Other Visits (Part 1)



A new alien site and device are discovered, and Megatron intends to have both for himself.

Summary
Rhinox scans the all known alien sites, with Dinobot playing "back seat computer operator". Both notice a pattern, and Rhinox is concerned, as the next location looks like it is on course with Tigatron and Airrazor's scout patrol. They try to alert the pair but are unable due to Megatron's jamming tower. Dinobot announces he and Rattrap will go to destroy the tower. Rhinox informs the other Maximals of the danger Tigatron and Airrazor are in, so the flyers set off to warn them.

Tarantulas is repairing his web in his lair, moaning to himself that no one will help him, as "they're all too busy helping Megatron, even that vile..." when he is interrupted by his computer alerting him to the presence of the aliens. He quickly transforms into his motorbike mode and races off.

In the Darksyde, Blackarachnia is nearly dozing off on scout duty, as "working for Megatron sure is boring!". This doesn't please the purple guy much, as he happens to be eavesdropping. Suddenly, she notices Tarantulas on the scanners, zipping along at breakneck speed. At the mention of the spider, Megatron reveals himself, accompanied by Inferno, and begins giving Blackarachnia orders, with Inferno enforcing his master's wishes. Blackarachnia suggests they follow Tarantulas to see what he's up to, but Megs seems reluctant. Inferno then reports of an attack on the jamming tower and asks if he should back up Waspinator and Quickstrike. Megatron once again decides this is a foolish move. Instead, he reveals to the spider and Inferno that now is a prime time to get the Golden Disk back, with only Rhinox guarding the Axalon.

Tigatron and Airrazor are patrolling when, to their delight and surprise, they see a hint of plant life in the form of a drifting seed. They continue and discover a clearing full of plant life, an area of natural beauty that wasn't destroyed by the alien attack. Airrazor is intrigued by the unique forms of vegetation, so she transforms to get a scan. BIG MISTAKE. Tigatron also transforms. BIG MISTAKE. They both seem to be overcome by it all, and share a brief, cheesy romantic moment. But as the pair cuddle up, tendrils begin to snake up behind them, and suddenly, the two Maximals are entangled. Amidst their screams, they link hands, telling each other that their sparks will always find each other. As they are abducted, Cheetor flies up and tries to rescue them, but to no avail. He screams in protest as he realises he has lost them. As he bemoans the Maximals' inability to warn the abducted pair in time, Tarantulas pops up and blasts Cheetor, knocking him out cold. As Tarantulas begins to check out the site, he realises Optimus is coming, so he retreats.

Optimus and Silverbolt land in the clearing, and Optimus gets Cheetor back online. He hurriedly asks what happened to Tigatron and Airrazor, and Cheetor indicates the plant at fault for their disappearance. At this moment, Rattrap buzzes in, informing the Maximals that he and Dinobot have destroyed the jamming tower. (Actually, Dinobot is still landing a few final blows, which topple the tower on top of Quickstrike and Waspinator.) Upon hearing about the fate of Tigatron and Airrazor, all the Maximals head back to base, all deeply moved.

Optimus com-links Rhinox, who is also shocked by the news, but, being the cool cucumber like he is, goes straight back to scanning the alien abduction and notices two distorted figures in the beam: Tigatron and Airrazor. Before he can investigate further, the base alerts go off, and he notices Megatron outside. Rhinox has no time for fun and games, so he literally brings out "the big guns." However, Megatron is merely acting as a diversion while Blackarachnia and Inferno sneak into the base and shut off the defense systems. Big Green realizes he's in trouble and desperately tries to get through to Optimus, but Inferno enters the room, swings Rhinox's chair up to the table, and puts him at gunpoint just as Optimus finally responds. Inferno offers a "Goodbye!" on Rhinox's behalf and simultaneously blasts Rhinox. Blackarachnia rushes for the disk, but Inferno is more hesitant: "The Royalty said we weren't to touch it until..." He is interrupted by Rhinox grabbing him and yanking him back to express his displeasure. Rhinox and Inferno start to rock 'n' sock each other with chin-punches, and Rhinox soon wins by popping Inferno's block off (or at least up). Blackarachnia grabs the disk, but Rhinox menaces her with "The Chaingun Of Doom." He barely has time to threaten her before Megatron appears behind him and lays verba; claim to the disk. Despite his fear, Rhinox quickly readies to smack Megs in the face, but the Pred is too quick; he grabs Rhinox's hand in his claw, rips it off and sends him sprawling. Megatron grabs the disk, pushes Inferno's head back down, then takes his leave.

The Maximals make it back to the base, and Optimus re-attaches Rhinox's arm. The Maximals then have a council. Cheetor is still upset about Tigatron and Airrazor, insisting they need to rescue those two. However, Dinobot says they need to stop Megatron before the aliens strike, to which Optimus agrees. They set off for the site where Tigatron and Airrazor were abducted.

Megatron is back in the Darksyde, talking about the Golden Disk, but is interrupted by Tarantulas. The spider brags that he is no longer part of the Predacon command, but also reminds his ex-leader that he is Megatron's only chance of surviving the alien attack. Megatron allows Tarantulas to undertake his plan.

The Predacons head to the abduction site, where they go about ramming posts into the ground. Megatron questions Tarantulas's motives, but Tarantulas isn't telling. However, due to the fact they shared minds, Blackarachnia knows it is because he hates the aliens. Megatron doesn't mind, since hatred is an emotion he can trust. When the plan is complete, Megatron and Tarantulas have a brief laughing contest which is interrupted by Primal and the Maximals, who transform and prepare to attack. The Predacons also terrorize, ready for battle, when the aliens' beam comes down, causing a halt in the proceedings. All the Transformers stare on in amazement as a spaceship materializes in front of their very optics.

The top of the ship opens, releasing an energon surge, which blasts into everybody.

To be continued...

Quotes
"Sometimes Optimus trusts too much..."

--Rhinox near enough asking Dinobot for a fight.

(Cheetor) "We could have warned them. If only that stinking Megatron hadn't..." (Tarantulas) "Well you didn't!" (blasts Cheetor).

--harsh Tarantulas.

"No need for violence Rhinox! I only wish to talk!"

--Not even Cheetor would fall for that Megatron.

"Hahahaha. Looks like we will have our little chat after all, Rhinox."

--Megatron insists.

"You don't wanna try it. The disc!"

--Rhinox is pissed.

(Megatron) "Leave here Primal! I will deal with this!" (Optimus) "Like you did last time? Dream on!"

--Optimus doesn't want to die again. It's not the end of a season, so his odds seem good.

Stats
Writers: Larry DiTillio Original Air Date: February 8, 1998

Major Characters (in order of appearance): Characters Minor Characters (in order of appearance): Characters

Technical/Animation Glitches

 * Glitch

Continuity Errors

 * Error

Transformers References

 * References

Real-World References

 * The fight between Rhinox and Inferno references Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots, a popular fighting game.
 * Waspinator says he's pinned like an "iron butterfly", referencing the 1960s psychedelic rock band that gave the world "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".