REALIGNMENTS

• Script - Larry Hama
• Penciler - Chris Batista
• Lettering - Rick Parker
• Editor - David Wohl
• Colorist - Renee Witterstaetter
• Colorist - Bob Sharen
• Editor in Chief - Tom Defalco
• Inker - Stephen Baskerville
• Inker - Al Williamson
• Inker - Don Hudson
• Inker - Chip Wallace

Summary

  In Trans-Carpathia, Megatron is enraged to learn that the shape-shifting building he detected was not a Decepticon, but was the Silent Castle, and vents his anger by attacking the Cobra fortress. The Cobra researcher Dr. Biggles-Jones fights back with her prototype hyper-velocity rail gun, a weapon powerful enough to injure Megatron. Impressed, Megatron tries to grab the gun, but is stopped by Cobra Commander. The two quickly agree to a deal, where Cobra will repair and renovate Megatron in exchange for the advanced Cybertronian technologies on board the Ark.

  During the fighting, the Cobra ninja Slice continues to accuse Scarlett of being a double-agent, even though she was stabbed by the Joe ninja Snake-Eyes last issue. As the Joes travel to Cobra Island, Destro tries to apologize to Snake-Eyes for making him fight Scarlett, but he is not forgiven.

  While Cobra technicians work on repairing Megatron (with his guidance), Dr. Biggles-Jones visits Scarlett in the infirmary. The Medi-Viper reports that her stab wound from Snake-Eyes was made with uncanny precision, that it looks worse than it was. Slice takes this as further proof that Scarlett is a plant from G.I. Joe.

  The Joes arrive at Cobra Island; they meet Zartan, who shows them one of Cobra's brainwave scanners in the abandoned citadel. Unfortunately, only Dr. Mindbender can understand its workings, and he is believed to be dead. Zartan then reveals that Mindbender is not dead, but is at the Silent Castle, where efforts are underway to revive him.

  At the Silent Castle, Megatron tests his new tank mode -- and rail gun cannon -- to his satisfaction. He then tells Cobra Commander that his sensors detect signs of life from Dr. Mindbender's cryogenic capsule in the basement...

Summary

  When this issue was printed, the name of the comic was temporarily changed to (G.I. Joe Starring) Snake-Eyes and Ninja Force.

  The background of the "Scarlett Defects to Cobra" plot is as follows: in issue #136 of G.I. Joe, Scarlett is recruited by Cobra when they sense that she is dissatisfied with the Joes. She accepts their offer (as part of a plan to infiltrate the group), and proves herself by faking the assassination of the Joe leader, Hawk, in issue #137. In the last issue, Scarlett confronts her former boyfriend, Snake-Eyes, in the middle of an attack on the Silent Castle. To preserve her cover, Snake-Eyes stabs her near the heart with a katana, then escapes just before Megatron arrives.

  Megatron's detection of (and arrival at) the shape-changing Silent Castle occurred in the previous issue of G.I. Joe. His reappearance follows events in issue #79 of the original Transformers comic book series.

  Does Megatron's survival mean that Ratchet is also alive? In issue #70 of the original Transformers comic book series, Fixit implies that Ratchet and Megatron must live together -- either they both die, or they both live. Later events support that idea, down to Megatron and Ratchet sharing thoughts in issue #79. But while Megatron is very active in these issues of G.I. Joe and the Transformers: Generation 2 comic book series, Ratchet is nowhere to be seen...