Timberjack -- Maximal Traveling Merchant
Name: Timberjack
Gender: Male
Faction: Maximal
Alternate Mode: Robotic Orthoptera
Appearance:
Alt Mode: His beast mode appears like the Transmetal 2 type of Maximals/Predacons, being a full mix of mechanical and organic components. Specifically resembling a cricket/grasshopper-esque version of John Deereâs âWalking Tractor/Timberjack Walking Machine,â including the harvester mechanical arm. Primarily a forest green and metallic black with chrome silver highlights.
Robot Mode: While in his robotic form, Timberjack sports the same color scheme as his beast mode (forest green and metallic black). The insectoid/cockpit-esque head is part of the torso, giving him some awkward bulk but otherwise slimmer compared to most Transformers. The mechanical arm from his beast form is positioned in the same place as a tail, with the arm either resting or hovering over his right shoulder. The center legs from his other form, while normally folded into his back, can fold out as to have four arms.
Weapons & Abilities: Timberjack is strong for his size, but not as powerful as brutes and tankier bots. His true power lies in his traversal abilities, able to remain stable, balanced, and travel through difficult terrain with ease. Due to his lighter weight and design, he leaves less impact on the areas and thus fewer tracks to follow for any hunting him. Able to easily climb up trees and poles with the use of his mechanical appendage, as well as other surfaces like cliff faces.
Timberjackâs primary weapon is an old Cybertronian light machine gun. It rapidly fires energy blasts and can form an Energon buzzsaw on its barrel in a similar position to the half-moon cartridge on Chauchat guns. The Energon buzzsaw can quickly cut through smaller foes and obstructions, but should he need something heavier, there is his mechanical arm/tail. The tail has a Cybertronian version of the felling heads found on harvesters, a large claw mechanism that can grab targets and saw apart whateverâs in its grasp.
Should he ever desire, he can have an extra pair of arms fold out from his back. Useful in grabbing more holds while climbing or for surprise attacks in combat. If using them for combat, they contain Energon emitters that create small daggers. While in beast mode, Timberjack can hop a good distance.
Personality: Despite his age, Timberjack still has the jubilance and excitement of a younger bot, especially for exploration. Yet lacks much of the naivety, as his witnessing of revolting things throughout the universe has roughened him up. Doesnât like staying in one place for too long, rather keep moving and seeing what new things can be found. Besides, the longer he stays somewhere, the more flaws he sees, and the more he starts to dislike it. Though tends to have a soft spot for any in the farther reaches of the universe where supplies are difficult to obtain. Feels sorry for Predacons and the old war machines, but will not hesitate to kill them should they give him a reason. Known to chirp some tunes while doing mundane tasks or under stress.
History: Timberjack, while not among the first new batch of Maximals, was of those early new breeds created on Cybertron. It is uncertain as to which Autobot he descended from, but his tendency to pick insects as his beast mode often gotten him mistaken for a Predacon. Between the occasional mistreatment from his kind and want of exploration, Timberjack left the planet on an exploration charter.
After that venture was complete, he went to work for a transportation company, delivering goods between colonies. During this time is when the Predacon Megatron rose and began his schemes. Timberjack was too far away and did not get involved but was disgusted by what he heard from others. At some point, he left the company and struck out on his own one-man trading service. Exploring and delivering services to the furthest of the Transformer colonies. Sometime during these travels, he gained his current form, though by purposeful modification or accidental mutation is unknown.
Timberjack eventually happened upon Maximusâs new colony during one of his explorations and became one of their frequent merchants. When news of Megatronâs return reaches Maximusâs colony, Timberjack had just arrived to deliver requested goods.
The Railroad Military Mini-Con Team
Railgun
Name: Railgun
Gender: Male
Faction: Mini-Con (current), Decepticon (formerly)
Alternate Mode: Armored Train-Railway Gun mix
Appearance:
Alt Mode: Railgunâs vehicle mode is a Cybertronian version of armored locomotives from WWII, specifically bearing the strongest resemblance to the armored steam locomotives used by the Soviets. Large, boxy in an almost trapezoid sense, though has a large cannon attached to the front in similar appearance to the gun wagons on WWI British armored trains. This train is dark army green with a light splinter pattern camouflage.
Combiner: While forming the space shuttle orbiter Scuttle, his colors change to a white and moon grey with a Canadian Disruptive Pattern style camouflage. The shuttle has one turreted cannon on its underside and a retractable robotic arm on the top.
Robot Mode: In his robot mode, Railgun keeps his green-camouflage coloring, but secondary colors of black and silver are more noticeable. This form is like other train Transformers, having a bulky build. The artillery cannon detaches from the front of the train and reattaches to his left forearm. His face is worn and scarred from the many blasts heâs survived, and the smokestack forms a tight collar around his neck like some ceremonial military uniforms.
Weapons & Abilities: Railgunâs only weapon is his artillery cannon, a large caliber, long-ranged weapon that fires explosive shells. Its explosive power is strong enough to break through armors of larger bots with a good bombardment. The explosive recoil is even enough to force Railgun to change directions while in train mode and can even use it to rocket jump. The cannon can also be used as a makeshift bat and blunt spear.
While in train form, once Railgun starts moving in a direction it can be difficult for him to turn or stop. At least, without some creative usages of his cannon. He is fast and powerful in his movements as a train and is just as strong and durable while in his robot mode. Thanks to the unique creation of his spark, Railgun can survive an attack that would otherwise obliterate him once per battle. While he takes no damage from this typically deadly blow, the near-death experience may activate old protocols. Once the battle is over, Railgun needs to be repaired of any damage received before this survivor power can activate again.
As a Mini-Con, Railgun has the potential to powerlinx with larger Transformers and grant them greater power. However, he currently lacks the port required for such function. If he is with Tie-Grabber and Machbreaker, the trio can combine to form the being Scuttle - an armored space shuttle. Scuttle is capable of interplanetary space travel and its cannon is powerful enough to perform orbital bombardments.
Personality: A mix between a station master and military commander, with some light drill sergeant, Railgun can come off as cold and commanding. Obsessed with efficiency and schedules, he pushes himself and others to work at maximum effort in the timeliest manner. Being a good resource planner, he doesnât force them to go beyond limits and accounted for necessary breaks, vacation days, and potential interruptions. Despite keeping himself busy and to a tight schedule for an emotional crutch, he will drop these plans if the circumstances demand it.
Puts up a strong, stone-faced front before others and his brothers to appear brave, fearless, and strong. Especially to bulks and strangers, trying to not let them know what heâs thinking. Though inside he is just as scared and afraid as the rest of them; oft blaming himself for failing to save others even if there was nothing more he could do, or it wasnât his fault. But to him a leader that appears weak and broken breaks morale and weakens resolve, which cannot be afforded. Deeply cares for his brothers and those under his command, willing to do anything to protect them.
Analytical, Railgun will watch, observe, and collect data before acting and making decisions. While not great at handling his own emotional issues, he can monitor and maintain the emotions of others to a decent degree. A bit of a gentleman, he does try to perform what he thinks are correct manners. As per his military nature, he is respectful of equal and superior positions regardless of his thoughts on the person.
Railgunâs Mini-Con tongue is deep with a definitive crunch to them, much like a locomotive building up its speed. Tends to be on the quiet side and speaks concisely, almost completely silent on the battlefield. If triggered back into his servility program, he constantly shouts and is filled with Rectifierâs madness.
History: Railgun was created back on Cybertron not long before the war started. His creation was ordered by one of the largest planetary rail companies on the planet. He, along with his brothers Coverfire and Sheller, formed the Railroad Military Mini-Con Team and were put under the command of the stationâs road foreman. They served primarily as security, but as it was peacetime this ended up being mostly defense maintenance, monitoring cargo, and eliminating vermin. Though occasionally they would help transport smaller components in dangerous areas, keeping cargo and workers safe.
Occasionally they would be tested by one of the other station workers known as Rectifier. As he and the others didnât know any better, they performed his requests. After the war had started, he and the rest of his team were captured by the turncoat Rectifier and reconfigured. Railgun would serve Rectifier and the Decepticons for many years, losing most of his fellow Mini-Cons in the process. At some point, his team was reconfigured to include Tie-Grabber and Machbreaker rather than Coverfire and Sheller. They were out on a scouting mission when they were captured and taken to the Vex.
Once in Iotaâs arena, he tried to lead the others into escaping so they could complete their mission, but Rectifierâs hold over them broke. In an alien world and come to realize what all was done to them, Railgun and the others hid. Creating tunnels and passages in the walls and floors of the coliseum, trying to survive and escape unnoticed. Though their efforts only started bearing fruit when a plucky young Predacon arrived at the prison and tried starting a collective escape.
With Maximusâs aid, the Railroad Team and other Mini-Cons were able to finally leave the Vex world. He would proceed to travel through the galaxy with new Mini-Con friends in search of any remaining brothers from Cybertron. Eventually finding his old team still alive, along with more brothers than he thought remained. Together, with new and old friends, they would form a Mini-Con colony of their own, away from the troubles of bulks. Still keeping in touch with Maximus and the colony, upon hearing the rise of tyranny, Railgun has come back for war. It may be unwise, but if Megatron is left to rule the Mini-Cons will be in grave danger and enslaved again.
Coverfire
Name: Coverfire
Gender: Male
Faction: Mini-Con (current), Decepticon (formerly)
Alternate Mode: Armored Wagon Car
Appearance:
Alt Mode: A Cybertronian version of an armored train wagon car, something akin to WWII German Armored Railcar (Panzerjäger-Triebwagen 51). Heavily armored, a more trapezoid-shaped wagon car with turret guns on each end. This armored railcar is dark army green with a light splinter pattern camouflage.
Robot Mode: In his robot mode, Coverfire keeps his green-camouflage coloring, but secondary colors of black and tan are more prominent. He is the largest member of his team and has massive and broad shoulders. His turrets can rest on the side of his shoulders or his forearms, depending on preferred configuration.
Weapons & Abilities: Coverfireâs weapons are a pair of artillery turrets that fire armor-piercing, explosive shells. Though his range is shorter than Railgunâs or Shellerâs, nor as powerful, his weapons fire at a much faster rate. For a limited time, Coverfire can increase his rate of fire to the same level as rotary cannons. If need be, his turrets can be used as makeshift bats, blunt spears, or massive boxing gloves. Heavily armored, Coverfire can absorb a good chunk of damage.
In vehicle form, Coverfire is self-propelled but much slower in movement than Railgun. Much like his leader, it is difficult for him to turn directions or stop once in motion. With some cannon fire and recoil tricks, he can circumvent this to an extent and much easier than Railgun as his turrets have a freer range of directions to fire in. As a Mini-Con, Railgun has the potential to powerlinx with larger Transformers and grant them greater power. However, he currently lacks the port required for such function.
Personality: A guardian, Coverfire will rush into battle and defend his allies unto his own death. Though a disciplined soldier, Coverfire is still a trigger-happy fellow and will unleash an unnecessary amount of ammo into identified targets. Can be jumpy if approached or touched unexpectedly, but usually wonât fire until the cause is identified. Excitable, good-natured and cheery, despite the hauntings of his failures he keeps an upbeat outward appearance. Loves the action of battle, helps keep his mind focused away from other things.
Coverfireâs Mini-Con tongue shares traits with Railgunâs, being deep and some crunch of the speeding locomotive. Though his has an added rata-tat-tat of machine gun fire and speaks slightly faster and less formal. Taunts his enemies to come out of hiding or cover during battle, but is unable to shout over his own cannons. If triggered back into his servility program, even his cannon fire shouts with Rectifierâs madness.
History: Coverfire was created back on Cybertron not long before the war started. His creation was ordered by a large planetary rail company, along with his brothers Railgun and Sheller. They were assigned the designation Railroad Military Mini-Con Team and placed under the road foremanâs command. On paper they were security, but typically performed defense maintenance, monitoring cargo, and eliminating vermin.
Occasionally they would be tested by one of the other station workers known as Rectifier. As he and the others didnât know any better, they performed his requests. After the war had started, he and the rest of his team were captured by the turncoat Rectifier and reconfigured. As missions became more dangerous and more of Mini-Cons were being lost, the Military Team was split apart. He ended up getting paired with Railgrinder and Breaker for a mission, but didnât return. The mission was a failure, Breaker was lost and the two tried their best to survive and make it back. Though Railgrinder died before they could make it out, leaving Coverfire alone when he discovered Rectifier had died.
He and the remaining Railroad Mini-Cons on Cybertron regrouped to make sense of what to do next. With Rectifierâs control gone, they went into hiding and tried to avoid the rest of the war. By the time the war restarted on Earth, the group tried to rescue other Mini-Cons, especially from the Decepticons, and escape to a new home.
Many years later, he and the others would finally reunite with Railgun, Tie-Grabber, and Machbreaker. With a new colony, it seemed that life might finally be at peace, retirement style. But with the return of Megatron and knowing his old leader and brother canât let this sit still, he has volunteered to go. One more blaze of glory couldnât hurt.
Sheller
Name: Sheller
Gender: Male
Faction: Mini-Con (current), Decepticon (formerly)
Alternate Mode: TM-1-180 Railway Gun
Appearance:
Alt Mode: A Cybertronian version of railway gun, similar to the TM-1-180 railway guns but with a much larger cannon. A fairly flat railcar with some armored cover and a large armored, turret cannon in the middle of the platform. This armed railcar is dark army green with a light splinter pattern camouflage.
Robot Mode: Like his vehicle mode, Sheller is much thinner than his brothers, mostly seen in his arms and torso. His large cannon can remain on his back like Armada Megatron or detach it and carry it in both hands. Like the rest of his team, Sheller keeps his green-camouflage coloring, with the color spread remaining roughly the same.
Weapons & Abilities: Sheller is known for one thing, his huge cannon. It is his only weapon, firing large and powerful explosive shells to bombard and destroy battlefields. It has longer range than Railgunâs cannon and far more damaging, but due to its massive size and recoil Sheller needs to be anchored before firing as to not damage himself. While in vehicle form this anchoring is not as required but is while in robot mode. Though if he wishes, he can set up his cannon on the ground as mobile weapon placement. The cannon can also be used as a makeshift club or battering ram.
While in railway gun form, Sheller is able to move on his own power, but is the slowest of his team. As such, he has no issue with breaking and has an easier time turning. Sheller is not as well armored as Railgun or Coverfire and cannot sustain as much punishment. As a Mini-Con, Sheller has the potential to powerlinx with larger Transformers and grant them greater power. However, he currently lacks the port required for such function.
Personality: Sheller is the kind of bot that prefers to let his cannon do the talking. The big kablams tend to be excellent negotiators but will use quieter and softer tones himself if required to speak. Despite his bombarding abilities, Sheller takes little joy in the destruction he causes, finding it to be a waste of creation. Heâd much rather things be handled peacefully, but has little hesitation to obliterate targets if that cannot be obtained. Continues to soldier on in solemn solace as he is unable to find rest.
Shellerâs keeps his Mini-Con tongue is soft and light, though the barking booms of his true voice can still be detected. Comes with a lot of clicking and bombing type of beeps. If triggered back into his servility program, his explosive voice can reign over even his cannon, filled with Rectifierâs madness.
History: Sheller was created back on Cybertron not long before the war started. His creation was ordered by a large planetary rail company, along with his brothers Railgun and Coverfire. They were assigned the designation Railroad Military Mini-Con Team and placed under the road foremanâs command. On paper they were security, but typically performed defense maintenance, monitoring cargo, and eliminating vermin.
Occasionally they would be tested by one of the other station workers known as Rectifier. As he and the others didnât know any better, they performed his requests. After the war had started, he and the rest of his team were captured by the turncoat Rectifier and reconfigured. As missions became more dangerous and more of Mini-Cons were being lost, the Military Team was split apart. He ended up getting paired with Tramjam and Speeding Bullet.
Sheller and the team returned from a successful mission shortly after Rectifier was killed and the first to learn of his death after Tanker. After the initial shock and cloudy headache, they got the other known survivors together. They would search to confirm the remaining living or dead members before going into hiding for most of the war. By the time the war restarted on Earth, the group tried to rescue other Mini-Cons, especially from the Decepticons, and escape to a new home.
Many years later, he and the others would finally reunite with Railgun, Tie-Grabber, and Machbreaker. With a new colony, it seemed that life might finally be at peace, retirement style. But with the return of Megatron, neither he or Railgun could rest. If his old brother wasnât already going, Sheller would have gone himself. Perhaps the nightmare will finally be over after this one.
