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Freedom Fighter

2006-06-12T20:56:53Z

216.68.153.177:

''Freedom Fighter is an [[Autobot]] in the [[Generation 1]] continuity.''

[[Image:Freedom Fighter portrait.jpg|right|thumb]]

Very little is known about '''Freedom Fighter''''s motives and history. He appears to be intensely patriotic, having modeled his appearance after both the Autobot [[Faction_symbols|faction symbol]] and the face of his leader, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. In fact, he may be deranged.

Freedom Fighter possesses the ability to intercept electromagnetic radiation with frequencies ranging from roughly 530 kHz to 1710 kHz, and can emit sounds -- at varying intensity -- which represent any amplitude modulation found in the intercepted radiation. Electromagnetic waves of this sort are sometimes used for communication by many species, making Freedom Fighter a valuable resource for the Autobot army.

He is unusual for a Transformer in that he not only has no humanoid robot mode, but no ambulatory mode at all -- he has no limbs or visible means of propulsion. It may be that he wished to completely dedicate his time and energy to his primary job of monitoring radio broadcasts, and had his body modified accordingly.

==Toys==

[[Image:Freedom Fighter box.jpg|right|thumb]]

The only toy of Freedom Fighter is a AM radio (which came with a carrying strap) released sometime in 1984 or 1985. His transformation sequence, shown at right, was somewhat awkward.

[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Merchandise]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Seeker (body-type)

2006-06-11T22:58:31Z

216.68.153.177: Fixed Thundercracker's link.

{{Template:Disambig2|the group of Decepticon jets|the Mini-Con|Seeker (UT)}}

{{featured}}
[[Image:Seekers.png|thumb|300px|Seekers all share the same basic body style.]]

The term '''Seeker''' refers to [[Decepticon]] jet troopers who all share the same body style. That is, the Decepticons in ''[[Generation 1]]'' that looked like [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] but in different colors or with minor variations in wing and head shapes, and also the Decepticons in later franchises such as ''[[Armada]]'' where similar "families" of jets appear.

The word "Seeker" is in a strange grey area between official and fan-coined terms. It seems to have originated in extremely obscure official or semi-official writing, but somehow became widely used among fans. In 2002 the term appeared in dialogue from the first issue of [[War Within|''The War Within'']] from [[Dreamwave]], making it technically "official". It has subsequently appeared here and there in other official materials (including the ''[[Armada]]'' storybook, "[[The Awakening]]"), although its frequency of official use is still rather low.

==G1 Seekers==
In G1, there were six Seekers given names and characterization: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. The last three are usualy designated as [[Conehead]] Seekers by fans for their distinctive transformation that leaves the jet nosecone pointing up. The animation models for the Conehead Seekers were designed by [[Floro Dery]], whereas the season one Seekers were done primarily by an unknown designer in Japan.

[[Image:MTMTEGenerics-OilField.jpg|thumb|left|Aw, not "When Continents Collide" again...]]
In the G1 cartoon, there were large numbers of "generic", unnamed Seekers in addition to the named characters. They came in a wide variety of colors, and seem to have formed the bulk of the Decepticon forces on Cybertron, as well as among Megatron's initial troops on Earth. They gradually became less common, perhaps as a result of casualties, or as a result of the cartoon's production team getting more careful, or just plain having more "actual" Decepticons to work with as the line expanded.

There is a seventh official Seeker who has been retroactively inserted into G1: [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], an orange Seeker who started his existence as an [[E-Hobby]] exclusive toy, inspired by one of the nameless generic Seekers from the cartoon.

==Alternate terms==
The most obvious alternate name for these Transformers is '''Decepticon jets'''. While usually clear enough from context, this term has the weakness that there are many Decepticon jets who are not "Seekers".

[[Image:Tetrajet_seekers.jpg|thumb|right|Seekers in their "tetrajet" form.]]The same Transformers are also sometimes referred to as '''tetrajets'''. This makes reference to their Cybertronian forms as seen in the cartoon episode "[[More Than Meets the Eye]]" and a handful of other episodes set on Cybertron. In these forms, their vehiclular modes are shaped somewhat like tetrahedra, or "triangular pyramids" (that is, a pyramid with a triangular base).

For a time, the term '''Skyraider''' saw increasing popularity. It comes from European [[Generation 2]] marketing. When Starscream and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] were released in this line, their packaging referred to them as skyraiders. The UK G2 comic also featured some character profiles (much like the old [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|''Transformers Universe'']] comics), and those profiles for SS and RJ used the word as well. It is a relatively small leap to extend usage to all similarly-built Decepticons. The push to use "Skyraider" was largely founded on the idea of using an official term instead of one that was, seemingly, coined and used only by fans. When [[Simon Furman]] made use of "Seeker" in ''The War Within'', however, this primary motivation was lost.

A final, joking alternate name is '''non-blunderscrounge'''. Used infrequently and only for the sake of silliness, this term originated in a post to [[alt.toys.transformers]] by the fan, Sky Shadow. In a discussion of the term "seeker", Shy Shadow suggested that all Decepticon jets who do ''not'' share the body design of Starscream be called "blunderscrounges", making Starscream himself a "non-blunderscrounge".

==History of term "Seeker"==
Although the most well-known name for these Decepticons, the wide use of the term "Seeker" is still somewhat mysterious.

[[Image:Seekers ad text.jpg|frame|right|From the 1984 JCPenney wishbook. [[:Image:Seekers ad.jpg|See the full page here.]]]]The only known, documented use of the term is from the 1984 JCPenney holiday catalog (sometimes called a "wishbook"). On the page which shows the Christmas season's available TFs, the following entry is found: ''"Decepticon Silver Plane. Airplane with sensational F-15 styling scours the countryside searching for Autobots. When they're found, the Seekers set out to destroy them. Transforms to an exciting robot with hi-tech weapons and Decepticon logo."'' A photo of Starscream and Thundercracker is displayed.

It has been rumored, but not demonstrated, that the term "Seeker" was used in some other early promotional materials. If so, then the term must have been handed down by Hasbro at some point. It hardly seems possible that the term could have been invented by a lowly copy writer at JCPenney who also just happend to decide to capitalize it. Still, though, if this catalog is the only primary source in which the term appears, it seems strange that it could have inspired the entire fandom to use the term. "Seeker" was in wide use among internet Transfans even in the early 1990s, when the fandom was just getting off its feet. Did somebody in the days of the Transformers email list have a memory of the word from when they saw this catalog at age 10 and start the trend? It is probably impossible to know at this point.

==Apocryphal origins==
It is sometimes claimed that "Seeker" is derived from a line of dialogue in the first episode of the G1 cartoon, in which these jets are referred to as "hunter-seekers". This line does not exist.

The term "hunter-seekers" is used in issue 17 of the US comic, [[The Smelting Pool (comic issue)|The Smelting Pool]]. However, the Decepticons it is applied to are shown only in their flight modes, which look nothing like the "Seekers" we are familiar with. In fact, the Conehead Seekers make their first appearance in this same issue, and their Cybertronian flight modes appear very similar to their Earth jet forms (if not completely identical), and completely ''different'' from the craft which are referred to as hunter-seekers. The only real connection between the hunter-seekers we were shown and the "Seekers" is that there's more than one of them and they fly.

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

File:Vector Primevs.Megatron.JPG

2006-06-11T08:20:17Z

216.68.153.177:

Screencap from the closing credits of Galaxy Force episode 52.
{{fairuse}}<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Vector Prime

2006-06-11T08:19:15Z

216.68.153.177: De-X-BoB-ified.

''Vector Prime is an [[Autobot]] character in the [[Unicron Trilogy]].''

'''Vector Prime''' is [[Primus]]'s appointed guardian of time and space. His appearance is remarked on by [[Hot Shot (UT)|Hot Shot]] as being "ancient", and indeed parts of him appear to be covered in clockwork. Like [[Fallen|The Fallen]], he is one of the [[13 Original Transformers]]. However, despite his age, he is extremely powerful. He can warp both space and time, and is an excellent swordsman. While he has few qualms about warping himself and the Autobots from planet to planet, he is considerably more wary of his ability to time-travel.

Vector Prime has made many claims, via the "Ask Vector Prime" column on the Hasbro website. Among them, he is apparently a past holder of the Matrix of Leadership (hence his name, Prime), and that there was once a [[Mini-Con]] who could become a Disco-ball. Most of these claims have yet to be validated.

Vector Prime has a "Guardian [[Mini-Con]]" called [[Safeguard (UT)|Safeguard]], and is also responsible for the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]].

==Fiction==
===Animated continuity===
====Cybertron====
'''Voice actor:''' [[Richard Newman]] (USA), [[Shô Hayami]] (Japan)<br>
'''Special Attacks:''' Repulsion Field/Action Field, Time Relief

When Vector Prime discovered that [[Unicron]]'s destruction had resulted in a [[Unicron_Singularity|black hole]] that threatened existance itself, his role as Guardian of Time and Space compelled him to set forth to fix it using the Omega Lock and the four Cyber Planet Keys, forged from the spark of Primus himself. Of course, the fact that these aincient artifacts were lost several million years ago presented certain problems. As a result, he returned to Cyberton in an attempt to enlist some help, and encountered the charismatic [[Megatron (UT)|Megatron]], who tricked Vector Prime into handing over the Planet Map to the [[Decepticons]]. Immediately therafter, Vector Prime realized the Decepticons were actually kind of jerks, and joined the Autobots. Vector Prime was vital to the Autobot cause, as he could create small-scale [[Space Bridge|Space Bridges]] with his sword, as well as force fields with the aid of his Universal Cyber Key. On one occasion, when Megatron killed Coby, Bud, and Lori, Vector Prime turned back time to save them, although this caused him great strain. Later, he would find the Omega Lock in the spaceship [[Atlantis]], and get it back.

{{spoiler}}
[[Image:Vector Primevs.Megatron.JPG|thumb|right|No rest for the Wicked]]
In a heroic sacrifice, Vector Prime overloaded his time-travel powers to send the stranded Autobots back to a point before they arrived on [[Gigantion]]. Sadly, this incredible strain spelled the end of his physical existance, and he became One With Time Itself. He would not be seen again, but, from Beyond Time, he gave his sword to [[Optimus_Prime_(UT)|Optimus Prime]] in Prime's final battle with [[Megatron_(UT)|Galvatron]].

''In the 'What happens to everybody after the show ended' scenes from the show's final episode, Vector Prime can be seen dueling with Galvatron in what is presumably a Battle of the Dead Guys somewhere in the [[Allspark_(dimension)|Allspark]].''

====Fun Publications Cybertron Comic====

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
[[Image:VectorPrimeToy.jpg|right|thumb|I'm the [[Last Autobot]]'s beiger cousin.]]
* '''Vector Prime'''
* '''Vector Prime'' vs ''Starscream''' (Toys "R" Us exclusive two-pack)
* '''Vector Prime''' (redeco)
* '''Vector Prime''' (Legends of Cybertron)

==External Links==

{{stub}}
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Cybertron]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>