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People's Liberation Army Mecha Force

2024-10-09T13:11:41Z

Yochov: /* Notes */

[[File:OnceUponATimeOnEarth-PLAMF.jpg|thumb|right|350px]]

'''The People's Liberation Army Mecha Force''' is the sixth service branch of [[China]]'s military, the [[People's Liberation Army]]. They pilot over a dozen jet-to-robot "Transformers" in defence of their homeland! Piss off outta [[Beijing]], Autobots!

==Fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
The Mecha Force developed their 'jet' fleet from Cybertronian technology. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}}

[[Zilong Qian|Pilot (First Class) Zilong Qian]] led eighteen jets of the Mecha Force to Beijing on the day [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] declared [[Earth]] his protectorate (the [[Earth Defense Command]] was on the outs). Between his team and their orbital laser support, the Force took out a number of Transformers (including [[Sterling]]) before the Autobots simply upped and left. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} Following the engagement, the [[President of the United States]] allowed the Mecha Force to operate on U.S. soil as part of a grander alliance; Zilong Qian was present, as a liaison between the PRC and EDC, boring everyone by quibbling over whether he was the army or not. {{storylink|New Worlds Order}}

The Mecha Force and EDC made a joint raid on what they suspected was the Autobot base, only to find it had been deliberately made noticeable: all they found was "WE ARE HERE TO HELP" on the walls. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|Edge of the Earth}} The Mechas were deployed to Monument Valley to fight Optimus Prime, {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|It's Beginning To And Back Again}} only for Optimus to raise [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] prompting a retreat. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}} The mechas were redeployed to the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' only to be defeated by [[Victorion]]. {{storylink|White Heat}}

[[File:ConcordeHymn-PLAMFmechs.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

The mechas were deployed in [[Portland]], [[Oregon]] to back up [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] only to be disabled by [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]'s EMP. {{storylink|Concorde Hymn}} The mechas proved unable to be reactivated much to Qian's anger. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}}

Spare mechs were seen at the Alps when the world sent observation forces to keep an eye on the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]] ship. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
*Zilong specified in "New Worlds Order" that the Mecha Force is a "distinct branch with a different line-item" to the Chinese Army i.e. the {{w|People's Liberation Army Ground Force|PLA Ground Force}}.

[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Human organizations]]
[[Category:Man-made Transformers]]
[[Category:Mechanical suits]]
[[Category:Vehicles]]

The Time is Now

2024-10-02T00:47:45Z

Yochov: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]
|prev=Winner's Cup
|next=Memories and Salvation
|caption=
|image=TransformersRPG_TimeIsNow_front_cover.jpg
|title="The Time Is Now"
|publisher=[[Renegade Game Studios]]
|published in=
|date=[[March 27]], [[2023]] (digital)<br>May 2023 (physical)
|written by=[[Bryan CP Steele]]
}}

"'''The Time Is Now'''" is an adventure book for the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]. The adventure is optimized for 4 to 6 Autobot characters of 2nd level, which will reach level 6 by the end of the adventure. The adventure is set as a direct follow-up to the introductory adventure "[[Troubled Waters]]", published in the ''[[Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Core Rulebook]]'', and can be played following "[[A Beacon of Hope]]", the adventure that came packaged with the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game#Accessories|Game Master Screen]].

==Contents==
===Chapter 1: Roll Out!===
===Chapter 2: Looking Back to Go Forward===
===Chapter 3: Cybertron Never Dies===
===Chapter 4: Burning Bridges===
===Appendix: Threat Stat Blocks===

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* Autobot Player Characters (4)
* [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] (5)
* [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (6)
* [[Stripes]] (7)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (8)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (10)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (23)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (33)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (35)
* [[Eject (G1)|Eject]] (38)
* [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (39)
* [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] (41)
* [[Galaxy Shuttle]] (42)

|c2=
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (1)
* [[Vorath]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (3)
* [[Blazewake]] (11)
* [[Spikestrip]] (16)
* [[Trasher]] (18)
* [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (19)
* [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]] (20)
* [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]] (24)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage Clone]] (25)
* [[Squawktalk (G1)|Squawktalk]] (26)
* [[Squawkbox]] (27)
* Decepticon Commando Rookie (31)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (32)
* [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] Boring Drones (34)
* [[Static]] (37)
* [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (40)
* Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] Rookie (43)

|c3=
* [[Tracy Pembrooke]] (9)
* [[Salvatore Etruscus]] (12)
* [[Grace Puline Merimweather]] (13)
* [[Jamie Bragisdottir]] (14)
* [[Abegoya Trendala]] (15)
* [[Truth Founder]]s (17)

|c4=
* [[Devolved Whiptail]] (21)
* [[Meanaconda]] (22)
* [[Primal Sharkticon]] (28)
* [[Primal Compsognabot]]s (29)
* [[Reptaurica]] (30)
* [[Devourer]] (36)
* [[Leggero]] (44)
* [[Rivetro]] (45)
* [[Rusty]] (46)
* [[Catharsian]] Gangsters (47)
* [[Yaruba]] (48)
* [[Lightpole]]s (49)
* [[Warlond]] (50)
* [[Zombie|Necrocons]] (51)
* [[Xenoroc]]s (52)
* [[Jettison]] (53)
}}

==Notes==
===Trivia===
* Throughout the book, several images depicting a team of Autobots used as stand-ins for the player characters can be seen. Members of this rather eclectic group include: [[Gauge]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] , [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]].
* Among the more established Decepticons, four brand new 'Cons are presented in this book, including the seeker [[Blazewake]], the spy [[Spikestrip]], the engineer [[Static]], and the brawler [[Trasher]].
* Despite him featuring in the synopsis of the adventure, as well as being on the cover of the book, Soundwave is relegated to little more than a bit player in the escapades that unfold, especially after the conclusion of the second chapter, after which he’s only mentioned in passing. It can be reasoned that the recognizability of Soundwave trumps that of actual big-bad, Mindwipe, in terms of marketing.
* This book includes rules for [[Combiner]]s! They're basically an abridged version of the rules for combining Zords in the Mighty Morphin [[Power Rangers]] Roleplaying Game, also developed and published by [[Renegade Game Studios]].

===Transformers references===
* The book features a few noteworthy alien races pulled from various corners of the ''Transformers'' mythos, including:
** [[Velgrox]], who originated in ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'',
** [[Catharsian]]s, [[Gorlamite]]s, and [[Miliarian]]s, all of whom had their origins in the [[2005 IDW continuity]],
** [[Nebulan]]s who are a well-known species to many longtime fans of the franchise,
** [[Arcadroid]]s ("[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]") and [[Eurythman]]s ("[[Carnage in C-Minor]]"), both somewhat obscure aliens that appeared in a single episode of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] each.
**Also [[Lightpole]]s!
* The Devourers, Meanaconda, Reptaurica are all described as being proto-versions of established Transformer factions, specifically, the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], and [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], respectively.
**The Devourers bear a striking resemblance to the Terrorcon [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]].
* Mindwipe's fascination with the dead is an allusion to his original characterization, an aspect of him that's never been that much in focus whenever he's been included in stories.
*[[Unicron]] appears in two separate images in this book, but isn’t included as a threat or even alluded to at all within the story. Of his two appearances, one depicts him in his traditional Generation 1 design, while the second features him in the planet-mode of his [[Unicron/toys #Armada|''Armada'' toy incarnation]].

===Errors===
* There are several issues with the overview sections of each chapter, as many of the details presented there are just flat-out wrong when compared to the actual events of the chapters themselves.
** In the overview of chapter one, Dr. Pembrooke’s first name is spelled "Tract", instead of "Tracy". It also states that the Autobot player characters return to the ''Ark'' to deliver their report, something that doesn't happen, as they just call in for assistance.
** Chapter two’s overview states that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has a part to play in the beginning stages of the chapter, but he doesn't.
* When the player characters and Dr. Pembrooke are offered a chance to get to know each other in chapter one, the book states: "After a brief period of travel, Tracy asks whichever character is transporting her to open communications with the rest of the team so she can start a dialogue. Read or paraphrase the following."—only that the block quote meant to lead into the back-and-forth appears above this particular bit of text, not below it.
* In the intro to "Part 6: Base Camp", in the book's first chapter, Meanaconda is referred to as "Maniaconda"—despite his name being written correctly several other times on that very page.
* In the write-up of Spikestrip's abilities, an editor's note lingers, explaining what art to use in relation to the write-up.

==External links==
*[https://renegadegamestudios.com/transformers-roleplaying-game-the-time-is-now-adventure-book/ Product listing on Renegade Game Studios' website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Time Is Now}}
[[Category:Generation 1 multipath adventures]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game]]

M.T.O.

2024-10-01T07:09:15Z

Yochov:

:''M.T.O.s or Made to Order Soldiers are a type of [[Transformer]] from the [[2005 IDW continuity|2005 IDW portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]]''
[[File:TheLopsidedTriangle-MTOs.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
'''Made to Order Soldiers''' are soldiers who were [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]] by either [[Autobot High Command|Autobot]] or [[Decepticon High Command]] from a stockpile of [[spark]]s in response to numerous military campaigns. They are named after the military campaign that precipitated their creation.

Known M.T.O.'s include:
{{collist|2|
*[[Ammo]]
*[[Ambulon]] of Operation Split Infin-
*[[Biteback]]
*[[Dipstick]] of [[Operation: Doom Patrol]]
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Genitus]] of [[Operation: Solar Storm]]
*[[Getaway]] of the [[Corcapsia Incursion]]
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] of [[Simanzi Massacre|Simanzian Dawn]]
*[[Scattergun]] of the [[Vorsk Offensive|Fourth Vorsk Offensive]]
}}

{{bigquote|'''Three steps''', [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]: "from '''thaw to war''' in under an hour."|Skids, "[[Twenty Plus One]]"}}

==Fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
Before they were sent into battle, M.T.O.s had to go through a ten-step educational program that ensured that they had sufficient knowledge. As the war progressed, this was eventually cut down to eight steps, and then to just three: everything to do with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s culture was stripped out and the test merely checked if they could fight. A sarcastic [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] later put this down to callousness, the M.T.O.s being seen as cannon fodder by High Command and not worth teaching to read.

An M.T.O. is a hundred times more likely to have a mystical vision than any other Transformer; [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] attributes this to their senses being forced into action too early, the neurological equivalent of running before being able to walk.

Ammo (ten-steps) was constructed in response to an attack on [[K'th Kinsere]], whilst Riptide (eight-steps) was constructed as a [[Hydrobot (G1)|Hydrobot]] in response to an event called the [[Forced Flood]]. Getaway was brought online and deployed in the middle of a heated battle over [[Corcapsia]].

With members of the ''[[Lost Light]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew disappearing rapidly, [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] attempted to link the victims by method of construction. Despite it being unnecessary, Getaway revealed to everyone else present that he was a M.T.O., constructed in response to the [[Corcapsia Incursion]]. This prompted the other M.T.O.s on the [[Rodpod]] (Ammo, Dipstick, and Riptide) to reveal the events that led to their own creation. The number of M.T.O.s on the ship made Nautica muse that a lot of Autobots owed their lives to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}}

At least some Decepticon M.T.O.s were constructed using raw material from Autobots who were captured and murdered. {{storylink|Speak, Memory! (Part 2)}} Ambulon was a known Decepticon M.T.O., but neither the exact campaign for which he was created nor what kind of educational program he might have received are known. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}}

==Notes==
*While getting his snark on, Skids says M.T.O.s have a three-minute life expectancy. This is ''probably'' an exaggeration.

==See also==
*[[Ultimate Autobot]]
*[[Decepticon supersoldier]]

[[Category:Autobot subgroups]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) subgroups]]
[[Category:Mass-produced Transformers]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]