| abstract | - Nothing pleases DOWNSHIFT more than war. Before Emperor Prime launched his attack, Downshift was a security agent bored with the endless peace. Once Prime started his reign of carnage, however, Downshift saw the world anew. His eagerness and loyalty to Optimus Prime got the attention of the Autobot Secret Police, and now he spies for Director Alert, currently on members of Remote Patrol Six. Since becoming an agent for the Secret Police, Downshift seems happier, which unsettles some Autobots who knew him before. When on a mission, he dispatches Decepticons with an almost savage glee, and he seems to relish the opportunity to rat on a fellow Autobot. Between missions, however, Downshift bores easily, and his mood drops dangerously. In robot mode, Downshift carries twin ground-to-air rocket launchers on his shoulders. The rockets use magnetism to guide their path, limiting them to mostly iron and steel targets, such as Decepticons and innocent bystanders in Cybertron. The launchers can also be used while he's in his flying-car mode, making Downshift a very effective covert warrior. In either mode, the rockets can travel up to 30 miles and pack the explosive equivalent of a half ton of TNT. He also wields a "rust rifle" which shoots a stream of powerful liquid oxidizing agents. A blast of this can seriously harm and debilitate a metallic foe. Downshift's weapons are mostly ineffective against non-ferrous materials, a fact that can be used to his disadvantage by an opponent. On a mission, however, his soldierly instincts are often enhanced by his consistent behavior and cheerful moods.
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