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Hard Knocks

2012-10-06T21:18:12Z

108.90.8.35: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 48
|prev=Alpha/Omega
|next=Inside Job
|image=
|caption=.
|title="Hard Knocks"
|airdate=[[October 5]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''As the race grows more desperate, Knock Out harnesses the power of sound while Starscream gains the power of hyper speed.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] is still hard at work decoding coordinates, while [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] boasts about his defeat of Optimus. Soundwave soon comes up with another set of coordinates, and [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] insists on going. Though Megatron is skeptical, recalling [[Tunnel Vision|the last time]] the doctor tried to obtain a relic, Knock Out insists he won't fail this time, and borrows Soundwave's [[Resonance Blaster]].

In the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] is likewise decoding coordinates. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] annoys everyone by boasting it is his destiny to be a great warrior and being generally exuberant. To his disappointment, when Optimus decodes a set of coordinates, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] are the ones selected to go on the mission, and he is left at base. Arcee and Bumblebee arrive at a lakeside and spy the second [[Omega Key]] sitting out in the open, but Knock Out is already there, waiting. Using the Resonance Blaster, both Autobots are sent flying and when they try to flank the Decepticon, he shoots it at the ground, raising a cloud of dust so he can use it as cover to zap them. By the time Arcee and Bumblebee recover, Knock Out is long gone with the key.

Back on the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron inspects the relic and wonders if it is a decoy, though Knock Out protests the Autobots fought too desperately for it. Soundwave decodes more coordinates which Megatron believes will provide them with more answers, but when Knock Out declares to investigate, Megatron instead gives him the task of analyzing the key and its purpose. Meanwhile, Bumblebee undergoes repairs, and Smokescreen's swagger continues to get on Arcee's nerves so she goes to find some peace and quiet. Bulkhead reminds Smokescreen that the war has been going on a long time and he needs to have patience to work as a team player.

[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] has finished refining his [[Red Energon]], but finding it slow work and with only a small yield of a one-time use. Luckily the ''[[Harbinger]]'' computer picks up more Decepticon activity, and Starscream decides he can use the Red Energon to obtain a more valuable artifact.

The Autobots gain a new set of coordinates, and Bulkhead and Smokescreen roll out, though Arcee reminds Bulkhead to keep an eye on their eager comrade. The pair arrive on a forested mountainside where [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] is waiting. The Decepticon knocks them flat before flying off, and the two Autobots realize that Dreadwing has mined the trees... '''all''' of the trees. They manage to outrun the explosions, and Bulkhead sends Smokescreen after the relic while he goads Dreadwing into a fight. As they exchange blows, Dreadwing plants a bomb on Bulkhead's back, and after Bulkhead manages to knock him flat, smugly sets it to explode. Unfortunately for Dreadwing, Bulkhead already noticed the bomb and transferred it to his back during the fight, and though Dreadwing throws the bomb away, it goes off close enough to knock him out.

[[Image:HardKnocksBulkheadDreadwing.jpg|thumb|left|250px|FATALITY.]]
Smokescreen meanwhile uncovers the Omega Key, only to be rendered unconscious by a blow from behind. When Bulkhead wakes him, the key is already gone. Smokescreen is deflated by his failure, but as they return through the [[GroundBridge]], Bulkhead reminds him that they need all four keys to revive [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Starscream, hiding nearby with the key he grabbed, overhears them talking, and regards the key he holds with new respect and ambition.

Back at base, Smokescreen exclaims his inability of securing the key and Arcee lectures him on realistic expectations and tells him he needs to be a team player. Upset, Smokescreen leaves the base and Optimus, saying the young Autobot needs to clear his head, returns to decoding coordinates. On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron is unhappy at Dreadwing's failure, and checks with Soundwave regarding the project to find where the Autobot base is located. Soundwave reports that he has [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] scouting around [[Jasper]]. As both sides complete their decoding work, the final set of coordinates resolve into an image—a picture of Smokescreen himself, to both sides' surprise. Unfortunately when Optimus tries to call in Smokescreen, the rookie does not answer due to deactivating his comlink, and has instead fallen into Laserbeak's sights. Laserbeak fires on Smokescreen, who transforms to confront the drone, only to be knocked flat by Soundwave's Resonance Blaster. When the Autobots arrive at the location, they are just in time to see Soundwave dragging their unconscious friend back to the ''Nemesis'' through the Decepticon GroundBridge.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (1)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (3)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (11)
*[[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] (12)
|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"Last one to the Omega Key has to scrub the Energon tanks for a week." 
"Didn't know we were keeping score."
:—'''Smokescreen''' and '''Arcee'''

"Who knew that sound waves could be such a knock out?"
:—See what '''Knock Out''' did there?

"Make sure you keep an eye on 'destiny's child', okay?" 
"Compared to watching Miko? Piece of cake!"
:—'''Arcee''' giving '''Bulkhead''' some advice on handling the rookie.

"You love doing your dirty work from a distance, don't ya? Too bad you don't have the ball bearings to fight up close and personal!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' Insulting '''Dreadwing''' with some clever wording from the writers.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron brags about his accomplishments in [[Legacy|the previous episode]] to Soundwave.
* Megatron loosely refers to the events of "[[Tunnel Vision]]" while expressing surprise at Knock Out's willingness to get his hands dirty in light of what happened the last time, as well as more directly in his failure to obtain the [[phase shifter]].
* Optimus still has the improvised sword-holder Ratchet made for him in the previous episode.
* Knock Out and Soundwave both use the [[Resonance Blaster]], which Soundwave retrieved in "[[Triage]]".
* Starscream has refined the [[Red Energon]] he obtained in "[[New Recruit]]", though it's only enough to last for one use. ''Maybe two.'' He also remembers the loss of the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] in the same episode.
* Dreadwing reminds Bulkhead of their previous battle in "[[Loose Cannons]]".
* Megatron mentions that recent events have allowed them to narrow down the location of the Autobots' human allies, most likely referring to their discovery of [[Raf Esquivel|Raf's]] house in "[[The Human Factor]]".

===Transformers references===
* Knock Out hopes that the new relic is an [[electro-disrupter]] cannon.
* The concept of an Autobot being the Omega Key comes from the War for Cybertron game, only with Omega Supreme being the Autobot instead of Smokescreen.

===Real-world references===
* "Slow and Steady Wins the Race," is the famous moral in Aesop's most well known story: The Tortoise and the Hare.

===Trivia===
* Knock Out and Dreadwing both had the opportunity to take their assigned relics and leave, but stuck around to fight the Autobots. Dreadwing in particular must have spent hours placing bombs on all those trees.
* Unlike the other Energon variants, no side-effects are seen with the use of refined Red Energon... so far.
* Megatron sends three different Decepticons to do his dirty work in one episode. They must be taking shifts.
* No humans appear in this episode.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

The Human Factor

2012-09-25T02:40:44Z

108.90.8.35: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the episode of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''|the story originally published in [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (Marvel US)]] #68|The Human Factor!}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 45
|prev=New Recruit
|next=Legacy
|image=TheHumanFactor Cylas and Megatron.jpg
|title="The Human Factor"
|airdate=[[September 14]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Bob Skir|Robert N. Skir]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''After Silas is integrated into Breakdown's body, he approaches Megatron with a plan to join the Decepticon ranks.'''

==Synopsis==
In a [[MECH]] base, a small team of surgeons and technicians hook [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]]'s reassembled remains up to their computer and infuse them with electricity and Energon. Breakdown awakens, only it's not Breakdown—MECH has implanted [[Silas]] within the Decepticon's corpse. Silas is impressed with their ingenuity, but decides that, as he is no longer human, he no longer needs their services, and slaughters them.

[[Image:TheHumanFactorCylas.jpg|thumb|left|250px| [[Brainmaster|BRAIN SET!]]]]
Some time later, Silas drives up to the entrance to a military facility, stopping at the gate to introduce himself. Meanwhile in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] are trying to encourage [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to keep up his recuperation, despite the Wrecker's belief that he is being replaced. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] suggests he uses the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] for extra strength and power, but Bulkhead sees it as a crutch and knocks it aside, causing it to damage the computer system. As Ratchet grumbles over the negative atmosphere, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] talks with [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] on the phone and is surprised to learn that Raf's been grounded for his slipping grades.

The Decepticons on the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', namely [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]], are likewise surprised when Breakdown's signal shows up on their scanners. Knock Out and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] are sent to investigate and find the military base wrecked. Moments after they arrive, what appears to be Breakdown strides out of the smoke. In response to the Decepticons' reaction to his marred appearance, "Breakdown" asks in Silas's voice to be taken to [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]].

[[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] briefs the Autobots on the theft of the [[Project Damocles]] satellite apparently by Breakdown assisted by a human whom Fowler believes is Silas. Ratchet strongly dismisses the idea of Decepticons and humans pairing together, rebuffed only by Jack's reasoning of the alliance working for the Autobots. Aboard the warship, Megatron is introduced to the Breakdown/Silas combo, now calling himself Cylas: "Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis". Though Megatron is disgusted by such an abomination and Knock Out is keen to dissect Cylas as revenge for Breakdown, the MECH commander wants to strike a deal with the Decepticons and offers the Damocles weapon as a token of friendship. As Fowler's briefing in the Autobot base ends, the Autobots realize they must protect the satellite's interface codes, currently stored on servers in [[Colorado]].

[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has already gotten to the Colorado base, clearing it using a recording of Fowler's voice, and by the time the Autobots get there, the place is already heavily guarded by Decepticons. Cylas points out to Megatron that since Soundwave is now connected to the mainframe, he can operate the satellite. The Damocles satellite is duly launched from the ''Nemesis'', and Soundwave starts targeting the Autobots on the ground. His first shot narrowly misses Smokescreen, and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] contacts base for backup. Bulkhead is ready to go but Ratchet stops him as Optimus is actually after ''technical'' help to disable the satellite. Ratchet decides Raf is required for this mission and so Raf gets unexpected visitors in the form of Fowler, Miko and Jack.

While the Autobots try to keep Soundwave distracted, Bulkhead attempts to talk Ratchet into sending him to help. Ratchet finally concedes, but has his own ideas. While Raf works on a way to crash the satellite and Fowler tries to work out a way to get to the toilet without Raf's mom seeing, the Decepticons detect Raf's hacking attempt. When they track the source to [[Jasper]], Megatron sends Cylas to deal with the matter, despite Cylas's chagrin. Cylas soon hauls up outside Raf's house and takes aim, only for Bulkhead to come barreling down the street and slam him into a nearby drainage canal. After a tense reintroduction, Bulkhead realizes his opponent is not Breakdown—and is shocked to find that it is actually Silas/Cylas operating the Con's body. The pair start fighting, but Bulkhead's weakness quickly begins to show.

[[Image:TheHumanFactorProjectDamocles.jpg|thumb|right|250px| It's a bird! It's a plane! It's none of the above!]]
Ratchet contacts Optimus who is still running from the Damocles beam, to report that Bulkhead needs backup. Indeed, the Wrecker is still not operating fully and not doing well against Cylas, but the addition of Smokescreen to the fight helps. Megatron, impatient at Cylas's failure, orders Soundwave to target the source of the hack. The Autobots take advantage of the cessation of the Damocles attack to try to storm the command center. The kids, meanwhile, see that the satellite has moved and is now aiming at them. Raf manages to get the satellite's thrusters under his control, and the shot does little more than knock the corner off the [[KO Burger]] sign before the satellite starts reentry. Their celebration is interrupted by Raf's mom, but luckily they break out the "study group" defense. Meanwhile, the Autobots break into the command center in time to see Soundwave leaving. Elsewhere, Cylas begins to lose his fight and is called back to the ''Nemesis''. Bulkhead and Smokescreen see the satellite's reentry and congratulate each other.

Back on the ship, Megatron announces that Cylas has earned his place at the table—Knock Out's dissection table, that is—explaining that the MECH commander was correct about the human factor tipping the war's scales, but in the Autobots' favor. Cylas is then zapped from behind and dragged away for "study", much to his fearful displeasure and Knock Out's delight.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (7)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (16)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (18)

|c2=
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (13)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (14)

|c3=
*[[MECH Commando]]s (1)
*[[MECH Surgeon]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[Jack Darby]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)
*[[Raf's mom]] (10)
*[[William Fowler]] (15)

|c4=
*[[Silas|Cylas]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Thank you all for your dedication and a life time of service. But I now seem more suited to keep the exclusive company... of titans"
:—'''"Cylas"''' before killing his own men. Cold.

"Bulkhead! I ''needed'' that!"
:—'''Ratchet''' ''still'' hasn't learned that saying that phrase won't change anything.

'''Jack''': You've got to be kidding, Raf! You of all people, grounded? 
'''Raf''': Big time. I misplaced some homework and blew a couple of tests. 
'''Miko''': Translation, A- instead of A.
:—'''Miko''' thinks '''Raf''' is Mr. Perfect when it comes to school, unlike herself.

"Breakdown may act the brute, but he's a maestro behind a rotary buffer!"
:—'''Knock Out''' gives us his little secret for auto-detailing - a pal skilled with a rotary buffer.

"This is the human who dissected Breakdown!" 
''*Knock Out activates his circular saw*'' 
"Please, my liege, allow me to return the favor."
:—'''Knock Out''', finally confirming the fans' belief that he ''does'' care about his former partner.

"Megatron, relax." 
''*Megatron glares at Cylas*'' 
"''Lord'' Megatron."
:—'''Cylas''' learns that Megatron doesn't want to be his friend.

"What? No! If my mom sees you..." 
"Relax, I trained in covert ops." 
"I don't care if you were trained by a ninja! My mom has eyes in the back of ''your'' head."
:—'''Raf''' tells '''Agent Fowler''' why he can't use the restroom.

'''Megatron''': Cylas, you have earned your place at the table. 
'''Cylas''': Lord Megatron, I am honored. 
'''Megatron''': Knock Out's dissection table! 
'''Knock Out''': Breakdown would be tickled.
:—Well, '''Knock Out''' finally got ''his'' wish.

"He will be a fascinating case for study." 
"I will leave no fiber or ''fiber optic'' unexamined."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Knock Out''' get a new science project.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When Knock Out detects Breakdown's signal, the image of Breakdown on the screen shows his current appearance, when logically the last image they should have had on file would be one with his optic patch. However, this may not be a mistake, since it is unclear how such images are obtained in the first place. Cybertronian self-portraits may well update themselves, much like real life technology is capable of similar things.
* On the same screen as Breakdown's image, the map of the United States shows the state of Louisiana inside Texas, with an empty spot where it's supposed to be. The same map error reappears when Soundwave begins operating the Damocles satellite.
* When Cylas targets the window of Raf's room, his zoomed-in view is from the wrong angle. To be able to see Jack and the others within, he would have to be firing from the opposite side.
* The final shot of the satellite fires parallel to Raf's house. To do this, the satellite would have to be in position below the equator. When it fires, it is shown to be above North America, and burns up in the skies above Jasper not long after. In addition, the beam is constant, even though it should be changing position with the satellite.
* Cylas can talk after being zapped with the energon prod, a phenomenon that didn't appear on other robots such as Optimus Prime. This may not be an error, as the unique interface between the human 'Silas' and the robot 'Breakdown' may have prevented Silas himself from being electrocuted.

===Continuity notes===
* The base in which Silas is revived is the same one used in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]".
* During Cylas's revival, one of the console's screens depicts the blueprints shown during Breakdown's dissection during "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".
* MECH was preparing to save Silas using Breakdown's corpse at the end of "[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]".
* Silas refers to his merger with Breakdown's corpse as "the perfect meld of man and machine", the same line he used to describe [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]] in its eponymous episode.
* Smokescreen offers Bulkhead the use of the Apex Armor, which he took from Starscream in the [[New Recruit|previous episode]]. Bulkhead's resentment of the newbie also started in that episode, but he seems to have resolved it by this one's end.
* Bulkhead uses the [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|lobbing]] ball from "[[Con Job]]" as a medicine ball.
* Cylas uses his real name (Leland Bishop) to introduce himself to the guard at the military base, which was first revealed by Fowler in the episode "[[Grill]]". Likewise, Project Damocles was first mentioned in that episode.
* After taking crippling injuries in "[[Toxicity]]", Bulkhead is finally well enough to go out in the field. He's far from 100%, but he can put up a fight.
* Knock Out references the events of "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and wants vengeance for it.
* The place in which Cylas, Bulkhead and Smokescreen fight is the same place Arcee and Bumblebee engaged the Vehicons back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]", and it is shown to be - as Raf said in that episode - "right up the street" from Raf's house.
* Before fighting Bulkhead, Cylas states that the former will never again interfere with his operations, which references "Operation: Breakdown".
* Soundwave displays the picture he took of Jack, Miko, and Raf back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]".

===Transformers references===
* This isn't the [[Autobot Spike|first time]] a human mind was placed in a robot body to preserve it.
* Nor is this the [[Novo|first MECH operative]] who would control a mechanical body.
* Nor is it the [[Attack from Outer Space|first time]] the Decepticons attempted to target Autobots from space.
* Silas/Cylas' position in [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown's]] corpse is nearly identical to where the [[Brainmaster|Brainmasters]] merge with their [[Transtector|Transtectors]].

===Real-world references===
* The surging electricity and twitching hand during Silas' revival reflects toward the animation of [[Frankenstein's monster]].
* The missing-eye appearance on Breakdown's face resembles that of the ''Terminator''.
* Cylas' request of "take me to your leader" is a stereotypical phrase used in early sci-fi movies involving aliens arriving to Earth from another world.
* The satellite's name, Damocles, refers to the ancient anecdote referred to as "[[wikipedia:Damocles|the Sword of Damocles]]".

===Trivia===
* Aww, Knock Out is willing to avenge Breakdown.
* We learn Raf's full name in this episode.
* One of Silas' biological eyes appears to be permanently dilated, known medically as [[wikipedia:Anisocoria|anisocoria]]. Not only does it match Breakdown's missing-eye look, a permanently dilated pupil can also be a sign of serious cranial injury.
* It's ironic that someone like Silas, who has spent most of his time and activity dissecting Autobots and Decepticons just to see how they tick, ends up becoming someone else's experiment instead. Especially since it's Knock Out who's doing the operating! (More ironically in Hong Kong, Knock Out and Silas's Cantonese dubber is the same person.)
* Silas renaming himself Cylas ("Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis") is reflected in the end credits.
*Apparently, Raf's mom has eyes in the back of Agent Fowler's head.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Human Factor}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Sludge (FOC)

2012-09-25T02:34:10Z

108.90.8.35: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Sludge}}
{{faction|autobot|lightningstrike}}

:''Sludge is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]] portion of the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[Image:FallOfCybertron Sludge robot mode.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[:Category:Things that don't exist|Category: Things that don't exist]]]]

The hapless '''Sludge''' is a member of the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]], serving under the command of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]].

==Fiction==
===''Fall of Cybertron'' comics===
[[Image:GoodIntentions-LightningStrikeCoalition.jpg|left|thumb|300px|It's totally obvious we're gonna win.]]
Shortly before the [[Great Exodus]], Sludge was a member of the Lightning Strike Coalition, a brutal subgroup of Autobots under the leadership of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]], who reluctantly followed [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]'s more cautious brand of warfare... when ordered. Swoop was sent to investigate [[Shockwave (Prime)|Shockwave]]'s [[energon]] sources but he worryingly disappeared. When the other four coalition members learned that Swoop had been captured by Shockwave, they disobeyed orders and went after him themselves. {{storylink|Good Intentions}} Sludge and the others followed Grimlock, secure in his arrogance, who was glad that the fate of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] rested in their hands. {{storylink|Secrets (FOC)|Secrets}}

{{-}}
==Games==
===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
[[Image:FOC-Sludgefound.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Well, that can't be good.]]

Sludge and the rest of the Lightning Strike Coalition deserted their posts defending the Ark to look into some mysterious energy readings. He helped steal an Autobot drop ship and together the team traveled to the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]]. Unfortunately the energy readings related to [[Shockwave (Prime)|Shockwave's]] recent activities near the [[energon lake]], particularly his efforts on the space bridge and the creation of the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]]. The Lightning Strike Coalition battled the Insecticons, but while the others were captured for Shockwave's continued experiments, Sludge was seemingly killed. His body was found by [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], partially dismembered and grafted to the wall of an Insecticon hive. Jazz stated that he was in stasis lock. Jazz removed Sludge's [[memory core]] while attempting to find out what had happened in the tunnels. Jazz later flooded the tunnels with a highly toxic fluid, quite possibly destroying Sludge's body in the process.

After escaping from captivity, the newly christened [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots]] found a hologramatic datacore which projected the body Shockwave had originally planned to give Sludge.{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:FallOfCybertron Sludge dinomode.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
* Sludge is the only member of the Lightning Strike Coalition to appear in ''Fall of Cybertron'' in his original, pre-Dinobot body.

*Sludge is currently the only Dinobot that isn't playable in Fall of Cybertron's multiplayer. Oddly enough, the other four dinobots were released together in a DLC, but the DLC excluded Sludge.

[[Category:Video game-only characters]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]

The Human Factor

2012-09-17T22:55:03Z

108.90.8.35: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the episode of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''|the story originally published in [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (Marvel US)]] #68|The Human Factor!}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 45
|prev=New Recruit
|next=Legacy
|image=TheHumanFactor Cylas and Megatron.jpg
|caption=
|title="The Human Factor"
|airdate=[[September 14]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Bob Skir|Robert N. Skir]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''After Silas is integrated into Breakdown's body, he approaches Megatron with a plan to join the Decepticon ranks.'''

==Synopsis==
In a [[MECH]] base, a small team of surgeons and technicians hook [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]]'s reassembled remains up to their computer and infuse them with electricity and Energon. Breakdown awakens, only it's not Breakdown—MECH has implanted [[Silas]] within the Decepticon's corpse. Silas is impressed with their ingenuity, but decides that, as he is no longer human, he no longer needs their services, and slaughters them.

[[Image:TheHumanFactorCylas.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Some time later, Silas drives up to the entrance to a military facility, stopping at the gate to introduce himself. Meanwhile in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] are trying to encourage [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to keep up his recuperation, despite the Wrecker's belief that he is being replaced. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] suggests he uses the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] for extra strength and power, but Bulkhead sees it as a crutch and knocks it aside, causing it to damage the computer system. As Ratchet grumbles over the negative atmosphere, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] talks with [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] on the phone and is surprised to learn that Raf's been grounded for his slipping grades.

The Decepticons on the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', namely [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]], are likewise surprised when Breakdown's signal shows up on their scanners. Knock Out and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] are sent to investigate and find the military base wrecked. Moments after they arrive, what appears to be Breakdown strides out of the smoke. In response to the Decepticons' reaction to his marred appearance, "Breakdown" asks in Silas's voice to be taken to [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]].

[[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] briefs the Autobots on the theft of the [[Project Damocles]] satellite apparently by Breakdown assisted by a human whom Fowler believes is Silas. Ratchet strongly dismisses the idea of Decepticons and humans pairing together, rebuffed only by Jack's reasoning of the alliance working for the Autobots. Aboard the warship, Megatron is introduced to the Breakdown/Silas combo, now calling himself Cylas: "Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis". Though Megatron is disgusted by such an abomination and Knock Out is keen to dissect Cylas as revenge for Breakdown, the MECH commander wants to strike a deal with the Decepticons and offers the Damocles weapon as a token of friendship. As Fowler's briefing in the Autobot base ends, the Autobots realize they must protect the satellite's interface codes, currently stored on servers in [[Colorado]].

[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has already gotten to the Colorado base, clearing it using a recording of Fowler's voice, and by the time the Autobots get there, the place is already heavily guarded by Decepticons. Cylas points out to Megatron that since Soundwave is now connected to the mainframe, he can operate the satellite. The Damocles satellite is duly launched from the ''Nemesis'', and Soundwave starts targeting the Autobots on the ground. His first shot narrowly misses Smokescreen, and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] contacts base for backup. Bulkhead is ready to go but Ratchet stops him as Optimus is actually after ''technical'' help to disable the satellite. Ratchet decides Raf is required for this mission and so Raf gets unexpected visitors in the form of Fowler, Miko and Jack.

While the Autobots try to keep Soundwave distracted, Bulkhead attempts to talk Ratchet into sending him to help. Ratchet finally concedes, but has his own ideas. While Raf works on a way to crash the satellite and Fowler tries to work out a way to get to the toilet without Raf's mom seeing, the Decepticons detect Raf's hacking attempt. When they track the source to [[Jasper]], Megatron sends Cylas to deal with the matter, despite Cylas's chagrin. Cylas soon hauls up outside Raf's house and takes aim, only for Bulkhead to come barreling down the street and slam him into a nearby drainage canal. After a tense reintroduction, Bulkhead realizes his opponent is not Breakdown—and is shocked to find that it is actually Silas/Cylas operating the Con's body. The pair start fighting, but Bulkhead's weakness quickly begins to show.

[[Image:TheHumanFactorProjectDamocles.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Ratchet contacts Optimus who is still running from the Damocles beam, to report that Bulkhead needs backup. Indeed, the Wrecker is still not operating fully and not doing well against Cylas, but the addition of Smokescreen to the fight helps. Megatron, impatient at Cylas's failure, orders Soundwave to target the source of the hack. The Autobots take advantage of the cessation of the Damocles attack to try to storm the command center. The kids, meanwhile, see that the satellite has moved and is now aiming at them. Raf manages to get the satellite's thrusters under his control, and the shot does little more than knock the corner off the [[KO Burger]] sign before the satellite starts reentry. Their celebration is interrupted by Raf's mom, but luckily they break out the "study group" defense. Meanwhile, the Autobots break into the command center in time to see Soundwave leaving. Elsewhere, Cylas begins to lose his fight and is called back to the ''Nemesis''. Bulkhead and Smokescreen see the satellite's reentry and congratulate each other.

Back on the ship, Megatron announces that Cylas has earned his place at the table—Knock Out's dissection table, that is—explaining that the MECH commander was correct about the human factor tipping the war's scales, but in the Autobots' favor. Cylas is then zapped from behind and dragged away for "study", much to his fearful displeasure and Knock Out's delight.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (7)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (16)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (18)

|c2=
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (13)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (14)

|c3=
*[[MECH Commando]]s (1)
*[[MECH Surgeon]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[Jack Darby]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)
*[[Raf's mom]] (10)
*[[William Fowler]] (15)

|c4=
*[[Silas|Cylas]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==

"Thank you all for your dedication and a life time of service. But I now seem more suited to keep the exclusive company... of titans"
:—'''"Cylas"''' before killing his own men. Cold.

"Bulkhead! I ''needed'' that!"
:—'''Ratchet''' ''still'' hasn't learned that saying that phrase won't change anything.

'''Jack''': You've got to be kidding, Raf! You of all people, grounded? 
'''Raf''': Big time. I misplaced some homework and blew a couple of tests. 
'''Miko''': Translation, A- instead of A.
:—'''Miko''' thinks '''Raf''' is Mr. Perfect when it comes to school, unlike herself.

"Breakdown may act the brute, but he's a maestro behind a rotary buffer!"
:-'''Knock Out''' gives us his little secret for auto-detailing - a pal skilled with a rotary buffer.

"This is the human who dissected Breakdown!" 
''*Knock Out activates his circular saw*'' 
"Please, my liege, allow me to return the favor."
:—'''Knock Out''', finally confirming the fans' belief that he ''does'' care about his former partner.

"Megatron, relax." 
''*Megatron glares at Cylas*'' 
"''Lord'' Megatron."
:—'''Cylas''' learns that Megatron doesn't want to be his friend.

"What? No! If my mom sees you..." 
"Relax, I trained in covert ops." 
"I don't care if you were trained by ninja! My mom has eyes in the back of ''your'' head."
:—'''Raf''' tells '''Agent Fowler''' why he can't use the restroom.

'''Megatron''': Cylas, you have earned your place at the table. 
'''Cylas''': Lord Megatron, I am honored. 
'''Megatron''': Knock Out's dissection table! 
'''Knock Out''': Breakdown would be tickled.
:—Well, '''Knock Out''' finally got ''his'' wish.

"He will be a fascinating case for study." 
"I will leave no fiber or ''fiber optic'' unexamined."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Knock Out''' get a new science project.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When Knock Out detects Breakdown's signal, the image of Breakdown on the screen is shows his current appearance, when logically the last image they should have had on file would be one with his optic patch. However, this may not be a mistake, since it is unclear how such images are obtained in the first place. Cybertronian self-portraits may well update themselves, much like real life technology is capable of similar things.
* On the same screen as Breakdown's image, the map of the United States shows the state of Louisiana inside Texas, with an empty spot where it's supposed to be. The same map error reappears when Soundwave begins operating the Damocles satellite.
* When Cylas targets the window of Raf's room, his zoomed-in view is from the wrong angle. To be able to see Jack and the others within, he would have to be firing from the opposite side.
* The final shot of the satellite fires parallel to Raf's house. To do this, the satellite would have to be in position below the equator. When it fires, it is shown to be above North America, and burns up in the skies above Jasper not long after. In addition, the beam is constant, even though it should be changing position with the satellite.
* Cylas can talk after being zapped with the energon prod, a phenomenon that didn't appear on other robots such as Optimus Prime. This may not be an error, as the unique interface between the human 'Silas' and the robot 'Breakdown' may have prevented Silas himself from being electrocuted.

===Continuity notes===
* The base in which Silas is revived is the same one used in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]".
* The place in which Cylas, Bulkhead and Smokescreen fight is the same place Arcee and Bumblebee engaged the Vehicons back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]".
* MECH was preparing to save Silas using Breakdown's corpse at the end of "[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]".
* Silas refers to his merger with Breakdown's corpse as "the perfect meld of man and machine", the same line he used to describe [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]] in its eponymous episode.
* Smokescreen offers Bulkhead the use of the Apex Armor, which he took from Starscream in the [[New Recruit|previous episode]]. Bulkhead's resentment of the newbie also started in that episode, but he seems to have resolved it by this one's end.
* Bulkhead uses the [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|lobbing]] ball from "[[Con Job]]" as a medicine ball.
* After taking crippling injuries in "[[Toxicity]]", Bulkhead is finally well enough to go out in the field. He's far from 100%, but he can put up a fight.
* Knock Out references the events of "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and wants vengeance for it.
* Project Damocles, and Silas' role in it, was first mentioned in "[[Grill]]".
* Before fighting Bulkhead, Cylas states that the former will never again interfere with his operations, which references "Operation: Breakdown".
* Soundwave displays the picture he took of Jack, Miko, and Raf back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]".

===Transformers references===
* This isn't the [[Autobot Spike|first time]] a human mind was placed in a robot body to preserve it.
* Nor is this the [[Novo|first MECH operative]] who would control a mechanical body.
* Nor is it the [[Attack from Outer Space|first time]] the Decepticons attempted to target Autobots from space.

===Real-world references===
* The surging electricity and twitching hand during Silas' revival reflects toward the animation of [[Frankenstein's monster]].
* The missing-eye appearance on Breakdown's face resembles that of the ''Terminator''.
* Cylas' request of "take me to your leader" is a stereotypical phrase used in early sci-fi movies involving aliens arriving to Earth from another world.

===Trivia===
* This is the first episode of a non-Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoon to depict the killing of a human. There was a heavily ''implied'' death back in "Darkness Rising, Part 5", but here... well, even though we didn't directly witness it... it's pretty aggressively obvious that Silas is murdering his old crew. In addition, considering the wreckage seen when Knock Out and the Vehicons arrive at the Damocles storage base and the fact there wasn't even time to alert the Autobots, things don't look good for the soldiers on that base.
* Aww, Knock Out is willing to avenge Breakdown.
* We learn Raf's full name in this episode.
* The satellite's name, Damocles, refers to the ancient anecdote referred to as "[[wikipedia:Damocles|the Sword of Damocles]]".
* One of Silas' biological eyes appears to be permanently dilated. Not only does it match Breakdown's missing-eye look, a permanently dilated pupil can also be a sign of serious cranial injury.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Human Factor}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]