Changing of the Guard
Template:Episodenav Writers: Evan Somers
While trying to salvage the Sentinel program from the ruins of the Axalon, Rattrap finds himself caught between Depth Charge and Rampage.
Characters (in order of appearance): Rattrap, Optimus Primal, Rhinox, Cheetor, Silverbolt, Blackarachnia, Rampage, Depth Charge, Megatron, Inferno, Waspinator, Quickstrike
Original Air Date: November 8, 1998
Summary
Rhinox is in the process of engineering a way to use Teletraan-1's forcefield to protect the base. But the hardware fails and fries the machinery. With that trick failed, Primal puts together a plan to salvage the Maximal's old force field, Sentinel, from the wreckage of the Axalon. Depth Charge refuses to respond to any contacts. So instead the Maximal's will use a stealth single-occupant submarine developed by Blackararachnia. Rattrap is assigned to pilot the submersible, over his usual handful of whines and complaints.
Silverbolt delivers the submarine to the Axalon's resting site. Under the sea, Rattrap is surprised to find himself having a good time exploring the water and passing by schools of fish to the sound of a jolly tune. The tune changes as Rattrap finds the fallen corpse of what used to be the Maximal's home. He slowly enters, looking through the darkened hallways. He finds Sentinel, and carefully begins to extract it - suddenly being frightened by an eel who was hiding in the machinery. As he calms down, his radar detects something else approaching.
Rampage grabs the submersible, squeezing the entire ship in one of his claws. Luckily, Rattrap is freed by Depth Charge, still hunting Protoform X. Rattrap continues his mission to grab Sentinel and lets the two fish carry out their grudge match. He escapes the Axalon just as shockwaves cause the ship to unhinge and plunge deeper into the sea. On the water's surface, Silverbolts starts to carry the submarine home, when Waspinator arrives, causing doggybot to drop his passenger and cargo.
While Rampage and Depth Charge continue their match underwater, on the beach, Quickstrike sends Waspinator to take Sentinel back to the Predacon base while the fuzor takes care of the two Maximals. But the Fuzor's crushed by Rampage landing after a toss from Depth Charge. Silverbolt tries to convince Depth Charge to help recover Sentinel, but as usual, Depth Charge has no interest, wanting only to execute Protoform X, who has snuck away during the few seconds of conversation.
Together, using some incredible aerial acrobatics, Rattrap and Silverbolt steal back Sentinel from Waspinator. But Inferno pushes a tree into Silverbolt's path. Silverbolt passes the Sentinel to Rattrap, who races away with it. Unrelenting, Inferno blows up a bridge in Rattrap's path, causing the rat to plunge - back into Silverbolt's arms. But the two Maximals crash into the incoming Depth Charge and drop Sentinel into Inferno's hands. Thanks to their bad luck, the Maximals have lost.
At the Maximal base, Rattrap and Primal chew out Depth Charge for getting in their way and handing another major strategic advantage to the Predacons - but he did save Rattrap's life (which Rattrap initially left out, and was very begrudging to admit). Primal offers Depth Charge a place with the Maximals so mistakes like this can be avoided in the future, and Depth Charge agrees to consider it.
Meanwhile, in the Darksyde, Megatron activates Sentinel, encasing his base in an protective force field.
Quotes
Rattrap: Looks like that Pred friend of yours finally did something right!
Silverbolt: My beloved has many skills.
Waspinator: Waspinator having good day: not get shot once.
*Bang*
Depth Charge I shouldn't have save your hide. Optimus He saved you? Rattrap A ya, he did.
Notes
- When Megatron contacts his henchmen, Inferno can been seen spending his free time playing cards with Waspinator and Inferno.
Real-World References
- The "Changing of the Guard", traditionally refers to a formal ceremony in Merry Ol' England wherein the sentries providing ceremonial guard duties at important institutions are relieved by a new batch of sentries. The ceremonies are often elaborate and precisely choreographed.
- The manner in which Rattrap's submarine bounces after being dropped by Silverbolt the second time is reminiscent of Pinball.
