askvectorprime

[askvectorprime]

Have you, perhaps, ever met a Scratch Doctor?

Dear Primary Protector,

On Cybertron, metallurgists who work primarily with the surface layer of a Cybertronian's body are sometimes known as "skin specialists" or "scratch doctors", as they are most often seen when repairing superficial damage like scratches, cracks and dents. Certain versions of Swerve, Fixit, Alloy and Dermis have worked in this field, and—rather more disparagingly—some medics such as Knock Out are referred to as scratch doctors, to imply that they focus more on cosmetic maintenance than actual medical engineering.

Personally, I have never needed to visit a scratch doctor; my status as one of the Thirteen Primes grants my living metal a certain regenerative quality that most 'bots lack, and when I have need of more thorough repairs, I can rely on Safeguard or my siblings like Solus, Alchemist and Energoa to patch me up.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #swerve #fixit #alloy #dermis #knock out #vector prime #thirteen primes #safeguard #solus prime #alchemist prime #energoa

[askvectorprime]

It's exciting knowing that you've been examining the overlaps with the greater Omniverse. Would you care to provide some insight into Code Red's somewhat confusing existence? He seems to exist in a reality where Transformers exist as a fictional property, if Dustin Henderson's ownership of a (somehow motorized) Ultra Magnus toy is anything to go on.

Dear Hellfire Harried,

It is completely true that Code Red's existence in that universe is an anomaly—but he is not unique in that respect. Like many of the stranger things seen in that world, Code Red originated outside that universe. I should warn you, though, I have only limited insight, as the timeline remains somewhat in flux.

Code Red had originally been an Autobot on a very different Earth, fighting an ordinary battle of good and evil against the Decepticons. Unluckily for him, he was one of several bots displaced by the time-traveling quartet of Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge, and Bayonet, ending up trapped in the Limbo between universes.

In a strange cosmic coincidence, Dustin Henderson's world was at the same time experiencing an event where time and space were rent asunder by an entity he and his friends had named Vecna. Out of desperation, Dustin's friend Eleven was venturing into the Void in an attempt to stabilize things.

And so, in this realm of utter darkness, Eleven came into contact with Code Red, inadvertently bringing the Autobot into their universe. At first Code Red assumed this was another torment caused by the parasites that inhabited Limbo, but after an encounter with some of the minions of Vecna, he was forced to conclude that his imagination would never have been able to come up with anything that horrible. Attempting to hide, he scanned a nearby pizza delivery van... which backfired, as Eleven and her friends mistook him for the original. As they drove around, they argued at length over whether they were going to call him the Apparatus of Kwalish or the Machine of Lum the Mad—completely oblivious to the fact that they were sitting in him.

Unfortunately, I do not know if he ever revealed himself to the children. The future events of 1987 are too indistinct to relay at this point.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #stranger things #code red #galvatron #cyclonus #scourge #bayonet #limbo #dustin henderson #vecna #eleven

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime

In Fall of Cybertron we see Grimlock Kill Hardshell but then we later see him on Earth in Transformers Prime, is this the same Hardshell?

Dear Insecticon Inspector,

Hardshell, as with most Insecticons, is remarkably tenacious—not unlike the common roachbot in that respect. Even though Grimlock seriously injured Hardshell when ramming him into the control panel, it didn't take him long to be up and maiming once again.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #aligned continuity #hardshell #insecticons #roachbots #grimlock #mavneto

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector prime, sir, may i ask two questions. Why Rosanna(a cassette) doesn't shows up in shows? I remember, she was in Animated series, but was she anywhere else?

Dear Gig Worker,

Oh dear, did you have a ticket booked for one of her shows? I'm afraid she ended up having to withdraw from the remaining dates of her "Continuities" tour, after her show at the Fractyl Amphitheater. Sadly, towards the end of her set, her vocoder blew, leaving her unable to sing. The crowd knew what had happened right away, and they sung the rest of the song back to her, with the booming baritone of Grandus unmistakable amongst the chorus of the fans. It was a very emotional night for everyone. I'm surprised you didn't hear, it was all over the news. Still, the Choirs of Anduria carried on and performed even on the dates Rosanna couldn't show for, so if you did attend, I hope you had an enjoyable evening nonetheless. If you contact the venue, you may be able to get a refund on the face value of the ticket.

Rosanna hasn't performed in public since then, but rumor has it she's going to be making a big announcement very soon. The surprise release of a new single, "Your Weakness", has led many to believe that she'll be releasing her next album imminently—though as always there are plenty who suspect that the reveal will be of a more personal nature!

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #transformers animated #rosanna #fractyl #fractyl ampitheater #grandus #choirs of anduria #flip sides #comradepizza

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime,

In some universes, the Mini-Cons are creations of Unicron that gained free will and rebelled against him; in others, they are the children of Micronus Prime of the Thirteen. Is there a reality where both are true?

 Dear Mini Myth,

I must admit to deriving some small amount of pleasure from the fact that in one universe, Unicron appears but once in the Covenant of Primus: in a verse where our father states, "Unicron is creator of all Mini-Cons."

But I was there, and so I know that in truth, Primus was addressing my brother: "You, Micronus, creator of all Mini-Cons."

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #thirteen primes #unicron #covenant of primus #primus #mini-cons #vector prime #micronus prime

[askvectorprime]

When Beast Convoy and Lio Convoy synchronized the power of their energy matrices, they transformed into Burning Convoy and Flash Lio Convoy respectively. Are these types of transformations common among matrix wielders like them? If so, what transformation does Big Convoy possess?

Dear Maximum Mammoth,

In order to promote cooperation and camaraderie among Convoy-type Transformers, Vector Sigma made a point of outfitting their Energon Matrices with the ability to resonate with each other. However, in one universe, Big Convoy's lingering hate for the Predacons over the death of his father was able to manifest in a sort of phantom resonance with Blue Big Convoy's extinguished Matrix, resulting in the birth of Blizzard Big Convoy.

Wreathed in white fur, Blizzard Big Convoy possessed the ability to supercool the air around him, freezing lesser foes dead in their tracks. In this Absolute Zero Field, only Big Convoy had the strength to still move, leaving him free to devastate his foes with the Blizzard Cannon. This form had none of Big Convoy's traditional bravado, his processors focused only on the elimination of his enemies.

However, as he became lost in his grief, he found himself unable to tell friend from foe, posing great risk to the Gung Ho’s crew of cadets. Only by uniting the warmth of their sparks to resist the cold were they able to embrace their commander and bring him back to the side of justice. It wasn’t until the final battle with Unicron that Big was able to truly master this form, resonating not with his grief, but with the memory of his father, purifying this ability and allowing him to banish the planet eater to the cold of space.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #beast wars #big convoy #vector sigma #energon matrix #blue big convoy #gung ho #unicron #optimus primal #lio convoy #pabsterthelobster

[askvectorprime]

Vector Prime do you have any idea what happen to your titan partner Tempos?

Dear Titanic Troubador,

I don't believe anything "happened" to Tempo. After all, we still meet up every other Dillesol for drinks!

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #vector prime #tempo

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime:

Tarn is described as a "voracious consumer"- but was he always like that? I only ask because Megatron seems scrupulous with his seconds-in-command. Somebody who could be swayed with a fresh batch of T-cogs seems like a weak link he wouldn't tolerate long...

Dear Addiction Acolyte,

It is true that Tarn's addiction worsened over time. I think Megatron never learned of the full extent of Tarn’s dependency. By the end of the war, he was rather disconnected from the low-level operations of his Decepticon Empire, and he evidently trusted Tarn to manage his Decepticon Justice Division with only minimal oversight. In fact, he had never even personally read the infamous List that terrified his rank and file… at least until his own name ended up there.

From Megatron’s perspective, Tarn’s very existence was a way to deeply hurt his old foe, Optimus—this was more than enough to satisfy him, above all the atrocities Tarn perpetrated in his name. Tarn could have been a worthless soldier, disloyal and incompetent, worthy of inclusion on the List himself… so long as he wore the badge, his purpose would be fulfilled.

As it happened, Tarn’s sudden disappearance has sent great waves rippling through the timestream. Without his laser-focused efficiency to keep the rest of the D.J.D. working down their List in strict order, they have instead begun a series of brutal massacres of Autobots and Decepticons alike. And as for Tarn himself, his new Evo-Fusion power has made him more deadly than ever. Surrounded by unfamiliar Megatrons all vying for supremacy, Tarn has thrown his lot in with the one he most recognises—and is now in the uncanny position of having to explain Megatron’s own philosophy to him.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #idw transformers #legacy #tarn #decepticon justice division #megatron #optimus prime #evo-fusion #transformation cogs

[askvectorprime]

Dear, Vector Prime.

Is there a Fuzor for plants and animals? It does not have a plant mode like Saberback or Sling, but rather a form that looks like a living creature with ivy or other plants growing on it.

Dear Flora Fawning,

While not technically a Fuzor, the Maximal scout Hangout did integrate synthetic algae into the coat of his sloth form, giving him a distinctive green appearance. This algae allowed Hangout to collect solar energy, keeping him fuelled during extended stakeout missions where he would have to operate in enemy territory for solar cycles at a time.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #beast wars #fuzors #hangout

[askvectorprime]

Dearest Vector Prime,

What do you know of Cybertronian martial arts? How do they differ from one another? You must have encountered more than a few unique styles and practitioners in your travels.

Dear Jet Judoka,

Ever since the first construction crane robot used its crane boom to deliberately knock over another robot eons ago, martial arts have been an integral part of our history.

You might assume that the warmongering Decepticons were the first to codify these disciplines of pugilism—and indeed, the brutality of their attacks and strategies gave them the edge at the outbreak of war. But the Autobots, who had lived as engineers and laborers, were able to disguise their training: every step, every turn of a wheel, every act of physical labor could be a secret technique, practiced thousands of times per cycle, until they had mastered the perfect move with which to surprise their adversaries.

Under Autobot schools of thought, there are two basic elements of physical combat: “Piston” and “Gear” motion. “Piston” is a direct, linear force: delivered by punches, rocket-powered fists, or other inbuilt ballistics. By contrast, “Gear” is a deflecting, rotational force: swiveling at the waist, or rolling, to create a “transmission” of the opponent’s energy into advantageous movement. In time, this framing came to influence Decepticon disciplines, until both groups were using the same terminology.

As the conflict between Autobot and Decepticon continued, fuelled by an escalating arms race to develop esoteric weaponry and enhancements, some chose to eschew ranged combat and instead specialize in martial arts based around stealth and melee. After sneaking into the enemy’s midst, a single warrior trained in this way could quickly dismantle those unprepared soldiers who relied more on their armament and abilities. Being a direct reaction to the highly technological mindset of both factions, it’s perhaps unsurprising that martial arts came to be spoken of using increasingly spiritual terms. Those trained in Circuit-Su turned inwards towards the personal energy of the spark, which practitioners of Metallikato would learned to channel through their weapons, striving to embody the “Ultimate Warrior” of legend. Meanwhile, followers of Yoketron’s Eightfold Path formed an understanding of self based on eight specifications: SPR-INT-SPD-END-RNK-CRG-FRB-SKL, each a separate aspect of Primus.

Other disciplines were influenced by offworld cultures. Crystalocution was developed by medics and structural engineers, after they observed the way Rock Lords would target their opponent’s fracture lines in hand-to-hand combat, and adapted the technique to focus on joints or brittle crystalline components in Cybertronians. The loose assortment of non-lethal forms commonly termed Diffusion, popular amongst the Autobots, are descended from a pacifist fighting style practiced amongst the Circle of Light.

Although these styles have been broadly recognised and adopted by countless fighters, it mustn’t be understated how deeply individualistic the martial arts can be: even within a single style, no two fighters are alike. An exceptional master may try to pass down their techniques, but the unique talent, ability, and perseverance of each student will inevitably transform these teachings into something new. Take, for example, the Turtler School.

Turtler lived as a hermit on an island, on Earth. Having felt undervalued by the Decepticons, he enjoyed the solitude this lifestyle afforded, living in peace from his Seacons. At some point in the distant future, a young simian Maximal arrived on a flying surfboard, wanting to learn martial arts in order to fight in the “Be(a)st Under The Heavens Tournament”. Turtler reluctantly took him on as a pupil, and over the course of several years, put him through a highly unorthodox training regimen. Some examples of the feats he had the Maximal perform included:

Climbing a mountain to catch a bird

Climbing a mountain again to catch a bird, but this time with Turtler strapped to his back in alt mode

Outrunning and outswimming Cybershark in a race

Painting Turtler's home (this one in particular was very unpopular with his student)

Eventually, the young Maximal proved his purity of heart—which wasn’t actually something Turtler had cared about in the least, as he really had just needed a few chores doing—and asked to learn the secret of Turtler’s ultimate technique, the King Poseidon Wave. Turtler, not quite understanding, assumed that the Maximal was talking about his laser cannon. He fired a shot to demonstrate—and to his surprise, the Maximal copied him, pressing two open palms together, and somehow firing a large energy blast! Before Turtler could even process what had happened, the Maximal hopped onto his surfboard and sailed away on a cloud, forever grateful for the good times he’d had with the old hermit over the years.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #circuit-su #metallikato #last autobot #yoketron #primus #crystalocution #rock lords #diffusion #circle of light #turtler #seacons #cybershark #king poseidon

[askvectorprime]

Is Inferno a common name in cybertronian culture?

Dear Name Notary,

It is one of those names that just keeps recurring throughout time and space, like Ransack, Blackout, or Pogo.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #inferno #ransack #blackout #pogo

[askvectorprime]

Dear, Vector Prime.

You have not updated the site for a long time. What happened to you?

Dear Update Uncertain,

Fear not, nothing has happened to me! I have just been somewhat preoccupied with my duties as Guardian of Space and Time. The Shroud placed over the multiverse by my brother has lifted in places, and interdimensional travel is once more becoming something of a common occurrence. My work is never finished.

It seems that the legacy of Nexus Prime may soon be undone altogether: as worlds and creatures collide, Transformers from many different universes are being united in conflict with one another. It is my responsibility to smooth over discontinuities wherever they arise, and monitor the evolution of each timeline as the key players vanish. Furthermore, it seems that many entities from the wider megaverse have begun to bridge the divide to our local realities. Where they encounter my kind, these liaisons are usually collaborative in nature… but one particularly-devastating incursion has had grave repercussions for multiple universes, and I have been devoting a great deal of attention to the interdimensional relief effort. Also, I was recently invited by Safeguard and Bud to join them on a special episode of their podcast—I don't normally listen to podcasts, but when they asked my help in tracking down a counterfactual final season of Galactic Guardians, from an alternate timeline where it wasn't prematurely canceled… well, as you might gather, I'm never one to refuse a call for aid!

All of this is to express my deepest regret that I haven't had much time for correspondence lately. It breaks my heart that I cannot answer all of your questions, but rest assured, I read every one, and will answer as many as I can before my obligations draw me away once more. If my absence leads you to worry that I have suffered some terrible fate, then fret not… I'll always return to you before too long.

Has news of these developments in the multiverse reached you by other means? Are there any particular individuals whose whereabouts you wish to enquire after? Ask away, and I shall try to put your mind at ease!

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #vector prime #legacy #shroud #nexus prime #multiverse #megaverse #safeguard #bud hansen #galactic guardians

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime

In Primax universal cluster,

who is red and who is blue:Rumble or Frenzy?

Dear Color Confused,

That depends. Is the universe in question one that has phlogiston, or oxygen?

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #rumble #frenzy #megabolt2014

[askvectorprime]

Why is Rodimus the only Matrix-bearer to revert back to his old self when he’s separated from the Matrix?

Dear Mystical Metamorphosis,

Well, it’s rare for the Matrix to induce a physical transformation in the first place—except as a side-effect of some kind of catalyzing factor. For example, when Galvatron’s servant Scourge bore the Matrix, it triggered an allergic reaction in his Unicronian biology, causing his alloys to swell and buckle. And when Starscream used the Creation Matrix to merge with Bludgeon’s Warworld, his body and mind both expanded into its systems. In either case, losing the Matrix reversed these effects. You’re right, however, that the changes experienced by Rodimus were unusual. Perhaps he had a particularly strong affinity with the Matrix. I can only speculate—Primus works in mysterious ways.

When referring to our Sparks or personality components, Rungian analysts at times refer to "the transformation that can be seen" (our physical transformations), as well as the lesser-known "the transformation that cannot be seen", an inner change that is perhaps like the "shadow" of your psyche. They would have it that the Matrix is capable of spurring both seen and unseen transformations, and that some bearers may only experience one or the other. These changes may take place on a cosmological timescale—only observable across many human lifetimes.

For Hot Rod, his youthful rule-breaking and fiery impulses were met with his shadow: the weight of responsibility and disillusionment that can accompany wisdom and age. As great as Rodimus Prime's physical power became, contending with his shadow was a still greater struggle—and even once parted from the Matrix, unlike the evolution of the body, the inner transformation was irreversible.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #generation 1 cartoon #marvel transformers #matrix of leadership #galvatron #scourge #unicron #starscream #bludgeon #warworld #hot rod #primus #rung #sparks

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime,

If a bot had a platypus Alt-Mode, would that make them a Fuzor?

Dear Fusion Fun,

The Fuzor known as Duckbuild was often mistaken for the Maximal Diplomatic Corps member Riposte. The discerning Predacon could tell these foes apart by Duckbuild's lack of venom spurs and convenient pouch.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #beast wars #fuzors #duckbuild #maximal diplomatic corps #riposte #newbtheveryawesomeandkindanewby

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime, we recently caught a glimpse of Ozone and Cleansweep, Decepticon Targetmaster partners that share names with two of GI Joe's Eco Warriors. Are they actually turncoats from such a respectable organization?

Dear Turncoat Targeter,

My, what a peculiar notion! No, sometimes different organizations and individuals will independently come up with the same codename. Take Recoil, for example, a name similarly used by both a Targetmaster and a member of G.I. Joe. With G.I. Joe being classified, and on an entirely separate planet, it’s no surprise that if Windsweeper’s new Targetmaster partners ran these names through the system before adopting them, they came back as being available.

Ozone was formerly a scientist at the Hi-Q Industrial Research Complex, who was fired after she was caught stealing reagents for her own purposes. When Hi-Test was recruiting Nebulans to work with the Decepticons, Ozone was a natural choice. She relished the opportunity to fight against her former boss with her new high-powered chemical laser form.

Cleansweep, by comparison, had been a waiter at the Gardens of Eternal Peace and Harmony Macrobiotic Restaurant. After years of serving customers and cleaning up after their half-finished meals, he couldn’t have been more ready to burn everything to the ground. His wide-angled maser rifle mode helps with this, scorching clean the whole area around him and his partners.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #marvel transformers #recoil #targetmasters #gi joe #windsweeper #ozone #hi-q #hi-test #nebulans #cleansweep #gardens of eternal peace and harmony macrobiotic restaurant

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime, I have to ask you this very important question. What is the name of the Vatti gas hob transformer owned by Daytrader?

Dear Product Placer,

I don't believe that the unscrupulous Daytrader ever gave that particular AllSpark Mutation a name, referring to it only as "Vatti-Bot" for the brand name inscribed across its chest. Perhaps if he had named it, he would have been more upset when Bumblebee crushed it to death.

#ask vector prime #transformers #maccadam #live action film series #daytrader #allspark #allspark mutations #vatti bot #bumblebee #krixby87