The Low Road

Writers: Bob Forward

Rhinox is infected with a strange energon discharge virus and if a cure isn't found he'll destroy the Maximal base.

Major Characters (in order of appearance): Rattrap, Dinobot, Rhinox, Cheetor, Optimus Primal, Inferno, Waspinator, Terrorsaur, Tarantulas, Scorponok, Megatron, Blackarachnia, Airazor, Tigatron,

Original Air Date: February 10, 1997

Summary
The Maximals use their tools to garden, trimming the wild bean vines that have grown around the Maximal base, and as Dinobot explains, could be explointed by the Predacons. Rattrap and Dinobot get into a fight. Inside, Rhinox detects Predacons coming to attack, and can't activate the Sentinel sheilds because of the two Maximals outside preoccupied with each other. Rhinox comes down the elevator with his guns ablaze, and commands the two to get inside, but the two are too busy arguing to obey. Trying to cover his teammate's withdrawl, Rhinox is hit by a strange weapon from Tarantulas. Dinobot blasts Tarantulas several times, and with the crucial shot fires, the Predacons retreat.

Inside, the Axalon's computer reports on the strange effect the device had on Rhinox - giving him a disease that causes the larger Maximal to "spontaneously discharge energy." Rhinox demonstrates this by hiccuping energy beams around the base, causing much collateral damage. It's decided a counter-virus must be found.

Rattrap and Dinobot attempt to trail the injured Tarantulas. The two get into an argument about who is to blame for Rhinox becoming sick as he is, which quickly degenerates into name-calling. Eventually forgetting why they started the arguement, the two follow his Tarantulas's scent. Running after a glimpse of the Predacon, the two fall thought a hole and onto a long slide - with a heavy boulder close behind the two. But after landing at the bottom of the slide, the boulder actual hits Tarantulas. Rattrap and Dinobot continue to bickering as they search through the underground for Tarantulas's lab.

Abord the Axalon, Optimus reveals to Cheetor that he paired the two together so they can learn to work together or kill each other. Rhinox is meanwhile kept on a life suppose system which drains energy from the rest of the (now heavily damaged) Maximal base.

Back at the Predacons base, Megatron sends his own forces to reclaim Tarantulas, so more of the virus can be developed to use on the rest of the Maximals. They head to his labratory to see if they can locate the missing arachnid there. On Tarantulas's security sensors, Blackarachnia notices the two wandering Maximal's making their way through the caverns towards Tarantulas's hideout.

Primal rallies his available soldiers for action against the Predacons to forcibly seize the antidote to Rhinox's ailment. Rhinox attempts to come along with the others, but Primal orders his friend to stay behind and perhaps consume some food to help stabilize his systems. Naturally, the first option on Rhinox's menu happens to be the wild beans conveniently surrounding the Axalon.

Back in Tarantulas's lair, Blackarachnia also discovers where Tarantulas stored the counter-virus. When Scorponok detects the two Maximals getting closer, the Predacon goons open fire, wildly hoping to hit something, but instead just ruin any chance they have of ambushing their targets. Dinobot tries to use Tarantulas as a hostage, but this tactic doesn't work on Megatron, who has no reservations about abusing his own soldiers. However the distract has bought Rattrap (who was supposed to be covering Dinobot) the time to sneak through some tubes to arrive behind the Predacons, where he is close enough to quickly disarm them.

A nasal energon-expulsion from Rhinox provides a hole for the other Maximals to enter the chamber once they finish posing heroically. Megatron mentions that he alone has the counter-virus that could save Rhinox.

But then Rhinox shoots an incredible energon fart (visible from space) that blows the Predacons far away, giving the Maximals the chance to grab the counter-virus and live happily ever after. Rattrap and Dinobot still bicker like kids, though.

Quotes
Rattrap: Gearhead. Dinobot: Eater of cheese. Rattrap: Pre-historic birdbrain. Dinobot: Eater of garbage.

Dinobot: This foul smelling place should feel home to you vermin. Rattrap: Well it doesn't smell as bad as your breath. Dinobot: You best get ust to that smell WHEN I BITE YOU HEAD OFF! Tranantulas: DIE MAXIMALS! Dinobot and Rattrap: SHUTUP! They both punch Tranatulas.

Megatron: A bargaining chip shall remain in play until the game is over. Blackarachnia: Why do you always talk to yourself? Megatron: Ah, I simply have a penchant for ahem intelligent conversation.

before Rhinox: Wild bean vines, hard to digest. Megatron: "Do not turn you back on me, Maximal scum! Rhinox completes his turn, raises his tail, and... Megatron: Oh no, not that!

after Megatron: This is certainly the most humiliating defeat of my entire career. Yess...