Red Alert (Armada)

The name or term "Red Alert" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Red Alert (disambiguation).

Red Alert is an Autobot from the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

Red Alert was once a fierce warrior. It was not until he was seriously wounded, losing his hand permanently in battle, that he was able to sit back and realize how terrible war is. He is now a reluctant fighter, and somewhat emotionally detached, preferring to repair his friends than tear his enemies to shreds. This does not mean he is now a coward. To the contrary, when a fellow Autobot on the battlefield needs his immediate medical attention, he will be there no matter what it takes. He's a brilliant medic and scientist, but he's also extremely cautious.

His nominal Mini-Con partner is Longarm, though during the search for the Cyber Planet Keys, he was accompanied to Velocitron by Dirt Boss.

Contents 1 Fiction 1.1 Toy pack-in comics 1.2 Dreamwave Armada continuity 1.2.1 Dreamwave Armada comic 1.2.2 Energon comic 1.3 Cartoon continuity 1.3.1 Armada cartoon 1.3.1.1 Alternate timeline 1.3.2 Cybertron cartoon 1.3.3 Cybertron comic 1.4 Panini Armada comic 1.5 The Balance of Power 1.6 Reader's Digest Armada novels 1.7 Transformers Legends anthology 1.8 Universe comic 1.9 Galaxy Force comic 1.10 Cyber Key Code content 1.11 Cybertron toy bios 2 Games 2.1 Transformers (PS2) 2.2 Transformers: Battle Tactics 3 Toys 3.1 Armada 3.2 Built to Rule! 3.3 Cybertron 4 Merchandise 4.1 McDonald's 4.2 Burger King 4.3 Super Collection Figure 4.4 Mini Car Collection 4.5 Battle for Cybertron Game 5 Notes 5.1 Foreign names 5.1.1 Armada 5.1.2 Cybertron 6 References

Fiction

Toy pack-in comics

Red Alert cheered on Optimus Prime's defeat of Galvatron on Cybertron. During Galvatron's trip to prison, Red Alert alerted the transporting Autobots of an incoming Decepticon. Armada Volume 4

Dreamwave Armada continuity

Dreamwave Armada comic

One million years ago, a new faction of Transformers, calling themselves "Decepticons" attacked various Mini-Con villages on Cybertron for unknown, but most likely nefarious purposes. Red Alert was under Optimus Prime's personal squad, sifting through the ruins of Mini-Con Village C-52 hoping to find survivors, though Red Alert was more interested in the fact that the Mini-Cons were using outdated Filtrek-A forceshields. What had happened to the Mini-Cons was that they had been forcibly re-engineered to "Powerlinx" with the Decepticons, granting the Bulks increased power, which the Autobots learned first hand when Megatron attacked Cyber City. Realizing that they were no match for the Decepticons, Red Alert desperately asked Prime for orders. Knowing that they would be killed if they stayed, Optimus ordered a retreat. Armada #2

For a million years the civil war raged on, the once-proud Autobots struggled to defend themselves against the powerful, Mini-Con augmented Decepticons, who were in possession of Cybertron's only remaining Mini-Cons, the others having escaped at the beginning of the conflict. Hope came in the form of a Mini-Con Reactivation Signal detected by Cybertron's Decepticon-controlled communications satellites, which Red Alert was able to hack into. The Autobots resolved to travel to this distant world of Earth and resolved to fight for Truth, Justice and Freedom. Armada #3

Arriving on Earth at the Allspark Power Generator Station, Red Alert attempted to communicate with the indigenous human species, asking for their help in finding the Mini-Cons, but only managing to frighten them off. Scavenger jokingly suggested it was because of his face. Armada #4 Unfortunately for the Autobots, the Decepticons had already arrived and were chasing after Sparkplug's group of Mini-Cons and their human friends, Rad, Carlos and Alexis. Just as Starscream and Cyclonus were about to jump Scavenger, Red Alert and Hot Shot arrived to outflank them. Eventually Megatron Powerlinxed with all of his Mini-Cons and gained the upper hand, but help came in the form of Jolt's group of Mini-Cons, who Powerlinxed with the Autobots. Longarm linked with Red Alert, a chest-mounted disk launcher. At a tactical disadvantage, the Decepticons were forced to flee. Armada #5

The Autobots attacked the Decepticons after they'd captured Rad and Carlos, with Red Alert taking on Starscream and tricking him into knocking himself out on Smokescreen's crane. They were ultimately defeated by Megatron and captured, but escaped after the Mini-Con Swindle had a change of heart and turned on the Decepticons. Armada Free Comic Book Day After establishing a base on Earth on the outskirts of Lincoln, South Dakota, Megatron attacked the human city with the Star Saber, the forcibly combined form of the Air Defense Team, to goad the Autobots to emerge from their hidden Autobase. Red Alert tried to contact the Street Action Mini-Con Team to no avail, and the Autobots realised the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons must have left earlier to infiltrate the Decepticon base at Silver Ridge. Despite the considerable tactical disadvantage, the Autobots emerged and fought off the Decepticons as best they could, Red Alert somehow gaining the ability to use his claw rifle without Powerlinxing with not-present Longarm. Fortunately just as Megatron was about to deal a fatal blow to Optimus Prime, Longarm and the Mini-Cons arrived, Powerlinxed with their respective Autobot partners, allowing the good guys to free the Air Defense Team and send the Decepticons packing. Armada #7

Soon afterwards, when Red Alert was looking in on the Mini-Cons, he discovered that they had vanished. Again. He thought that as they were free to come and go as they pleased, perhaps they needed some time to cool off after Optimus Prime admonished them for disobeying his orders during the Air Defense Team incident. The Autobots received an answer to the mystery when local news networks reported strange lights in Tranquility, Kansas. Racing there in a shuttle, they discovered that the Mini-Cons were being subconsciously drawn to a strange obelisk. Unfortunately, the Decepticons were there as well and a fight quickly broke out, but as they fought, the Mini-Cons (and Rad) were taken into the obelisk and it blasted off to the Moon. Armada #8 With the shuttle destroyed, Optimus Prime prepared to use the space bridge to go back to Cybertron and retrieve specialised equipment needed to fly to the Moon, but the Decepticon sensors had to be neutralised before he could do so without compromising security. Armada #9 Hot Shot and Red Alert infiltrated the Decepticon base at Silver Ridge, knocked out Demolishor and erased the space bridge trace data of Prime travelling to Cybertron. Unfortunately, just before Prime returned, Starscream and Thrust returned to Silver Ridge, forcing Red and Hot Shot to hide inside a wall panel. Determined not to let the Decepticons learn of their secret Autobase locations on both Earth and Cybertron, Red Alert and Hot Shot blasted the hapless Decepticons and destroyed their computer. Armada #10

After the crisis on the moon was diverted, Red Alert picked up an emergency transmission from Smokescreen and Scavenger, who had detected a Decepticon rocket launch pad in Death Valley, California. At the same time, a Mini-Con escape pod from the moon was detected in Alaska, and Optimus Prime, needing to play politics to keep the Mini-Con refugees on side, decided to deploy the Autobots to the icy north. Fire & Ice Arriving in Alaska, Red Alert and Longarm were tasked with cutting the ice that entombed the escape pod with their sonic cannon while the other Autobots and Mini-Cons defended the area from the Decepticons. Unfortunately, at this moment Megatron attacked the Autobot shuttle with his Solar Scalpel, an orbital superweapon launched from the rocket base in Death Valley. As if they weren't having enough problems, an-over-Powerlinxed Cyclonus attacked, forcing Hot Shot and Red Alert to intercept. The two Autobots were flattened by the overpowered Cyclonus, until Optimus Prime stepped in and crushed the Decepticon's chest. With the Solar Scalpel destroyed by the Space Mini-Con Team, rescue operations recommenced. Suddenly, Optimus Prime vanished. Armada #13

Returning to Autobase: Earth via space bridge, Red Alert and the others discovered that while Optimus Prime didn't return to their base, they did have an Optimus Prime. While the Mini-Cons postulated that he may be from another dimension, Red Alert did his best to stabilize the mysterious Autobot's condition. Sadly, the Prime briefly reactivated to warn them of the "walls" of reality crumbling and that "chaos" was coming, before expiring. Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4 With the arrival of the dimension-crossing Mini-Con Over-Run, the Autobots got some clues into what happened to "their" Optimus Prime and the means to search for him throughout the multiverse. Red Alert and Longarm returned to the scene of Over-Run's appearance on Earth, but could not find his null-reality pod, as it had been seized by the Decepticons. Unfortunately, this search for Optimus Prime prompted Megatron to lead an assault on Autobase: Earth, blowing up the computer in the unwitting Red Alert's face as he was using it. With Optimus missing, Red Alert assumed command and ordered the Autobots to roll out, but the Autobots were swiftly defeated. Red Alert was knocked unconscious by Starscream, but Megatron demanded the right to strike the final blow. Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4

The Autobots were inadvertently saved from a fate exactly the same as death when a mysterious, powerful Cybertronian appeared and took the Decepticons apart, though the Air Defense Team were forced to intervene to prevent the being from defeating Megatron. Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4 After the Decepticons limped away, a seriously trashed Red Alert reported to Optimus Prime (who had been rescued and was now on Autobase: Cybertron) on the bad condition of the Earthside Autobots, in particular Smokescreen. Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4

With this in mind, those who survived Megatron's attack were less-than-pleased when they learned of Optimus Prime's alliance with the Decepticons to defeat Unicron, the Chaos Bringer and eater of worlds. To prevent a fight from breaking out on Earth, Optimus sent them ahead to Autobase: Cybertron, where its less-damaged facilities could be used to save Smokescreen's life. However, Red Alert and the others still thirsted for revenge against Megatron, and assigned Laserbeak to keep an eye on him. When Megatron isolated himself from the other Transformers by landing on Unicron in the hopes of striking a deal with the Choas Bringer, they attacked, sending the Decepticon leader into Unicron's depths as it disappeared from this reality. The End

Energon comic

While Optimus Prime waited for a meeting with the High Council, Red Alert, Scavenger and Rodimus were seen travelling on a highway in the center of Cyber City. This Evil Reborn Red Alert later returned to Earth in response to the Terrorcon attacks on four major cities, Multiplicity, Pt. 2 being stationed in Toronto where he had to withstand Divebombs as well as Beachcomber's puns. Multiplicity, Pt. 3

Cartoon continuity

Armada cartoon

Voice actor: Brian Dobson (English), Ikuya Sawaki (Japanese), Claus Brockmeyer (German), Stefan Berglund (Swedish), Ettore Zuim (Portuguese - Brazilian), Guillaume Orsat (French), Jyrki Kovaleff (Finnish), Jorge Saudinós (Castilian Spanish), Rubén Pérez (Latin-American Spanish), Pasquale Anselmo (Italian)

Red Alert and Optimus Prime were old comrades in the war over the Mini-Cons on Cybertron, with Red securing victory for his leader many times through his dedication to careful planning and preparation. Soldier When a beacon from the planet Earth reached Cybertron in 2010, alerting the Autobots and Decepticons to the awakening of the long-missing Mini-Cons on the far-off world, Red Alert journeyed there with Optimus and Hot Shot to investigate. Teleporting to the planet's surface at the same time as the Decepticons, Red immediately engaged Demolishor, protecting the Mini-Con High Wire and the humans he had befriended from the Decepticon. The villains were driven off, but soon returned to menace the humans and their Mini-Con friends again, and Red—now sporting an ambulance alternate mode—and the Autobots came to their rescue once more. Metamorphosis Red and Hot Shot shielded their new allies against a blast from Megatron, which yielded great reward: the explosion unearthed two Mini-Con stasis panels, which Red and Hot Shot activated, gaining new Mini-Con partners of their own. Powerlinxing with Longarm, Red Alert obtained a new laser gun, with which he blasted Starscream. The Decepticons withdrew, and the Autobots set about the business of constructing a base on Earth out of the Mini-Con's crashed ship; after helping explain Cybertronian history to the kids, Red Alert gifted them with a protector in the form Laserbeak. Base

On a mission to track down the signal of a Mini-Con panel in Big Canyon, Red Alert partnered up with Carlos. After some off-roading fun to kick things off, the pair soon got lost and Carlos quickly got tired of Red Alert's humorless personality, but when the Decepticons attacked, Carlos had an up-close view of Red Alert's battle prowess as the medic used a grappling line to evade attacks from Demolishor. Comrade Hot Shot also expressed discontent with the officious Red Alert after he scolded him for not pulling his weight, but Red was soon to prove his value to the young Autobot while in Antarctica: in addition to quickly repairing Optimus Prime's malfunctioning trailer, Red saved Hot Shot's life by taking out Cyclonus with his grapple, saved him again by clonking Megatron with his disk launcher, saved the kids from falling to their doom with his disk, and snatched the Mini-Con panel out of Starscream's hands! Soldier

While searching for a Mini-Con in a forest, Red Alert was the one who deduced that Optimus's trailer could be used to fight a forest fire. Jungle He later supervised maintenance work on the Autobot base, Carnival and accompanied his team-mates on a mission to the Sahara. This mission ended with yet another Mini-Con under the Decepticons' control. Palace Red Alert was furious when the Decepticons captured their human allies, and had to be physically restrained by Optimus from attacking Megatron as he ransomed the humans for the Autobots' Mini-Cons, but things turned out okay thanks to the efforts of Fred and Billy. Confrontation

After working with a disinterested Hot Shot to continue salvaging what they could from the Mini-Con ship, Red joined in searching the caverns beneath a human city for the next Mini-Con, puzzling train passengers by driving through subway tunnels in his vehicle mode. Underground Later, looking for a Mini-Con at the bottom of the ocean, Red helped keep the Decepticons busy while the kids explored the ruins of an undersea civilisation, and carried Carlos to safety when the ruins began to collapse. Ruin The Decepticons succeeded in obtaining both these Mini-Cons, but Red Alert finally scored a win for the Autobots when he used his grapple to secure a panel on a volcanic island. The Autobots found they couldn't awaken this Mini-Con, causing Red to wonder aloud about the mysterious nature of the little 'bots, and the legends he had heard that they were the key to peace in the universe. Prehistory As it turned out, the Mini-Con was part of the Star Saber sword, and required its two partners—one currently in the hands of the Decepticons—in order to awaken. The Decepticons soon invaded the Autobot base to bring the sword together, and Red Alert unleashed the base's defense systems on them. When this put their human allies in danger they turned to more tricky tactics, and Red took Starscream out of the equation with the confusing powers of a hall of mirrors. Swoop

With the Star Saber successfully formed an in Autobot hands, Red Alert found the time to tinker, upgrading Laserbeak so that the kids would be able to direct him across greater distances. Overmatch He encouraged Hot Shot to train harder with the weapon, then partook in a search for a Mini-Con on a busy highway, helping Optimus hold off Starscream. The Autobots won the day thanks to the arrival of the mysterious Sideways; Red was unsure if the newcomer was entirely trustworthy, but considered the search for the Mini-Cons of greater import. Gale As it turned out, Red Alert was right: Sideways soon changed sides to the Decepticons, and lured Hot Shot—who had, as Red feared, placed too much confidence in the Star Saber—into a battle on the Moon. Hot Shot lost the sword to the Decepticons, and was returned to Earth, where Red tended to his wounds. Credulous

On a mission to a foggy forest, Red Alert and Smokescreen battled Starscream and Demolishor, after which Red was tasked with using his grapple to recover a Mini-Con panel from a cliff-face, only to be foiled by Cyclonus. Conspiracy Soon after, the Autobots were joined by former Decepticon Scavenger, who Red Alert defended to the distrustful Smokescreen and kids by explaining his long-standing friendship with Optimus Prime. Trust Red and Smokescreen supervised the kids when they went on vacation to the countryside, but when a flash-flood swept the area, Red, Carlos and a young boy named Shaun were buried in a mudslide. Unable to transform with the local news network present, Red Alert had to wait to be dug out by Smokescreen, Optimus and Scavenger, after which he used his grapple to get them all to safety. Vacation

On another Mini-Con search, Red Alert tried to snipe Demolishor as he made a grab for the newest stasis panel, but was stopped by Cyclonus. The Mini-Con was recovered by the newest Autobot, Blurr, and Red backed him up when he and Hot Shot took point on the next Mini-Con hunt. Unfortunately, this mission ended in failure for the Autobots, and the Decepticons acquired control of the Skyboom Shield. Reinforcement Red Alert later took part in a decisive battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, taking out Sideways with a single well-aimed blast. Decisive Battle He stayed at base for the next battle, but was on hand to repair Optimus's injuries after the fight was over. Vow When Sideways sucked the kids into cyberspace, Red Alert managed to extricate them before an evil force within the digital realm was able to do them any harm. Chase He then put a firewall in place to prevent further incidents, and remained at the base to observe the Autobots next mission alongside the kids. Tactician Optimus Prime was badly injured in this encounter, and Red Alert conducted the extensive repairs needed while the other Autobots went into another battle without them. The battle went badly, and Red prepared to join his comrades in action until Optimus forcibly removed himself from the medibay against Red's recommendation and helped win the day. Linkup

In another moment of downtime, Red Alert again supervised repairs to the Autobot base, but got fed up of nobody really knowing what they were supposed to be doing and finished the job himself. Detection Red stayed at the base with the kids, spectating over a monitor, while the rest of the Autobots enaged the Decepticons and their newest member Tidal Wave. While the boys went off to search for a Mini-Con panel that activated somewhere in the bowels of the ship, Red and Alexis were contacted by Sideways and informed that the new panel contained one of the Space Mini-Con Team, who formed the third Mini-Con weapon, the Requiem Blaster. Awakening When the boys returned with the Mini-Con, Sky Blast, Red Alert took them to the battlefield, and was subsequently injured shielding them from Decepticon fire. His selfless action convinced the timid Sky Blast to act, and he sent out a call that awoke the other two components of the Requiem Blaster. The Space Mini-Con Team combined, and the weapon wound up in Optimus Prime's hands, ensuring an Autobot victory. Desperate

The Autobots called a meeting to determine what to do with the Requiem Blaster, and Red agreed with the other Autobots who voted to put it to aggressive use. Overhearing this decision, the kids helped the pacifistic Space Team run away, and Red joined the other Autobots in searching for them. Runaway Understanding the Space Team's feelings, the Autobots decided not to employ the blaster in battle, so Red Alert and Smokescreen stayed behind at the Autobot base to safeguard the trio while the rest of the team went on their next mission. Unfortunately, the Decepticons staged a feint operation that allowed them to attack the under-manned base, overpowering Red Alert, seizing the Requiem Blaster, and fatally wounding Smokescreen with its power. Sacrifice Luckily, Red went to work on Smokescreen quickly, saving his Spark and rebuilding his body anew, giving him new life as "Hoist". Regeneration

Once again, Red Alert remained behind while the other Autobots, acting on information from a turncoat Starscream, invaded the Decepticon base and liberated their captive Mini-Cons. Rescue He checked over Starscream's wounds when the Decepticon returned from a later mission to Mars, Mars then joined in the effort to construct a new starship for the Autobots, making sure to keep the others on-project in his usual straightforward way. Before the ship was finished, however, Starscream defected back to the Decepticons, allowing them to gain control of all the Mini-Con weapons Crack and form the Hydra Cannon, with which they threatened to destroy Earth. Red analyzed the Decepticon weapon from afar, but ultimately it took Optimus Prime sacrificing his life to destroy it. Crisis

With Optimus's death, the mantle of leadership fell to a conflicted Hot Shot, and Red Alert helped—though some aggression therapy—to convince him to take the title. Remorse The Autobots proceeded to complete their ship, the Axalon, to pursue the Decepticons, but it fell to Red Alert to inform the kids that they would not be joining the Autobots on the journey. While Red was running final checks on the bridge, however, the Mini-Cons swarmed the room, blocking his access to the consoles in a silent protest that convinced the Autobots allow the humans to join them. Depart Red helped pilot the Autobot ship when it subsequently took off; a space battle with the Decepticons resulted in short order, during which the Mini-Cons used their powers to resurrect Optimus Prime. Miracle

No sooner were they reuinted with Prime than a worm hole opened in space alongside the Autobots' craft, sucking Red Alert and Hot Shot into its depths. The pair were disgorged on a strange, dead planet where they and a trio of Decepticons found themselves menaced by a sinister clone of Optimus Prime named Nemesis Prime. While Optimus Prime soon arrived to dispatch his dark doppelgänger, Red, Hot Shot and the Decepticons all sustained serious injuries, but were saved by their partner Mini-Cons, who used their powers to heal their wounds, changing the color of their armor. Puppet

Both factions returned to Cybertron, and during the first battle back on their homeworld, Red Alert and Side Swipe remained aboard the Axalon to protect the kids and Mini-Cons. Uprising A little later, Red caught Hot Shot in the act as he was preparing to depart on an unsanctioned solo mission. Learning that Hot Shot was aiming to make contact with Megatron—now Galvatron—in hopes of uniting the two factions against the danger posed by the emerging Unicron, Red let him go. Dash While Hot Shot was off on his mission, Red Alert helped co-ordinate troop movements across Cybertron, Drift recommending the deployment of backup for Hot Shot as his mission took him underground on the trail of Unicron. Portent

Red Alert remained aboard the Axalon with the kids for the next battle, which concluded with the Autobots and Decepticons finally agreeing to combine forces in the face of Unicron's threat. Cramp Red stood by Optimus Prime's side for the impromptu ceremony that saw the two armies formally unite, then took part in the first strike against Unicron before withdrawing to the Axalon to watch the demi-god's transformation from Cybertron's moon to titantic robot. Alliance When the Street Action Mini-Con Team informed them that the key to stopping Unicron was to free the three Mini-Con weapons powering him, Red Alert brought them and the kids to the underground warp-gate previously discovered by Hot Shot that would teleport them inside Unicron's body. Tremors caused by the battle raging outside caused the subterreanean tunnel to collapse, but Red shielded the kids and Mini-Cons and got them through the portal before he was buried in the subsidance. Union He soon extricated himself from the cave-in and returned to the surface, horrified at the devastation. Origin Red Alert participated in the final attack on Unicron that culminated in the chaos bringer's apparent destruction when Galvatron sacrificed himself, robbing Unicron of the hatred needed for him to exist. Mortal Combat

Alternate timeline

In a timeline where the Cybertronians' conflict never left their home planet, the Mini-Cons' influence on the Autobots and Decepticons subjugated the larger robots. Red Alert and the rest of his kind were left entangled in a semi-organic growth spawned from Unicron's cells, and were shut down by Unicron's power. Carlos, Alexis, and Rad appeared before him, visitors from another time, and beheld Red Alert's inert form before shooting off into time once more, eventually leading to Red Alert's fate being prevented. Drift

Cybertron cartoon

Voice actor: Brian Dobson (English), Yasuyuki Kase (Japanese), Robert Kotulla (German), Stefan Berglund (Swedish), Samuel Harjanne (Finnish, eps. 1 - 39), Jari Salo (Finnish, "Fury" onwards), Guillaume Orsat (French), Juan Navarro Torelló (Castilian Spanish), Rubén Pérez (Latin-American Spanish, first voice), José Granadillo (Latin-American Spanish, second voice), Pocholo Gonzales (Tagalog, HERO TV dub)

Twenty years after the war for the Mini-Cons ended, Red Alert—having gained a new accent somewhere in the intervening two decades—was assigned to a remote station to monitor the activity of a colossal black hole created by the destruction of Unicron. From this location, he reported in on the destruction of the planet Moriturus. Fallen With the black hole threatening Cybertron itself, Optimus Prime led the Autobots in evacuating to Earth, but Red remained at his station, preparing a gravitron grid that could hopefully be used to collapse the black hole in upon itself. Teleconferencing with Prime's forces on Earth for the grid's activation, Red Alert found that his efforts had sadly been in vain, as the grid proved unable to combat the black hole's force. Ancient Transformer Vector Prime urged that the lost Cyber Planet Keys held the key to stopping the singularity, and while the other Autobots were uncertain, Red Alert spoke up on his behalf, convincing Prime's team to focus their full efforts on locating the Keys. Hidden

Red Alert soon joined his fellow Autobots on Earth, arriving just in time to help Overhaul reinforce the Autobots during their conflict outside a museum. A relic from within the museum yielded up the coordinates to the resting place of the first Cyber Planet Key, Velocitron, the Speed Planet. Red Alert was sent there along with Hot Shot on a covert mission to locate the key, though Red was not too happy at the prospect of a secret mission with the impetuous younger Autobot. Landmine Red Alert could see little point in the race-centric society of Velocitron, but was instead far more interested to observe the Velocitronians' unique Cyber Keys. In accordance with Optimus's instructions, he tried to keep Hot Shot from interacting with the natives, but their mission was barely underway before Hot Shot had disobeyed and intervened in a local dispute. Space With non-interference now a dead prospect, Red helped Hot Shot defeat local bullies Crumplezone and Ransack, then checked over their injured victim, Brakedown. Initially attempting to pose as native Velocitronians, the pair were found out by Brakedown's young friend Clocker when he overheard Red Alert giving Hot Shot a dressing down for his insubordination. With Clocker's aid, the pair were brought before planet leader Override, who offered them information if Hot Shot could beat her in a race; he failed to do so, but Red accused him of racing for his own ego, rather than for the mission. Rush

After Hot Shot blew his systems in his next race with Override, Red Alert went scavenging for parts in a junkyward, where he was attacked by Crumplezone and Ransack, who had fallen in with the Decepticons. Although he was able to overpower them, Red was felled with ease by their commanding officer, Starscream. Speed Red recovered, but his disposition was not helped by the experience, as he continued to lambast Hot Shot for putting himself ahead of the mission, causing the pair to almost come to blows. Time Nonetheless, Red refrained from confessing their breach of protocol to Optimus Prime when he next reported on their progress. He observed Crumplezone and Ransack beating up Dirt Boss, and overcame his reluctance to intervene, but was fortunately prevented from having to do so by the arrival of Override. Search

With the Planet Cup about to start—the race which would determined the leader of Velocitron and conferred upon its winner possession of the world's Cyber Planet Key—Red Alert summoned Optimus Prime to the Speed Planet. Ship Forced to confess their failure to follow his orders upon Prime's arrival, Red Alert explained the situation, and Prime excused their actions after seeing Override's obstinacy for himself. Red himself participated in the opening heat of the Planet Cup, helping Hot Shot overcome a mechanical hiccup that prevented him from accelerating by dragging him along in his slipstream. Hero Red and Landmine guarded Hot Shot's rear for the rest of the race, and despite Decepticon interference, Red progressed to the second heat. Race Racing took its toll on the pair during this round of the contest, they dropped out to help put out fires Decepticon meddling had caused. Detour

During training for the next leg of the Planet Cup, Red Alert relayed a distress call from Overhaul on the Jungle Planet to Optimus, and gave voice to the theory he had formed based on observing the Velocitronians' Cyber Keys that the Transformers had been shaped in different ways by the Cyber Planet Keys. Savage Red was a spectator for the next race, discovering stowaway Mini-Cons Six-Speed and Reverb in the crowd. Sand In preparation for the final round of the cup, Red had bad news for Hot Shot: the stress on his system from the races so far would require a passenger to ride with him to constantly modify his system. He achieved victory with Coby Hansen's help and won the Autobots their first Cyber Planet Key, though this didn't stop Red from good-naturedly ribbing him on the winner's platform. Champion When the key was inserted into the Omega Lock, it emitted a signal that Red and the other Autobots followed to the Arctic, though their search for whatever it was pointing the way to was fruitless. Ice

After having some of the damage he had sustained during his Velocitronian adventures repaired by Coby, Honor Red Alert put his own repair skills to work giving Optimus Prime a tune-up so that he could battle Scourge, leader of Jungle Planet. Primal Prime won ownership of Jungle Planet's Cyber Planet Key, and Red Alert and all the other Autobots space bridged to Jungle Planet to help fight off Megatron when he tried to steal it. Trust The addition of this key to the Omega Lock again directed the Autobots to the Arctic, but Red stayed behind at base while Prime led a small team to investigate. Trap Prime's team was trapped in an avalanche caused by the emergence of the Arctic mystery—ancient Decepticons hidden in stasis who had been freed by Starscream—so Red Alert and the other Autobots sped to their rescue, digging them out so they could take the fight to their new enemies. When Optimus was injured in the subsequent fight, Red Alert called retreat so he could tend to his leader's wounds. Invasion Seeing no recourse but to retreat to Cybertron with the Omega Lock, the Autobots attempted to leave, but were systematically cut down in their escape attempt by Starscream; Red fell alongside Landmine as the renegade Decepticon smashed through their Cyber Key powers. Retreat

With the Omega Lock in Starscream's clutches, the Autobots had to focus their efforts on recovering it from his island base, only to be stymied by a battle with Megatron at Niagara Falls. Red Alert, Hot Shot and Scattorshot faced off against the Decepticon leader and were mowed down by his "Death Machine Gun". Revelation Vector Prime transported the grievously wounded trio to a nearby military base where their human allies began trying to repair them, but Red Alert insisted they were too damaged to save. Lori refused to take accept his fatalism, and as Hot Shot and Scattorshot announced their desire to keep living and fighting, he realized how shamefully he was acting. Their hearts all burning with burning spirit, the three Autobots were able to tap into the power of the Omega Lock from afar, and were reformatted into powerful new forms, becoming the Cybertron Defense Team. They returned to Niagara Falls to resume their battle with Megatron, allowing Optimus to depart to track the energy surge from the Lock that had reformatted them to Starscream's secret island base. Critical After Megatron was repelled, Red Alert and his new team joined the battle on Starscream's island, from which they were sent back to Cybertron to clear the way for the impending arrival of the recovered Omega Lock, Assault riding the unstable space bridge with the help of Coby, Lori and Bud. Upon reaching the planet, they discovered it infested with insectoid Scrapmetal Starscream and set about exterminating them. United Just after they got through wiping them out, the team were confronted with Megatron once more and leapt to battle him, but were easily repulsed by his energy aura. Instead, they just stood back and watched as Optimus Prime appeared to destroy Megatron with the Omega Lock, then used the Lock's power to transform Cybertron into the body of their god and creator Primus. Cybertron

After communion with Primus revealed that the fourth and final Cyber Planet Key lay on Gigantion, the Giant Planet, First Aid scanned Jolt's memory banks to uncover the co-ordinates of the planet, which lay in another dimension. Balance When Jolt, the other Mini-Cons and the kids were snatched by Sideways to gain the same info, Red Alert helped Vector Prime trace their whereabouts, Darkness eventually locating them on Starscream's starship, the Atlantis. Red and Scattorshot joined Vector Prime in warping to the ship to rescue their stranded friends. Escape

In preparation for the dimensional crossing required to reach Gigantion, Red Alert studied Optimus Primes's Matrix of Leadership and Vector Prime's sword and distilled a stabilizing "vaccine" from them that would allow the Autobots to endure the reality flux the crossing would subject them. Family Red helped to co-ordinate the distribution of Primus's energy so that the god could fend off an attack from Starscream, Titans then administered his vaccine to the other Autobots as they readied for departure aboard the Ogygia. While travelling between dimension, the Ogygia had its main engine damaged by the Atlantis, but Red Alert and Coby's combined mechanical skills fixed it in the nick of time. Warp

Red Alert and the other Autobots proceeded to make contact with native Gigantions and explained their mission, Giant but were soon served their first major defeat on the planet when they were bested by Megatron, who had become Galvatron again through the power of the Cyber Planet Key. Fury After Red helped to rescue Bud from the Atlantis, the Autobots divided into teams to work their way towards the centre of the many-layered planet, where the Cyber Planet Key lay. City Red Alert and his Cybertron Defense Teammates took one route together, overcoming the illusions of Sideways and Soundwave, Challenge besting Menasor, but again falling before the might of Galvatron. Scourge They recovered in time to join the other Autobots in battle on the planet's lowest level, besting Galvatron and securing the Cyber Planet Key. Optimus Galvatron soon returned to seize the complete set of keys, cutting Red and the other Autobots down in the process and leaving them stranded on Gigantion with no way back to their universe. Showdown Red Alert and Scattorshot handled the programming side of things as the Autobots attempted to create a new space bridge to return home, but the endeavor met with failure, forcing Vector Prime to sacrifice himself using his powers over space and time to return his allies to Cybertron. Guardian

Upon their return to their homeworld, Red Alert, Hot Shot and Scattorshot engaged the Decepticons in battle to allow Optimus Prime to tussle with Galvatron. Homecoming Galvatron then used the Cyber Planet Keys to enlarge his Decepticons to giant size, and the Cybertron Defense Team joined in the effort to take on Thundercracker, allowing Prime to pursue Galvatron and reclaim the keys. End Primus subsequently sealed the black hole, and Red Alert turned his attention to helping in the construction of planetary engines that would move the displaced Jungle Planet back to its proper orbit. He was among the assembled Cybertronians who helped right the engines when they were damaged, saving Jungle Planet, then gathered on Cybertron's moon with his comrades to watch Optimus Prime's final battle with Galvatron. Unfinished

With the war over, the Autobots embarked on a mission to build a new space bridge across the galaxy, linking all their worlds together. Red Alert was among the crew of the Atlantis, ever by Optimus Prime's side. Beginning

Cybertron comic

Several months after the end of the war, Red Alert and other comrades of Optimus Prime met with a group of Autobots responsible for fighting off Unicron and saving the Mini-Con colonies while Prime's team was busy with the whole Cyber Planet Key business. Revelations Part 6

Panini Armada comic

During the war, Red Alert suffered a terrible injury that nearly killed him. This near-death experience taught him to value life in all its forms. Red Alert's profile During one of his many battles on Cybertron, Red Alert defended the main Autobot headquarters from a Decepticon attack alongside Hot Shot and Smokescreen. When it was revealed that angry Mini-Cons planned to bomb the base, he and the others retreated. Counter-Strike! A few million years later, Red Alert participated in another battle with the Decepticons, but ended up retreating again as the enemy's Mini-Con augmentations rendered them too powerful. He wondered where the Mini-Cons who escaped from Cybertron had disappeared to, but Optimus Prime told him it was best if nobody ever found out. First Encounter!

But it was not to be. Just a short while later, a Mini-Con reactivation beacon reached Cybertron, and the Autobots tracked it to Earth to protect the Mini-Cons from Megatron. While Red Alert and the others were outgunned by the Decepticons at first, the Mini-Cons pitched in and Longarm joined with Red Alert, allowing him to shoot down Starscream. Friends and Foes! After the Decepticons were chased off, the Autobots stood watch as the Mini-Cons and their new human friends made their way into some small caves. Deep Trouble! They later decided that the best way to keep the Mini-Cons safe was to send them back to Cybertron, so Red Alert prepared a space bridge for them. In the end, the Mini-Cons refused to leave their friends, and a Decepticon attack wrecked the space bridge anyway. No Way Back!

Alongside Hot Shot and Optimus Prime, Red Alert later helped save the Air Defense Mini-Con Team from Starscream. Devices and Desires! When the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were planning to nuke their base from the moon, Red Alert despaired that their space bridge was still offline, so they couldn't prepare a counteroffensive. Thankfully, Hot Shot managed to repair the bridge and used it to send the missiles straight back at the Decepticons. Not Red Alert the scientist, but Hot Shot. Earthshaker!

The Balance of Power

Red Alert and Hot Shot were entrusted with a mission to track down an ancient Mini-Con relic deep in Decepticon territory. The duo ran afoul of Cyclonus and numerous Decepticlones backing him up, forcing Red Alert to send out a distress signal. Optimus arrived to bolster their firepower in short order, which in turn drew Megatron into the conflict. Though Red Alert was willing to do battle with the Decepticon leader himself, Optimus told him to stand down, so he could take on Megatron on his own. As the two leaders clashed, Starscream uncovered the artifact and activated it, and a portal opened, leading to the Mini-Cons' hiding place. The Decepticons flung themselves into the portal, and the Autobots followed them... to Earth. The search for the Mini-Cons began in earnest on this new world. The Balance of Power

Reader's Digest Armada novels

Red Alert was one of the Autobots teleported to Earth by the warp gate within the remains of a Mini-Con ship. Despite the radical change in scenery, Red Alert continued to do battle against the Decepticons who had been teleported alongside them. The fighting came to an end, temporarily, thanks to the efforts of Perceptor. The Battle Begins

After securing their base on Earth, Optimus, Hot Shot and Red Alert headed to a nearby highway to adopt new alternate modes based on local vehicles. Red Alert took on the form of a four-wheel drive rescue vehicle that was part ambulance, part firetruck, part armored car. When their human allies joined them, Red Alert scrutinized their Mini-Con companions with great interest, as he had only heard of the diminutive robots in old war stories up until that point. Explosions emanating from nearby interrupted Red Alert's observations. The Decepticons were attacking the Autobots' base! The Autobots launched a counter-attack, with Red Alert deflecting a missile the Decepticon Demolishor aimed towards Optimus Prime. A stray shot from Megatron then caused a rockslide, prompting Hot Shot to leave the battlefront in order to keep the children out of harm's way. Red Alert reconvened with him afterwards, only to find that Hot Shot had gotten himself a Mini-Con partner! The children had recovered several Mini-Con panels that had been unearthed by the rock slide. One of the panels responded to Red Alert's presence, the robot within bonding with him mentally. The Mini-Con then transformed into an additional arm for Red Alert, prompting him to name his new partner “Longarm.” Rejoining the battle, Red Alert used Longarm to lift Demolishor off the ground and toss him at Megatron. Realizing they were outmatched, the Decepticons retreated, though they managed to steal away the remaining Mini-Con panels as they warped off-planet. The children were saddened that the Decepticons had managed to take off with Mini-Cons in tow, but the Autobots assured them that they had done everything they could, and joined them in a "circle of friendship." Race for the Mini-Con Robots

Transformers Legends anthology

Red Alert was part of the Autobot forces during a battle in Yellowstone National Park. Following the Decepticon withdrawal, he was able to successfully retrieve a Mini-Con from a mud pit. Lonesome Diesel

Universe comic

A Red Alert hailed from Aurex 606.0 Kappa. He, Longarm, Smokescreen, and Jolt had just battled and driven off the Decepticons Landslide, Drench, and Wind Sheer when Unicron abducted him. Unicron would have also gotten Longarm if Firebot hadn't shoved Longarm out of the way and taken his place. Ask Vector Prime, 14/9/2015 The pair were subsequently held prisoner in the Cauldron arena. The quick thinking of Trailbreaker and Silverbolt released them, and Red Alert participated in the great escape led by Optimus Primal. Escape However, Red Alert and Firebot's home reality had seemingly ceased to exist, and thus they ended up in Aurex 204.0 Kappa with another Smokescreen who had also been in the Cauldron. This Smokescreen helped them adapt to their new home. Ask Vector Prime, 14/9/2015

Galaxy Force comic

I want to tell you about the Transformers! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their fictional appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. The Devil's Dogfight! Coby's Courage Intense Race Planet! Velocitron Deep Sea Discovery! Vector Prime Fastest Dream! Hot Shot's Run Galaxy Force Mission.8 Galaxy Force Mission.9

Cyber Key Code content

Red Alert fought beside Optimus Prime, Landmine, and Jetfire until one day Starscream used his Energon Saber to cut off his hand. Red Alert has never forgiven him.

Cybertron toy bios

Red Alert's first duty was to defend and heal the sick and injured. Thusly, Optimus Prime sent the Mini-Con Dirt Boss under Red Alert's protection to the Speed Planet (although Dirt Boss viewed it as him doing the protecting). They happily worked side by side to ensure that all who needed protection were safe. Wal-Mart exclusive two-pack toy bio

Games

Transformers (PS2)

Voice actor: Daran Norris (English), Tomás Rubio (Castilian Spanish), Hubert Drac (French), Stefano Albertini (Italian)

When Optimus Prime left the base, Red Alert served as his dispatcher, alerting him via radio to mission objectives and giving him warnings.

Red Alert also took to the field, fighting the Decepticons and their army of Decepticlones through various locations. He was accompanied by Longarm, his Mini-Con partner, with whom he could Powerlinx. He eventually merged with all the Mini-Cons that formed the Matrix Cannon, ultimately defeating Unicron and saving Cybertron.

The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it.

Transformers

Transformers: Battle Tactics

Red Alert participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Super Rare character who could be recruited by collecting 250 units of Cybermetal, 75 units of Transmetal, and 25 cores of this character. Transformers: Battle Tactics

Toys

Armada

RedAlertWooWooWooWooWoo.ogg This never gets old. NEVER. — 55 Kb

• Red Alert with Longarm (Max-Con Class, 2002)

• Takara name: Ratchet
• Sonokong name: Patrol
• Takara and Sonokong ID number: MC-02
• Takara release date: December 26, 2002
• Accessories: Claw-missile, disc, blaster attachment, triple-blaster attachment
• Known designers: Aaron Archer (Hasbro), Hironori Kobayashi (Takara)

Part of the first wave of Armada Max-Cons, Red Alert transforms into a white Nissan Patrol rescue SUV, loaded up with gimmicks. Placing his partner Longarm (or any other Mini-Con) onto the Powerlinx plug on his lightbar and pushing it forward triggers flashing LED lights and a voice chip that proclaims "RED-A-LERT! WOO-WOO-WOO-WOO-WOO-WOO!" Pulling the Mini-Con back, on the other hand, releases a spring-loaded missile launcher that flips out from his roof and into place over his hood, accompanied by an electronic firing noise. This weapon fires a missile with a hinged grappling claw. Placing a Mini-Con on his hood plug causes his grill to spring open, revealing a pressure-firing disc launcher that fires a single projectile when the Mini-Con is pulled back, also accompanied by a "rat-tat-tat" firing sound effect.

In robot mode, Red Alert retains use of both of these gimmicks, with the missile launcher now flipping all the way over his left shoulder; the launcher can also be removed and used as a hand-held weapon. Instead of having a left hand, he instead sports a 5 mm peg-hole in his wrist, an attachment point for one of two translucent red "blasters" that are stored in the door-panel on his right leg. (He is most often depicted in fiction with the single-barrel attachment). The panel of his left leg, meanwhile, unfolds into a Mini-Con repair bay with a flip-up translucent red monitor screen and a plug for mounting Mini-Con patients. Due to the lack of clearance between his legs, the wheels attached to the panels, and the entire back assembly (when locked into place in robot mode), unfolding these panels has a tendency to create stress on the hinges, leading to the thinner white part of the joint to crack and/or split. Additionally, Red Alert has an unused cartoon character model sheet featured in the back of Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003 that shows the entire left side of the vehicle mode opened up into a full repair bay, with the repair bay panel flipped out in vehicle mode, his left arm with one of the attachments equipped folded out as a repair arm, and his robot mode foot folded down as a support strut to hold the left side of the vehicle mode up (since the wheel isn't touching the ground when the panel is folded down). This can be loosely recreated with the toy—however, the foot can't be placed flat on the ground, and instead only his toe supports the vehicle in this configuration… but hey, it works! It's likely this was the intended function for Red Alert's repair bay platform, as folding it out in robot mode (like the toy is often advertised), has (previously mentioned) clearance issues.

Hasbro seemingly not having learnt their lesson back in the mid-80s with the G1 Ratchet toy and character models featuring the trademarked Red Cross logo, released Red Alert with tampographed red crosses, leading to a court battle between the two companies (more on this below).

The Takara Legend of the Microns "Ratchet" and Sonokong Eunha Yeongung: Cybertron "Patrol" releases feature some slight paint application differences from the Hasbro release, mainly a "separated" Autobot insignia and the addition of dark blue paint on his kneecaps. His electronic sound effects are also slightly altered, removing the "RED-A-LERT!" portion and just going right to the siren sounds.

This mold was later used to make Energon Sam's Club-exclusive Prowl and 2007 movie line Inferno.

• More information on Red Alert at TFU.info

• Powerlinx Red Alert with Powerlinx Longarm (Max-Con Class, 2003)

• Takara name: Ratchet Super Mode
• Takara ID number: MC-12
• Takara release date: September 11, 2003
• Accessories: Claw-missile, disc, blaster attachment, triple-blaster attachment

Released in the fifth and final wave of Armada Max-Cons, this redeco of Red Alert, depicting him in his powered-up "Powerlinx" form seen in the "Unicron Battles" portion of the Armada cartoons, makes him predominantly orange with white stripes and tampographed "RESCUE" lettering, giving him a more beach-rescue vibe. He retains all of the same gimmicks and sounds as the previous version of the mold, and comes with a redecoed Longarm.

Powerlinx Red Alert was to feature red crosses like his original toy initially, but it was dropped prior to release, after Red Cross took Hasbro to court over the logos "misuse".

The Takara "Ratchet Super Mode" release has some slight paint application differences, mainly additional metallic red paint on his arms (notably his right hand), and the removal of the "EMERGENCY" text on his hood.

• More information on Powerlinx Red Alert at TFU.info

Built to Rule!

• Red Alert w/ Longarm (2003)

• Accessories: Three missiles

One of the larger Built to Rule! sets, Red Alert can be built into an emergency SUV, robot, or whatever your imagination can make out of the blocks provided. The set features a large pressure-launch triple-missile "Gatling" cannon.

He also came with a block-version of Longarm.

• More information on Built to Rule! Red Alert at TFU.info

Cybertron

• Red Alert (Deluxe Class, 2005)

• Takara and Mocom Toy name: First Aid
• Takara ID number: GC-11
• Takara release date: February 10, 2005
• Accessories: Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key
• Cyber Key Coe: d26w
• Known designers: Eric Siebenaler (Hasbro), Takashi Kunihiro (Takara)

Cybertron Red Alert transforms into a Dodge Magnum-inspired emergency vehicle. Plugging a Cyber Key into the back of his car mode causes two rear side-panels to pop out and reveal two spring-forward non-firing blasters. This gimmick is retained in robot mode, where they become over-shoulder blasters. He features an unusual transformation sequence where both the front and rear halves of the vehicle mode come together to form his legs. His hood halves open to reveal storage space for extra tools (a hammer-head and an opening claw) that can be attached onto his left arm blaster. Later releases of the mold had slight indents made in the leg pieces to allow them to clip together better.

The Takara and Mocom Toy Galaxy Force "First Aid" toy lacks the gold paint on the robot mode shoulders, and has lighter blue paint than the Hasbro Red Alert release. And of course, the Cyber Key lacks the Hasbro version's Cyber Key Code.

This mold was later used to make Cannonball, the live-action movie-verse Crankcase, and Timelines Kup. The Kup tooling was also the model for the non-toy Shattered Glass Kup.

• More information on Red Alert at TFU.info

• Cybertron Defense Red Alert (Ultra Class, 2005)

• Takara name: First Gunner
• Mocom Toy name: Ultra First Aid
• Takara ID number: GC-21
• Takara release date: July 14, 2005
• Accessories: Large missile, projectile, spring-loaded shield/multi-tool arm, clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Cybertron Autobot Cyber Key
• Cyber Key Code: up0t
• Known designers: Eric Siebenaler (Hasbro), Shogo Hasui (Takara), Marcelo Matere (packaging artist)

An upgraded, all-new tooling of Red Alert, "Cybertron Defense" Red now transforms into a cross between a Russian R-400 Oka mobile ballistic missile launcher and a BTR-90 armored personnel carrier. The left side of his vehicle mode has a flip-up non-firing double-blaster, which can also be "used" in robot mode. Inserting a Cyber Key into the rear of the missile rack splits the missile open, activates lights and an electronic beeping sound, and exposes the inner spring-loaded projectile-launching translucent "laser cannon". When the missile itself is "launched"/slid off, it lights up and plays a sound of it taking off.

In robot mode, Red Alert finally has two normal robotic hands, and he comes with a shield that can be mounted on either arm. When a Key is inserted into the top of the shield, a cannon flips out, and its barrel tip can be equipped with several tools stored in his shins (a spring-loaded hammer-head or a gripping claw), emulating his old multi-tool arm. He has two (nonfunctional) Mini-Con hardpoints in vehicle mode, and two different hardpoints in robot mode.

The Takara "First Gunner" and Mocom Toy "Ultra First Aid" releases feature additional red details on the missile, blue paint on the gripping claw, and replaces the greenish-blue border on the Cyber Key with silver.

Possibly because the Western name for the "Vanguard Team" (Cybertron Defense Team) was decided very late in the game, early batches of this toy available at retail and from online stores were lacking the "Cybertron Defense" portion of the name on the packaging. However, the more widespread version with the full name was found within mere days of the original version's initial retail sighting.

This mold was also used to make the Timelines Darksyde Megatron and Universe Countdown.

• More information on Cybertron Defence Red Alert at TFU.info

• Red Alert with Dirt Boss (Multi-pack, 2005)

• Accessories: Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key
• Cyber Key Code: d26w

Available exclusively at Walmart stores, this multi-pack features an unchanged Deluxe-class Red Alert with a new redeco of the Armada Mini-Con Dirt Boss, who also came with his own carrying tin.

Hasbro copy writer Forest Lee confirms that the Cybertron Tiny Tins exclusives were originally planned with two different Race Team decos in mind, hence the backstory involving one version of the Team being from an alternate universe and the Tins' decos showing the Mini-Cons in silhouette rather than the normal full-color images. He could not confirm what the then-chosen decos were, however, but it seems likely they were re-packs of the two schemes from Armada, given the use of "Road Assault Team".

• Value Pack (Multi-toy bundle, 2005)

• Accessories: Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key
• Cyber Key Code: d26w

For a while, Toys"R"Us and Walmart stores in the US sold "Value Packs" with two randomly paired, fully packaged Deluxes set in a cardboard sleeve and sold at somewhat less than the cost of two normal Deluxes.

This packs could include Dirt Boss, Hot Shot, Override, Red Alert, Sideways, or Snarl.

• Critical Path Pack! Sideways vs. Red Alert (Multi-pack, 2005)

• Accessories: Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key
• Cyber Key Code: d26w

This two-pack of the Deluxe-size Red Alert and Cybertron Sideways toys was made available only at Target stores, retailing for $16.99. The toys are identical to their individual releases.

• Red Alert (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)

A much-simplified version of the "Cybertron Defense" incarnation of Red Alert in terms of detail and articulation, this toy was made available in the third wave of the Legends of Cybertron series. The missile is permanently in its split-open state, and permanently attached to his body.

This mold was later used to make Classics Perceptor and Universe Onslaught.

• More information on Legends Red Alert at TFU.info

Merchandise

McDonald's

• Red Alert (McDonald's Happy Meal toy, 2002)
  • McID number: 6

Part of the Armada Happy Meal promo at McDonald's, this simplified version of Red Alert features a friction motor which is activated by pushing in his engine block/ head. The more you push the button, the further he'll zip along in SUV mode.

The toy also features a Powerlinx post, which enable him to form a "leg" to the really silly-looking Mighty Robot into which the four Autobots in the range combine; his normal placement is as the left leg. He also has one Mini-Con Powerlinx port on each of his doors, so he can activate the Mini-Con features on larger figures.

• More information on McDonald's Red Alert at TFU.info

Burger King

• Red Alert (Burger King kids meal toy, 2005)

Available only as part of Burger King's Cybertron promotion, this version of Red Alert is a very simplified version of the original toy, transforming into an emergency vehicle, devoid of any gimmickry... and that includes functional wheels. That's right, this toy doesn't even roll in vehicle mode.

• More information on Burger King Red Alert at TFU.info

Super Collection Figure

• Ratchet (December 27 2002)
  • Act: 9
  • Accessories: Stand

A three-inch tall non-transforming PVC figurine of Red Alert was released in the Armada-specific ninth wave of Takara's Super Collection Figure line. The figure came in both full color and metallic silver "pewter" variants, available at an equal ratio one each in every case of twelve blindpacked figures.

The pewter version of the figure has a potential problem with connector peg breakage, due to said pegs often getting a layer of pewter paint before being forced into a socket, leading to sticking and tearing. Care should be used when moving or removing the arms; shaving down the socket interior with a thin hobby knife is usually sufficient to fix the issue.

• Ratchet (Cybertron Mode)^{[citation needed]} (2002)
  • Act: 10
  • Accessories: Stand

A rare "Secret Figure" of Red Alert in his Cybertronian body, as seen in the second episode of the Armada cartoon, was available in the tenth and final Super Collection Figure wave. He has a new torso and backpack, and the vehicle kibble on his limbs has been removed. It could only be found in one out of every ten cases, taking the place of the full-color version of the Optimus Prime Super Mode figure from that assortment.

All of the Act-10 SCF figurines use considerably softer, more rubbery plastic than the previous assortments. This leads to some difficulty in keeping some figures standing, plus the pewter versions can be extremely hard to peg back together, as the pegs will just squash rather than pop into the sockets. This also leads to a greater risk of mushroom-pegs tearing on the pewter versions if the paint sticks together within the sockets.

Mini Car Collection

• Ratchet (die-cast vehicle, 2003)

French die-cast model producers Majorette teamed with Kabaya to produce the Transformers Mini Car Collection, a line of Armada-themed die-cast vehicles, all of which were redecos of pre-existing Majorette toys. Red Alert was a redeco of Majorette toy #285—a 4WD patrol car— now bearing the Autobot insignia, the Legends of the Microns logo, and an image of the Autobot medic on its hood. The toy came with a pack of gum.

• More information on Mini Car Collection Ratchet at Shmax.com

Battle for Cybertron Game

• Transformers: Armada - Battle for Cybertron Game (2003)

A small figurine of Red Alert was among the eight Transformers character playing pieces included with the Milton Bradley Battle for Cybertron board game.

• More information on Battle for Cybertron at BoardGameGeek.com

Notes

• According to Aaron Archer, Red Alert's design was mostly inspired by the Power Rangers lines being developed at the time, with a head sculpt inspired by RoboCop.^[1]

• • As seen in concept art published in the Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003, Aaron Archer sketched a wide range of headsculpt ideas for Red Alert (designated with the placeholder name Rescue Extreme).^[2][3] A common theme is a large siren perched atop his cranium, which is downplayed in the final look.
• Several of Red Alert's Armada toy gimmicks along with an additional "Repair Bed" (リペアべッド Ripea Beddo) configuration for his robot mode & vehicle mode (which can be very loosely replicated with the toy by opening the left door, uncurling the arm and plugging in one of the hand attachments; unfolding the side of the vehicle to form the bed itself, and repositioning the robot mode foot as a support for the now-missing wheel) are depicted in the back of the Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003 among his production materials for the cartoon. Sadly, neither his robot mode or vehicle mode Repair Bed configurations made it into the show.
  • Additionally, his "E-Tool Container" (エ具コンテナ E-Gu Kontena, the compartment on his right leg) was also ignored throughout the duration of the cartoon. Model sheets show that, had it been utilized, a small mechanism would've slid up on a rail and an arm would've extended out from the mechanism, grabbing the tool-hand he removed, then the mechanism would store it and lift the replacement tool-hand out for him to then grab.
• The Armada Red Alert toy's "WOO WOO WOO" sound effect has since become a famous in-joke within the Transformers fandom. For a short time, it also became something of an impromptu chant among fans at Transformers conventions. Reportedly, at the start of the OTFCC 2003 Hasbro Panel, several fans started chanting "WOO WOO WOO WOO!" to the initial confusion of Hasbro designer Aaron Archer, until he realized what was occurring.
• As a result of Hasbro using the "red cross on white backdrop" symbol on the original Armada Red Alert toy, the International Committee of the Red Cross, who have the symbol trademarked and vigorously protect their claim to it, took Hasbro to court over the use of their symbol. This in turn resulted in the symbol not only being dropped from the toy's "Powerlinx" redeco, but also having to be removed from the then-current Dreamwave Productions comics.^[4]
• The x-ray image of his inner structure seen in the end credits of Legends of the Microns shows him having a pair of normal eyes behind his visor.
• According to the Armada PlayStation 2 game instruction booklet, Red Alert's Armada body has the following statistics:
  • Mass: 3,838 lbs
  • Robot height: 19' 8"
  • Robot top speed: 37 mph
  • Vehicle height: 7' 3"
  • Vehicle top speed: 155 mph
  • Vehicle power: 450 hp @ 6600 rpm
• His Cybertron Defense toy's Cyber Key Code info contains a reference to the '86 movie. According to the info, Hot Shot had his arm torn off during the battle with the Scrapmetals. Red Alert mended the arm better than it had been before, even fixing a bad rotator cuff. This references Hot Rod's repair of Kup on Quintessa ("You even got rid of a nasty burr on my rotator").

Foreign names

Armada

• Japanese: Ratchet (ラチェット Rachetto), Ratchet Super Mode (ラチェットS (スーパーモード) Rachetto Sūpā Mōdo)
• Hungarian: Riadó ("Alert")
• Mandarin: Hóngsè Jǐngbào (China, 红色警报, "Red Alert")
• Korean: Patrol (패트롤 Paeteurol)
• Polish: Alarmus
• Russian: Paniker (Паникёр, "Alarmist")
• Portuguese: Alerta Vermelho (Brazil, "Red Alert")
• Spanish: Alerta Roja (Hispanic America, "Red Alert")

Cybertron

• Japanese: First Aid (ファストエイド Fasuto Eido), First Gunner (Vanguard Team, ファストガンナー Fasuto Gannā)
• Hungarian: Riadó
• Korean: First Aid (퍼스트에이드 Peoseuteu Eideu), Ultra First Aid (Cybertron Guard, 울트라 퍼스트에이드 Ulteura Peoseuteu Eideu)

References