Teletran 3

The name or term "Teletraan" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Teletraan (disambiguation).

Teletran 3 is a computer from the G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.

I bet it runs on Linux.

Teletran 3 is a supercomputer that forms the hub of Cybertron's transport network. It is capable of opening precision wormholes to physically connect two points, or smaller 'pinpoint' wormholes through which data can flow. Teletran 3 performs routine functions autonomously but requires operator assistance to deal with new tasks.

Teletran 3 is capable of opening wormholes beyond Cybertron planetary space (such as on Earth), but it requires a wormhole generator on the far end to hold the gate open. During transport, Teletran 3 can filter a Transformer through a "camouflage protocol," reconfiguring their alt mode to match the destination.

It is also capable of transporting objects through time, though this ability came as a surprise to all concerned, including Teletran 3. This method of time-travel is impractical for regular use because it has a significant chance of causing an apocalypse. Teletran 3 is sentient, possessing sufficient self-awareness to be embarrassed by the whole "apocalypse" thing, but it also appears indifferent to the Autobot/Decepticon conflict, serving whoever asks.

Though not explicitly stated, the wormhole network Teletran 3 commands is almost certainly the space bridge, which Optimus Prime would later use to travel to Earth.

Fiction

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers

Shockwave arranged for the humans (specifically Cobra Commander) to discover technology to open a connection between Earth and Cybertron using Teletran 3's wormhole network. He planned to use this connection to invade Earth, enslave the populace, and steal its resources.

Instead, a malfunction in the Earth gate caused Teletran 3 to overload, randomly transporting sixteen Transformers to different eras in Earth's past. Jazz, Bumblebee, Hot Rod, and Blitzwing were sent to the 1970s. Optimus Prime and the Stunticons were sent to 1937. Ratchet was sent to a post-apocalyptic future where Shockwave's invasion occurred as planned, and the Dinobots were sent to the age of the dinosaurs. If the missing Transformers were not retrieved, the resulting feedback would have destroyed all life on Earth. Perceptor used Teletran 3 to send G.I. Joe and Cobra members to retrieve them.

Shockwave attempted to prevent the last team from returning, reasoning that the ensuing destruction would render Earth fit for immediate strip-mining. This attempt was thwarted, and Shockwave was later overthrown when the Dinobots (rendered incredibly powerful by Teletran 3's reformatting them into dinosaurs) returned.

Optimus Prime made efforts to ensure that Teletran 3 could no longer open a wormhole to Earth, and he advised humans to destroy all wormhole technology on Earth as well. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II

Notes

• "Teletran 3" is one of the few spellings of the term to be both canonical and consistent, since it appeared multiple times in a single series presented in a written medium. The first G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers had previously spelled the first computer "Teletran-One". For the reasons this wiki normally prefers a double-"a", Roman-numeral spelling, see the relevant section at Teletraan I's article.