Rebellion (Armada)
One fine day on the moon. Sideways manipulates, Starscream evaluates. Cyclonus snore, Megatron roar. You'll always have Demolishor!
Characters (In order of appearance):
Sideways, Megatron, Demolishor, Cyclonus, Starscream, Optimus Prime, Blurr
Episode number:: 23
North American air date: Tuesday January 28, 2003
Preceded by: 22. Vow
Succeeded by: 24. Chase
Summary
Alone on the moon, Sideways makes note that Megatron's insufficient leadership is the key to the Decepticon's recent string of losses - something that must be fixed if Sideways is to keep the conflict active. Right then, Megatron and the other Decepticons return from battle, called back by Sideways who claims to be suffering from damages in his leg. Megatron is unimpressed and annoyed, and even more annoyed when practically in mid-sentence, Cyclonus takes a nap.
When Starscream arrives, Megatron brutalizes and belittled Starscream as punishment for failing during battle (even though he was only obediently operating under direct orders from Megatron. Demolishor blasts into the room and intervenes, possibly saving Starscream's life. Megatron leaves, and Starscream leaves on his own soon after. After briefly questioning Demolishor about his blind loyalty to Megatron, Sideways heads after Starscream. When even Cyclonus doesn't wake up, and even Megatron is taping a nap in his throne, Demolishor concedes that the Decepticon morale is embarrassing.
Starscream, who accidentally fell down a hill, cries out in an expression of anguish. Sideways, nearby, sympathizes with Starscream about how Megatron is operating without rationalization. Before leaving again, Sideways alludes to a familiar concept: Starscream taking command the Decepticons.
Megatron, hearing from Sideways a different perspective on his disciplinary actions, is manipulated. Sideways escalates the tension between Starscream and Megatron by suggesting Megatron's position is dependant on the possession of the Star Saber.
Starcream, questioning his position, projects his own doubt onto Demolishor and uses that as a re-assurance that they're both soldiers, even if he doesn't know the ideology and purpose to the war he was born into. Demolishor is confused by Starscream's rationalization, and comes to feel that the still napping Cyclonus is the only Decepticon without self-purpose issues.
In a hallway, Starscream has come to disregard his own misgivings and continue to obey Megatron. But Sideways pushes Starscream over the edge with a falsified order he claims to be relaying directly from Megatron. As Starscream storms out to find Megatron, Demolishor wakes Cyclonus so they can prevent the confrontation, but Cyclonus is more interested in being an audience to the bout.
Megatron wagers the Star Saber on his own victory. By the time Cyclonus arrives to watch, Starscream has lost his own sword and is receiving a beat-down from Megatron. Megatron picks Starscream off the ground and re-states what's at stake: Everything. After Megatron's speech, Starscream delivers and uppercut, and follows with several sound blows, getting cheers from Cyclonus. But a blow from Megatron sends Starscream through the air.
As Megatron holds the Star Saber in Starscream's face, and despite his earlier promise, let's Starscream live, flaunting that he knows Starscream's psychological weakness. Sideways, to himself notes that he knows Megatron's own weakness.
The next time the Decepticons enter battle, they fight with a recharged vigor, somehow the conflict coming to a climax on the moon re-established Megatron as a leader, which was beneficial for the rest of the team.
Quotes
- Sideways: "Despite the Autobots possessing better equipment, like the Skyboom shield, the Star Saber, and ever the Astro Blaster. It doesn't appear the Decepticons have the organization we need. Not to mention to keep these valuable weapons in their possession."
- Megatron: "drrrah. I'm completely surrounded by incompetent morons!"
- Megatron: "You're a disgrace to the Decepticon race, and you deserve to be destroyed."
- Sideways: "I mean no disrespect sir." Not
- Starscream: "There's gotta be a reason we fight. Because there's no point in continuing unless there is. This war is over ten million years old. In fact I've been a warrior ever since my spark left the Iacon chamber, and I was merged into the army of Megatron. The only difference between me and an Autobot is the way we do battle, and the code of the Decepticons. I guess I'm starting to get a little... confused. But you shouldn't be. We are soldiers sworn to obey Megatron; capture the Mini-Cons and return to Cybertron triumphant. "
- Megatron: "This time, it's a fight to the finish, and I won't accept any of your lame excuses. Do you understand me, you worthless grunt? I hope to realize what is at stake here. The Star Saber and supreme command of the Decepticons go to the winner. Why, you could rule the universe if you were victorious. There is no greater prize, and this is your one chance to attain it, so don't blow it, dolt. But just remember this Starscream, I won't show you mercy. You will be an example to my men, to prevent any further insubordination."
Notes
- In his opening monologue, Sideways mentions the Autobots having the Star Saber, but Megatron still possesses the Star Saber at the time of this episode. Sideways also refers to an "Astro blaster" which is likely an incorrect reference to the Requiem Blaster, which hasn't been introduced yet.
- Few, if any other episodes, have such a focus on exclusively the Decepticons, with a couple Autobots only having brief appearances at the end.
