The toyline was initially divided into two main factions: the heroic MANTA Force and their opponents, the evil Viper Squad.
During its test runs therefore, the Red Venom was hijacked by a group of highly skilled soldiers called the Viper Squad.
Under the command of Major Vex, the Viper Squad attempted to use the Red Venom to hijack the MANTA Force ship, so they could be the ones to colonise New Earth.
Later the two opposing sides joined forces to fight off attacks from a cybernetic alien known as Mad Karnock, who was served by an army of robots called Karnoids.
Another enemy also emerged from the swamps of New Earth in the form of the vile Stinkhorn, leader of the Stenchoids, who attempted to destroy the humans with their decomposing Stench weapons (which excreted a green compound similar to Play-Doh).