MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Tactician

2011-01-08T05:32:15Z

65.28.37.86: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|ep=25
|prev=Chase (episode)
|next=Linkup
|title="Tactician"
|japanese=軍師 (ちえもの) - tactician
|romaji=Gunshi [Chiemono]
|translation=Strategist (Wise Person)
|image=Arm_ep_25_thrust_sky.jpg
|caption=
|production code=TF: A-25
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Shōji Tonoike]]
|director=[[Satoru Kusuda]], [[Masayuki Motsumoto]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.]]
|airdate=[[January 28]], [[2003]] (English) [[June 27|27 June]] [[2003]] (Japanese)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''A new figure emerges, throwing the balance of power among the Decepticons out of whack.'''

:''Polish title:'' "'''Strateg'''"

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Arm_ep25_jetfire_in_space.JPG|left|180px|thumb|]]
A space shuttle is cruising through space when it encounters a bizarre flying object. Unable to hail the object, the crew brace as the object scans their shuttle. The object then flies off, revealing itself to be a look-alike for said shuttle.

[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] then attempts to discuss the incident with the other kids, but no one aside from [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] appears to take him seriously.

The scene shifts to the moon, where an invisible figure is shown descending upon the Decepticon base. He saunters on into the facility, opening up a door. Inside the room are several [[Mini-Cons]], who the figure notes as having been locked away. One of them, [[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]], bravely walks forward and is chosen as the personal Mini-Con of this invisible figure. The rest, who were earlier shown trembling, are left in the room when the figure leaves them and the door is closed.

[[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] is next seen flying over a battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. The kids ask where [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] is, and are relieved to see that he’s on the battlefield. Specifically, the kids are relieved that Sideways cannot hack into their system again, and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] informs them that he put a new firewall into place so that another incident can’t happen again.

[[Image:Arm_ep_25_blurr_head_dance.JPG|right|180px|thumb|]]
Laserbeak then spots a Mini-Con crystal embedded in the side of the canyon where the battle is taking place, and so [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] volunteers to retrieve it. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] orders [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] to intercept, but Cyclonus is shot down by [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]]. The battle soon degenerates into a brawl, with Megatron forming the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] using the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]] as a counter. Overhead, the same invisible figure notes how poorly the Decepticons are fighting and questions why Megatron is only using the Saber at half strength. Scavenger and Laserbeak note that someone else is on the battlefield, but as they’ve already retrieved the crystal and Megatron has ordered a retreat they seem to pay it no further heed.

Back on the moon, Megatron is about to take the Decepticons to task for their recent failure when Cyclonus and [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] start in on each other. Their fight is interrupted by a mysterious voice berating all of them for their failure. Demolishor sees Inferno in the back of the room and charges towards him, but he is tripped up by the invisible figure. The figure continues to berate the Decepticons, and then apologizes to Megatron for his late arrival. The figure then reveals himself to be [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], who Megatron refers to as his “dear, dear friend” and welcomes to Earth.

Later on, a furious Demolishor punches a wall out of anger over his being humiliated. Demolishor expresses his anger towards Thrust, only to have Cyclonus and [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] point out that Thrust is a master of mimicry who has never been defeated in combat. Demolishor comments about seeing how good Thrust is by making him go up against the Autobots. Sideways then looks around the room, but says that it was nothing when Starscream asks what Sideways is doing. The scene ends with a shot of a cloaked Thrust walking out of the room.

Back on Earth, [[Rad White|Rad]], Alexis, and [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] cheer over the new arrival—the Mini-Con [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]]. Prowl is greeted by the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team]], with [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] apparently volunteering to show him around. [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], Smokescreen, and [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] celebrate their new victory, but soon get into a spat with Red Alert and Smokescreen, who advocate caution. They are interrupted by Optimus, who is told that nothing is going on.

On the moon, Starscream is practicing while Demolishor and Cyclonus watch. They banter a little bit about how Thrust is their new secret weapon, then note that Sideways has gone missing again; it is speculated that he may be taking a nap. Instead, Sideways is then shown driving off in motorcycle mode while Thrust watches.

[[Image:Arm_ep25_megs_and_thrust.JPG|left|180px|thumb|]]
Thrust is then seen in Megatron’s throne room, discussing matters with Megatron. Thrust notes that Starscream is suited for second-in-command status, but is otherwise not impressed with Megatron’s soldiers. Thrust offers to go into battle with Megatron’s soldiers in order to observe them, but with the stipulation that he be allowed to possess the Star Saber. Megatron initially refuses, but a beam of light shining into the throne room allows Thrust a chance to talk Megatron into it through the use of metaphor.

The Decepticons, save for Sideways, are then assembled in the throne room. Megatron informs them that Thrust will lead the next mission, with Starscream as his second. Demolishor protests on the basis that Megatron told him that he was the second in command, and Cyclonus adds to it that they don’t know what the plan is. Demolishor and Cyclonus protest further when told to simply follow orders, but Megatron will have none of it.

At the Autobot base, a Mini-Con alarm goes off. Red Alert is told to stay back, while the rest of the Autobots warp to the site.

At the site of the alarm, Cyclonus flies up to the others and notes that he destroyed the transmitter. Thrust orders Starscream to stand by with the Mini-Cons, and tells Megatron to hold onto the Star Saber for the time being.

The Autobots arrive at a gully; Optimus gives them marching orders and they all enter. Starscream radios back to Thrust that the Autobots are falling for the trap, and Thrust orders him not to attack just yet. Thrust then takes off with the Air Defense Team, telling Megatron to wait there.

As the Autobots enter the gully, they are attacked from the air. This drives them further into the gully, where they are ambushed by Demolishor and Sideways. Smokescreen takes cover behind the Skyboom Shield, while the others duck behind some rocks. Thrust, Starscream, and the Mini-Cons attack from above, with Thrust giving the order to focus on Smokescreen. Cyclonus joins in with Sideways and Demolishor, resulting in Optimus ordering the others to try and break through. Just as Optimus blows past the three Decepticons, however, he is stopped by Megatron. Scavenger sees that Optimus needs help and rushes to take over the Skyboom Shield from Smokescreen, only to have all of the Decepticons aside from Megatron start to concentrate their fire; Scavenger, Smokescreen, and the Shield are now pinned in place.

Megatron pulls out the Star Saber and tries to use it against Optimus. Optimus transforms into truck mode (minus his trailer) and races backwards into a clearing. Megatron follows Optimus, and berates him for his choice: he’s now even further away from the others. Optimus tries to fight Megatron, but Megatron overpowers Optimus and prepares to deliver the killing blow.

The kids, watching it on the monitor, start to panic. However, Red Alert sees a bright flash of light and tells them to keep calm.

[[Image:Arm_ep25_jetfire.JPG|right|180px|thumb|]]
That flash of light promptly shoots down the [[Air Military Mini-Con Team]] before revealing itself to be an armed space shuttle. It starts to dogfight with Starscream, and then both transform into robot mode; the shuttle identifies himself as [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], second in command of the Autobots. Jetfire then promptly shoots Starscream down before strafing the gully. This allows the other Autobots to move forward, blasting Sideways, Demolishor, and Cyclonus before jumping Megatron. Seeing that he is now outnumbered, Megatron orders everyone to retreat. Thrust protests the order, but after getting shot by Jetfire he also falls back.

Jetfire and the other Autobots share a moment as they finally meet back up. A voice over by Rad talks about how despite this being a quiet moment, the war was about to heat up and Jetfire would play an important role.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (2)
*[[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] (19)
*[[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] (20)
*[[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] (21)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (22)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (23)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (29)
*[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] (31)

|c2=
*[[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] (8)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (24)
*[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] (25)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (26)
*[[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] (27)
*[[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] (28)

|c3=
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (3)
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (4)
*[[Carlos Lopez]] (5)
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (6)
*[[Rad White]] (7)

'''Guests'''
*Shuttle Astronauts (1)

|h4=[[Mini-Con]]s|c4=
*[[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] (9)
*[[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]] (10)
*[[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] (11)
*[[Knock Out (Armada)|Knock Out]] (12)
*[[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]] (13)
*[[Oval]] (14)
*[[Spiral]] (15)
*[[Backtrack (Armada)|Backtrack]] (16)
*[[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]] (17)
*[[Fetch]] (18)
*[[Jetstorm (Armada)|Jetstorm]] (30)
*[[Runway]] (31)
*[[Liftor]] (32)
*[[Dune Runner (Armada)|Dune Runner]] (33)
*[[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (34)
*[[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (35)
*[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (36)
*Sideways's [[Mirror|rider]] (37)
}}

==Quotes==

"And if he does, we'll pound 'im!" 
"Pound 'im good!"
:—'''Billy''' and '''Fred''' on what they'll do to Sideways if he tries to hack them again.

"Oh, great, time to get shot at again. Why couldn't I have just been a normal 'bot working in a factory?"
:—'''Starscream'''

"I'm quite sure your plans are impeccable, Thrust, but my main concern is that my men aren't capable of following them."
:—'''Megatron''' has no faith in his troops.

"You better watch out, you better not cry, cause you're gonna get blasted!"
:—'''Cyclonus''' massacres the classics.

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Micron Legend''===
[[Image:TacticianMiniConChanges.jpg|thumb|American group at top, Japanese group at bottom.]]
*The Mini-Cons held in the random closet that Thrust accesses changes between the American and Japanese airings; specifically, [[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]] is replaced with [[Knock Out (Armada)|Knock Out]] and [[Mirror]] is replaced with [[Dualor]], while the generic versions of [[Oval]] and [[Spiral]] become much brighter, and [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]] goes from being dark blue to... his [[X-Dimension]] colors?!

===Animation errors===
*When Starscream is firing on Optimus Prime, his lower legs are erroneously colored completely white; this clip is shown on the preview used with the "Battle For The Mini-Cons" DVD.
*Prowl is erroneously colored entirely in green.
*When Optimus is shown fleeing from Megatron, the overhead shot of the clearing makes it look like Optimus is a box truck instead of just a normal semi.
*During the battle in the clearing, Optimus is shown as only being as tall as Megatron’s waist; just a few seconds earlier he stood as high as Megatron’s chest.
*When Smokescreen flips his crane into cannon mode to shoot Cyclonus, the end disappears as it swings into position.

===Trivia===
*"Tactician" first aired in the United States on [[January 30]], [[2003]].
*During the fight sequence in the canyon, Starscream comments that he doesn’t want to get shot at again; this seeming throw-away line will actually set the stage for what happens in the upcoming episodes.
*The screen is black for several seconds when the Mini-Con alarm first sounds, then goes to a shot of Rad, Carlos, and Alexis running down a hallway.
*Sideways' break-in occurred in "[[Chase (episode)|Chase]]", the previous episode.
*The furigana in the Japanese episode "ちえもの" could be read as "知恵者", although technically the kanji would be pronounced as "''chie'''sha'''''".
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] sounds very bored in this episode.
*Thrust demands he be given the Star Saber, though with his engine-hands, it's unclear what he would actually ''do'' with it.

===Dubbing/continuity errors===
*[[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]] is shown in the same room as the Air Military Mini-Cons and Inferno; this is a continuity error, as they were all revealed to be on Earth with Megatron, though it could be just an example of model reuse.
*In the Japanese version of the episode, Knock Out is seen in the Mini-Con closet, though he'd previously defected to the Autobots in "[[Vow]]". Again, this could just be a model reuse... except he replaced the aforementioned Sonar, who ''also'' shouldn't have originally been there.
*The English dub has Optimus ordering Smokescreen to take point, with Hot Shot and Blurr staying together while Optimus and Scavenger take the lead. But when they actually enter the gully, it’s Hot Shot who has point; Smokescreen is in the rear, and the rest are in the middle.
*Cyclonus suddenly appears in helicopter mode alongside Sideways and Demolishor at the ambush point; no explanation is given of where he comes from. The shot where he first appears also shows something resembling a transmitter located beneath where he is hovering; this transmitter was absent in the shot of Sideways and Demolishor springing the ambush, and isn’t shown when Optimus tries to break through.
*Since when are the Autobots allowed to shoot down Mini-Cons, because Hot Shot sure does. In fact, he shoots down ''three''!

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Micron Legend'' — Volume 7 ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:09 ([[Warner Bros.|Warner Music Video]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Battle for the Mini-Cons ([[Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Collector's Edition ([[Universal]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One ([[New KSM]]) — English and German audio.

[[Category:Armada episodes]]

Chip Chase

2011-01-05T02:25:57Z

65.28.37.86: /* The Transformers cartoon */

:''Chip Chase is a [[human]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:RollForIt Chip Chase at the mike.jpg|right|300px|thumb|It's a cartoon from the '80s. By law, ''Transformers'' has to have at least one character in a wheelchair.]]

'''Chip Chase''' is [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s best friend and a staunch ally to the [[Autobot]]s. Despite their high level of technology, the Autobots will often consult Chip, benefiting from his genius-level IQ and skills in computer programming and electronics, in addition to several other fields of science. He will often be found hanging out with distinguished scientists and academics, as well as developing new technology with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] for use in the fight against the [[Decepticon]]s. For Chip, the fact he's confined to a wheelchair is barely an impediment.

{{quote|No one's ever really disabled so long as he has courage.|Chip Chase|"[[Divide and Conquer]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Horton]] (English), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:RollForIt TheInternets.jpg|left|200px|thumb|In 1984, the Internet was only used by nerds to complain about how terrible Transformers was.[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en]]]

Chip Chase came to the attention of the Autobots as a friend of Spike Witwicky and the whiz behind [[Doctor Alcazar|Dr. Alcazar]]'s [[antimatter]] formula project. He, Spike and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] paid a visit to Alcazar's desert laboratory to pick up a disk which would allow Chip's home computer to interface with the more powerful computer at the lab. On the way home, they were alerted to an imminent Decepticon attack, and Chip rushed inside to alert Dr. Alcazar by computer. The warning allowed Alcazar to upload the antimatter formula to Chip's PC. Meanwhile, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s [[battle computer]] had been disabled during a skirmish, and he contacted Chip's computer in search of help. Chip was able to help him chase off the Decepticons.

[[Image:RollForIt FloppyDisk destruction.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Holy crap, man.]]
Unfortunately, the Decepticons had traced the formula to Chip's computer. He memorized the formula and ''tore up'' the floppy disk containing it. The Decepticons proceeded to kidnap him, and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] plucked the formula from his mind anyway. As the Decepticons began manufacturing antimatter, Chip was rescued by Spike, Bumblebee, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. The Decepticons turned up at [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] transforming into a powerful antimatter gun, but Chip was able to attach Wheeljack's remote control device to [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], turning the Decepticons' own weapon against them. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] pronounced Chip a hero. {{storylink|Roll for It}}

Chip was attempting to help a weapons factory increase their productivity when the Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s attacked it. He was able to transmit a distress signal to the Autobots, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] swiftly arrived to take on the three Decepticons. Chip warned him of a heat-seeking missile, seemingly before it did anything to indicate it was heat-seeking. Weird. A stray blast hit the computer, but Chip's life was saved by Optimus shielding him from the resulting explosion. Prime was badly damaged, necessitating a trip to Wheeljack's lab on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to collect a vital component, the [[Cosmitron]]. Chip used [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to predict the next location of the Decepticon [[space bridge]] and tagged along on the mission on the basis that they needed a computer genius to get through the lock the Decepticons had placed on the door of the lab. They quickly gained entrance to the lab and located the necessary part Optimus needed, but a [[Rainmaker|group of Seekers]] created [[acid rain]], to which Chip was strangely immune. He was able to rally the Autobots, encouraging them to overcome their vulnerability to the acid rain. They rushed the Cosmitron back to Optimus, arriving in time to save his life. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[Image:WarDinobots Chip warning Autobots.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"So then I took that floppy, and I was like 'BAYM!' and Ravage was all like, 'Dayuumn, son!'"]]
Late one night at an observatory, Chip spotted a strange meteor headed for [[Earth]] and alerted the Autobots, accompanying them to the location he had calculated the meteor would touch down. Spike suggested that they dub it [[Meteorini Chipperoni]] in his honor. After the meteor became a meteorite, Optimus obtained a sample, and they returned to headquarters. Wheeljack's analysis of the meteorite fragment revealed it was highly unstable, sending Optimus on a mission back to the crash site. Meanwhile the Autobots set about building two more [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s based on Chip's suggestions of a stegosaurus and a pteranodon. [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] were completed in time to fly to Optimus Prime's aid, the other three Dinobots having been turned against him by Megatron. Chip and the others arrived to find [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Optimus already making up. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

Chip was present when Megatron challenged Optimus to a duel, and he accompanied the Autobots to watch the fight, musing to [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] that it reminded him of ancient Roman gladiatorial combat. Despite all their cheering, and much to Chip's disbelief, Optimus was soundly defeated. However, when they got back to HQ, Chip was able to use Teletraan I to analyse Optimus's damaged parts and determine that Megatron had cheated, rendering the result of the contest void under Cybertronian law. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

[[Image:Chipchase.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Mein Führer, I can valk!]]
After watching a Formula 1 race with Spike, Chip came up with the idea of the Autobots holding a race for charity. The pair took the idea to Optimus Prime, and the race was soon set up. Megatron used the opportunity to test his new [[Transfixatron]] on the Autobots, and the two boys were forced to make their escape in Bumblebee. Returning to HQ, Chip consulted Teletraan I, revealing the nature of Megatron's new invention, and Wheeljack and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] were able to construct a [[Anti-transfixation grenade|grenade]] to reverse the effects of the device. They headed out to where the Autobots had been taken and immediately engaged the Decepticons. Spike passed the grenade to Chip, who ''stood up in his wheelchair'' to catch it, then managed to get close enough to throw it into the Autobots' midst before [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] intercepted him. The Autobot forces regained the ability to transform and battled the Decepticons into a retreat. Ratchet bemoaned the resulting repair work he was going to have to do, much to Spike and Chip's amusement. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

[[Image:TheCore Chip in Wheeljack.jpg|left|200px|thumb|All Autobots are Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant.]]
Chip and Wheeljack developed the [[dominator disc]]s, intended to bring [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] under Autobot control. Once the discs were placed on the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and they formed Devastator, Chip activated the discs, and the combiner promptly turned on the other Decepticons. Chip was overjoyed at the success of their invention, but the next time they faced the Decepticons, Megatron was able to use an electronic disruptor to override the dominator discs. Wheeljack and Chip worked frantically to get the now-wild Devastator back under their control, as the Decepticons' giant drill neared the center of the Earth, but it was only with the addition of Megatron's disruptor that they were able to succeed. Although Devastator stopped the drill, he was firmly a Decepticon again. Chip was greatly disappointed, but Optimus told him to hang on to his dreams. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Spike Chip and Beachcomber.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Perplexed at the appearance of strange time warps, the Autobots consulted Chip, who was able to use Teletraan I to locate two more warps. With [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]'s help, he soon traced the source of the temporal disturbances to [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

When the Mayor of [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]] organised [[Autobot Day]], Chip turned out with Spike and Sparkplug to join the cheering crowd. They then reacted with disbelief when a recording produced by [[Shawn Berger]] appeared to incriminate the Autobots in stealing energy, but joined in solidarity with their friends, even as the rest of the crowd turned hostile. Optimus and the others were put on trial. Chip attempted unsuccessfully to stall things while Spike looked for evidence to prove the Autobots' innocence, but he and Sparkplug were soon forced to give their farewells, as the Autobots were launched into space aboard a rocket. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} With mounting disbelief and horror, Chip and Sparkplug witnessed [[Decepticon Day]], though Chip still held out hope that Spike would find some evidence to exonerate the Autobots. Naturally, it wasn't long before the other shoe dropped, and Megatron proclaimed himself ruler of Earth.

[[Image:MegatronsMasterPlan2 Thrust holding Chip.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Maybe if I squeeze you hard enough, I'll fix your body.]]
Chip was put to work with the rest of the humans at a power station, but he quickly came up with a plan. During a diversion engineered by Spike, Chip stowed away on a truck which passed near Autobot Headquarters. There he consulted Teletraan I, only to discover that the Autobot ship had hurtled into the [[Sun]] and exploded. Before he could check up on [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] burst through the ceiling and blasted the computer. Chip furiously turned on the Decepticon, who simply laughed and took him back to the power station. A despondent Chip returned to work, but his trip had inadvertently benefited the Autobots: With Teletraan I's control over Cosmos's guidance systems severed, they were able to return to Earth to confront the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

When a group of Autobots, including Optimus Prime, disappeared through a space bridge to unknown coordinates, Chip tried unsuccessfully to use Teletraan I to locate them. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}}
{{--}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====Scramble City=====
[[Image:ScrambleCarlyChip01.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Chip can't stand (ha ha) to face the badly drawn Carly.]]
Chip can be seen alongside Spike, Sparkplug and [[Carly]], helping to construct [[Autobot City]]. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====Binaltech=====
When [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl's]] [[laser core]] was lost to [[subspace]] in a [[Genetronic Translink System|GT]] Transfer accident (a technology he himself helped to create), Chip Chase volunteered to sacrifice his very own soul in order to breathe life into the now-lifeless Prowl-2, stating, "Twenty years ago, we met thanks to an online message from you. Your [[battle computer]] was down, and in its place, I—" {{storylink|Roll for It}} while something flashed in the back of his mind: "Your intelligence and personality are already in this frame. In which case..." With the help of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], Chip's consciousness was transported into Prowl's frame. The new entity created in this fusion was virtually indistinguishable from Prowl's old persona, thanks to copies of the original Prowl's [[memory core]] and [[Datatrax]], while a separate neurocomputer handles Chip's thought processes. Meanwhile, Chip's real body was stored in stasis in an [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] medical facility.

{{note|At least one [[Beast Wars Sourcebook|continuity]] had this new spark used for [[Prowl II]], which makes no sense, since Binaltech is separate from [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]].}}

==Notes==
[[Image:RollForIt Chip Chase banners.jpg|thumb|right|200px|That's a lot of tuition fees!]]
* The idea for Chip's character grew out of very early plans for the series, which involved two human allies for the Autobots named "[[Eddie Fairchild and Matt Conroy|Eddie Fairchild]]" and "[[Eddie Fairchild and Matt Conroy|Matt Conroy]]". Eddie was the prototypical version of Spike, but when the Matt character was conceived as an "elder brother figure" for Eddie, the idea to make the younger boy handicapped, and hence more dependent on the Autobots, was briefly considered. Evidently, this idea went in a slightly different direction and wound up inspiring Chip. [http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#149]
* In "Roll for It", Chip has a remarkably advanced (or at least ridiculously expensive) desktop computer for 1984. It contains, among other things, a 16-million-color monitor (Chip's view of the Decepticons was no different than Prowl's), a microphone, dial-up networking, speakers, and a sound card that could interpret Prowl's speech. Maybe he's friends with [[Ethan Zachary]].
* Also in "Roll for It", Chip has no less than four pennants displayed on his wall: "PIERCE" (probably referring to [[wikipedia:Franklin Pierce University|Franklin Pierce University]]), "[[Wikipedia:University of Southern California|USC]]", "[[wikipedia:California State University, Northridge|CSUN]]" and "YAL", commonly assumed to be a reference to [[Wikipedia:Yale_University|Yale University]].
[[Image:Ark II Chip Chase.jpg|200px|right|thumb|]]
* Chip and [[Carly]] never appeared in the same episode during the entire US run. Coincidence!? '''''Shocking dual identity!?''''' (Or maybe the two of them just can't stand to be in the same room for whatever reason...) The only time they're both seen on screen is near the beginning of "[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]". Blink twice and you'll miss 'em.
*Although he was last seen in "[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" and was absent through the entirety of the series' [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season_3|third season]], the producers of the Japanese-exclusive ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' apparently had plans to include an adult version of Chip in that series' first episode. A character design of an adult Chip can be seen in the ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' reference book and ''[[The Ark II — A Compendium of Japanese Character Designs|The Ark II]]'' Japanese character models book.
* He may easily be the most advanced human who ever lived.
* In the [[Transformers The Game (console)|2007 live-action movie console game]], there is a fast food place called [[Chip Chase's]]. The restaurant's logo features Chip's grinning mug. Wonder if the TV ads are as scary as the ones featuring the [[Burger King]].

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chase, Chip}}
[[Category:Alternators humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Raiden

2011-01-02T16:39:40Z

65.28.37.86: /* The Headmasters */

{{factions|autobot}}
:''Raiden is an [[Autobot]] [[combiner]] from the [[The Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Raiden boxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|God of thunder! And rock and roll!]]
The main function of the [[Trainbot]]s is transport, but when an obstruction arises that prevents them from delivering their passengers, they won't hesitate to combine into the mighty '''Raiden''' (ライデン) to clear the tracks. And no obstacle is too big for Raiden's matchless ambition: he is, after all, the guy who maintains an active rivalry with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and plans on challenging [[Predaking]] next! Fittingly enough, his other great personality trait is his peerless punctuality. This is one Robot Train that always runs on time!

Raiden is the combined form of all six Trainbots:
*[[Shōki]] (leader, torso)
*[[Getsuei]] (right leg)
*[[Kaen]] (pelvis)
*[[Seizan]] (right arm)
*[[Suiken]] (left arm)
*[[Yukikaze (Headmasters)|Yukikaze]] (left leg)

:''[[Omni Productions]] dub name:'' '''The Robot Train''', '''Grimlock'''

==Fiction==
===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Keiichi Noda]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Hmop_raiden.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Raiden made his first brief appearance fighting alongside [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] against the [[Decepticon]] combiners when the villains invaded [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in 2011. They were very nearly crushed to death when [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] collapsed a building on them with his [[Sonic stun-gun|sonic stun-gun]], but the tide of the fight was turned when the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] arrived to join the battle. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Sometime later, the Trainbots formed Raiden in order to defend [[Japan]] against the marauding [[Sixshot]]. Raiden and Sixshot fought fiercely until [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] crashed the party. The arrivals of [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s made it into a real brawl. During the fight, Raiden was swarmed by Sixshot and his hard-light dopplegangers in winged wolf modes. Raiden called for [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] to shoot at the Sixshots until he nailed the real one, even if Raiden was injured in the process. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

Raiden was formed to defend the [[Solar 1]] satellite against [[Predaking]]. He fought bravely against the bestial giant, and eventually sent the Decepticon fleeing with his tail(s?) between his legs. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Soon thereafter, Raiden battled Predaking again, with a raging volcano as their backdrop. The Headmasters soon became involved in the skirmish and, when Raiden briefly gained the upper hand on Predaking, they offered to step in so that the Trainbots could rescue the innocent villagers trapped at the base of the volcano. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}}

[[Image:Hmep23_raiden_vs_galvatron.jpg|right|thumb|225px]]

When [[San Francisco]] came under siege by a carnivorous alien plant, courtesy of the Decepticons, the Trainbots, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s responded to the emergency. The Trainbots combined into Raiden in order to engage Bruticus in an energy-sword duel, but as the battle went on, they switched opponents and started fist-fighting with [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] while the Autobot Headmasters dealt with the vicious vegetable. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} A little later, during a clash on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], Raiden helped [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] fend off a combined attack by the Decepticon Headmasters. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

After the Decepticons embarked on a quest into deep space to seek out new sources of energy, the Trainbots joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] in following their foes. Raiden was formed on the [[Twin Star]] planets and did battle with Predaking. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} He was also briefly seen on the planet [[Paradise]], {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} and took on [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] himself on the [[Pirate Planet]]. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}}

[[Image:Hmep35_raiden_vs_predaking.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Once the Autobots had returned to Earth, Raiden was next formed in defense of [[Autobot City]] as it was being attacked by Sixshot and Trypticon. He was intercepted by [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], however, and was unable to assist Ultra Magnus and [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] in their fight. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} Raiden was next seen battling Predaking on the Kamchatka Penninsula, as the Decepticons attempted to exploit the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]]. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}} That battle concluded with the expulsion of the Decepticons from Earth, and soon after, Raiden helped eradicate any traces of the villains that remained on Earth by joining Defensor and [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] in demolishing their now-abandoned Earth base. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}}

When the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had withdrawn to the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], the Trainbots joined the Autobots in pursuing them. After bombs planted by [[Weirdwolf]] damaged Fortress's battleship during a battle on Master, Raiden and Defensor were seen helping to repair it. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

After the Transformers had all returned to Earth, the Trainbots formed Raiden for the final battle with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons at the North Pole. He warred with his counterpart, Predaking, and was nearly crushed by the Battleship Maximus when Scorponok battered it away. In the end, Raiden lent his strength to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]], feeding Fortress Maximus enough power to overcome the effects of the [[crysmag metal]]. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
{{-}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====

[[Image:Hmmanga_raiden_claus.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]

Responding to a distress call from their [[Beastformer]] allies on the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], the Trainbots merged into Raiden to deal with the Decepticons menacing the planet. Combining in mid-air, the united team allowed gravity to do the rest of the work as they delivered a shattering "JR Kick" straight to Predaking's face, taking him out of the fight. {{storylink|Great Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}}

Back on Earth, the Trainbots joined Daniel and the Autobot Headmasters in investigating a Decepticon energy-stealing operation under the sea. The Decepticons were laying in ambush with a giant robot squid, but the Headmasters responded by tying its tentacles in knots, and the Trainbots then formed Raiden to swing the swing the automaton architeuthis like a mace, flattening the other Decepticons. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 3|The Headmasters #3}}

When [[Christmas]] rolled around, Raiden got into the spirit of the season when he joined the Autobot Headmasters in handing out gifts at a Japanese children's hospital, even going so far as to don a giant Santa hat and carry a huge sack. The merriment was soon interrupted by the arrival of the Decepticon Headmasters, but rather than join the battle, Raiden followed Chromedome's instruction to disengage and transport the hospital's patients to safety. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 6|The Headmasters #6}}
{{-}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
[[Image:Mfmanga_raiden_chromedome_scramble7.jpg|left|thumb|350px]]

Several years after the Decepticons' expulsion from Earth following the final battle at the North Pole, the Trainbots were dispatched to pick up a new Autobot warrior named [[Ginrai]] who had risen to prominence on Earth and bring him to [[Athenia]] so Fortress could appoint him [[Supreme Commander]]. Naturally, the Decepticons attacked Athenia during Ginrai's stay, and Raiden was formed to fight back, only for him to wind up being cut down alongside Chromedome by a powerful blast from the combined Decepticon [[Scramble 7]]. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The United Earth-Space Troops}}

The attack on Athenia had proven that the Decepticons on Earth had joined forces with the Decepticons in space, and so the Autobots elected to do the same to better fight their enemies. Soon after, when the leader of the space-based Decepticon forces, [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]], began heading for Earth, Raiden, the Autobot Headmasters and [[Grand Maximus]] gave chase. They were unable to stop him, but luckily, no sooner had he arrived than Ginrai tricked BlackZarak and the Earth Decepticon leader [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] into blasting each other. Raiden and his allies cheered for Ginrai's success. {{storylink|God Ginrai's Amazing Super-God Combination!}}

==Toys==
===The Headmasters===
[[Image:Raiden toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Raiden''' (Trainbot, 1987, 1990)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-131'''
** ''Accessories:'' Left & right fists, chestplate, waist armor, back armor, 2 "Leg Beams", 2 "Wing Lasers", "Train Bazooka" rifle

: Raiden began life as the ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Trainbot", released as part of the "Real and Robo" subline. One of the few ''Diaclone'' toys not initially ported over for release in Hasbro's ''Transformers'' line, the Trainbots eventually found their way into the Transformers universe a few years later when they were released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], with the addition of waist and back armor panels for their combined mode, as part of the ''[[The Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]]'' line, available only in Japan.

:The six Trainbots who form Raiden were available both individually and together in a giftset. Like his fellow ''Diaclone''-born combiner Devastator, each of Raiden's components becomes a specific part of his body; they are not interchangeable, like the later-designed "Scramble City" combiners were. Raiden requires several additional parts to complete his combination, beyond the usual extremities-and-chestplate accessories of most other combiners, which take the form of various unique weapons: his shoulder-mounted "Wing Lasers", ankle-mounted "Leg Beams" and hand-held "Train Bazooka" gun, none of which are wielded by any of the smaller Trainbots.

:The Trainbots were later re-released in 1990 as part of the ''[[Zone (franchise)|Zone]]'' toyline, but only in individual packaging, never as a giftset.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Cybertron/Raiden/raiden.htm More information on Raiden at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transform Jr===
[[Image:Tfjr_raiden.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Raiden''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right fists, chestplate, "Train Bazooka" rifle

: The simplified ''[[Transform Jr]]'' version of Raiden was released both as a single gift set and in three two-packs (Shouki and Seizan, Yukikaze and Suiken, and Getsuei and Kaen). Like the larger Trainbot toys, these six figures are carry-overs of pre-existing ''Diaclone'' toys. The giftset includes an Autobot [[insignia]] pocket-clip included with many ''Transform Jr'' figures.

::*''[http://www.vega.or.jp/~butto/tftcollejr-01.htm More information on Transform Jr Raiden at a Japanese fansite]
{{-}}
==Merchandise==
===Transformers Gum===
[[Image:Tfgum_raiden.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Raiden''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right fists, 2 "Leg Beams"

:Released as part of the seventh wave of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformer Gum]]'' series of snap-together [[candy toy]] model kits, this simplified version of Raiden is molded in white, blue and grey plastic. Being that he is a combiner, Raiden doesn't transform like most other ''Transformers Gum'' models; instead, his limbs can disconnect and transform into train-mode Yukikaze, Seizan, Suiken and Getsuei (his torso is not capable of transforming, so Kaen and Shouki get no such love). The figure features no paint applications, but came with stickers to add detail, and a stick of terrible gum.
{{-}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:Scf_raiden.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Raiden''' (2001)
**''Accessories:'' Display stand

: A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Raiden was available in the third ''Headmasters''-centric wave of Takara's ''[[Super Collection Figure]]'' line. Like all the figures in the wave, it was available in both standard full color figure and colorless clear plastic versions, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures. Additionally, in two out of every ten cases, the colored version of Raiden came packaged with the head and sword pieces for the wave's collectable Fortress Maximus "build-a-figure".
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Robottrain.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"We've managed to avoid drowning!"]]
*"Raiden" is an alternate name by which [[wikipedia:Raijin|Raijin]], the Japanese god of thunder and lightning, is known. Our Raiden's name is a little odd by Japanese standards, as it is spelled out with phoenetic katakana (ライデン ra-i-de-n), instead of the appropriate kanji (雷, rai, meaning thunder, and 電, den, meaning lightning).

*Raiden's on-package [[bio]] specifically notes that he dislikes Devastator, presumably a reference to the toys' shared origins as [[Diaclone]] combiners.

*Raiden's animation model is based on his ''Diaclone'' toy, rather than the ''Headmasters'' version of the figure, lacking as it does the orange armor plate added to the waist of the robot for his ''Transformers'' release.

* The Trainbots' combined train form appears in the [[title sequence]] of the [[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon]], but not in the series itself. The series creators seem to have intended to use the Robot Train to travel back and forth to [[Athenia]], more closely tying ''Super-God Masterforce'' to previous Transformers series, but the idea was quietly dropped. They did, however, appear for that purpose in the [[Super-God Masterforce (manga)|manga]].
{{--}}

==External links==
* [http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/745/Generation+1/Raiden.html Raiden at Transformers @ The Moon]

[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Japanese-original characters]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]

Homecoming (Universe)

2010-12-28T22:09:07Z

65.28.37.86: /* Synopsis */

{{disambig2|the ''Universe'' comic|the ''Cybertron'' episode|Homecoming (episode)}}
{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Universe (2003 comic)|Transformers: Universe]]'' #3
|title="Homecoming"
|prev=Escape (issue)
|image=Universe3b.jpg
|caption=Prosecution charges the defendant is not a truck, but a monkey!
|publisher=[[3H Productions]]
|date=Summer 2004
|script=[[Simon Furman]]
|pencils=[[James Raiz]], [[Makoto Ono]], and [[Marcelo Matere]]
|inks=[[Ted Pertzborn]], [[Chuck Gibson]], [[Glass House Graphics]]
|colors=[[Glass House Graphics]], [[Kirsta Ward]]
|lettering=[[Simon Bowland]]
|post production and assist=[[Glen Hallit]]
|air director=[[Dan Khanna]]
|continuity=[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]
|pagecount=
}}
'''Optimus Primal begins to assemble his army, but one of his chosen isn't so willing.'''

__TOC__
==Synopsis==
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Primal]] appears before the [[Maximal High Council]]. Despite the warnings of [[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]], he speaks in prophetically purple prose of the [[Unicron|Chaos Bringer]]'s return. The Council find his claims to be more than a bit outlandish and presumptuous, and confine him to quarters.

Within Unicron, [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] sends [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] on a mission to Cybertron, with a horde of [[Piranacon (Universe)|Piranacons]] at her command.

At the [[Oasis Research and Development Facility]] on Cybertron, [[Striker]] and [[Ratchet (Universe)|Ratchet]] are trying to remove Unicron's corruption from [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], while [[Rattrap]] and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] argue about Primal's return and his state of mind. Ratchet grouses about the distraction; [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] ushers the two out the door, while voicing his vote of confidence for Primal, a position that Rattrap backs whole-heartedly.

Blackarachnia and her crew arrive via a teleportation bubble; she sends the Piranacons ahead to the [[Vector Sigma]] chamber, accessible via a once-sealed tunnel whose protection is now weakened by the corrosive action of the [[Rust Sea]]. Their mission: to bring back the head of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]].

Alpha Trion reports to [[Primus]] on the latest (though expected) setbacks to their plans, as Snarl frees Optimus Primal and returns him to the Vector Sigma chamber. Alpha Trion explains their two-fold plans: a cloaked orbital platform, "from which to guide and guard the planet", as well as a cover infiltration unit to gather intelligence. Both projects have hit snags, and so Primal is allowed to choose any two [[Transformer]]s from anywhere, any time... even from "beyond the veil".

Rattrap, needing to blow off steam, takes a noisemaker to the [[Undercity]], firing the pistol off at nothing while Blackarachnia observes...

Primal had made his choices: [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]], and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. Depth Charge, however, isn't happy about it; he'd found his peace after a long spiral down a path he didn't like. Unwilling to force his hand, Alpha Trion sends him off with his blessings. Rhinox, by contrast, is grateful for the chance to atone for his actions as [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]].

On the surface, Depth Charge takes stock of the changed planet. Nearby, Blackarachnia attacks Rattrap, and is on the verge of delivering a killing strike when Depth Charge arrives and knocks her out. Rattrap realizes something big is up, but Depth Charge is still unwilling to help any further. He leaves as Rattrap, still weak from the attack, passes out.

Below, Primal is upset that he chose so poorly, but Alpha Trion reassures him that there is still one more hand to play, as a dimensional portal opens, admitting the massive form of [[Omega Prime]].

Depth Charge transforms and swims off into the Rust Sea... and runs right into Blackarachnia's Piranacons.

==Featured characters==

*''Major characters (in order of appearance):'' The High Council ([[Bantor]], [[Torca]], [[Magnaboss]], [[Air Hammer]], [[Cohrada]], [[Battle Unicorn]]); [[Snarl (BM)]], [[Optimus Primal]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Silverbolt (BW)]], [[Striker]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)]], [[Unicron]], [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], [[Ratchet (Universe)]], [[Rattrap]], [[Cheetor (BW)]], [[Alpha Trion (G1)]], [[Primus]], [[Rhinox (BW)]], [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]], [[Piranacon (Universe)|Piranacons]].
*''Minor characters (in order of appearance):'' [[Razorclaw (Universe)]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)]], [[Sideswipe (G1)]], [[Tap-Out (G1)]], [[Brawn (G1)]], [[Jetstorm (BM)]], [[Shadow Striker (Universe)]], [[King Atlas]].

==Notes==
*This was the final issue of the Universe comic, as 3H subsequently lost the Transformers license.
*The events of the [[OTFCC 2004 Live-Action Script Reading]] are set some time after this issue.
*Depth Charge's bio in this issue gives some hint of events planned for the remaining issues, stating that Depth Charge volunteers to work with [[King Atlas]] in running a refugee network within Unicron's own body.
*The subsequent final battle within Unicron is briefly described in an issue of the [[Revelations Part 2|fan club comic]]. A host of Transformers are seen battling Unicron's generals within the Pit, led by Optimus Primal. Unicron abruptly disappears, taking his generals with him, and leaving the rest to escape via dimensional portals.
* As Alpha Trion shows Optimus Primal a host of Transformers to recruit for the cause, a number of Transformers appear on the monitors. They include, but are not limited to: Depth Charge, [[Ratchet (G1)|Generation 1 Ratchet]], [[Grimlock (G1)|War Within Grimlock]], [[Primal Prime]], [[Thunder Clash]] or [[Optimus Prime (G1)|''Machine Wars'' Optimus Prime]], Omega Prime, [[Electro]], [[Side Burn (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Side Burn]], and [[Hot Shot (Armada)|''Energon'' Hot Shot]].
* As before, the inside front cover includes a fannishly-detailed summary of previous issues.
* In last issue's escape, the original ''Generation 2'' Jhiaxus was shown. In this issue's flashback depicting the same scene, ''Universe'' Jhiaxus is thrown into the mix.
* The issue includes Dreamwave-style profiles for Depth Charge and Ratchet.

[[Category:3H issues]]
[[Category:Universe issues]]

The Reformatting

2010-12-23T23:54:20Z

65.28.37.86:

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=1
|image=Thereformattingmaximalsmaximize.jpg
|caption=A long tradition of Running Away begins here.
|title="The Reformatting"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[September 18]], [[1999]]
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]] [[Bob Skir]]
|directed by=[[William Lau]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Escaping from strange new foes and unable to transform, the four surviving Maximals encounter a mysterious supercomputer which remakes them into a new kind of Transformer.'''

:''French title:'' '''Remise à Zéro'''
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Reformage'''
:''Japanese title:'' '''伝説の復活''' (''Densetsu no Fukkatsu'', "Resurrection of the Legend")
:''Spanish title:'' '''La Reforma'''
:''Brazilian title:'' '''A Reformatação'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Primal ModeLocked.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Stukk as munky.]]
On the metal-and-steel planet of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a single flower bizarrely grows out of a tear in the street. Suddenly, a [[Optimus Primal|munky]] races past, pursued by a horde of Tank Drones. In an even stranger vein, Primal has lost his Transmetal properties and is now in his original furry body. After a couple minutes of cat-and-mouse, Optimus decides to face them down and prepares to Maximize. But his beast-mode parts refuse to move and he screams in pain as he is tortured by electrical shocks.

Suddenly, his eyes glow and he receives a strange signal from an alien source. He sees a [[Monorail transport|monorail]] vehicle nearby and swings away from the drones, and finds another one of his missing comrades — [[Rattrap]]. Rattrap explains that he has had a lot of trouble transforming as well and has no memory of returning to Cybertron after the end of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] and the capture of Megatron. They escape from the transport after the drones blow it to pieces and Rattrap tries to use his command code repeatedly, resulting in nothing but shocks and pain.

Fortunately, [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] leaps out of nowhere, covering the eyes of one of the drones. Its head spins wildly, and it takes pot shots, destroying one of its counterparts. Cheetor is hoping to find a [[CR chamber]] and use it to eliminate the [[transformation virus|transformation lock virus]] that plagues them all. Rattrap points out that Cybertron seems to have changed a lot in their absence. But there is no time to discuss matters, as new tank drones are readying a renewed assault. Plunging into a hole, the Maximals bounce on a web. It is [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], the Predacon-turned-Maximal, unable to convert and stuck in her organic body.

[[Image:Oracle %28The Reformatting%29.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Nor-mal view! Nor-mal view! Nor-mal view! NOR-MAL VIIIIIEEEEEEWWWW!!!]]
Primal decides that the best course of action is to head deeper underground, where the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]] have failed to look. Using the webs of Blackarachnia, they head deeper into the bowels of Cybertron, passing layers and layers of cities as they descend. Brushed metal and steel give way to rusting iron, which gives way to stone. Eventually, too weak to climb, they fall, plunging into complete darkness. Determined not to die, Primal throws a piece of scrap metal, shattering some kind of covering and awakening the supercomputer called the Oracle. A wall of flames springs up. Undaunted by the seeming threat, Optimus walks straight through them, revealing the hologram. The Oracle speaks to Primal, taking him into the bowels of the Matrix.

[[Image:Reformatting Optimus Primal spotlight.jpg|left|200px|thumb|At the Oracle's urging, Primal attempted a Care Bear Stare.]]
Granted visions that he could not yet understand, he sees images of an [[Earth]]-like planet transformed into a purely mechanical world. Concluding with the mysterious statement that "the seeds of the future lie buried in the past", the Oracle declares that it is time for him to begin his "[[reformatting]]", tapping the power of the Matrix and converting his purely organic gorilla body into a perfect blend of organic tissue and mechanical parts. Stepping back into real-space in a wash of light, the other three Maximals admire his new body. Primal says that they must be "reformatted" as well, and one by one, Cheetor, Rattrap and Blackarachnia exit the Oracle, in new, [[technorganic]] bodies.

Suddenly, the Oracle winks out of existence, and a hum fills the cave. This is another squadron of Vehicons, but instead of tanks, they are motorcycles. Lining up, Primal orders the Maximals to Maximize. Although no pain ensues, nothing happens. Optimus realizes they must learn how to transform as it has somehow become a lost art after the first Transformers "came" to Cybertron. Realizing this, the Maximals resign to combat in their strange new beast modes. Rattrap attacks a Cycle Drone's wheel with his teeth, Cheetor pounces on a motorcycle, and Blackarachnia uses her webs to snare another. Primal is shot, and plunges into a pit. Panicking, a voice from the Oracle reminds him that "he must tame the beast without to release the warrior within".

[[Image:Reformatting Optimus Primal robot.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I change bodies faster then a nerd changes socks.]]
Finding his inner balance, he manages to transform. A blue light spreads throughout his body, converting it to robot mode through a liquid-morph style transformation. Activating his jets, he flies out from certain doom. Grabbing the nearest Drone, he demands answers, but gets none as they escape. His anger has made him lose his center, and he converts back to beast mode. Awed, Cheetor expresses his interest in this new transformation style. Optimus declares that they must re-learn the art of transformation and their new style of combat.

Meanwhile, a mysterious figure watches the battle in the citadel and vows to destroy the "impure" organic Maximals. It's [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], now the supreme ruler of Cybertron!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Rattrap]] (3)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (4)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (5)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s|c2=
*[[Tank Drone]] (2)
*[[Motorcycle Drone]] (7)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (8)

|c4=
*[[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] (6)

}}

==Quotes==
"Hey! You just slagged your own guy! That's deep-freeze cold!"
:—'''Cheetor''' does not approve of team kills

"Everyone underground!" 
"What makes you think it's any better down there?" [''a tank nearby explodes''] "I withdraw the question."
:—'''Optimus''' and '''Rattrap''' debate where to retreat.

"The seeds of the future lie buried in the past, Optimus Primal."
:—'''The Oracle''', being all mystical

"Uh, boss, do these upgrades come with a warranty?
:—'''Rattrap''' after discovering they still can't transform.

"The first robots who came to Cybertron had to learn how to transform. It took discipline, purity of spark, and years of practice." 
"News flash for ya, monkey boy: WE AIN'T GOT YEARS!"
:—'''Optimus''' and '''Rattrap'''.

"You ''can'' teach an old ape new tricks."
:—'''Blackarachnia'''

'''Cheetor:''' "Awesome transformation, big bot!" 
'''Rattrap:''' "So, what's your secret?" 
'''Optimus:''' "I... understand." 
'''Blackarachnia:''' "Great. That makes one of us."
:—The post-mortem on Optimus' transformation.

==Notes==
* A special advance screening of this episode was held at [[BotCon 1999]], where it received an overwhelmingly positive reaction.

===Continuity errors===
* Although the Maximals' original beast modes from ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' are shown in this episode, there are some rather strange inconsistencies here. [[Optimus Primal|Optimus']] fur is brown instead of grey, [[Rattrap]]'s feet are dark orange instead of pink, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'s skin is a lighter shade of blue and smoother, and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] has black eyes with two black streaks running down his face.
* While an easy mistake, Optimus cannot have regressed to his organic (non-transmetal) beast mode. Optimus' organic body was destroyed during the Planet Buster crisis and with it the DNA sequence of the gorilla he scanned in the first episode of ''Beast Wars''. So technically Optimus should have returned to his [[Transmetal]] body. Anyone who additionally attempts to factor in the effects of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s spark and its similarity or dissimilarity to a normal Transmetal upgrade or what permanent effects it would logically have had's head might explode.

===Transformers references===
* It was from this episode that the term "reformatting" passed into general use amongst Transformerdom.
* Optimus says that the first Transformers had to ''learn'' to transform before it became second nature to the robotic races... this is possibly a reference to several flashback sequences in the original cartoon series which mentioned how Autobots had to learn to change their shape to overcome their enemies.

===Real-world references===
*Rattrap says, "Ground Control to Major Optimus," which is a reference to the 1969 David Bowie song "[[wikipedia:Space_Oddity|Space Oddity]]."
*During Optimus Primal's visions, a group of black [[wikipedia:The_Monolith|monoliths]] are briefly seen, a nod to the film ''[[wikipedia:2001:_A_Space_Odyssey|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2004 — ''Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Returns'' — Volume 1 ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Geneon Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2006 — ''Beast Machines: Transformers'' — The Complete Series ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — Season One: Volume One ([[Sony]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — Season One: Volume One — Reformatting (Sony) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — Complete Season One (Sony) 
[[Image:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2009 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — Intégrale Saison 1 (Sony) — French audio only.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reformatting}}
[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]