Mercenary

This article is about the de facto faction. For Lockdown's assistants, see Shadow Raider.

File:Mercenary Symbol.png

Oh no you didn't!

Independent from both the Autobots and Decepticons, the Mercenaries are dangerous, skilled operatives whose only allegiance is to getting paid and to whichever side they find most beneficial at the time.

There are no factions out here.Doubledealer dealing his ideals, Earthrise episode 2

Members

• Soundblaster
  • Buzzsaw
• Dome Guards
• Doubledealer
• Bug Bite
• Exhaust
• Coneheads
  • Dirge
  • Ramjet
  • Thrust
• Lockdown
• Mudflap
• Nightbird
• Detritus
• Deadlock
• Octone

Fiction

War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon

During the final days of the Great War, a unit of Mercenaries led by the faulty clone Soundblaster traded energon among the neutral population, with Bumblebee being a frequent visitor. Needing raw Energon to launch the Ark, Bumblebee led Arcee and Cog to Soundblaster's base, only to be cornered as they located their target. Siege episode 5

Before Soundblaster and his Dome Guards could execute them, Shockwave's anti-Alpha Trion Protocol virus wreaked havoc on the base's systems, giving the Autobots a chance to escape. After the Ark had left Cybertron, Teletraan I detected the Fool's Fortune, a ship operated by a unit of Mercenaries led by Doubledealer. Siege episode 6 Earthrise episode 1

While taking control of the Ark, Doubledealer and his subordinates got the Autobots to stand down when Bumblebee—who had now joined the Autobots—attacked Bug Bite. Thrust and Dirge piloted the Fool's Fortune to Chaar, where they rendezvous with Doubledealer and their teammates aboard the Ark. Their payment for the mission was denied when their client, a Quintesson Judge known as Deseeus, suddenly mutilated most of its faces and turned on Doubledealer. Hoping for a chance at revenge, Doubledealer's unit helped the Autobots escape and battled the Quintesson's forces. They were then tasked by Megatron to follow the Ark. Earthrise episode 2

Catching up with the Fool's Fortune, Deseeus took control of Doubledealer's mind in hopes of wiping out Autobot and Decepticon alike. Though Ramjet, Dirge, and Thrust were able to escape the Quintesson, Bug Bite and Exhaust willingly (and begrudgingly) sided with their client-turned-boss. Having been knocked out of the Ark when the ship took damage, Cog took the opportunity to offline Bug Bite and Exhaust before battling Deseeus. The Quintesson was able to mortally wound Cog thanks to an opportunity caused by the Fool's Fortune taking damage from the Nemesis. Once Deseeus fled the Fool's Fortune, the ship exploded with both Doubledealer and Cog getting killed and debris knocking the Ark' and the Nemesis towards Earth. Earthrise episode 6

Games

Transformers: Earth Wars

As a Mercenary, Doubledealer can be recruited by both Autobot and Decepticon players.

Toys

Cybertron

• Mudflap

The Decepticon-branded Cybertron Mudflap was repurposed as his Mercenary-self in the Transformers Trading Card Game.

Revenge of the Fallen

• Lockdown

The Decepticon-branded Revenge of the Fallen Lockdown was repurposed as his Mercenary-self in the Transformers Trading Card Game.

Generations

War for Cybertron: Siege

• Soundblaster

The Decepticon-branded Siege Soundblaster is depicted with a Mercenary symbol instead in the War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon. The TakaraTomy release of the toy features a more show-accurate tape window, with a cleaner chest and Mercenary badge.

War for Cybertron: Earthrise

• Doubledealer

Earthrise Doubledealer was shown to be a Mercenary at New York Toy Fair 2020, and Mercenary symbols are featured on both the inner cardboard backdrop and the instructions. However, his packaging is outwardly branded as Decepticon, and the toy itself features changeable Autobot/Decepticon symbols on his shoulders in robot mode. Doubledealer is depicted with a Mercenary symbol in the War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon.

• Decepticon Snapdragon

Snapdragon was shown to be a Mercenary at New York Toy Fair 2020, but was released as a Decepticon and uses the term in his trademark-friendly name.

• Thrust

Mercenary symbols are featured on the inner cardboard backdrop. However, his packaging is outwardly branded as Decepticon, and the toy itself features Decepticon symbols on his wings. Thrust is depicted with Mercenary symbols in the War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon, albeit with a Cybertronian design.

Generations Selects

• Nightbird

Selects Nightbird's packaging is outwardly branded as Decepticon, but she is depicted as a Mercenary in the Transformers Trading Card Game.

• Decepticon Exhaust

Exhaust is the first release to feature a Mercenary symbol on the toy itself.

• Bug Bite

Bug Bite is the first release to be a Mercenary and not be associated with the Decepticons, given how Exhaust has a trademark-friendly name using the term "Decepticon". The generic Selects box art for the War for Cybertron Trilogy was changed on this toy to feature a Mercenary logo.

• Soundblaster

The TakaraTomy version of Siege Soundblaster is also being released under Selects, with the product description explicitly referring to Soundblaster by his Mercenary depiction in the War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon.

Merchandise

Transformers Trading Card Game

War for Cybertron: Siege II

• Detritus, Arms Dealer
• Deadlock, Soldier of Fortune
• Mudflap, Hired Muscle
• Nightbird, Enigmatic Agent
• Lockdown, Bounty Hunter
• Octone, Capricious Agitator

Foreign names

• Japanese: Mercenary (マーシナリー Māshinarī)