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.^[1]

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, killing both Doubledealer and Cog, while the debris knocked the Ark and the Nemesis towards Earth. Earthrise episode 6

Known members:

War for Cybertron Trilogy marketing materal

Snapdragon was a Mercenary, Toy Fair 2020^[2] though he aligned with the Decepticons. The Mercenaries, including Doubledealer, were one of the few unforeseen dangers ahead of the Autobots and Decepticons in their race for the Allspark. Earthrise webpage^[3]

Known members:

2019 IDW continuity

In a dystopian future where Cybertron was ruled by Exarchon, the Mercenaries included Thraals as part of its membership, as they would sell off rebel Cybertronians. Test Flight II

Cyberverse cartoon

Led by Trypticon, the Mercenaries traveled the universe looking for planets to plunder. Each time they found one, they would use their time blaster to freeze the inhabitants in place, then ransack all their valuables before ultimately obliterating the planet in their wake. After destroying countless planets, including the Dinobots' homeworld, they set their sights on Cybertron. Though they succeeded in time-blasting the planet and began looting the place, they found themselves confronted by Grimlock, who was off-world during the blast, and the Dinobots, who had pursued them after their planet's destruction. Ultimately the group were overcome by the Dinobots' combined Volcanicus form, prompting Trypticon to fire them all, but even he was defeated after being frozen by his own time blaster, leading the others (sans Buzzsaw) to make a hasty retreat off the planet. The Immobilizers

Known members:

Rise of the Beasts film

At least five Mercenaries had ran afoul of Scourge, been bested and had their insignia taken as trophies by the hunter. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Games

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

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Transformers: Earth Wars

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

Known members:

Toys

Cybertron

• Mudflap

The Decepticon-branded Cybertron Mudflap was repurposed as his "Generation 1" 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 "Generation 1" Mercenary-self in the Transformers Trading Card Game.

War for Cybertron: Siege

• Soundblaster

The Decepticon-branded Siege Soundblaster was later depicted as a Mercenary in the War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon. The TakaraTomy release of the toy features a more show-accurate deco, including a Mercenary faction symbol, and was released as part of Generations Selects through Hasbro Pulse.

War for Cybertron: Earthrise

• Doubledealer

Earthrise Doubledealer was unveiled as 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 only features Autobot and Decepticon symbols. The accompanying War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon and marketing material would also later depict him as a Mercenary.

• Decepticon Snapdragon

Earthrise Snapdragon was unveiled as a Mercenary at New York Toy Fair 2020, but was solely branded as a Decepticon. His toy-body was later depicted as a Mercenary in the Earth Wars game.

• Thrust

Earthrise Thrust is primarily branded as a Decepticon but has Mercenary symbols on the inner cardboard backdrop, likely due to his status in the accompanying War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon. The toy itself only features Decepticon symbols.

Generations Selects

• Nightbird

A Generations Selects add-on to Siege, Nightbird's packaging and instructions are outwardly branded as Decepticon, but her toy-body was later depicted as a Mercenary in the accompanying Transformers Trading Card Game. The toy itself features no faction symbols.

• Decepticon Exhaust

A Generations Selects add-on to War for Cybertron Trilogy, Exhaust is the first release to feature a Mercenary symbol on the toy itself. Exhaust also has the Mercenary symbol on his instructions but his trademarked name brands him as a Decepticon. His toy-body was later depicted as a Mercenary in the accompanying War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon.

• Bug Bite

A Generations Selects add-on to War for Cybertron Trilogy, Bug Bite is the first release to be a Mercenary and not be associated with the Decepticons. The generic Selects box art for the War for Cybertron Trilogy was changed to feature a Mercenary symbol.

Foreign names

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

References