The Diagnostic Drone (known as Flying C or Fly in Japan) is a character from the Beast Machines TV Series. It is a minor character in the show, serving as an advisor to Megatron. This drone possessed an artificial intelligence, had no alternate mode, and was programmed to obey Megatron's every command. During its brief role in the series, it attempted several times to eradicate Megatron's organic side, with little success. Eventually, by studying the Maximal Nightscream, it did learn how to remove Megatron’s organic components; however before it could do so, it was reprogrammed by Tankor, who had regained his memories as the Maximal Rhinox, who ordered it to fail in its attempt to help Megatron. Tankor then used the Diagnostic Drone to obtain the Key to Vector Sigma and to send false visions through the Oracle to Optimus Primal. The Drone is later destroyed by Megatron, who was apparently aware of its traitorous activities the entire time.
Having been destroyed in the first season and Megatron having removed his organic body from himself, there was no need for the Diagnostic Drone in the second season. However other Diagnostic Drones appeared for the first time, with much more limited intelligence, although still more intelligent then the average Vehicon Drone. Their function appeared to be maintenance and repair. But in second season, Megatron eventually becomes trapped in the body of one of these Drones. Several Diagnostic Drones build him his "Optimal" body and more of them are seen bringing the last of the Maximal sparks into the containment unit and repairing a console after Optimus Primal damages it.
A Diagnostic drone was seen in the Transformers: Universe comic series acting as cameraman for the Autobot reporter Rook.
Diagnostic drones have appeared in the first Transformers: The War Within series from Dreamwave Productions, both acting as drones in Optronix's data library, and later fetching Megatron's cannon in the Decepticon base.
Famous quotes containing the word drone:
“Television does not dominate or insist, as movies do. It is not sensational, but taken for granted. Insistence would destroy it, for its message is so dire that it relies on being the background drone that counters silence. For most of us, it is something turned on and off as we would the light. It is a service, not a luxury or a thing of choice.”
—David Thomson, U.S. film historian. America in the Dark: The Impact of Hollywood Films on American Culture, ch. 8, William Morrow (1977)