An original script for this episode can be read at the Sunbow and Marvel Productions Script/Storyboard Archive. The script was written by Paul Davids on 9/10/85.

ACT 1

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RUMBLE (VO) Astrotrain, look out for those asteroids!

The above line was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ASTROTRAIN (CONT) Well, fry my heat shield! Get a load of that, pipsqueak -the Autobot symbol!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RUMBLE In this part of the galaxy?!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Exercise caution. They may be deceiving our sensors!

The script wanted the city to have "alien weeds and vines" growing over it, but these things aren't seen in the episode.

Astrotrain's transformation isn't shown on-screen in the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RUMBLE It sure looks like a ghost planet. ASTROTRAIN Too bad --I was looking forward to blasting a few Autobots!

Starscream and Rumble's lines here was cut.

Almost all of the above dialogue was cut, other than "Starscream!". These lines were scripted to be said after Starscream's "too bad none of us reads ancient Autobot" line.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (CONT) Keep your grubby fingers off that, it could be a booby trap! STARSCREAM What trap? This is a prehistoric communication device, you uneducated dolt!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ANCIENT AUTOBOT (CONT) Danger comes, the end is near! Just like us, you soon will rust. All, shall be turned to dust...

In the episode, Starscream and Rumble don't look at each other during this shot.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RUMBLE Sounded like a, a curse! ASTROTRAIN He's right, the omens are ill!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Quiet, you superstitious fools! It's an obvious trick designed to scare us off!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Megatron's right! Where there's a curse on the door, there's treasure on the other side.

In the script, the tower was meant to be covered with alien vegetation, but none can be seen in the episode.

This sequence was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (VO) How cute! A lightning bug! ASTROTRAIN If that's a lightning bug, I'd sure hate to meet up with a dragonfly!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Let's see if we can make it operate!

Rumble was supposed to pull at the bug's wings, but in the episode, thanks to a cell layering error, he appears to be pulling Starscream's leg. He also has a line here that isn't in the script: "I'll help ya!".

This sequence was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ASTROTRAIN (VO) Vaporized! RUMBLE (VO) They sure don't make lightning bugs the way they used to!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON No... how ironic. The Autobots will be destroyed with a weapon they created!

These lines were cut, and replaced with Rumble saying "Eh, sure glad we're outta there! That place was giving me the surges!".

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Faster, Astrotrain! We've got an asteroid on our tail!

This was cut from the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Let's give it a little blast of lightning!

In the episode, Megatron doesn't fall over when he gets hit. His dialogue here was changed slightly as well -he doesn't say "full power back" or "quickly!".

This scene was cut.

In the episode, Megatron is already on a table when it cuts to this shot, he's not seen walking over to it.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Forget Astrotrain! It is me who must be attended to!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Brilliant observation, Starscream! Now get that asteroid chunk out of me!

In the episode, Starscream ejects a claw from his wrist and just uses it to rip the chunk out. The script called for him to use various tools to widen the hole, then he was meant to just pull it out with his hands.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Unfortunately, the operation is successful. MEGATRON Your humor escapes me, Starscream.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Hmm... what is this on my chest hull?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM It looks like some sort of...

There's some dialogue in the episode which isn't in the script:

MEGATRON: That is ridiculous. We are rust proof!
STARSCREAM: Perhaps you were made of shoddy materials, Megatron.
MEGATRON: That's absurd, you fool!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCIENTIST (CONT) --but this year, we are honoring... Perceptor!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCIENTIST (CONT) The inventor of corrostop!

In the script, Perceptor's invention is consistently called "ultra compound" but in the episode, it's always called "corrostop" so I'm only going to mention this difference here.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR Thank you very much! This is an honor and a privilege!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR Unfortunately, at this time we only have enough corrostop to coat one monument -- the Statue of Liberty.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR It's alloyed from a very rare element... so of course, we wouldn't want the formula to be discovered by the Decepticons!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM I've just checked with the repair bay. Your replacement part will be ready as soon as they get around to it. MEGATRON (VO) Replacing my chest won't be enough *GASP*. Nor will your minimal knowledge!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (CONT-VO) I need an expert! Order the Stunticons to seize Perceptor and bring him to me!

Almost all of the above was cut. Megatron's line is heard in the episode, but it's said during an exterior shot of the Decepticon HQ.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	AIR RAID (VO) Yahoo! C'mon Aerialbots -we're gonna spray ol' Lady Liberty!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	FIREFLIGHT (VO) That non-functioning old robot? SKYDIVE (VO) She's no robot -she's a hollow statue the Earth humans constructed.

Fireflight's second line above was cut.

This was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BREAKDOWN Okay, people, this is a mutiny -- no, no, a hijack --I mean, we're taking over this boat!

In the episode, the Stunticons aren't seen piling up boxes next to the door.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR I must apologize, but I am unable to reveal anything about the compound.

In the episode, this sequence was changed. After Perceptor says the above line, Drag Strip transforms and points his gun at Perceptor, then says the following line, which isn't in the script: "You got it! And here's greetings from Megatron!". He then starts firing, which causes Perceptor to run off.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR I'm trapped!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MOTORMASTER You can say that again!

In the episode, Prime has a line here, which isn't in the script: "Well Ironhide, our job's almost finished."

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	T.V. REPORTER Optimus Prime! Hurry! Perceptor's been captured!

In the episode, you don't see Motormaster here.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BREAKDOWN Move it into the hold!

ACT 2

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SKYDIVE (VO) And I'll bet my tail fin he's got Perceptor!

These lines were all cut. Act one was scripted to end here, but in the episode, it ends before the sky chase even starts, after Dead End says "You've got an appointment with Megatron!".

The above line was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	FIREFLIGHT (VO) Stay on his tail, Skydive!

This sequence was cut.

Silverbolt's dialogue here was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BLITZWING (VO) Come in, Megatron! I have Perceptor, but the Aerialbots are following me! Ready air defenses!

The above was mostly cut -Fireflight does get hit by the lightning bug, but nothing else made it into the episode.

Air Raid's line here was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SILVERBOLT (VO) It's some weird kind of heat ray... and it works! Notify Prime!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (VO) Welcome, Perceptor! *COUGH*

In the episode, we see Dirge and Ramjet's reaction here, instead of Perceptor's.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON You have a unique opportunity, Perceptor... to gain peace.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON In return for a favor.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Solve this little problem of mine... *COUGH* *COUGH* PERCEPTOR If you're serious about peace Megatron, then begin by surrendering your new weapon!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (VO) If you cure me, the weapon is yours!

The above was cut from the episode. It would have shown that other Decepticons were infected with the rust, and not just Megatron.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR (VO) Hmm... you've been infected by a metallic plague, Megatron.

In the episode, this line isn't a voice over.

In the episode, Perceptor continues to examine Megatron's hand here.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR This is a rare metallic infection... legend has it, it wiped out entire races of robots, like the black plague did to humans! It's cosmic rust!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON This is not our agreement! Cure me! Cure me now!

In the episode, Megatron doesn't hit his hand on the table, but it still falls off.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Now look what you've done!

In the episode, Perceptor doesn't sprinkle the corrostop on Megatron's wrist. He's seen putting Megatron's hand back on instead, something the script says he should do after the below two lines:

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR I call it corrostop.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR It is amazingly effective!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	COSMOS (VO) Blaster, I have something terrible to report! There is no more ingredient X, anywhere! BLASTER Man oh man. Prime's really gonna have the blues when he hears this news! There's nowhere to shop for more corrostop!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SKYDIVE We pursued Blitzwing to Decepticon headquarters.

The above was all cut, replaced with a line for Prime in response to the Aerialbot's dialogue: "This is grim news indeed."

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Greetings, Optimus Prime. I come to you with a... gesture of good will!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME Good will, Megatron? I find that hard to believe. MEGATRON Then hear this! I am releasing Perceptor.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME Where, and when? MEGATRON In Fox Creek canyon -just three miles from your headquarters. PRIME When, Megatron? MEGATRON He's there now!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON But pick him up before noon.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (CONT-VO) --and ignite the fuse of the bomb at the base of his microscope!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME (VO) Autobots, I'm sure you're all aware we're heading into a trap.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME We must go, or lose Perceptor forever! Megatron will have us on his terms, and on his turf. Autobots, transform and roll out!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR (VO) Optimus, you'll be infected with cosmic rust!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME If I don't save you, that bomb will blow you to bits!

ACT 3

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR (VO) Agh, but... but...

This shot was cut from the episode.

In the episode, the first shot we see of Antilla's civilization shows a healthy looking robot who walks without falling.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	TELETRAAN I (CONT-VO) At the dawn of time, there was a thriving Autobot civilization. Then dreaded asteroids began falling from the sky...

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	TELETRAAN I (CONT-VO) ..and spread cosmic rust.

This line was given to Prime in the episode, but he says it later on.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	TELETRAAN I (CONT-VO) No cure was ever found. The 13th legion -the lost legion -was decimated by that malevolent scourge.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Now the plague has spread to the Earth. WHEELJACK Can't we do anything to protect ourselves?!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	WHEELJACK Wait, I have an idea -we could try the matter duplicator! PRIME The matter duplicator? But it doesn't work -it never worked!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RATCHET Hey! It's suddenly getting hot in here!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON I don't want to melt them, Rumble! I want to let them suffer... slowly!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (VO-CONT) Muhahaha, soon they'll all be nothing but rusted scrap!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME He must be using that ray to spread the germs!

All of the above was cut. This explains why the Aerialbots are never shown to be infected by the rust -they were meant to stay away from the Autobot HQ.

In the episode, Soundwave takes Laserbeak out (in his cassette mode) and pushes him into a computer.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BUMBLEBEE S... Somebody's got to get us back to Cybertron, Prime. I never thought the end would come like this.

These lines were cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Too bad you used all the corrostop on the human's statue... and gave the rest to me, heh ha! Well, rust in peace, Prime!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PERCEPTOR (CONT-VO) ...and then we'll mass produce it!

This line was cut.

In the episode, these lines are voice overs -they're heard as we see the Decepticon tower rise out of the sea, and then the Decepticons fly out of it. The script doesn't say to show the Decepticons leave their HQ.

In the episode, the Stunticons are present, but the only other bad guys featured in this scene are Megatron, Soundwave and Rumble. The script wanted Starscream to appear.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Now, the lightning bug!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON And who will make me, Prime?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Menasor...

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	AIR RAID (VO) Attack!

The above was all cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SILVERBOLT (VO) Aerialbots -transform into Superion!

In the episode, the fight between Superion and Menasor was expanded upon a little bit. Superion shoots Menasor first, but Menasor then tackles him. Menasor attacks Superion from behind, but Superion throws him, causing him to break apart. Superion then destroys the lightning bug.

However, in the script, the fight between Superion and Menasor was meant to continue after the lightning bug was destroyed. Menasor was also scripted to use his sword, something he's not seen with in the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME I think we've seen the last of cosmic rust.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BUMBLEBEE Yeah -and we saved a lady at the same time! PRIME Lady? BUMBLEBEE That one!