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Earthquake (book)

2023-12-18T17:51:06Z

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{{Disambig3|earthquake}}
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[Find Your Fate Junior]] #4
|prev=Attack of the Insecticons
|next=Desert Flight
|title="Earthquake"
|image=Earthquake fyf.jpg
|caption=I AM NOT A SHARK! I AM A MAN!
|publisher=[[Ballantine Books]]
|imprint=[[Find Your Fate Junior]]
|date=1986
|writer=[[Ann Matthews]]
|illustrator=[[William Schmidt]] (interior pencils and cover painting)
|pagecount=73
|ISBN=ISBN 9780345330710<br>ISBN 0-345-33071-4
}}
[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] discovers a hidden [[Decepticon]] [[Destruction Beam#hidden fortress|base]], from which they are planning to destroy the nearby [[Center City]], a dry run at destroying all the world's capitals.

==Synopsis==
{{anchor|Page 1}}'''(PAGE_1)''' The Autobots lounge around their secret headquarters near Central City, Oregon, enjoying a day with no sign of Decepticon activity. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] strikes up a conversation with the rest of the Autobots to remark on their good fortune. [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] reads a book, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] is busy polishing himself, and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] uses "special circuitry-building equipment" to work out. [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] join in on the conversation to discuss the opposing faction. {{anchor|Page 2}}'''(PAGE_2)''' Beachcomber waxes on about wanting a day to enjoy the great outdoors, so Optimus grants him a leave of absence. The Autobot dune buggy drive peacefully into the countryside, until the earth begins to shudder beneath his wheels. {{anchor|Page 3}}'''(PAGE_3)''' Frantically searching for the disturbance’s source, Beachcomber soon spots the Decepticon [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] practicing his seismic abilities. After a few more small tremors, Rumble appears pleased with himself and saunters off towards a cliff face. Following from a safe distance, Beachcomber witnesses the cliff opening up to allow Rumble into a secret Decepticon base. Beachcomber wants to report his ridings back to Optimus, but is afraid he might not be able to find his way back here once he leaves.

'''''Should Beachcomber hurry back to Autobot headquarters anyways?'' (>>[[#Page 5|PAGE_5]]>>)'''

'''''Should Beachcomber attempt to infiltrate the Decepticon fortress by himself?'' (>>[[#Page 62|PAGE_62]]>>)'''

:'''(<<From_[[#Page 3|PAGE_3]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber reports back to Autobot headquarters...'' {{anchor|Page 5}}(>>PAGE_5>>)''' after attempting to memorize every feature on the cliffside so as to recognize it later. Once Optimus has been informed on Beachcomber’s discovery, he sends him back, along with Powerglide and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] to investigate the secret Decepticon base. {{anchor|Page 6}}'''(PAGE_6)''' Once they have found their way back to the location in question, the three Autobots puzzle over how to infiltrate the Decepticon fortress.

:'''''Should they attempt to enter through the same door Rumble disappeared through, and risk being easily detected by their foes?'' (>>[[#Page 10|PAGE_10]]>>)'''

:'''''Should they attempt to find another entrance with Beachcomber’s sensors, despite that it might waste precious time?'' (>>[[#Page 8|PAGE_8]]>>)'''

::'''(<<From_[[#Page 6|PAGE_6]]<<)''' '''''Powerglide, Beachcomber and Windcharger attempt to enter the Decepticon base through the cliffside… ''{{anchor|Page 10}}(>>PAGE_10>>)''' ...with Windcharger tempting his luck first. As he walks up to the cliffside, the concealed door open up for him automatically… Only to slam shut on him, badly damaging the Autobot. The doors open up again, and the Decepticons spill out of their fortress. Thinking fast, Beachcomber shouts to Powerglide that he hopes that Rumble will not start another quake. His attempt at reverse psychology works, as Rumble laughs at the Autobots before doing just that. Rumble’s quake causes the Decepticon fortress to crumble, burying the Decepticons in a cave-in, while Beachcomber and Powerglide dash out of the quake’s range. The two of them plan to return to the ruins once the dust has settles, so to retrieve Windcharger. [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] will be able to fix him up, and the Autobots won’t have to worry about the Decepticons for a while longer.

::'''THE END'''

[[File:EarthquakePowerglideBeahccomberWindcharger.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
::'''(<<From_[[#Page 6|PAGE_6]]<<)''' '''''Powerglide, Beachcomber and Windcharger search for another way into the Decepticon fortress.'' {{anchor|Page 8}}(>>PAGE_8>>)''' soon finding a narrow passageway in the cliff hidden by bushes and scrub brush. {{anchor|Page 64}}'''(PAGE_64)''' At the end of the rocky passageway the Autobots discover a storage room. At the far end of it are two exits. One leads to another rocky passage just like the one the Autobots have just emerged from. The other is blocked by a door with a complicated lock. The lock proves to be a small deterrent, as Beachcomber manages to quickly disable it. Opening the door reveals a brightly lit corridor, which Powerglide insists on investigating. Windcharger, however, insists on going into the rocky passage instead. It looks like the team is splitting up.

::'''''Should Beachcomber accompany Windcharger into the rocky passage?'' (>>[[#Page 11|PAGE_11]]>>)'''

::'''''Should Beachcomber accompany Powerglide into the brightly-lit corridor?'' (>>[[#Page 20|PAGE_20]]>>)'''

::'''''Should Beachcomber set off on his own to explore another region of the fortress?'' (>>[[#Page 60|PAGE_60]]>>)'''

:::'''(<<From_[[#Page 64|PAGE_64]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber accompanies Windcharger down the rocky passage...'' {{anchor|Page 11}}(>>PAGE_11>>)''' …soon finding their path blocked by a heavy stone doorway. The two Autobots hear faint Decepticon voices from beyond the door, but cannot tell whether they are coming from directly behind the door, or from farther within the fortress. Windcharger is eager to burst through the door and take the Decepticons by surprise. The hesitant Beachcomber would prefer to return to the storage room and seek another more secretive way into the fortress.

:::'''''Should Beachcomber return to the storage room?'' (>>[[#Page 13|PAGE_13]]>>)'''

:::'''''Should Beachcomber remain with Windcharger?'' (>>[[#Page 24|PAGE_24]]>>)'''

::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 11|PAGE_11]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber leaves Windcharger to return to the storage room.'' {{anchor|Page 13}}(>>PAGE_13>>)''' But Beachcomber is scared of exploring the fortress by himself. Hoping to catch up with Powerglide, he heads back towards the brightly lit corridor. The two Autobots reunite, and commence to explore the fortress carefully. '''(>>[[#Page 20|PAGE_20]]>>)'''

::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 64|PAGE_64]] OR [[#Page 13|PAGE_13]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber and Powerglide explore the corridor...'' {{anchor|Page 20}}(>>PAGE_20>>)''' pausing at each doorway to listen. Finding everything strangely silent, Beachcomber begins to question wether the element of surprise is truly on their side. But Decepticons voices become audible as they duo reach the end of the corridor. Beachcomber and Powerglide pause to listen. {{anchor|Page 16}}'''(PAGE_16)''' They overhear [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] discussing his plan with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. The Decepticon leader plans to wipe humanity off the face of the Earth with the aid of the "[[Destruction Beam]]" and Rumble’s earthquake-inducing abilities; the beam will create a fault line in an area, which will allow Rumble to cause massive destruction within a disaster radius. Once humanity is eradicated, the entire planet with be transformed into a massive laboratory. Afterwards, the Decepticons will return to Cybertron to reclaim as their own. The two Autobots further learn that Center City, the testing ground for this plot, will be reached by the Destruction Beam in one hour, fifty-two minutes, and thirty-seven seconds. {{anchor|Page 17}}'''(PAGE_17)''' Shocked by this discovery, Powerglide and Beachcomber race back to the fortress’s secret entrance, finding Windcharger already there. All three transform and return to Autobot headquarters. Once Optimus is informed of Megatron’s plan, the Autobots decide to split up into two groups. One will be the lead group, formed of the more powerful Autobots, and the other a smaller secondary group. But which group should be sent at which location?

::::'''''Send the lead group be sent to the fortress?'' (>>[[#Page 68|PAGE_68]]>>)'''

::::'''''Should the lead group be sent to Center City?'' (>>[[#Page 36|PAGE_36]]>>)'''

:::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 17|PAGE_17]]<<)''' '''''The Autobots’ lead team is sent to the Decepticons’ fortress.'' {{anchor|Page 68}}(>>PAGE_68>>)''' Amongst them is Optimus, Cosmos, Beachcomber, Brawn and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]. Beachcomber locates the front door to the Decepticons’ fortress, and Brawn prevents them from closing while the Autobots storm the base. Though the Decepticons attempt to counter-attack, the Autobots disable them one by one. Optimus manages to get a hold of Megatron, and forces the Decepticon leader to guide him towards the Decepticons’ lab at gun-point. Beachcomber and Inferno follow them, while the battle continues to rage on behind them. {{anchor|Page 30}}'''(PAGE_30)''' Once inside the lab, Megatron shows them a monitor displaying the Destruction beam’s path towards Central City. Though Megatron ceases to cooperate when Optimus orders him to stop the beam from reaching its target, Beachcomber spots a button that causes the laser to dispel. Optimus declares: "Central City is safe, and the Decepticons are going down in history as a bunch of losers!" before sending the Destruction Beam machine to "robot heaven." The Autobots leave the fortress with Megatron as their prisoner of war, and the remaining Decepticons permanently maimed. The Autobots are later forced to release Megatron, however, in exchange with the safe release of the Autobots that were defeated in Central City while Optimus led the raid on the Decepticon base. Thoug Optimus knows the Decepticons are bound to brew more trouble, for the moment being he is happy to relax and recharge.

:::::'''THE END'''

:::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 17|PAGE_17]]<<)''' '''''The Autobots’ lead team is sent to Central City.'' {{anchor|Page 36}}(>>PAGE_36>>)''' But they must be careful not to surpass the speed limit by too much, lest they bring attention to themselves. Accordingly, Cosmos hides in Optimus Prime’s trailer as they head down the highway. But Cosmos is displeased with this turn of events, and complains that if he can’t even be out in the open while the Autobots travel down a deserted road, for fear of instilling panic in the humans, how will he manage to be of any use once they reach Central City. Optimus considers Cosmos argument, and pulls over to…

:::::'''''Send Cosmos back to the Decepticon fortress to help the secondary team?'' (>>[[#Page 31|PAGE_31]]>>)'''

:::::'''''Assert that Cosmos better stay with the main group?'' (>>[[#Page 37|PAGE_37]]>>)'''

[[File:EarthquakeCosmosspies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 36|PAGE_36]]<<)''' '''''Cosmos is sent to help out the secondary team at the Decepticon fortress.'' {{anchor|Page 31}}(>>PAGE_31>>)''' Using his communicator to ask [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] for directions, he soon happens upon the cliff concealing the Decepticon base. The base’s doors are wide open and the smaller Autobot team is nowhere to be seen, so Cosmos decides to head into the gaping doorway. He pauses before doing so, attempting to reach Smokescreen once again over the communicate to no avail. Cautiously stepping inside, Cosmos hears a door creak open… {{anchor|Page 28}}'''(PAGE_28)''' Hearing voices coming from beyond the creaking door, he ventures within and hides behind a large machine. He beholds [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and Soundwave plotting together. Starscream tells Soundwave of how Megatron has become careless as of late, even forgetting to change the coded lock on his personal chambers. Now Starscream knows how to get in, and exposits how it would be a simple matter for him and Soundwave to lie in wait in their leader’s quarters, ready to ambush when he returns. Soundwave agrees, noting how he could stun their leader with his [[Gamma ray]] and they could usurp Megatron’s leadership of the Decepticons. Having heard enough, Cosmos begins to sneak out of the room, only to bump into Megatron himself. But before Megatron has a chance to attack, Cosmos tells him that he has information which might interest him. Does Megatron...

::::::'''''Hear Cosmos out?'' (>>[[#Page 4|PAGE_4]]>>)'''

::::::'''''Disregard what the Autobot has to say?'' (>>[[#Page 39|PAGE_39]]>>)'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 28|PAGE_28]]<<)''' '''''Megatron pauses to listen to what Cosmos has to say.'' {{anchor|Page 4}}(>>PAGE_4>>)''' Cosmos divulges what he has just heard Starscream and Soundwave say, being sure to put extra drama where it suits him. Megatron is infuriated at these revelations, and strides into the generator room to deal with the traitors. Cosmos hears the entire fortress tremble as Megatron fires his [[Fusion cannon]], and quickly hides when more Decepticons rush by him towards Megatron. Soon, two groups rally in the generator room where Megatron stands, one loyal to Megatron, the other loyal to Soundwave and Starscream. As Cosmos takes off to avoid being caught in the middle of the Decepticon mutiny, he bumps into Sunstreaker, who informs Cosmos that the rest of them have found the Decepticons’ lab. {{anchor|Page 33}}'''(PAGE_33)''' Joining Inferno before the Destruction Beam machine, Cosmos tells the others of what is taking place between Decepticon ranks, and is eager to finish the Decepticons off. But Inferno advises against the lot of them staying, and soon they are all fleeing away from the fortress. Suddenly, the fortress is caught in an enormous explosion, obliterating it. Inferno tells the others that not only they succeeded in halting the Destruction Beams progress towards Central City, but they redirected it to return to its source. The humans never need fear the Decepticons ever again!

:::::::'''THE END'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 28|PAGE_28]]<<)''' '''''Megatron ignores Cosmos’s pleas...'' {{anchor|Page 39}}(>>PAGE_39>>)''' and informs him nothing would dissuade him from blasting the little Autobot. Pressing an alarm on the wall, Megatron calls to him the rest of the Decepticons. Cosmos’s communicator remains silent as well. All seems lost when Cosmos spots [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and half of the secondary team behind him, running down the hallway towards the Decepticons. The other half of the team is rushing down the corridor’s opposite end, surrounding the Decepticons. Though the Autobots want to end the battle quickly to deal with the Destruction Beam, they are forced to stay and fight until the last Decepticon falls. Just then, an ear-shattering roar is emanates down the fortress’s corridors… {{anchor|Page 67}}'''(PAGE_67)''' Rushing outdoors, the Autobots witness a cloud of dust rising from Central City’s remains. Though the Autobots on location fought bravely, once the Destruction Beam reached its target, there was nothing that could stop Rumble from making the city collapse underground. The rest of the Autobots surely perished during their mission. Cosmos and company return within the Decepticon base to destroy the lab therein, but bemoan their pyrrhic victory. At least several powerful enemies have been disposed of, and Megatron no longer has a lab to aid in his attempts at conquest. But the war isn’t over, it’s just beginning.

:::::::'''THE END'''

::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 36|PAGE_36]]<<)''' '''''Optimus assures Cosmos that he should stay with the Autobots’ main team.'' {{anchor|Page 37}}(>>PAGE_37>>)''' The Autobots continue towards Central City, only taking a short detour to pick up [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]], to act as medium between themselves and the humans. Optimus informs Sparkplug about what is going on, and before the Autobots enter Central City, asks Sparkplug which course of action would be wiser to take:

::::::'''''Enter Central City as robots, risking spooking the humans into a panic?'' (>>[[#Page 34|PAGE_34]]>>)'''

::::::'''''Enter Central City as vehicles, limiting the Autobots’ combat effectiveness?'' (>>[[#Page 51|PAGE_51]]>>)'''

[[File:EarthquakeAutobotspanickingtownfolk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 37|PAGE_37]]<<)''' '''''Sparkplug advises the Autobots to enter Central City in their robot modes.'' {{anchor|Page 34}}(>>PAGE_34>>)''' Optimus and his troops enter Central City ignoring the humans’ reactions to their appearance, as they concentrate on spotting any Decepticons in the area. When they fail to see any of their enemies, Optimus decides to speak to the city’s mayor and implore him to evacuate the city. But before they reach City Hall, policemen begin to announce that Central City is under siege by giant robots and that the citizens need to find shelter. {{anchor|Page 63}}'''(PAGE_63)''' Although at first Optimus assumes that the Decepticons are the robots are the ones causing the panic, Cosmos soon figures that the robots "attacking" the city are themselves. The humans panic and run uselessly around in the streets, instead of finding shelter as they were advised. It would be impossible to find the mayor in all of this confusion now. {{anchor|Page 42}}'''(PAGE_42)''' In an attempt to appease the humans, the Autobots transform back into vehicle mode. But they’ve run out of time. The Destruction Beam hits nearby, prompting Rumble to come out of hiding and begin using his seismic abilities in the middle of the street. The resulting fissures swallow up people, cars, streets and buildings. Five Autobots are swallowed up by a gaping chasm that appears suddenly. Then [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] appears overhead, signalling that the Autobots failed to deal with the rest of the Decepticons at the fortress. The earthquakes continue, as the rest of the city, and the last of the Autobots fall into the abyss. After the destruction comes to a halt, Megatron comes forth to inspect his handiwork. With the Autobots out of commission, the Earth is about to become a very unpleasant place for humans.

:::::::'''THE END'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 37|PAGE_37]]<<)''' '''''Sparkplug advises the Autobots to enter Central City in their vehicle modes.'' {{anchor|Page 51}}(>>PAGE_51>>)''' Though Beachcomber doubts they will be able to accomplish much in their vehicle modes, Sparkplug claims otherwise. Being an old friend of the Mayor’s he will seek audience with him, and convince him to evacuate the city. As for the means of the evacuation, it is the Autobots that will provide it. Though they will need to make several trips, the Autobots will ferry the humans out of the city in their vehicle modes. {{anchor|Page 43}}'''(PAGE_43)''' Once inside City Hall, Sparkplug speaks urgently with Mayor Todd. He convinces the mayor that Central City is right on a fault line, and due for an Earthquake at any moment. Soon, every radio station in town is transmitting the evacuation plan to Central City’s residents, and everyone is evacuated in an orderly fashion. Meanwhile, Cosmos scouts high above, on the look-out for approaching Decepticons. As Optimus unloads his last batch at a nearby campsite, Cosmos radios him, letting him know that the Decepticons are approaching. {{anchor|Page 44}}'''(PAGE_44)''' Soon, the Destruction Beams courses down, causing a fault in the city’s foundation. Knowing that this means that the secondary team failed in their objective, the Autobots drive into the city in the hopes of stopping Rumble from completing his mission. {{anchor|Page 72}}'''(PAGE_72)''' The first Decepticons they encounter are Rumble and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. They are quickly picked off by Optimus before more Decepticons arrive. One by one, the Decepticons are downed by the Autobots as they arrive in Central City. As the Decepticons are caught unawares, the battle is won with ease. Once the earthquake is avoided, the Autobots set out for the Decepticons’ fortress, passing by the campground where they dropped off the city’s residents. The humans see the Autobots in their robot modes, but are unafraid, having seen the Autobots’ heroic deeds. They cheer the Autobots on as they head towards the fortress to end the Decepticons once and for all!

:::::::'''THE END'''

::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 11|PAGE_11]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber remains with Windcharger.'' {{anchor|Page 24}}(>>PAGE_24>>)''' Though Windcharger is eager to bust down the door with his magnetic powers, Beachcomber points out a string of numbers written out on a lighted panel above the door:
::::16/21/19/8–18/5/4/—2/21/20/20/15/14
::::Beachcomber surmises that it is a code, and by cracking it they’ll be able to make it through the door. Windcharger admits he’s not great a cracking codes, however. Can [[you]] help them crack it?

::::'''''Yes.'' (>>[[#Page 18|PAGE_18]]>>)'''

::::'''''No.'' (>>[[#Page 65|PAGE_65]]>>)'''

:::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 24|PAGE_24]]<<)''' '''''The Autobots crack the code.'' {{anchor|Page 18}}(>>PAGE_18>>)''' With the puzzle solved, the Autobots open the door {{anchor|Page 25}}'''(PAGE_25)''' and step forth into an elaborate spy station. But the monitors within the room display other rooms within the Decepticons’ fortress. Windcharger reasons that Megatron uses this room to spy on his own troops. Before they investigate further, they hear footstep approaching and hide a bank of computer screens. {{anchor|Page 12}}'''(PAGE_12)''' From their hiding spot, they hear [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] announce that the "Destruction Beam" has just left the lab. Megatron is pleased at the news, and gloats that the Autobots will be unable to stop his plan. Megatron then enters the room alone, shutting the door behind him. Immediately, Windcharger and Beachcomber jump the Decepticon leader, the former disarming him with his magnetic powers. Beachcomber bluffs that the entire fortress is surrounded. He warns Megatron that the entire fortress will be destroyed with them inside unless Megatron orders his troops to surrender. Believing he has no choice, Megatron does so and agrees to show the Autobots where his lab containing the Destruction Beam machine is located. While Windcharger keeps watch over Megatron, Beachcomber quietly sends a message to Optimus for him to send the Autobots over. Central City still stands, but the Decepticons have fallen.

:::::'''THE END'''

:::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 24|PAGE_24]]<<)''' '''''The Autobots are unable to solve the code.'' {{anchor|Page 65}}(>>PAGE_65>>)''' Windcharger impatiently attempts to down the door with his magnetic powers instead, but only manages to make a racket. The two of them flee, but are spotted by Megatron who peers through the door just as they exit the passage. The Decepticon leader retreats back into his spy room, and takes a shortcut to the storage room, soon appearing before the two startled Autobots in his weapon form. {{anchor|Page 66}}'''(PAGE_66)''' The nuclear-charged fusion cannon blasts Windcharger and Beachcomber, leaving little remains in his shot’s wake. Powerglide does not fare much better, as he is soon captured while wandering around the fortress, and reprogrammed to lead the Decepticons back to the Autobots’ headquarters. The Autobots are caught off-guard by the attack, and though they fight well, soon only Optimus Prime remains. Megatron informs his foe that he has no plans to destroy him. Merely… alter him, so that he will become his newest weapon and ally. With his help, Megatron plans to destroy all of Earth’s cities. But Optimus would rather die than join the Decepticons, and with a last effort, initiates the self-destruct sequence for the Autobots’ base. The large explosion annihilates Optimus and all the Decepticons, bringing a sudden end to their war.

:::::'''THE END'''

:::'''(<<From_[[#Page 64|PAGE_64]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber sets out to explore the fortress on his own...'' {{anchor|Page 60}}(>>PAGE_60>>)''' as he watches Powerglide charge recklessly down the lit corridor and Windcharger head back for the rocky passage. He looks around to see nothing but closed doors and more empty corridors. Opening a door, he spots [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] on the other side, and quickly fires at the Decepticon. But Dirge dodges his shot with ease, and stuns Beachcomber with a [[Concussion weapon|concussion missile]].Dirge then proceeds to dismember Beachcomber, and extract the last fifteen minutes of footage from the Autobot’s memory tape. Learning that Powerglide and Windcharger are also in the vicinity, Dirge radios Megatron, who in turn orders the Decepticons to find the other intruders. {{anchor|Page 38}}'''(PAGE_38)''' Powerglide and Windcharger are soon captured and brought before Megatron. After taunting them, Megatron order [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] to dispose of them in whatever gruesome manner he chooses. Then, taking Beachcomber’s communicator, he disguises his voice and sends a request for back-up to Autobot headquarters. Optimus responds quickly, only for him and his troops to be mowed down by the Decepticons. With the Autobots destroyed, nothing can stop the Decepticons from subjugating the Earth.

:::'''THE END'''

:'''(<<From_[[#Page 3|PAGE_3]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber decides to infiltrate the Decepticons’ fortress by himself...'' {{anchor|Page 62}}(>>PAGE_62>>)''' and cautiously steps towards the cliffside. At first he is unsure whether or not the doors will open for him. But as soon as he is in position, the automated doors slide open. Within the fortress, Beachcomber hears a humming sound and spots a dim light in the otherwise dark room. Just as he is enters, he hears humans talking nearby. He wonders if there could possibly be humans working in league with the Decepticons? As he wonders whether or not he should investigate the human voices, the doors to the fortress begin to close. They might not open for him again if he leaves. What to do?

:'''''Investigate the human voices?'' (>>[[#Page 21|PAGE_21]]>>)'''

:'''''Proceed within the Decepticon fortress?'' (>>[[#Page 14|PAGE_14]]>>)'''

::'''(<<From_[[#Page 62|PAGE_62]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber decides to investigate the human voices...'' {{anchor|Page 21}}(>>PAGE_21>>)''' figuring that if the doors opened for him once, they’ll do so again. Transforming into dune buggy mode, he drives towards the human voices, and encounters [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] and [[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]]! Buster recognizes Beachcomber despite the Autobot being in vehicle mode, and exclaims that he’s happy to see him. Jessie explains that they were exploring when they discovered the Decepticons’ fortress. Buster elaborates that they discovered a secret passage that lead within, and overheard Megatron explaining to his troops how he plans to take over the world. {{anchor|Page 22}}'''(PAGE_22)''' The Decepticons’ plan involves [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] firing the "Destruction Beam" from a lab hidden in the cliff. Afterwards, the Decepticons will employ Rumble’s seismic abilities to enlarge to fissure that the beam will create, causing a massive earthquake. Jessie further explains the beam will be tested on Central City in about an hour and a half. With this information, Beachcomber tells the two humans to hop in so he can drive them back to Autobot headquarters. But soon, Ramjet in vehicle mode appears overhead and starts attacking Beachcomber. Ramjet then transforms and quickly scoops up Jessie, flying off with her as a hostage. Beachcomber wants to proceed to Autobot headquarters to get help, but Buster pleads for him to go after Ramjet and rescue Jessie.

::'''''Should Beachcomber return to the Decepticon fortress and attempt to rescue Jessie?'' (>>[[#Page 26|PAGE_26]]>>)'''

::'''''Should Beachcomber continue back to the Autobots’ base and ask for help?'' (>>[[#Page 32|PAGE_32]]>>)'''

:::'''(<<From_[[#Page 22|PAGE_22]]<<)''' '''''Buster convinces Beachcomber to go after Jessie.'' {{anchor|Page 26}}(>>PAGE_26>>)''' Beachcomber reasons that they wouldn’t be able to reach Autobot headquarters and return in an hour-and-a-half anyways. But he explains to Buster that he can’t take the fortress’s main entrance, as the Decepticons will now be expecting them. Buster reassures Beachcomber that he found the secret entrance to the Decepticons’ base once, and he’ll do so again. Once before the secret entrance, Beachcomber transforms. {{anchor|Page 27}}'''(PAGE_27)''' Venturing within, the two of them soon hear Decepticon voices, along with Jessie’s. Buster insists they follow the voices, but Beachcomber would rather hide.

:::'''''Follow the voices?'' (>>[[#Page 46|PAGE_46]]>>)'''

:::'''''Find a hiding place?'' (>>[[#Page 49|PAGE_49]]>>)'''

[[File:EarthquakeJessieKidnapped.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 27|PAGE_27]]<<)''' '''''At Buster’s insistance, Beachcomber agrees to follow the Decepticon voices.'' {{anchor|Page 46}}(>>PAGE_46>>)''' They soon spot Soundwave and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] locking Jessie away in a dark cell. Once the Decepticons leave, Buster and Beachcomber come out of hiding. {{anchor|Page 70}}'''(PAGE_70)''' Beachcomber and Buster reassure Jessie that they will get her out, and use a miniature laser from Beachcomber’s armament to cut open a hole in the solid steel door to Jessie’s cell. Once freed, Jessie is pleased to announce she has learned that the controls for the Destruction Beam are nearby. She is keen on finding them and save Central City. But despite their best efforts, the three of them cannot find the lab in the maze-like corridors. Pulling the humans aside, Beachcomber explains that they’re better off getting help than running around fruitlessly. {{anchor|Page 48}}'''(PAGE_48)''' Soon they are back at Autobot headquarters, where Mirage devises a plan. Beachcomber and Mirage return to the fortress, and use the secret entrance to sneak inside once more. Once there, they use Mirage’s holographic abilities to trick a passing Buzzsaw into thinking that the fortress is overrun with Autobots. After pushing an alarm, Buzzsaw rushes to the lab to guard it, but is followed by the two Autobots. Now having reached their target, the Autobots overpower Buzzsaw and destroy the lab, along with the Destruction Beam machine. The deed accomplish, the two Autobots rush outside to safety while the Decepticons scramble to defend themselves an enemy army that isn’t there.

::::'''THE END'''

::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 27|PAGE_27]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber convinces Buster that they should hide...'' {{anchor|Page 49}}(>>PAGE_49>>)''' …and the voices soon fade into the distance. But once they are alone, both Beachcomber and Buster come to realize that they have no plan to get themselves out of this situation. Nonetheless, Beachcomber tells Buster that if they work together, they will be able to figure something out. {{anchor|Page 56}}'''(PAGE_56)''' Creeping out of their hiding place, Buster opens a nearby door slowly, only to be met by Ramjet once again. Having the duo cornered, Ramjet advances menacingly onto them. But Beachcomber tricks the dim-witted Decepticon into looking away by telling Buster other Autobots are coming down the corridor now. Once Ramjet is distracted, Beachcomber shoves his way past the Decepticon, and races off with Buster. {{anchor|Page 40}}'''(PAGE_40)''' But neither Buster or Beachcomber can find their way in the Decepticons’ maze-like fortress, and soon Megatron, Dirge, Starscream and Ramjet are all bearing down upon them. Taking the Autobot and the human prisoners, Megatron escorts the pair at gun-point to his laboratory. {{anchor|Page 7}}'''(PAGE_7)''' Megatron forces the two of them to watch a monitor displaying the beam’s progress as it hits Central City, signalling its doom. Megatron gloats of his victory before he pulls his trigger, firing upon his helpless prisoners.

::::'''THE END'''

:::'''(<<From_[[#Page 22|PAGE_22]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber drives back to Autobot base, despite Buster’s protests.'' {{anchor|Page 32}}(>>PAGE_32>>)''' Beachcomber explains that the Decepticons are unlikely to harm Jessie, as she is far more useful to them alive than dead, though Buster is still sour towards Beachcomber for his decision. Once at their headquarters, Beachcomber explains what has taken place to the Autobots, provoking a particularly strong emotional response from Brawn. Optimus leads over two-dozen Autobots back to the hills where the Decepticons’ secret fortress is located. {{anchor|Page 45}}'''(PAGE_45)''' Before reaching their destination, Optimus explains two possible course of action; either storm the front entrance by force, or sneak into the base using the secret entrance Buster and Jessie found. [Choose a number between one and ten.]

:::'''''If you chose an even number, go to:'' (>>[[#Page 57|PAGE_57]]>>)'''

:::'''''If you chose an odd number, go to:'' (>>[[#Page 54|PAGE_54]]>>)'''

::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 45|PAGE_45]]<<)''' '''''[You chose an even number]'' {{anchor|Page 57}}(>>PAGE_57>>)''' The Autobots choose to storm the fortress through the front door. But just as Beachcomber steps before the cliffside and the doors slide open, he hesitates. Turning back, he whines to Optimus Prime that they shouldn’t fight, and that violence only begets more violence. Optimus groans at Beachcomber’s inopportune timing, but before he can issue another order, Megatron’s voice booms through the doorway. He claims that the Autobots are within the sights of an enormous Decepticon arsenal! {{anchor|Page 58}}'''(PAGE_58)''' But the Autobots have no intention of surrendering, and fight valiantly. Unfortunately, the Decepticons are on familiar turf, and soon either slay or take prisoner all of the Autobots. Basking in his victory, Megatron invites the rest of the Decepticons to come observe the destruction of Central City. He then explains to his troops that this is only the beginning. Soon, every city on Earth will fall the Destruction Beam!

::::'''THE END'''

::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 45|PAGE_45]]<<)''' '''''[You chose an odd number]'' {{anchor|Page 54}}(>>PAGE_54>>)''' The Autobots choose a stealthier approach, and let Buster lead them to the secret entrance. Once inside, Optimus instructs to attack any Decepticons they see, save Megatron, who he wants captured alive. The Autobots break up into small groups and start storming the entire fortress. One of these groups, composed of Sunstreaker, Beachcomber, Brawn, Buster and lead by Optimus himself soon find themselves in a lighted hallway lined with locked doors on either side. {{anchor|Page 71}}'''(PAGE_71)''' Before they proceed, Optimus explains that they need to focus their efforts on finding the Decepticons’ lab first. They are then accosted by Buzzsaw, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and Ramjet. After a brief scuffle, the Decepticons are incapacitated, but so is Sunstreaker. Optimus sadly reasons that they need to leave him behind for now, and the squadron continues to search for the lab. They come to a branch in the hallway, and must choose to go either left or right. [You must flip a coin]

::::'''If the coin comes up heads, the Autobots take the right passageway.'' (>>[[#Page 55|PAGE_55]]>>)'''

::::'''If the coin comes up tails, the Autobots take the left passageway.'' (>>[[#Page 52|PAGE_52]]>>)'''

:::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 71|PAGE_71]]<<)''' '''''The Autobots take the right passageway...'' {{anchor|Page 55}}(>>PAGE_55>>)''' and begin heading down a corridor that seems to lead nowhere. Though there are no doors for a long stretch of the corridor, the Autobots begin to hear a faint voice as they proceed down the hallway. It’s Jessie! Finally finding themselves before a large door, Optimus breaks it down freeing the human from Decepticon captivity. Jessie tumbles into Buster’s arms, and informs the Autobots that she knows where the lab is! She leads the squad to a small red door, and tells them the controls to the Destruction Beam are within. But when the Autobots bust down the door, they find themselves surrounded by Decepticons! Megatron congratulate on her work! {{anchor|Page 50}}'''(PAGE_50)''' Jessie has been brainwashed by the Decepticons, and lead them into a trap, all according to Megatron’s plan! Taking away the Autobots’ communicators, Megatron sends Jessie out again to lure more Autobots into his trap. All the while, Optimus observes through a monitor the Destruction Beam coming into contact with Central City. Megatron takes note of this, and proudly announces that Rumble will soon be on location to finish the city in an earthquake. Megatron then orders Starscream to lock-up the Autobots. At least they aren’t being deactivated. Maybe Optimus will be able to formulate a plan? If not, this is truly…

:::::'''THE END'''

:::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 71|PAGE_71]]<<)''' '''''The Autobots take the left passageway...'' {{anchor|Page 52}}(>>PAGE_52>>)''' and soon come upon a huge door marked "LAB." A precocious Beachcomber uses his sensors to detect what awaits them behind the door. He discovers that beyond the doorway, there is nothing. A drop of at least 100 feet. A trap. Buster then spots another door hidden in the shadows, which Optimus surmises is probably the true laboratory. Calling for six more Autobots as back up first, then blasts open the hidden door. As Optimus had guessed, this is the real lab! Brawn quickly dispatches the three Decepticons within. Then, Megatron strides in, only to encounter the wrong end of Optimus Prime’s laser rifle. Optimus instructs Megatron not to move, lest the Decepticon leader wishes to be blown to bits. {{anchor|Page 59}}'''(PAGE_59)''' Optimus demands to know how to halt the Destruction Beam’s progress. Megatron points him to a red button, but Optimus catches Megatron smiling just as he is about to push it. Optimus guesses that the button would most likely activate a self-destruct sequence, and demands once more how to stop the Destruction Beam. Megatron in turn screams that he will never give Optimus that information. But Megatron betrays his intentions once more, as Optimus notices the Decepticon is staring towards a lever across the room. Optimus instructs to pull the lever, and the beam is finally disarmed. Hours later, the Decepticons have all been defeated and deactivated, and Jessie has been rescued. The Autobots later celebrate by guzzling a few quarts of fine-grade [[oil]]. Buster and Jessie enjoy super-fudge ice cream sundaes instead.

:::::'''THE END'''

[[File:EarthquakeBeachcomberdisassembled.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
::'''(<<From_[[#Page 62|PAGE_62]]<<)''' '''''Beachcomber proceeds within the Decepticon fortress...'' {{anchor|Page 14}}(>>PAGE_14>>)''' and makes it within just as the doors close behind him. But as he rushes into the fortress, he finds Buzzsaw waiting for him! In an instant, Beachcomber is torn to pieces by the Decepticon! Then [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] emerges from the shadows, and further dismantles the Autobot. He soon finds Beachcomber’s memory circuits, and then carries what is left of the Autobot to Megatron. After extracting all the useful information they can find from Beachcomber’s mind, the Decepticons hatch a new plan… {{anchor|Page 19}}'''(PAGE_19)''' Megatron calls for [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and instructs them to rebuild Beachcomber, with one modification. He hands the Constructicon two nearly identical chips; one being the Autobot’s original mind, the other a "Destructicon" chip. Megatron explains that the alternate chip will render Beachcomber the perfect undercover agent. However, when the time comes to reinsert Beachcomber’s memory chip, the bungling Constructicons mistakenly put the original one back in! Later, Beachcomber returns to Autobot headquarters, and informs Optimus of all that has transpired. Beachcomber also tells Optimus of all the plans that Megatron shared with him! With Beachcomber as the perfect reverse-double-agent, the Autobots are sure to defeat the Decepticons quickly!

::'''THE END'''
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|nonumbering=true
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]

|c2=
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
* [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]]
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]

|c3=
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]
* [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]]
* [[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]]
* [[Mayor Todd]]
}}

==Notes==
* Ann Matthews is a pseudonym of Ann M. Martin, who is known for creating The Baby-Sitters Club series.
* One of the vanishingly few appearances of Jesse (here spelled "Jessie") outside of Marvel Comics.
* Beachcomber is armed with a gun that shoots bullets. It's not especially effective, at least against the [[conehead]]s.
**Though they're never depicted as coneheads here, thanks to being toy/box-art based.
* Beachcomber's brain functions involve "memory tape". That's apparently standard for this micro-continuity-nexus, since Dirge is able to replay it (exactly how isn't explained; Soundwave and the cassettes aren't around) to gather intel after disassembling him. Dirge specifically replays "the last 15 minutes", implying he considers that the equivalent of Transformer short-term memory. This also implies that a Transformer's brain is much larger here than in most major continuities.
* Ratchet and Laserbeak are mentioned by other characters, but don't appear in a story path proper.
* This book was available individually, or as part of a six-book box set with the other five "pre-Movie era" books in the series.
===Errors===
* On page 62, there is a typo; "Quick" is mispelt as "Ouick."

==External links==
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_item.php?id=1147 Earthquake on Demian's Gamebook Web Page]

*[https://toyhax.com/FYF/ Screenshot of Ann M. Martin confirming that she wrote this issue]
[[Category:Generation 1 multipath adventures]]

Earthquake (book)

2023-12-18T17:49:14Z

Delta Star: /* Notes */

Talk:Earthquake (book)

2023-12-18T17:47:34Z

Delta Star: Ann M. Martin is Ann Matthews

I have confirmed that the author, Ann Matthews, is in fact Ann M. Martin, who is know for creating the series called The Baby-Sitters Club. Proof is here: https://toyhax.com/FYF/

Talk:N.R.G.

2014-05-17T01:27:18Z

Delta Star:

I have a CD I got from Ernie that spells his name "Petrangelo", not "Petragelo".--[[User:Delta Star|Delta Star]] ([[User talk:Delta Star|talk]]) 21:27, 16 May 2014 (EDT)

----

Walky, I can understand your need for "comedy gold" but when it gets in the way of good, clean articles I don't agree with it. I'm willing to discuss this with you, though, rather than just going on a revert war with you. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 03:21, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
:We can fix it later. Let this linger first. __[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 03:22, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
:Was it really written by NRG? --[[User:Might Gaine|Might Gaine]] 03:23, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
::It'd have to have been. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 03:27, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
::Dude. Who ''else'' would have done that? I think the article should stay like this. It's entirely fitting for the subject at hand... hilariously and ineptly self-aggrandizing. --03:27, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
:::A friend of the band? A rabid NRG fan? A crazy person making stuff up? I dunno. --[[User:Might Gaine|Might Gaine]] 03:29, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
:::You'd think if this WERE NRG, they'd have started with Wikipedia (where they still do not have an article) and not the TF Wiki. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 03:32, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
::::It's a cut-n-paste from [http://www.area403.net/nrg.html here]. And hey, NRG knows where his greatest claim to fame is, maybe? -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 03:34, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
:::::That's a tad disappointing --[[User:Might Gaine|Might Gaine]] 03:36, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
::::::Soothe your sadness by knowing that some punk band actually ripped off some of the verbage for their MySpace page: [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=123442799 hahahahaha] -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 03:39, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
:::::::What really makes me smile is their name :) --[[User:Might Gaine|Might Gaine]] 03:42, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
:::::So why not just put their site in the external links and keep something of quality on here? --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 03:43, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
::::::That would suggest we actually had things of quality to begin with :D --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 05:30, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
::::::Uh, yeah. ''Quality'' on a page for NRfuckingG? The only thing of quality is the pointing and laughing at them. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 06:15, 21 March 2008 (UTC)

Rampage (BW)

2010-11-13T20:45:55Z

Delta Star: /* Toy Bio */

{{factions|predacon|maximal}}

{{disambig3|Rampage}}
:''Rampage is a [[Transmetal]] [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Triple Changer]] from the [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:BWRampage Badspark.jpg|right|450px|thumb|I ate his spark with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.]]
'''Rampage''' (also known as '''Protoform X''') is the awful result of scientific experimentation gone awry. He is a serial killer and cannibal, with an immortal [[spark]] that ensures his twisted brand of horror and misery will live on as long as he does (forever, presumably). Rampage detects and draws strength from the emotions of others, literally feeding on the pain and suffering he causes. As an unwilling conscript of the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], he is contemptuous (at best) of the rest of his team, typically bored and uncooperative on missions, and he frequently sneaks off for his own purposes to try to relieve his boredom in the most cruel and horrible ways possible.

{{bigquote|Is that fear you are feeling, Maximal? Yes... my spark feeds on terror. Let it grow! Let it consume your circuitry! Feel it, yes, feel it! Feel the fear!|Rampage, "[[Bad Spark]]"}}

:''French name (Canada):'' '''Furibo'''
:''Italian name:'' '''Granchior'''
:''Spanish name:'' '''Rampante''' ("Rampant")
:''Polish name'': '''Pieniacz''' ("Litigant")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil):'' '''Violência'''("Violence", except for the episode "[[Optimal Situation]]")

==Fiction==
===Toy Bio===
If Rampage's titanic size and psychopathic tendencies weren't horrifying enough, he is also capable of generating tidal waves, inducing earthquakes, triggering landslides and unleashing deadly electrical discharges. With this immense arsenal available to him, he prefers to use his gatling cannon as a way to finish off his opponents. {{storylink|Rampage (BW)#Toys|Rampage toy bio}}

===Cartoon Continuity===
====Dawn of Future's Past====
[[Image:Protoformxcargo.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The Maximals should consider making their scandalous super-secret projects a little smaller.]]
While preparing for a deep-space exploration mission, the Maximal crew of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' stopped for a few weeks at a space station. Here, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] helped acquire a mysterious complement to their cargo, a very large [[protoform]] branded with an X. The ''Axalon'' was ordered to dispose of "Protoform X" on a barren moon somewhere in the [[Alpha Quadrant]]. However, before its captain, [[Optimus Primal]], was able to explain the circumstances fully to his crew, they were suddenly under even newer orders to pursue a stolen [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] ship, the ''[[Darksyde]]''. Subsequently, the ''Axalon'' followed the ''Darksyde'' through a [[transwarp]] portal and crash-landed on a mysterious planet. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past|Dawn of Future's Past}}
{{-}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Campbell Lane]] (English), [[Nobuyuki Hiyama]] (Japanese), [[Gilberto Baroli]] (Portuguese)

[[Image:BWRampage Badspark thepast.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This is a great way to work out.]]
Protoform X was a [[Maximal]] experiment to recreate [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's]] mutant, immortal [[Spark]]. Though arguably successful in this regard, the creation was unstable. {{storylink|Bad Spark}} In point of fact, he was criminally insane. He destroyed [[Colony Omicron]], killing all of its inhabitants save a lone security officer, [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]], who eventually tracked him down and captured him - but not before Protoform X destroyed [[Starbase Rugby]] and ''devoured'' an unknown number of the inhabitants. {{storylink|Deep Metal}} The [[Maximal Elder|Maximal Elders]] had Protoform X placed into a [[stasis pod]] aboard an exploration vessel, the ''Axalon''. They instructed its commander, Optimus Primal, to dump him on some barren world in deep space.

Protoform X was among the stasis pods jettisoned by Optimus when the ''Axalon'' was damaged by [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron's]] Predacons, and only fell out of orbit far into the Beast Wars. Battle near his stasis pod shocked him into activation, and he promptly set out to terrorize all nearby Transformers, rending [[Tarantulas]] limb from limb and stalking [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. (All right, whose bright idea was it to allow the homicidal maniac to keep his weapons!?) X seemed unstoppable at first, but when one of Silverbolt's missiles jammed his tank treads as he climbed up a mountainside, he lost his grip and tumbled down the rock face in pieces.

[[Image:CodeofHero Rampage tankmode.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Attack my weak point for massive damage.]]
As Protoform X lay immobilized, Megatron arrived and, using a blade of pure [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], removed a portion of his indestructible spark. Megatron then had him brought back to the Predacon base and repaired. When X attempted to turn his weapons on his "savior", Megatron revealed that he held half of X's spark in a special cage lined with energon crystals, allowing him to torture the beast at will. Megatron thus welcomed him into the Predacon fold, dubbing him "Rampage". {{storylink|Bad Spark}}

Rampage made no secret of his hatred for his new "master", anticipating the arrival of Maximal reinforcements from Cybertron, and the demise Megatron would surely receive as a result. Megatron had other plans in motion, using Rampage's weaponry to destroy a mountain, proving that the future recorded on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] was mutable. Rampage's services were further pressed into use when the Predacons assaulted a valley full of [[protohuman]]s, however his contribution came to an end when [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] forcibly inserted [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] into his main gun with predictable results. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}

{{quote|None shall hurt you now. Come with me, come. I will protect you... I am your friend. Your only friend.|Rampage convinces Transmutate to follow him, "[[Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate]]"}}

[[Image:BWTransmutate Rampage mourning.jpg|right|280px|thumb|"Alas, poor Transmutate..."]]

Though a violent sociopath, Rampage was not without compassion. After an attempt by him to regain his spark fragment failed, Rampage encountered a twisted protoform which he dubbed [[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]]. He quickly befriended it and attempted to have it inducted into the Predacons. Though Megatron ordered the creature destroyed, Rampage persevered with trying to make it a useful addition to the Predacon forces. He became possessive enough to viciously fight with [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] over it. When Transmutate was killed by this fight, Rampage bellowed in grief. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

Rampage was a major component of the assault on the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' when it appeared as though the Maximals were going to receive reinforcements from Cybertron. The Predacons were driven off by an invisible force — the cloaked [[Transwarp cruiser]] flown by [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. The cruiser would later be a part of a strike on the Predacon base, during which Rampage unleashed a barrage of missiles on it. Ravage judged the attack "impressive", and responded by using the ship's weapons to blow Rampage to pieces. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} Rampage, of course, survived to lead yet another attack on the ''Axalon''. [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] rode triumphantly into battle on back of Rampage's tank mode... until an auto-gun knocked him off, and Rampage uncaringly drove straight over him. The battle ended when [[Rattrap]] took out the Transwarp cruiser — Rampage managed to outrun the crashing ship and laughed in triumph... only for the still-armed missile on top of the ship to launch in his face. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

At Megatron's call to arms, a badly-charred Rampage managed to pull himself together and began trying to pull the ''Axalon'' from its perch, with the aid of a large number of [[arachnoid]]s. He finally met his match in battle when the newly-reformatted Optimus Primal attacked him. The huge Maximal leader simply shoved him aside, but Rampage had the last laugh as his deflected missile sent the Maximal base plunging into the lake. Cackling, Rampage disappeared into the lake after it. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}

[[Image:Changing Guard Rampage Depthcharge.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Oh, BABY!]]
Later, Depth Charge arrived on prehistoric Earth with the single-minded goal of destroying Rampage. Rampage was beside himself with joy, eager for revenge on his old "playmate". Depth Charge's loss at Colony Omicron had embittered him, and Rampage used this emotional wound to torment the Maximal. In the end, Depth Charge got the upper hand, and may well have ended the feud then and there, but for the intervention of Quickstrike, which allowed Rampage to sneak away and destroy Depth Charge's ship. {{storylink|Deep Metal|Deep Metal}} Rampage soon met his old enemy again when Rattrap descended to the bottom of the lake to retrieve the [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]] module from the wreckage of the ''Axalon''. Depth Charge had the upper hand in the battle, but Rampage escaped death when [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] argued with Depth Charge over his commitment to the Maximals. {{storylink|Changing of the Guard}}

When Megatron created [[Dinobot II]], he used Rampage's spark fragment to form the core of the new Predacon, who likewise retained the ability torture Rampage into continued loyalty with it. Naturally, Rampage was filled with fury and disgust at sharing his spark with a '[[Relatives|half brother]]'. Dinobot was able to use the spark fragment to keep Rampage in line, and the two "brothers" took part in the interrogation of Depth Charge after the [[Transmetal driver]] went missing. When they were attacked by a [[Cheetor (BW)|strange feral beast]], Rampage and Dinobot inadvertently blasted each other. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 1}}

[[Image:BWNemesisPt1 DepthCharge Rampage.jpg|right|250px|thumb|THERE CAN BE ONLY...NONE!]]
Rampage would go on to have a second clash with Silverbolt, targeting him when he was filled with grief and rage over Blackarachnia's death; he'd have killed him easily if Blackarachnia hadn't suddenly become alive again and beaten him up. {{storylink|Crossing the Rubicon}} He almost got his revenge when Megatron deliberately gave Blackarachnia to him, and was clearly having fun torturing her before she was able to overpower him. {{storylink|Master Blaster}} Following [[Tigerhawk]]'s destruction of the Predacon base, Rampage and Dinobot were blown away by one strike from the [[Vok]] emissary. {{storylink|Other Victories}}

While Megatron was retrieving the submerged [[Decepticon]] craft ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', Depth Charge met Rampage in battle one last time on the ocean floor. At the battle's climax, Rampage allowed Depth Charge to kill him with a shard of raw Energon, resulting in a fantastic explosion which destroyed both. Rampage won even in death, laughing maniacally in triumph as Depth Charge made the final, stabbing blow. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}
{{--}}

====''Tales from the Beast Wars''====
{{Note|This fiction takes place after "[[Master Blaster]]."}}
A temporal distortion drew the attention of both the Maximals and Predacons to a remote canyon, where Rampage and his fellow Predacons met their foes. The Maximals were losing, having been fought into a corner, when suddenly the battle was interrupted. The [[Dark Essence]], the source of the temporal distortion, had possessed the newcomer [[Windrazor (BW)|Windrazor]] with the life force of [[Unicron]]. Rampage and the others were immobilized by Windrazor/Unicron's psionic force blasts, and the merged creature advanced on the Maximals. {{storylink|Herald, Covenant, Schism, Paradox}}

These events would soon be retroactively erased from Rampage's timeline with the efforts of the legendary [[Covenant]]. {{storylink|Terminus}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
He's a Frankenstein's monster-like thing.
He ate Primal's head. It's okay, Primal had a spare.
One more thing. The head Rampage ate had a bomb in its mouth. Idiot.

==Games==
===''Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals'' video game===
{{Note|Rampage is only a playable character in the Playstation version of this game.}}
{{note|This game takes place in an alternate version of the second season of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]] cartoon.}}
Rampage participates in a extensive one-on-one beatdown involving nearly every active participant of the Beast Wars. {{storylink|Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
[[Image:BW Rampage toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A [[Seafood Louis]] eater's worst nightmare.]]
*'''Rampage''' (Ultra Transmetal, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-41'''
**''Accessories:'' Spring-loaded triple barrel missile launcher, 3 missiles and 1 rifle

:Rampage transforms into a Transmetal king crab with a tank mode that includes rubber treads. In beast mode, he features fully articulated crab legs and pincers that can open, close and be posed in a variety of angles through the use of ratcheting joints. His triple-barreled Gatling missile launcher is stored on the underside of the beast mode, with its barrels flipping to the front during vehicle mode. In this tank mode, the crab legs fit together to form a road wheel network for Rampage's rubber treads to fit over so he can roll upon them. Rolling the tank activates the wheel in the missile launcher, firing any or all of the three missiles that can store in it.

:In robot mode, Rampage is an imposingly large figure with a decent level of articulation due to his ball joints, but because he wears most of his beast mode as a sort of backpack, he is quite back-heavy. His (very) small laser rifle and his triple-barreled launcher can be held in both of his hands. There were two releases of the toy, one with face colors accurate with the show and another with an orange colored face (seen to the right).

:The location of four of the crab legs in the show is not accurate to the toy; the show has the legs on the shoulder pads, whereas the toy situates the legs on Rampage's arms (which mean they are rather cumbersome).

[[Image:Rampage-backofthebox.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Despite the terror claws, not a gangsta.]]
:Back-of-the-box art for Rampage gives technical designations to some of his robot mode parts; they include "terror claws", armor plating, and the ever-dreaded [[Galva-conductor|galva-conductors]].

:The Japanese version features noticeably different colors, including a more extensive use of silver deco on the robot chest and head, a deeper and more intense red "X" on the crab carapace, and most impressively, the robot head and limbs are now made from translucent blood-red plastic instead of opaque orange.

: This toy was later [[Redeco|redecoed]] into the [[BotCon 2000]]-[[exclusive]] [[Shokaract]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Predacon/Rampage/rampage.htm More information on Rampage at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

==Notes==
* According to the series background materials published in the ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]'' guidebook, Rampage's body was supposed to have been constructed out of leftover G1-era [[Reproduction|technology]] seen in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] due to the lack of know-how for protoform technology. How this jibes with his status as "Protoform X" is anyone's guess.
* In some episodes, Rampage's robot-mode mouth is animated as an actual hole in his face; in others the external mouthplates are shown to be in front of a greenish solid construct that looks like an extension of his eyes.
* Some fans are split on how to interpret Rampage's death; he is clearly shown to let go of the energon shard that killed him prior to being stabbed with it, to which Depth Charge reacted in surprise. Because of this, some fans feel this means Rampage, knowing he couldn't win the struggle, allowed himself to be impaled in order to end his torturous existence (and laughing in the giddy euphoria of oblivion), while others believe he deliberately let go to test whether or not Depth Charge would go through with his threat of ending his life, his laughter instead being taken as solace in the knowledge that Depth Charge's obsession with him had successfully corrupted him into the same kind of monster he wanted to kill. Or, Rampage could just be batshit insane.
* No explanation is ever given for why energon suddenly kills Rampage, even though Megatron's been poking his spark with it ever since he appeared. Although the fact the energon was unstable may have had something to do with it.
* Also, the difference between the splitting (and subsequent torturing) of Rampage's spark, and Depth Charge's fateful blow may be seen to be the same as the difference between surgery and hacking at someone with a sword, with the same difference in results.

[[Category:Maximals]]
[[Category:Predacons]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Phyllis Craig

2010-11-06T14:41:15Z

Delta Star:

Phyllis Craig (1929 - 1997) was a proffessional color designer. She was responsible for creating the color schemes used in the G1 cartoon and movie. She was credited in the TFTM credits.

http://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.4/awm2.4pages/2.4tributecraig.html

Phyllis Craig

2010-11-06T14:38:23Z

Delta Star: New page: Phyllis Craig was responsible for creating the color schemes used in the G1 cartoon and movie. She was credited in the TFTM credits.

Phyllis Craig was responsible for creating the color schemes used in the G1 cartoon and movie. She was credited in the TFTM credits.