"Linkage", part 9

Credits

Written and Art by - Hirofumi Ichkawa

Story

Off the coast of Hawaii, Redline gives his stash of Minicon panels to Stella for safekeeping, then joins with Falcia for an experimental evolutionary upgrade. In flashback, Redline explains that each Minicon has access to the vast powers of the Linkage, but this ability was kept secret from them to prevent overloading the Transformers in their Great Wars. The "upgraded" Minicons who've recently attacked them have surrendered their wills in exchange for access to that power; by studying their enemy's "hunters," Redline has deduced the formula -- the Master Key -- that allows them to evolve their Spark frames so they, too, can access that power.

The Aqua Raider team blasts their way into the spaceship, but it's empty; the Minicons have gone ashore to a nearby island for the experiment. The Raiders approach the site just as the experiment begins; with a crackle of electrifying power, Redline and Falcia have evolved themselves with the ability to access the full power of the Linkage! Desperate, the Raiders attack, but are easily rebuffed and destroyed by the newly hyper-powered duo.

As the Raiders fall, the Speed Chasers fly in at high speed, towing a large metal egg in their wake. Snarling a vow for vengeance, they unleash their cargo, the berserker beast known as Ravenus!