02x19 - The Human Factor

[bunniefuu]

[ crackling ]

[ beeping ]

[ crackling, whirring ]

[ whirring slows ]

[ whirring stops ]

Welcome back, sir.

What have you done? What we needed to in order to save you, Silas.

I'm one of them.

The logical evolution of MECH's experiments and biotech Your brain fused with the donor's nervous and skeletal systems.

The perfect meld of man and machine.

Exquisite.

Thank you all for your dedication and a lifetime of service.

But I now seem more suited to keep the exclusive company of titans.

[ blasters sh**ting ]

Colonel Leland Bishop.

Bulkhead, you really mustn't allow yourself to decline.

Yeah, Bulk.

You got to pull yourself out of this funk.

What's the use? You need to regain your strength.

The time will come when When what? When all of you will need an assist? Isn't that what the new guy's for? Hey, Bulkhead, I've been thinking.

With your injury and all, you might want to take advantage of the armor I snagged from Starscream.

Instant muscle suit! You think I need a crutch?! [ rapid beeping ]

[ beeping slows ]

Bulkhead, I needed that! [ growls ]

- Out of my way, rookie! - He can walk! [ grunting ]

Looks like he's fit for duty to me.

You don't even know what you're talking about.

You've got to be kidding, Raf.

You of all people grounded? Big time.

I misplaced some homework and blew a couple of tests.

Translation "A-" instead of "A.

" I'm probably spending too much time at the base.

Rafael, I hope you're not on the phone in there.

I'm off team Prime.

[ Bulkhead grunting ]

Just when we get one back, we lose another.

[ clicking ]

Strange.

Lord Megatron, it appears that Breakdown's signal has popped back online, all be it corrupted.

Investigate with caution.

It may well be an Autobot trick.

I certainly hope not.

Breakdown may act a brute, but he's a maestro behind a rotary buffer.

[ metal creaking ]

Breakdown, where have you Breakdown, what happened to you? There lies a tale which won't be nearly as interesting to Megatron as this.

So, take me to your leader.

At 16:30 hours, a satellite was stolen from a high-security m*llitary bolt.

Surveillance shows the Decepticon known as Breakdown at the scene.

Haven't seen him in a while.

It looks like Breakdown entered the base in vehicle mode with someone behind the wheel.

- A Decepticon paired with a human? - And I have a pretty good hunch who.

The stolen satellite was project Damocles.

Invented by Silas.

I guess the former Colonel Bishop wanted it back.

[ buzzing ]

- Yeah, I thought Silas was paste? - So did I.

Agent Fowler, even if he were alive, are you suggesting that Silas has allied MECH with the Decepticons? I highly doubt that Megatron would entertain such an idea.

Why not? The human-bot alliance works for us.

Most of the time.

Knockout, what is this abomination?! And why have you brought it here? I am Silas, as in cybernetic life augmented by symbiosis.

I come with a proposition.

This is the human who dissected Breakdown.

Please, my liege, allow me to return the favor.

I propose that you not overlook the one asset that provides Optimus Prime an advantage at least, on this world.

- And that would be? - The human factor.

Look around you, Silas! I command an army from a mighty warship.

What could a human possibly offer? I am no ordinary human, and this is no ordinary w*apon.

Damocles is a particle-beam cannon so powerful it can slice up the Pentagon like a birthday cake or give everyone on Mount Rushmore a mohawk, all from a satellite in orbit.

It's the work of a madman.

And in Megatron's hands A thr*at to anyone, anywhere on the planet.

With pinpoint accuracy at the flick of a switch.

And what is it that you wish in return? Merely a place at the table.

The Cons may have the satellite, but they can't use it without the interface code.

The only existing copy is stored on the secured servers at headquarters in Colorado.

We must keep the code out of Decepticon hands at all costs.

- It's roll time.

- Ep, ep! I have not yet cleared you for active duty, nor are you ready to roll.

[ growls ]

Attention, all personnel are ordered to evacuate immediately.

We have a level 5 radiation leak.

Repeat, evacuate immediately.

[ beeping ]

The Decepticons have proceeded us.

We must secure the command center.

- The Autobots have arrived.

- Megatron, relax.

[ growls ]

Lord Megatron.

Soundwave may need to download the code in order to remotely operated Damocles from here on your warship, but while jacked into the mainframe, Damocles is his to command.

[ beeps ]

Soundwave, prepare to beta test.

[ beeping ]

[ blasters sh**ting ]

Whoa.

Promising.

Fall back! Ratchet, we require backup.

- I'm there.

- You can't! Can you remotely disable project Damocles under Agent Fowler's advisement? On a human-based computer network without my backup? Without Rafael? Wha what are you guys doing here? Son, your planet needs you.

Autobots, we must draw its fire to distract from Rafael's efforts.

Somehow I don't think that'll be a problem.

Ratchet, you've got to send me in.

So you can be an even easier target? You have yet to regain your full range of motion! But Breakdown's back.

He's my archenemy.

Come on, even the kids are in on the action! [ sighs ]

Very well, Bulkhead.

You are cleared for duty.

- Yes! - A duty of my choosing.

[ beeping ]

I'm in, but I can't reach the targeting systems.

Too many firewalls.

Come on, son.

If the Cons make off with that interface code, Damocles will light up the sky 24-7.

Let them have the code.

It won't do them any good without the satellite.

Can't say I follow you.

All satellites have maneuvering thrusters so they can adjust their orbits.

If I can break into the navigation subroutine, I can bring the whole satellite down.

Great.

Say, um which way is the bathroom? What? No! If my Mom sees you Relax.

I trained in covert ops.

I don't care if you were trained by a ninja.

My Mom has eyes in the back of your head! [ beeping ]

An intruder in the system? Soundwave, we have a breach! [ rapid beeping ]

Jasper, Nevada.

It can only be the Autobots' human allies.

Then perhaps you should attend to the matter.

Surely one of your subordinates is more suitable.

Now! Clear sh*t! I'm going in! [ tires squeal ]

[ engine revs ]

Scratch that.

Good night, hacker.

[ beeping ]

[ engine revs ]

Good call on curbside duty, Ratch.

Been itching to trade pay with you again.

Where you been, Breakdown? Be patient.

I'm about to send you there.

You're not Breakdown.

But you are Bulkhead, and this is the last time you'll interfere with one of my operations.

Silas? In the flesh, in a manner of speaking.

Ahhh! Unh.

Ahhhhh! [ rhythmic tone plays ]

Bulkhead, do you read? Bulkhead! [ beeping ]

Optimus, I fear that Bulkhead requires immediate backup.

Oh, where did they hide the substringing? FYI, you're low on T.

P.

Reaction time is slow.

You're favoring your right side.

[ groans ]

Legs are weak.

I'll show you weak.

[ growls ]

Ahh! You should have stayed in bed, Autobot.

[ groans ]

[ tires screech ]

Hah! Assist what the new guy's for.

One new guy to another this is your final day on the job.

Rahh! [ beeping ]

They're attempting to disable the satellite! Silas, how difficult is it to squash a human child?! Silas! [ beeping ]

We have the codes? Then target the intruder and destroy him! [ beeping ]

This is our opportunity.

Autobots, storm the command center.

I'm almost there.

[ beeping ]

[ keyboard clacking ]

- Raf, rock on! It's moving.

- Uh, that isn't me.

[ beeping ]

Uh, guys that's Jasper.

Ooh, I can see my host parents' house.

And I can see my house right in their target sights.

- Any time, son.

- Full thruster burn.

Ah! - Oh! - Yes! You're a genius! [ knock on door ]

Rafael Jorge Gonzales Esquivel! What is going on in here? Study group.

Silas, return to base immediately.

Looks like someone's big plan just b*rned up in re-entry.

And for the record, I studied every one of the Wrecker's battles.

There's hope for you yet, newbie.

Silas, you have earned your place at the table.

Lord Megatron, I am honored.

Knockout's dissection table.

- Breakdown would be tickled.

- No, lord Megatron.

Why? Because Damocles was the best you had to offer, and it is no more.

The human factor did indeed tip the scales in favor of my enemies.

[ electricity crackling ]

[ groans ]

He will be a fascinating case for study.

I will leave no fiber or fiber optic unexamined.

[ clink, clink ]

No, no.

Megatron, I'm here to serve you! No! [ grunting ]

No! No! No! Nooo!