Ark (G1)

2009-07-04T20:33:12Z

91.107.228.78: /* Generation 1 */

{{disambig3|Ark}}
[[Image:Ark-Toon.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hurry up and get on, will ya? The flood's starting.]]
The '''Ark''' is the name given to the Autobot spaceship that, in many universes, originally carried the [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] armies to [[Earth]].

The Ark is a [[Vanguard (ship class)|''Vanguard'']]-class Deep Space Interceptor.
It has 5 Decks and houses a full crew complement of 300 Transformers (although it can be flown by only a handful if necessary). Its environment is fully automated and self-sufficient. For engines, it features 4 Hyperfuel Intake Accelerators.

It is armed with 16 particle-combustion cannons (port), 16 laser emitters (starboard), a primary starfield missile launcher, and an Overshock sonic battery.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
[[Image:ArkComic1.jpg|left|180px|thumb|The Ark as it first appeared in the Marvel Comics...]]
{{note|The comic version of the ship tends to have a more squared-off look to it and is frequently (though not always) shown as being a metallic silver. It has a main computer designated [[Auntie]] and a number of ancillary [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttlecraft]].}}

In the comic, the Ark was referred to as "the last of the Great Arks," suggesting that, as in the cartoon, there had been previous ''Vanguard''-class ships. It is also referred to as the most powerful starship in Cybertron's history, and control of it was considered a huge tactical advantage.

It was launched to clear a path for the wandering planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] through an asteroid field. When this was done and her reserves depleted, the Decepticons attacked and boarded her. Hoping to end the threat of Megatron forever, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] '''purposely''' crashed the ship into the passing planet Earth. The Ark crashed into [[Mount St. Hilary]], a volcano located a small distance outside of what would one day become [[Portland|Portland, Oregon]].

After the crash, some of the Ark's systems still functioned, and when they detected the Decepticon [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] making planetfall, the ship revived five of her Autobot crew and rebuilt them into the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Upon the disappearance of these warriors in their attempt to destroy Shockwave, the Ark shut itself down.

[[Image:ArkComic2.jpg|right|300px|thumb|...and as it came to be fairly consistently portrayed as the comics progressed.]]
Four million years later, Mount St. Hilary erupted, jarring the ship back to life. It revived and, unable to distinguish Autobot from Decepticon or to detect organic life (clearly it had suffered additional malfunctions since creating the Dinobots), it revived both sides to transform into the machines it perceived as the planet's dominant lifeforms.

{{note|At no point in the comics does it explain why it rebuilt the Dinobots based on the dominant organic life, and yet it could only assimilate mechanical life in 1984.}}

The Ark became the Autobots' main base of operations on Earth until, during [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock's]] first term as Autobot leader, he had the ship repaired and returned to space. The Ark hung around near Earth for a time, until it was abandoned in orbit when Primus teleported all nearby Transformers back to Cybertron to face [[Unicron]]. It was recovered by the Dinobots and flown to Cybertron to engage Unicron. Grimlock, being the master of tactics that he is, physically rammed Unicron with the powerfully armed starship, which was then abandoned and crashed on Cybertron. It was recovered this time by Shockwave and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who repaired it and took it to Earth to conquer that planet with it. This plan was foiled by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Megatron and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] crashing the party. Their battle caused the ship to crash to Earth again, this time into the Canadian wilderness.

The Ark's original crew in the comics included all of the 1984 Autobots, the Dinobots, ''[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (in the UK),'' the recorded mental engrams of most of the other 1985 Autobot cars, and [[Toaster]].

;Crew of the Ark
The crew of the Ark consisted of:

*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Autobot Cars]]
**[[Bluestreak]]
**[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
**[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
**[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
**[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
**[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
**[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
**[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
**[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
**[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
**[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
and the brain engrams of
**[[Grapple]]
**[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
**[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
**[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
**[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]
*[[Mini Vehicle|Autobot Mini Vehicles]]
**[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
**[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
**[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
**[[Gears]]
**[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
**[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
*[[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]
**[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
**[[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
**[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
**[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
**[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]

====Generation 2====
The Ark was recovered and repaired by Megatron, who attempted to take it back to Cybertron and conquer ''that'' planet with it. This was foiled by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], who sacrificed their lives to cause an anti-matter explosion that finally destroyed the great ship.

====''Classics''====
[[Image:Swooparkclassics.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Since it crashed 15 years ago, it's rounded itself off and grown another rocket port.]]
{{note|The Classics comics pick up after the Marvel comics series but ignore the events of the UK books and Generation 2.}}
Megatron took command of the Ark, but apparently kept it (with Ratchet on ice, and Shockwave's head in a jar) as his new headquarters on Earth. The ship played host to the visiting Decepticons led by [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]], and a subsequent battle between the Decepticons as well as a party of invading Autobots, who destroyed its computers. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}
===Generation 1 cartoon===
{{note|The Autobot ship in the Generation 1 cartoon is never actually named. Fans have generally called it the Ark, however, borrowing the name from its comics counterpart. In appearance, the ship tends to have a more rounded, ovoid look to it and is a golden yellow color. It has a main computer designated [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]].}}
[[Image:ArkCartoon1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|The Ark's launch. An unseen bumper sticker reads: "Primus is my copilot".]]
Other ''Vanguard''-class ships, pretty much identical to the Ark, are seen taking refugees from Cybertron on a history tape. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} It is suspected that the settlers of known Autobot colonies such as [[Paradron]] were among these.

[[Image:CrashedArk1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Doooo Dooooo Dooooooo DOODOOOOOOO DOOT DOOT DOOT DOOT DOOT DOOT DOOTDOOT Doooo!]]
The Ark was launched under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] to search for fuel, but ran afoul of two colliding asteroids. Then the [[Nemesis (G1)|Decepticon ship]] attacked, and the Decepticons under [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] boarded it. Out of control, the Ark crashed to Earth, smashing into a volcano in what would eventually become a desert. The exact location is unknown, but closely resembled the American southwest. There it rested until a volcanic eruption four million years later reactivated it and its inhabitants. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

The Ark's crew consisted of all the 1984 Autobots. A vehicle resembling [[Grapple]]'s alt-mode and called "[[Hauler]]" is also seen shortly after the Autobots revived on Earth and may represent another crew member. The 1985 Autobots may also have been crewmembers.

{{note|In the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2|second issue]] of the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (manga)|''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga]], the Autobot Headquarters is said to be located in Arizona. The manga acted as a supplement to the television series. Whether this pertains to the English version of the show is debatable.}}

;Crew of the Ark
The original 18-strong crew of the ark consisted of:

*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Autobot Cars]]
**[[Bluestreak]]
**[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
**[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
**[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
**[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
**[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
**[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
**[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
**[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
**[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
**[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
**[[Hauler]]
*[[Mini Vehicle|Autobot Mini Vehicles]]
**[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
**[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
**[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
**[[Gears]]
**[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
**[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]

====Autobot Headquarters====
[[Image:Ladybreakeandfatjazzr.jpg|left|250px|thumb|They're working hard to remove all the rocks that aren't part of the background matte.]]
After coming back online, the Decepticons immediately departed. However, the Autobots remained in their crashed ship, which served as their base of operations: '''Autobot Headquarters'''.

The ship was severely damaged by the crash and its subsequent entombment; massive rocks were visible inside the ship (whether they penetrated the hull on impact or were formed there later is unclear), and broken and damaged consoles are frequently seen in the background. The ship never flew again. The Autobots seemed to be preparing to re-launch it after the crash of the [[Decepticon space cruiser]], {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}} but months later, both the Autobots and the ship remained on Earth. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}}

Over time, the Autobots modified and expanded their base. An elevator provided passage to upper levels within the volcano, {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} and a retractable door sealed off the volcano's crater. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Early on, a small module serving as Ratchet's medical center sat near the main entrance, {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} but was later removed. Explorations by [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] revealed a system of caves beyond the ship's walls. The caves revealed a treasure trove of dinosaur bones, which became the inspiration for the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} The base's nerve center was the supercomputer Teletraan I.

The base's geographic location proved a liability on at least two occasions, when Decepticon-induced calamities caused the volcano to become active again. During the first of these eruptions, several Autobots were blasted out of the cone and into the troposphere, requiring [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] to come to their rescue. Ironhide managed to bring the eruption to a halt by shooting down some rocks. No, really. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} The system of caves beneath the base also allowed the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to enter the base from below, in an attempt to destroy Teletraan I. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] was known to use the volcano's crater as an entry/exit point when on spying missions. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

Autobot Headquarters remained in use in 2005, though it appears to have been supplanted by [[Autobot City]] as the Autobots' primary operations center. During Megatron's massive assault on Autobot City in 2005, Autobot Headquarters fell under assault by [[Menasor (G1) | Menasor]] and [[Bruticus (G1) | Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Animated Movie}}

[[Image:FFoD5 ArkvsTrypticon.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Jealous of the better mountain headquarters, Matt Tracker sends in Trypticon.]]
By 2006, the base had been equipped with a large number of retractable cannons built into the mountainside. They were not enough to save it from destruction at the hands of the giant Decepticon [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], however. A [[Mini Vehicle|squad of Autobots]] led by [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] made a stand against the oncoming [[city-bot]], but were brushed aside. Warpath ordered Teletraan I to activate the automated defenses, but the barrage of cannonfire gave Trypticon only momentary pause. He smashed the guns, then blasted the entire mountain to rubble. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

{{note|The distinction between the ship and the headquarters is unclear. The presence of damaged equipment in the base (presumably, damaged when the ship crashed) implies that the Ark and Autobot Headquarters are one and the same. However, the Autobots are consistently shown driving more-or-less directly out of their headquarters through a ground-level passage '''below''' the ship. Further, the Ark rests at a high angle from the horizontal, while the inside of Autobot Headquarters is shown with everything upright and normal. While artificial gravity (which the Transformers definitely have) could explain the latter, another explanation might be that Autobot Headquarters is actually a series of remodeled caves within the volcano, adjacent to the ship.}}

===''Beast Wars'' continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
{{note|The Ark as it appeared in ''Beast Wars'' was based upon the general appearance of the Ark from the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, but with some design influences from the ''U.S.S. Defiant'' from science fiction series ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''.}}
[[Image:Arkbw.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Wait a minute...that's not engine exhaust! The Ark is on fire!]]
According to [[Optimus Primal]], the Ark was built using "[[die-cast]]" construction, a lost art by the Beast Wars era.

According to [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], the Ark was launched under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], carrying a group of the Autobots' "finest heroes". One of the two copies of the ''[[Covenant of Primus]]'' was carried aboard. During the voyage, the Ark came under attack by the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', the flagship of the [[Decepticon fleet]]. Decepticon Leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] led a boarding party which attacked the Ark crew. However, both ships were damaged and fell into the gravity well of the nearby planet Earth. The Ark crashed into a semi-active volcano, and the Transformers aboard were sent into emergency stasis lock.

Though [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had ostensibly come to prehistoric Earth to look for a massive cache of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] to fuel his war against the [[Maximal Imperium]], he was in reality following instructions recorded by the original Megatron on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] from the Voyager space probe. Once on Earth, he apparently found the crash site of the Ark, but buried the entrance to the interior of the volcano. At that point, he had deemed the plan to destroy the deactivated Autobots aboard her and change the outcome of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] as a last-chance gamble should he ever be backed into a corner with little hope of escape. Such a situation came to pass while he was a prisoner aboard [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s [[transwarp cruiser]], and he convinced the former Decepticon to free him by revealing his plan. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

[[Image:Ark BWAgenda1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"She may have flaws, but she has teeth."]]
After failing to destroy the [[Axalon (BW)|Maximal base]], he traveled to the crash site, where he forced [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] to deactivate the security systems of Teletraan I and allow him access to the Ark's bridge. Observing that he was walking in the hallowed halls of the past as somebody who was soon to change the very course of history, he flew to the prone form of Optimus Prime and unleashed a torrent of pent-up rage over what he felt was Maximal injustice toward the conquered Predacons. He then fired at Optimus Prime's head, which created a time storm. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}} Fortunately, the Maximals fixed everything. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}

Megatron would later reenter the Ark with a new mission: take the [[spark]] of Megatron and merge it with his own. However, [[Tarantulas]] betrayed him and set the Ark to self-destruct. Fortunately, Blackarachnia was able to deactivate the overload. {{storylink|Master Blaster}}

After securing the ''Nemesis'', Megatron attempted to destroy the Ark (along with all the Decepticons inside, which might have destroyed him as well). The Maximals tried to bring the Ark online and use it to fight against the ''Nemesis'', but the engines had been idle for too long. However, using a [[Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta|shuttle]] housed in the Ark, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was able to damage the ''Nemesis'' and capture Megatron. After sufficient modifications, the shuttle was later used to transport the Maximals home, while the Ark and its sleeping passengers remained in the volcano to begin the Great War eventually. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}

====IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics====
[[Image:Ark BWGathering.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Tough little ship." "Little?"]]
[[Razorbeast]] and his small, temporally displaced group traveled to the Maximal encampment in the volcano in order to obtain tools to repair the transwarp signal booster which they hoped to find in the wreckage of Ravage's transwarp cruiser. Not willing to risk taking something that might be noticed missing from the ''Axalon'''s shell, they instead took what they need from the Ark. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 3}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave Generation 1 comics===
There is some question as to the Ark's appearance in the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave continuity]], as it is never shown in totality in an actual comic story. Pictures are seen in the final issue of their ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' guide, and there it is drawn to look mostly like the cartoon model (though oddly missing the rear "spoiler"). However, the [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|DK ''Transformers Ultimate Guide'']], whose main focus was Dreamwave continuity, gives a cutaway diagram of the Ark drawn in the Marvel Comics style instead, only colored yellow-gold as in the cartoon.

The Ark was destroyed in 2004 while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] countered a Decepticon attack headed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]].

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
[[Image:SpotlightGalvatron Ark1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Continuing the tradition of horrible things happening to every ship named Ark]]
6.2 million [[meta-cycles]] ago, the first legendary vessel to be designated as the ''Ark'' was launched from Cybertron under the command of [[Nova Prime]]. Its stated mission was to plot a safe passage from the [[Cybertronian Quadrant]] of the galaxy through the [[Benzuli Expanse]], though its true mission was [[Expansion]]. Twenty-thousand [[astro-cycle]]s out, it disappeared with all hands lost. Over the eras following its loss, rumor, myth and legend sprang up around the ship, obscuring the few existing facts surrounding its fate. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}}

{{note|This ''Ark'' appears in the flashbacks to look a bit like a merging of the older cartoon and Marvel Comics designs.}}
Known passengers on this first ''Ark'' include:

* Nova Prime
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]
* [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
* [[Grindcore (G1)|Grindcore]]
* [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]

On his reappearance, Galvatron reveals that the ship disappeared after he intentionally piloted it directly into the anomaly within the Benzuli Expanse, which turned out to be a gateway to a region known as the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}}

In the present day, the fate of the first ''Ark'' was one of the "big three" mysteries that [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] liked to dig into in his free time. He eventually got a lead on possible remains of the ship, but it turned out to be a trap specifically set to draw him in. On [[Gorlam Prime]] he found wreckage of the correct type and age to come from the ship, and far beneath the surface, he discovered a vast inter-dimensional portal. Before he could dig into the mystery even more, he was overtaken by a strange group of Transformers who captured him and messed with his head, eventually erasing his memory of being there at all. {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}}

In the modern era, the Autobots utilized numerous ships designated "''Ark''", each distinguished by a number following the title. Among them were the ''[[Ark-12]]'', ''[[Ark-17]]'', ''[[Ark-19]]'', ''[[Ark-27]]'', and ''[[Ark-32]]''.

== Toys ==
===Titanium Series===
* '''Autobot Shuttle Ark''' (3-inch Robot Masters)

[[Image:Arktitanium.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Look closely. R2-D2 apparently got lost before he auditioned for the voice of Roller.]]
:The first ever tangible representation of the Ark was a die-cast Titanium figurine at the 3-inch scale. The very forward section was based on the Ark's appearance in the original cartoon, but attached to it is an approximation of the back 2/3s of another space ship, the "Electronic Star Bird" created and sold by Milton Bradley in 1978. [http://www.bugeyedmonster.com/toys/starbird/] Odder yet, the technical information on the back refers to the Marvel Comics Ark's destruction at the hands of Fortress Maximus, and that Ark, as seen above, does not resemble either the cartoon Ark or this toy at all.

[[Image:Arktitaniumfront.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Tiny, isn't she?]]
The very forward portion of the Titanium is removable, allowing for a more accurate toy. (The most iconic portion of the Ark, the rear engines which were often seen protruding from its rocky resting point on Earth, are not present due to placement of the attachment point.)

{{-}}
==Notes==
* The Ark was clearly named after the real-world [[wikipedia:Bible|biblical]] story of [[wikipedia:Noah's Ark|Noah's Ark]], a seagoing vessel that carried representatives of every animal species on Earth through the [[wikipedia:Deluge myth|Great Flood]]. With the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon adding the [[Covenant of Primus]] to the ship's cargo, it could be said to parallel the [[wikipedia:Ark of the Covenant|''other'' biblical Ark]] as well.
* An Autobot shuttle featured in Marvel UK's "[[Space Pirates!]]" story used the cartoon series' design for the Ark.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/TitArk/ark.htm The Ark on TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobot bases]]
[[Category:Beast Wars locations]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Generation 1 locations]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Pacific Northwest]]
[[Category:Starships]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]

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Ark (G1)