’s responsibilities and choices.
Later, Pliers announces to the bridge crew that he and Roberta have officially set a wedding date—the first of its kind among Zapbots. Before plans can be discussed, warning alarms sound as wreckage from a destroyed ship is detected nearby. Bop unexpectedly appears on the bridge just as two Nonocons ships decloak and attack Fortress Misslemax. Though the Zapbots destroy the attackers, the ship’s shields are completely drained. Moments later, additional Nonocons ships decloak, overwhelming the defenses and capturing the bridge crew.
Shortstop awakens aboard a Nonocon ship, imprisoned alongside fellow Zapbots. When Flier is severely damaged by the Nonocon enforcer Mercy, Anthony devises an escape plan that requires him to revert to his smaller human form. During their captivity, Bop reveals that his twin brother has sided with the Nonocons. Meanwhile, Zapbots still aboard Fortress Misslemax hide in Terrain’s quarters and plan a counterattack.
Anthony, Botimus Prime, Bop, Flier, Speedy, Hightone, Scan, and Pliers escape their prison cell and attempt to flee the ship. At the same time, the remaining Zapbots launch a coordinated three-pronged assault on Fortress Misslemax. Vision distracts the Nonocon commanders Murder and Canton while Hot Shot disables them with his stun ray, allowing access to the armory. Terrain and Iron seize the main computer core to initiate a reboot, while the Tapes crew causes a diversion long enough for the Minibots to activate a hidden control center. Once restored, the bridge emits audio disruptor waves that incapacitate the Nonocons, forcing Amphotron and his forces to retreat.
Back aboard the Nonocon ship, the escaping Zapbots are cornered in a dead-end corridor. Shortstop generates a force field while Bop blasts a breach in the hull, allowing them to escape into space. Exhausted, Anthony collapses and is captured once more.
Anthony awakens restrained on a medical table as Nonocon medical drones begin dismantling his bionic body. Amphotron observes as the drones inject Anthony with a toxin, causing intense pain. At the last moment, Omega Dupreme breaches the ship, rescues Anthony, and destroys the remaining Nonocon vessels. Anthony later awakens in the human medical bay aboard Fortress Misslemax, where his Minibots repair his body. Ordered to rest, Anthony temporarily relinquishes command to Botimus Prime as Omega Dupreme and Misslemax return to Tockmak 3 Starbase for repairs.
Part 2
Ambassador Tonta arrives aboard Fortress Misslemax to investigate reports of a spy among the crew. Botimus Prime denies her access to the ship’s memory banks, citing their Class-A status. As Anthony recovers, Botimus informs him of Tonta’s presence. Anthony discusses the situation with Mike and mentions a new invention he is developing to fully replace damaged human tissue.
At Bop’s bar, Speedy questions Bop about his brother, but Bop reveals only that his twin is involved in dangerous activities. Elsewhere in the galaxy, the surviving Nonocons regroup after their defeat by Omega Dupreme. During their argument, Bop’s brother Shock arrives and insists that Fortress Misslemax must be destroyed to win the war.
Tonta begins questioning crew members, including Boaty, prompting Botimus Prime to angrily end her inquiry and have her escorted back to her quarters. Anthony and Mike argue again, resulting in Mike storming out of the medical bay.
In her quarters, Tonta secretly communicates with Amphotron, revealing that Botimus Prime remains unaware of her true allegiance and confirming that sabotage devices have been placed throughout the ship. She suddenly detects movement and captures Mike, who had been spying on the transmission. Anthony witnesses this remotely and alerts Botimus Prime just as he encounters the double-agent Zapbot Run. Anthony silently triggers a Red Alert and orders his Minibots to hastily complete his repairs.
Botimus Prime, Run, and Terrain confront Tonta, but she escapes, transforming into vehicle mode and racing through Misslemax while detonating planted explosives. One blast disables the main computer core, trapping Bop, Speedy, and Pliers. Anthony pursues Tonta while she holds Mike hostage.
In the engine core, Pliers repairs Bop’s leg, allowing him to transform and blast free just as the computer core is ejected into space moments before exploding. The blast knocks Fortress Misslemax loose from spacedock, sending it drifting powerless toward the sun.
Tonta reaches the docking bay, where Overload and Camper confront her. Anthony, now wearing his X-O Suit, rescues Mike. During the ensuing battle, atmospheric controls fail, sending combatants spinning through the bay. Tonta is ultimately forced out into space and destroyed by the sun’s gravity. Atmospheric controls are restored, and Anthony and Mike are recovered.
Using the sun’s gravity and the ship’s remaining power, Scan manages to slingshot Fortress Misslemax to safety. Rescue efforts begin across the damaged ship.
Part 3
Back in the Misslemax conference room, Shortstop grants Bop immunity from further harassment. In private, Bop admits that he knows he will eventually have to face his brother Shock and fears the outcome.
Anthony later confronts Mike in his quarters, leading to a heated argument and physical fight. Anthony restrains Mike and ultimately accepts that he cannot control his friend’s choices, leaving Mike to determine his own path.
The Nonocons fleet attacks Tockmak 3, prompting Omega Dupreme and Duplaflex to assist Fortress Misslemax. The Space Force arrive carrying a replacement computer core and upgraded weapons. A massive battle ensues. During the fighting, Bop leaves Misslemax to confront Shock, while Shock abandons Skyscream as his ship is destroyed.
As the Nonocons retreat, an enormous new warship appears—the Kilter, Amphotron’s new battle form. The Zapbot cities withdraw toward Gearatron as Amphotron gives chase.
On a distant asteroid, Bop battles Shock. Though Shock nearly wins, a moment of hesitation allows Bop to overpower him, but Shock escapes at the last second.
At Gearatron, Omega Dupreme and Duplaflex buy time for Fortress Misslemax to transform into robot mode and then into the activation key for Gearatron’s planetary robot form. Amphotron reveals Kilter’s own robot mode, and the two giants clash in space. Using the power of the Matrix of Leadership, Gearatron disables Kilter, forcing Amphotron to retreat. Anthony senses damage to the Matrix and entrusts it to Pliers for repair.
As repairs continue on Gearatron, Anthony discovers that Alan is missing. He catches Alan attempting to steal the Matrix of Leadership. Alan fires at Anthony but instead hits Mike Quartz, severely injuring him. Bill and Rogish pursue Alan as he escapes with Shock. Anthony uses his new invention, the Lifesaver, to restore Mike’s body. Though Mike survives, Tri-Star/Alan and Shock escape with the Matrix.
The story closes in Bop’s bar, where Pliers and Roberta reconcile, Speedy serenades them, and Botimus Prime thanks Bop for his loyalty. Anthony bids farewell to Mike Quartz, who returns to Earth.
Featured characters
| Zapbots | Humans | Nonocons | Planets |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"Mike Quartz, you are probably one of the strongest individuals I have met, and yet I still can not get inside of your head."
- Anthony to Mike Quartz after their fist-fight.
Notes
Versions
- First Version: 1990?
- Second Version: 1999
- Third Version: 2021
Production notes
- So this I believe is the longest Zapbots story, as I specifically wrote it into three distinct parts. Sadly this would be the last one I wrote for a while till 2013 when I wrote Rebooted.
- In the original draft of the story I created a Zapbots ship called the 'Cemen' (yes I was totally oblivious) and it looked very much like certain starship we all know and love. When I did the revision I put back Fortress Misslemax as this should always be the ship the Zapbots use for their adventures.
- This is the first appearance of so many characters. Camper, Dematerialize, Heavy, Hologram, Run/Rerun, Chewer, Transport, Photon, Rockets, Spike, Shoot-Up, Attack, Scouter, Leader-A, Carton, Murder, Kilter... I think that's it?
- Third pass to provide extra details and upgrades happened in 2021.
Continuity notes
- I believe this is the first notice of Pliers and Roberta's romantic relationship.
Real-life references
Continuity and plotting errors
- I know it's kind of silly to have the three ships fly back from Tockmak 3 to Gearatron, but hey they needed a bigger body to fight.
Other trivia
- Technically I'm consider Tri-Star a Zapbot up to the end of this story. Going forward I will refer to him as a Nonocon.
