Misc.

The simulator was more than capable of producing truly intelligent opposition—it could even simulate specific Cybertronian opponents almost accurately.

[...]

He landed with his intakes still cycling rapidly, fiercely delighted; a simulator that could bring him down. It was glorious, and he still had another hour left. “Computer, simulate personal combat, half-hour match,” Cyclonus said. “Opponent: Ultra Magnus.”

Magnus was his most deadly opponent. When Grimlock remained in robot mode, Cyclonus’s victory rate dropped to 52% against him, but he had never yet managed to get his rate above the halfway mark with Magnus regardless of conditions. He had never even imagined trying to run a simulation of live combat against him; it would only be irritating to face so unsatisfying a version of his foe. He was not sure even this simulator could manage it—but it was at least worth an attempt, and indeed, after the first few passes he could tell that it was close enough to make the fight a challenge.

But it was not quite right—on the fourth exchange, Cyclonus managed to solidly throw him with a maneuver he felt instinctively that Ultra Magnus would have found some way to evade; if it had succeeded in a real battle, he would have thought Magnus distracted. Cyclonus paused the simulator, considering, and then said, “Computer, add Shockwave as secondary opponent.”

That served well: the match became brutally difficult at once. Cyclonus had to remain almost entirely on the defensive, and was forced to use his alt mode to simply move out of range on several occasions. He just barely managed to stay alive for the half hour, and ended it at last to find Megatron observing, his arms folded over his chest with irritation bright in his eyes. “Ultra Magnus and Shockwave?” he snapped.