« Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers ep 16 »
"Jointrons! Origami Mode!"
A Fearsome Combination Plan? 恐るべし合体作戦? () (Osorerubeshi Gattai Sakusen?)
Production company	TV Tokyo, NAS, Ashi Productions
Airdate	15 July 1998
Writer	Junki Takegami
Director	Mihiro Yamaguchi
Animation studio	Ashi Productions
Continuity	Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The Predacons infect the Jointrons with a plague that prevents combination.

Contents 1 Synopsis 1.1 Artemis & Moon II Report 2 Featured characters 3 Notes 3.1 Transformers references 3.2 Real world references 3.3 Trivia 4 Home video releases

Synopsis

In one of the Maximal shuttles, the Jointrons have transformed the space into the "Jointron Corner", where they put on impromptu puppet shows, send out music broadcasts, and constantly contact Maximal Headquarters about their success at bringing peace to Gaia. While the reports can't make it through the magnetic storm that's currently permeating space at the moment, Lio Convoy's Maximals in the other shuttle are once again annoyed by the trio, especially about their arrogance in claiming the planet free of conflict.

At the Galvaburg II, the Combatrons and Megastorm are dancing along to the music, till Galvatron fumes about the Jointrons and their contribution to the Maximal forces. Starscream steps forward to say that he has a plan to take care of them...

Soon, DJ, Gimlet, and Motorarm go on patrol with Tasmania Kid and Diver, seeking opportunities for their next "achievement". They come across a plume of smoke, which Artemis and Moon note isn't caused by Angolmois Energy. The true culprits for the smoke are Thrust and Dirge, who are luring the Jointrons into a trap! Artemis laments being unable to assist the Maximals, which prompts Moon to transform into robot mode and travel down to Gaia to warn the Maximals of the trap. His cries fall on deaf ears, as the Maximals fly on ahead, seemingly not acknowledging the android. To "investigate" the smoke, the Jointrons drop Tasmania Kid and Diver down to the source, where the two discover that it's just burning coal! As they realize the trap, Starscream flies by with BB. Artemis swoons over Starscream, getting Moon's exasperation in return, which is further compounded by Artemis's realization that the Maximals can't see or hear Moon.

While not pleased they didn't get their intended targets, Starscream and BB still take the time to test out their plan: a missile that explodes and sprays liquid all over Diver and Kid. When the two try to transform, they find themselves unable to! Starscream helpfully explains that the liquid is actually bacteria that drains all of their energy, leaving them incapacitated. Moon needs clarification, and Artemis explains that bacteria are small organisms and the ones infecting Diver and Kid have the ability to use their energy as food, quickly consuming it all and leaving their victims unable to move. The Jointrons have seen the whole thing and, instead of rescuing their comrades, decide to cowardly flee.

It doesn't help much, as they're quickly spotted by Starscream, and he and BB catch up to the Jointrons. Once their victims are in his crosshairs, BB shoots a bacteria bomb, managing to splash it on DJ and Motorarm. They quickly feel the bacteria's effects and are forced to make crash landings. With his two brothers sapped of strength, Gimlet tries to cheer them on, and the trio try to combine into Tripledacus, only to form half-baked combinations. The bacteria on DJ nearly drips on Gimlet, freaking him out enough to disengage from combination. The lobster refuses any more combinations, not wanting to get sick like his brothers. Starscream mocks their lack of teamwork, and Gimlet soon shoots at Formation Scream, angering BB enough to transform into his tank mode. The Jointrons try to run, but BB's firepower and their lethargy prove too effective a combination and they're left at the hulking Predacon's mercy. Moon comes to the scene, tries to cheer up the Maximals, and throws a rock at BB. Neither have much effect.

Everybody is surprised when they feel rumbling and see the giant robot responsible! The robot claims to be "Jointron II", and spouts some gibberish. On Starscream's orders, BB sends some bacteria the robot's way. It seems to have some effect... till the robot gets up and picks up BB! It gives an impassioned speech to the Jointrons about how, in combination, even if one lacks energy, another can share their energy to make up for it—teamwork is stronger when united as one. Starscream finds this kind of rhetoric familiar and blasts the robot, causing the exterior to crumble to reveal... Lio Convoy and his Maximals! They've found the perfect defense against the bacteria: Sharing energy among all of their comrades. Gimlet comprehends Lio Convoy's message and freely shares his energy with his teammates, and they finally combine into Tripledacus! With his Triple Blaster, Tripledacus sends BB retreating with Starscream. Nearby, Thrust and Dirge decide that, for their sakes, they're not going to get involved.

After Moon's return to the Moon, the surprised Artemis asks since when he could transform, but Moon has a better question: Why couldn't anybody see him? Artemis promises an investigation. On Gaia, the Jointrons express their gratitude to Lio Convoy for his inspiring words, which the commander humbly accepts. They get right back to making exaggerated reports to HQ about how "popular" they are and how "peaceful" Gaia is. Tasmania Kid can only sigh, but Lio Convoy finds their friendship beautiful.

Artemis & Moon II Report

Moon transforms into robot mode, and Artemis again asks him how long he was able to do so; he provides the non-answer that he could do it when he realized he could do it. In regards to Moon's invisibility to the Transformers, Artemis explains that a barrier surrounded him, and surmises that his inability to influence events is related to their roles as surveillance robots that are to remain neutral. Moon wonders what if the Predacons get all the Angolmois Energy and use it for universal conquest, and Artemis, scrambling for an answer, says that Gaia itself will become furious and something "extraordinary" will happen. Moon presses for details and quickly realizes she doesn't really know anything.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Notes

Transformers references

• Mechanisms for preventing transformation, in this case with the specific objective of preventing combination, has been a periodic plot point in Transformers media, such as the Transfixatron from "The Autobot Run". This time it was achieved by aggressively sapping the individuals of their energy, which has also been seen in "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court", albeit with the opposite results: Hoist and Warpath didn't have enough energy to stay in their alt modes, while Diver, Tasmania Kid and the Jointrons didn't have enough energy to transform to robot mode.

Real world references

Trivia

• BB is oddly talkative in this episode, with most of his lines being things other than "Roger"

Home video releases

VHS

1998 — Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers — ACT. 6 (Pioneer LDC)