Transformers: Armada
“Rebellion” – Episode 23
Written by Terry Klassen and Ward Perry
Transcription by Brandon Williams
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Narrator: The war between the Autobots and the Decepticons rages on, as they struggle to retrieve the prized Mini-Cons. There are new and more powerful Mini-Cons surfacing every day. If the Decepticons prove victorious, then Megatron, and his enslaved Mini-Cons will control the universe. The Earth’s only chance for a peaceful cosmos is for Optimus Prime and the Autobots to destroy their enemy, and free all Mini-Cons. Now, get ready for a new battle.
Sideways: Recording log. Astrodate Nimbus-3391. ID code 002348. This is Sideways. In the fierce battle over the Mini-Cons, it appears the Autobots are gaining the upperhand. And the reason is clear why the Decepticons are losing the battle. It seems Megatron is completely inadequate as a leader. Despite the Autobots possessing better equipment, like the Skyboom shield, the Star Saber and even the Astro Blaster, it doesn’t appear the Decepticons have the organization to win, not to mention keep these valuable weapons in their possession. But that’s all going to change…
[Transition]
Megatron: What’s going on here, Sideways? Or is this one of your pathetic jokes, soldier?
Sideways: Sorry to call ya, but my leg’s pretty messed up.
Megatron: Ha. You are such a miserable coward.
Cyclonus: Awww, we had to come all this way because Sideways has a boo-boo? Ahahaha. You poor Decepticon. What is this, your third loss in a row?
Demolishor: Cy… Cyclonus. Are you all right?
Megatron: Oh, now what?
Demolishor: Uh, well, sir… It appears he’s… it appears he’s fallen asleep.
Megatron: Ergh! I’m completely surrounded by incompetent morons!
Starscream: Boy. What a way to boost our morale.
Megatron: Excuse me, Starscream? Fall out!
Starscream: Uh. Yessir. But… Where are we going, Megatron?
Megatron: What is your problem, soldier?
Starscream: What do you mean, sir?
Megatron: I’m talking about our last battle. Do you remember what you did back there, Starscream?
Starscream: Uh, sure. I decided to hold back Red Alert and Scavenger to keep the pressure off you, sir. Why? Is there… is there something wrong?
Megatron: You’re terminated.
Sideways: Give me a break. Don’t tell me he’s going to exterminate his own soldier. I mean, Megatron can’t blame him for his own failure.
Starscream: I was just — following your orders, sir. Th-that’s all.
Megatron: And you even failed miserably at that, didn’t you? Just looking at your ignorance repulses me to the core.
Demolishor: Oh, just great. Now he’s locked us in here. Megatron! Come on! Open up, will ya?!
Sideways: Why don’t you blast your way through, Demolishor?
Demolishor: You serious?
Sideways: If you don’t hurry, Starscream’ll be history.
Megatron: Oh, now what’s the matter. Are you too pathetic to even fight back? You’re a disgrace to the Decepticon race, and you deserve to be destroyed.
Demolishor: Megatron, I can’t let you do this. Oh, no! Starscream!
Sideways: Whoa…
Megatron: It is done. A punishment worthy of the crime.
Demolishor: Starscream… Are you all right, Starscream? Oooh… Where are you going?
Starscream: I’ve got business to take care of.
Demolishor: Hey Starscream, wait up.
Starscream: I have to do this on my own, Demolishor.
Demolishor: Huh?
Sideways: Talk about your team player, huh? Not that we were ever a team to start with. What I don’t get, is why you’re still loyal to someone as derranged as Megatron.
Demolishor: What — do you mean? Yeah… Good point, Sideways.
Sideways: If Megatron keeps maiming his own men, I gotta feeling this war will be over before ya know it.
Demolishor: Hey, Cyclonus. Wake up, already. This — is getting ridiculous.
Starscream: No one humilates me like that! No one!
Sideways: You wouldn’t care to make a bet on that, would ya?
Starscream: What?
Sideways: Hey, don’t get wrong. I know how you feel.
Starscream: How would you know?
Sideways: Open your eyes, Starscream. You think a rational leader would send his troops into battle, and then when he loses, he takes out his frustrations on his own men? Yeah, right. If you ask me, I think he’s gone over the deep end.
Starscream: That’s what I think, too.
Sideways: Maybe I’m just talking out loud here, but I get the feeling there’s someone more capable of leading the Decepticons to victory. Yeah, I think ya know what you mean. I think you do. And, I think you know who I’m talking about, aswell. Even though you don’t want to admit it.
Starscream: I’m not sure I follow you.
Sideways: I’ve probably said too much, already. Starscream, Megatron is afraid of you.
Starscream: You serious?
Sideways: Hahaha. Now it’s your turn, Megatron.
Megatron: Don’t you dare take me for a fool, Sideways.
Sideways: I would never do that, sir.
Megatron: And if you do, you shall share the same fate as that insubordinate worm, Starscream. How dare he even think of challenging my authority.
Sideways: But Megatron… And I hope I’m not overstepping my rank here. Why did you only humiliate him and not eliminate him? He could still pose a problem.
Megatron: Yes. But I’m not worried about Starscream retaliating.
Sideways (VO): I’m not getting through to this titanium-plated bozo. (Out loud) Well that may be, but when I spoke to Starscream, he was preparing to mount a coup against you, and I just think it’s my duty to tell you, sir.
Megatron: You must be joking. Well, I am not. Starscream has forced me to make an example of him.
Sideways: I agree, sir. As long as you possess the Star Saber, he would be a fool to attempt anything against you. I mean, even I don’t think Starscream is stupid enough to believe he can defeat you. Heh… Yeah. Whoever possesses the Star Saber controls the other’s fate. No doubt about it.
Megatron: Silence! I certainly hope that you’re not implying that I, Megatron am nothing without the Star Saber. Why I could defeat that simple-minded flying grunt in my sleep.
Sideways: I’m sorry, sir, if you misunderstood me. There’s no doubt that Starscream is inferior to you, Megatron. I never thought otherwise. Never in a million light years.
Megatron: And I can crush you too if you don’t watch it.
Sideways: I mean no disrespect, sir. (VO) …Not.
Demolishor: Where in the world were you, Starscream? Answer me.
Starscream: I went off on my own to do a little thinking, Demolishor. I’m tired of this war and I’m trying to make sense of it.
Demolishor: You’re the one who is not making any sense.
Starscream: There’s gotta be a reason we fight, because there’s no point continuing unless there is. This war is over ten million years old. Infact, 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.
Demolishor: I should just blindly follow? I don’t think so.
Starscream: Demolishor, we’re soldiers. We’ve got a job to do. So forget your beef with Megatron and let’s get on with it.
Demolishor: What is going on with everyone here? Every since we lost that battle, everyone has gone looby! Well, at least some things never change around here. But, Cyclonus is looking to be the only sane one.
[Commercial]
Demolishor: There’s no question Megatron is frustrated because of our loss. But when he attacked you, Starscream, he crossed the line.
Starscream: I have absolutely no intention of disobeying Megatron.
Demolishor: Yeah. Sure. I got it. I never once questioned your loyalty.
Sideways: Ahhh, there you are, Starscream. I have orders from Megatron. He said he wants you to keep guard over the warp gate so the Mini-Cons don’t desert.
Starscream: Are you serious?
Sideways: I’ve never been more. He specifically chose you because you’re the one soldier he could depend on.
Starscream: Yeah, right.
Sideways: Hey, I’m just doing what I’m told and passing on Megatron’s orders, okay?
Starscream: Yeah, yeah. Whatever.
Demolishor: Take it easy, will ya?
Starscream (VO): That doesn’t make any sense! (Out loud) Megatron wants me to guard the warp gate so the Mini-Cons don’t desert us?! I’m gonna smash the warp gate!
Demolishor: No! Starscream! No, don’t do it!
Starscream: I’ve had enough of being treated like an idiot. Where is Megatron?! I’m gonna settle this once and for all!
Demolishor: Starscream, you can’t do this.
Sideways (VO): Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh…
Starscream: Where are you, Megatron?
Sideways: He’s not here, Starscream. But he’s waiting. So don’t get too excited, or you’ll miss your one chance to… get even.
Starscream: He’s mine.
Demolishor: Starscream, don’t be a fool!
Sideways: Well, this was all bound to happen. Hahaha. Should be a good fight.
Demolishor: Get your lazy good-for-nothing butt up, Cyclonus. C’mon! Starscream is about to challenge Megatron to a fight.
Cyclonus: Oh, that sounds exciting! We don’t wanna miss this one.
Demolishor: You idiot, we have to stop him now! Or else we can just forget about morale around here.
Cyclonus: You’re kidding. Morale? We’ve never had morale around here!
Demolishor: Hey! Hey, wait.
Megatron: I’m surprised you had the courage to face me, Starscream.
Starscream: Why you!
Megatron: Ha. Let’s make this interesting. I’ll give you the Star Saber. That’s, if you can defeat me.
Sideways (VO): Heh, heh… Good luck, Starscream.
Starscream: Prepare to — die!
Cyclonus: We’re late! They’ve already started. Sorry, Demolishor, but I’ve gotta get a good seat. Transform!
Demolishor: What did you do that for, Cyclonus?
Cyclonus: Stop your bellyachin’. Starscream’s getting totally smoked.
Sideways: I told him he wasn’t ready yet. But you think he’d listen to me? Heh, I don’t think so.
Megatron: At least fight like a Cybertronian. Because what you’re doing is pathetic. 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 you 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’re 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!
Cyclonus: He nailed him! Go for it, Starscream!
Demolishor: I don’t get it. Why doesn’t Megatron use his Star Saber?
Cyclonus: Yeah, that is weird.
Megatron (flashback): Starscream has forced me to make an example of him.
Sideways (VO): Oh, no. It can’t be. Megatron had no intention of using the Star Saber against Starscream. Oooh, this is gonna ruin everything… Oh, that should do it.
Starscream: You win, Megatron. Now just get it over with.
Megatron: You’re giving up? I expected more of you. At least beg me to spare your worthless life. Or is your foolish pride getting in the way of even that, Starscream. Well, is it? Your problem is you have a conscience. You don’t have the stomach to finish the fight because you play by the rules. Well, then you’ll never come out on top, Starscream. I understand your weaknesses and that’s why I’m the victor and you lay there like a whimpering dog. I’m always open to a challenge, soldier. And one day, you might defeat me.
Sideways (VO): You had the upperhand, Megatron. And then you walked away before it was over. A true leader would never leave a fight half-fought. I see your weakness, and one day, it’ll come back to haunt you. And it will be your ruin. (Out loud; narration) Even though my plan failed to bring down Megatron, it has seemed to rally the troops seems strangely high.
Cyclonus: Yahoo!
Optimus: Ready anytime you are, Megatron!
Demolishor: You need help, sir?
Megatron: Quickly! Go look after the Mini-Cons.
Demolishor: Yessir!
Blurr: You’re going down, Megatron!
Sideways: Feels good to fight as one unit again. But it’s still the Decepticons against the Autobots, with no clear winner in sight.
[End]