{{faction|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Blitzwing}}
:''Blitzwing is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Bumblebee (franchise)|Bumblebee]] portion of the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[File:Bumblebee-Blitzwing-concept.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Midway presents...'''NFL BLLLLLLLLLLLITZ!''']]

Though his nature varies between a [[Triple Changer|triple changer]] and a [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]], '''Blitzwing''' is just another Decepticon who holds a grudge against [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]].
==Fiction==
===''Bumblebee Movie Prequel''===
During the Great War, Blitzwing functioned as [[Diabla (BB)|Diabla]]'s handler during her stint as an Autobot spy, being the one who ultimately had her return to her faction. A later encounter with the Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ended in a humiliated Blitzwing being left for dead and swearing revenge on the scout. Several thousand years later, Blitzwing made his way to [[Earth]] during the [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]] and fell under the command of [[Malignus (BB)|Malignus]].

In [[1964]], Blitzwing reunited with Bumblebee in [[London]] and eagerly began exacting his revenge. Unable to match the Triple Changer's strength, Bumblebee was forced to detonate a gas main and flee underground. The encounter with his thought-dead foe led to Bumblebee erroneously believing that Blitzwing was in charge of the Decepticon forces on Earth, only realizing his error when Blitzwing appeared among Malignus's troops. {{storylink|Energon Is Forever}}

Unfortunately, Malignus' master plan began going sideways when Diabla suddenly turned on the Decepticons by saving Bumblebee from a [[Sharkticon (BB)|Sharkticon]]. With [[Runabout (BB)|Runabout]] hit by [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]] and [[Astrotrain (DOTM)|Astrotrain]] fleeing the battle out of disgust for Malignus' leadership. He was almost succeeded in killing her before Bumblebee tackled him, throwing off his aim and accidentally striking the nuclear warhead fired by Malignus. Blitzwing tried to use the chaos to fire at the unsuspecting Bumblebee only for [[P.R.O.G.R.A.M.M.E.]] agent [[David Reeve]] to warn his friend in time, the blast instead hitting Dead End. Using Dead End's body as a shield, Blitzwing was able to survive the base's collapse and flew off into the night, being hunted by Bumblebee for the next two decades. {{storylink|From Cybertron with Love}}

===''Bumblebee'' film===
{{spoiler|Bumblebee (film)|January 21, 2019}}
[[File:BumblebeeMovie-Blitzwing-flies.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|You thought I was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], BUT IT WAS I, BLITZWING!]]
{{voiceactor|[[David Sobolov]] (English)}}
When the Autobot scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)|B-127]] was cornered by a brigade of [[Sector 7]] troops led by [[Jack Burns|Agent Burns]], Blitzwing, in the form of an [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] jet, took his chance to swoop in. While the humans were confused by the arrival of the Air Force, Bumblebee recognized the jet for a Decepticon and warned the humans to run. Blitzwing didn't give them the chance and bombarded Autobot and humans alike with missiles. Blitzwing then transformed to attack Bumblebee directly and mostly had the upper hand thanks to his flight capabilities, but took damage to his flight systems when the Autobot fought back.

This wasn't enough to down him, however, and the [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]] subdued the scout and dangled him over a cliff as he interrogated him about Optimus Prime's whereabouts. When the scout refused to answer and defiantly asserted that he would "never speak", an enraged Blitzwing tore his voice synthesizer out and threw him off the cliff. The Decepticon then prepared to execute the "traitor", but was taken by surprise when the Autobot tore a missile from his arm and jammed it in his chest. Blitzwing only had a moment to comprehend this and try to pull the explosive out before B-127 kicked himself away from him and fired upon the missile, detonating it and blowing him to pieces. {{storylink|Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee}}
{{note|Blitzwing's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novel “[[Transformers: Bumblebee: The Junior Novel]]”.}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Bumblebee===
[[File:Bumblebee-Energon-Igniters-Power-Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|300px|"The name's Lobo. That's L as in "Lacerate", O as in "Obliterate", B as in "disem- Bowel" and O as in, uh... Well, I guess I can use "Obliterate" twice, huh?"]]
*'''Blitzwing''' (Power Series, [[2018]])
:Blitzwing is a redeco of the [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] figure from the Energon Igniters line. The figure's head has been retooled to match the CGI design, but the choice of military-green for the tank mode makes for a rather inaccurate robot mode. As an Energon Igniter, he can interact with the Cores included with other toys in the line.

{{-}}{{anchor|Nitro}}
[[File:Bumblebee-Energon-Igniters-Nitro-Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Blitzwing''' (Nitro Series, [[2019]])

:[[Transformers: Bumblebee (toyline)#Nitro Series|Nitro Series]] Blitzwing is a voyager-sized mold that transforms from robot into a different jet plane that is not the Mcdonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. He also comes with his own Igniter Core, which allows his jet to zip through smooth surfaces.

:Some samples [[:File:TF-BB-Crazy-Face-Nitro-Blitzwing.jpg|feature a newly tooled face]] that is reminiscent to his [[Blitzwing (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart's]] crazy face, which indicates a possible redeco/retool of the mold. It was unclear if this was an error or a genuine variant.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*When the first trailer for the ''Bumblebee'' movie was released, many assumed that this very [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]-y looking Decepticon, who features many design and transformation elements lifted from the original Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] bodytype and the classic red and grey/white colours of the [[Starscream (G1)|original Starscream]], was... well, Starscream. A synopsis for the film posted on the official Viacom blog even referred to the treacherous Decepticon by name<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/06/20/paramount-reveals-the-possible-identity-of-the-mysterious-seeker-from-transformers-bumblebee-movie-366024 "Paramount Reveals The Possible Identity Of The Mysterious Seeker From Transformers: Bumblebee Movie" - TFW2005.com]</ref>—only for the synopsis to be edited within hours to remove it. Director [[Travis Knight]] then stated at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018 that the Decepticon was, in fact, Blitzwing. 
*Blitzwing was used as a "cover" name on concept art of [[Shockwave (Movie)|''Dark of the Moon'' Shockwave]].<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>
*Blitzwing is one of a few Transformers from the live action film series who has the ability of flight in robot mode.
*David Sobolov’s portrayal of Blitzwing is clearly doing an impression of [[Blitzwing (G1)|the character’s G1 namesake]]. This is further backed up by voice artist [[Jon Bailey]] stating that the actors were shown compilations of characters from [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] prior to their recording sessions. Radical.
*It is possible that [[Travis Knight]] believed Blitzwing to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]. This isn't too far-fetched - one of Blitzwing's alt-modes is a jet, he often travels with the Seekers in the cartoon, and his general robot mode silhouette does resemble that of a Seeker (back wings, boxy helmet, general size). This is further backed up by Knight's saying how he wanted to capture the original Seeker aesthetic in relation to Blitzwing.
*In the final movie, it isn't made clear how Blitzwing tracked Bumblebee down, or even how he got to Earth in the first place. Even Dropkick and Shatter only found out Bumblebee was there when he accidentally broadcast a tracking signal at them, and at no point do they show any awareness that there was another Decepticon on the planet at one point.
==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Bumblebee Decepticons]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category: Movie Seekers]]

Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering

2018-09-07T23:48:16Z

One: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #23
|prev=Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King
|next=Crucible (Part 6)
|image=LL23_cvrA.jpg
|title="Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 5]], 2018
|coverdate=August 2018
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Jack Lawrence]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''The honest-to-Primus true history of the Guiding Hand and the earliest days of Cybertron is revealed at last as our heroes square up to save the universe.'''

==Synopsis==
As the [[Functionist Council|Functionists]]' "[[Primus]]" tears its way through [[Adaptus]]'s replicas of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], aboard Adaptus's [[Worldsweeper]] mothership, [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] drowns out everyone else's reaction to the news that [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] is supposedly the real Primus with his raucous laughter. [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] quiets the room and lets Rung speak... and as everyone watches, the truth of Adaptus's claim is seemingly proven when Rung regenerates his missing arm in the blink of an eye. [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] refuses to be believe it, of course, pointing out Rung's serial code, 100,000,000... only Rung now realizes that he's always been reading the number ''upside-down'', and it's actually 000000001, denoting him as the first Cybertronian. Reflecting on his history of brushes with death and miraculous recoveries, of the nagging sense of ''not knowing'' he has always had about himself, Rung realizes that what Adaptus claims is true, as memories of the ancient past come flooding back. Rung begins to remember how it was Adaptus—not [[Mortilus]], as the legends claim—who sparked the war among the [[Guiding Hand]] when he advocated attacking Cybertron's neighboring planets, believing that only in the crucible of conflict could the Cybertronian race adapt and evolve. Unable to stand against his brothers united, Adaptus fled to [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] and unleashed a contingency plan, blasting Cybertron with an electromagnetic weapon that erased the minds of its entire population, including his brothers, who forgot their former identities and became mythologized as gods. Primus took the brunt of the blast, turning him into the perpetually forgettable, always-overlooked Rung.

Adaptus explains how, exploiting the confusion, he installed [[planetary engine]]s on Luna 1 and used the now-mobile moon to flee into the [[Warren]]. Deposited by the space-time labyrinth in the far future, he arrived ''now'', at this moment in time, and bore witness to the menace of the Functionist Primus—then proceeded to flee back into the past, adopting the alias of the "Grand Architect" to plan for the future, so that he could stop the danger the Functionists posed. [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] points out that that's not ''going'' very well, drawing Adaptus's attention back to the battle outside, and the steady erosion of his fleets by the faux-Primus, with even the self-regenerating [[Infinite]]s—their powers inspired by Primus's own—proving unable to stand against the planet-sized menace. Before Adaptus can take action, however, [[Tyrest (G1)|Tyrest]]—that is, [[Solomus]]—shoots him in the back, his own memories now restored, and seething with rage at having had his life stolen from him. However, Solomus is no physical match for Adaptus, and is quickly and severely wounded—but before he can activate the teleporter concealed in his hand and escape, Adaptus lops that hand off with his chainsaw. Adaptus proceeds to impale Solomus with his saw, but falters for a moment when all the violence and viciousness causes [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]]'s consciousness to briefly surface once more. Seeing an opening, Solomus deploys the finger-drill on his remaining hand and stabs it right through the distracted Adaptus's forehead, directly into his brain. Thus do the old gods die; the fatally-wounded pair perish together, their bodies explosively dissolving into inert [[living metal|sentio metallico]].

Recovering Solomus's still-intact severed hand, [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] uses the teleporter to send himself to the ''[[Lost Light]]'', then uses the ship to rescue the others from the worldsweeper. The ''Lost Light'' and [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'s ''[[Last Light (ship)|Last Light]]'' both set down on the single remaining Cybertron, and our heroes reunite to discuss what to do next. [[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]], [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]], and Whirl suggest Rung use some of his divine powers to "smite" the other Primus, but Rung doesn't ''have'' any such abilities; he and the Guiding Hand were not actually ''gods,'' just the first of the Cybertronian race. The [[Magnificence]]—or as the crew now recognize it, [[Epistemus]]—speaks up to reveal that there is ''one'' thing Rung can do: he can use his ability to generate [[photonic crystal]]s to create three new [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrices of Leadership]], just as he created the ''original'' all those millions of years ago. Epistemus explains that those three Matrices can be positioned and opened by Rodimus, Ratchet, and [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] to simultaneously destroy the Functionist Primus's [[brain module|brain]] and [[transformation cog]], and [[Vector Sigma]], blowing it up from within. Everyone is a little confused over why the unassuming ''Tailgate'' must be one of the candidates; Epistemus explains that it is because he, innocent little 'bot that he is, can overcome the fabled "[[morality lock]]" that seals the Matrix. Given that Rodimus, Ratchet, and Tailgate will be trapped inside "Primus" when it explodes, [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] refuses to allow them to go through with the plan, whereupon Epistemus's patience starts to run out, as he strangely begins referring to himself in the plural, and reveals that he was responsible for gathering them all here to enact this plan—teleporting Tailgate to [[Mederi]], slowly teleporting Ratchet to make it seem as if he was disintegrating, and even speaking through [[Ten]] to direct them here.

[[File:LL23 NowWeSaveTheUniverse.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Now I see the fraternal resemblance to Unicron.]]

As the Functionist Primus draws close to the final Cybertron, Rodimus refuses to allow Megatron and his crew to return to the unattended ''Last Light'', preferring to keep them all together. And it is through unity that a new, less-explosive plan is formed: one by one, with each member of the crew volunteering a different suggestion, it is concluded that, rather than positioning three Matricies like bombs, they will instead direct the energy of ''twelve'' Matrcies into Vector Sigma through Cybertron's [[hot spot]]s, overloading and destroying the computer and the Functionist Council bonded to it. Epistemus flies into an unholy rage, refusing to allow this plan to go ahead, and unleashing bolts of energy that slay [[Froid]], [[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]], and [[Nine-of-Twelve]]. Ratchet realizes that the voice speaking to them is ''not'' that of Epistemus; it is, in fact, the voice of the [[Omega Guardian]]s, communicating via the Magnificence from the [[Higher Realms]]. The Guardians explain that they desire to return from his realm beyond—a typically impossible feat that they believe they can achieve using a tiny fault between realities that lies in the [[Benzene Cluster]]. One of their number once tried to return alone, but perished in the attempt, their four-dimensional corpse becoming the Warren, spanning all space, time and universes. Rodimus realizes that the Guardians specifically need "Primus" to ''blow up'' for their plan, intending for the planet-sized explosion to tear the fault open wide enough for them to traverse. The Guardians cackle that once they have returned, they will "eat everything," and mock the very idea that the crew can stop them... prompting [[Nickel]] to silence them by crushing the Magnificence between her hands.

The ''Last Light'' explodes as the Functionist Primus tears into the facsimile Cybertron, but at the last second, the ''Lost Light'' takes off, escaping the planet just before it is rent asunder. At Megatron's command, [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] swings the ship around to fly back towards the evil Primus, as the crew gets ready to save the universe!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]]/[[Primus]] (1)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (5)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (6)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (7)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (12)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (13)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (14)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (17)
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (19)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (20)
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (24)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (28)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (29)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (34)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (36)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]] (40)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (25)
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (26)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (31)
*[[Nickel]] (32)
*[[Fulcrum]] (35)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (41)

|h3=[[Anti-Vocationist League]]|c3=
*[[Nine-of-Twelve]] (30)
*[[Clicker]] (33)
*[[Decibel]] (37)
*A [[Lunabot]] (38)
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (39)

|c4=
*[[Adaptus]]/[[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]] (2)
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] (3)
*[[Tyrest (G1)|Tyrest]]/[[Solomus]] (8)
*[[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]] (9)
*''[[Censere]]/[[Mortilus]]'' (10)
*[[Epistemus]]/[[Magnificence]] (11)
*[[Anode]] (15)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (16)
*[[Wipe-Out]] (18)
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] (22)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (23)
*[[Froid]] (27)
}}

==Quotes==
"I'll tell you one thing... if there's a god, he's making '''less and less''' of an effort to make me believe in him."
:—'''Ratchet''' reacts to the news that Rung is Primus

"It's finding new ways to '''help''' others, not '''hurt''' them, that inspires progress."
:—'''Rung''' refutes Adaptus's outlook

"Not gonna lie—that's '''exactly''' how '''I''' wanna go out."
:—'''Whirl''' watches Solomus and Adaptus explode into dust

"You're as effective a god as you are a psychiatrist."
:—'''Froid''' zings '''Rung'''

"I'm not letting you out of my sight." 
"'''Still?''' You still think I'm going to '''betray you?'''" 
"Who said anything about betrayal? I just think that we're at our best when we're together."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Megatron'''

<big>'''"YOU CANNOT BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT WE ARE. WE ARE EXPANSIVE. WE ARE MANIFOLD. WE EXTEND IN EVERY DIRECTION. WE EXIST BEYOND THE PERIPHERY OF WHAT YOU TELL YOURSELF IS REAL. SO WHEN YOU SAY YOU WILL STOP US, HOW EXACTLY DO YOU PROPOSE TO DO THAT?"'''</big> 
''(Nickel crushes the Magnificence)'' 
"They didn't see '''that''' coming."
:—The '''Omega Guardians''' are no match for '''Nickel's''' dry-cool action hero wit

'''Megatron:''' "Turn us around." 
'''Crankcase:''' "As you command, Megatron." 
'''Rodimus:''' "'Yes' is fine. 'Sure thing' is also acceptable."

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Rung has, of course, always been one of the central mysteries of ''More than Meets the Eye''/''Lost Light''. His true nature, now revealed at last, was seeded in his very first on-panel appearance way, way back in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #22]], when Senate cadets cruelly joked that he was some grand figure from Cybertronian myth, like "one of the [[Knights of Cybertron]]? The last of the [[Progenitor]]s? [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'s long-lost spark brother?" How near they were, yet so far!
*While cackling over the idea of Rung being "God," Whirl remembers how he strangled him back in [[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|''More than Meets the Eye'' #2]].
*Rung's self-healing ability was also alluded to in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #2, in which Ratchet—while treating him for the ''first time in his life''—marveled at how he was "in amazing shape" (even specifically noting that Rung's energon conduits and sub-cutaneous circuitry had started repairing themselves). Examples of his preternatural durability referenced in this issue include recovering after having his head blown off (in [[Interiors|''More than Meets the Eye'' #6]]) and being the only survivor of the crash of the ''[[Fateful Archetype]]'' (a story related in [[Speak, Memory: Part 1|''More than Meets the Eye'' #48]]).
*It was also in issue #48 that Sunder hacked his mind, which Rung here describes as a "mental jolt" that brought suspicions that there was something "abnormal" about him to the surface. Perhaps that's why, when leaving his last will and testament in [[The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|''More than Meets the Eye'' #50]], he requested that his body be dismantled, so that his alternate mode was put totally out of use, "just in case."
*Rung's "serial code" was first mentioned ''aaaalll'' the way back in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|''More than Meets the Eye'' #1]].
*The flashback of the Guiding Hand's battle against Adaptus is laid out almost identically to the depiction of the God War in [[The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|''Lost Light'' #17]], with their appearances shifted from the mythological designs to their actual bodies and Mortilus swapping places with Adaptus.
*The "Higher Realms" were first mentioned in [[The Ties That Bind|issue #14]], when it was noted that the Omega Guardians had ascended to them.
*In addition to explaining why everyone has always found Rung so forgettable—a running gag that also goes right back to ''More than Meets the Eye'' #1—Adaptus's electromagnetic weapon is credited with causing "the birth of [[information creep]]", the condition first named in [[Twenty Plus One|''More than Meets the Eye'' #31]] that causes mechanical lifeforms to lose their memory data over time. This adds even more weight to Rung's original "promotional poster" released before ''More than Meets the Eye'' #1, which stated he "wants to be remembered".
*Adaptus is revealed to have been responsible for installing [[planetary engine]]s on Luna-1, explaining the presence of his coat-of-arms on the moon's surface, as seen in [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|''More than Meets the Eye'' #21]].
*The sight of Luna 1 disappearing into the Warren is specifically shown in a close-up reflection in Rung's glasses. This hearkens back to [[Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|''More than Meets the Eye'' #17]], when Rung stared up at the moon-sized portal that was about to lead the ''Lost Light'' to Luna 1, and declared: "Is anyone else getting a sense of deja vu?"
*Tyrest/Solomus's concealed teleporter switch was previously used by him to escape imprisonment in [[The Sound of Breaking Glass|''More than Meets the Eye'' #21]].
*His finger-drill was established in [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|''More than Meets the Eye'' #19]].
*The precedent for Adaptus and Solomus's bodies dissolving into inert sentio metallico upon their deaths was established in [[The Dying of the Light Part 2: The Sun in Flight|''More than Meets the Eye'' #51]], when the deceased [[Censere]]/[[Mortilus]] did the same.
*We previously heard the term "morality lock" in [[Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|issues #2]] and [[Kill All 'Cons|#15]]. It was in the latter that Flame remarked that "nobody believes" in the concept any more, prompting him to gasp "So it ''is'' real...!" in this issue.
*The Omega Guardians, via the Magnificence, are revealed to have been responsible for teleporting Tailgate from his underground isolation chamber (where he was last seen in [[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|issue #7]]) to Mederi (where Cyclonus found him in [[The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|issue #16]]). They were also responsible for triggering Ratchet's apparent discorporation in [[Sardines|issue #13]], and were the parties who spoke through Ten in the same issue, explaining [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]'s observation in issue #16 that Ten's voice had "sounded different"—because it wasn't ''his'' voice (the one he normally says "ten" in), but the Guardians speaking through him. That also explains Ten's giddy elation at being able to speak properly in issue #16 (thanks to Mederi's telepathic environment), since he hadn't actually been the one doing it before.
*Cyclonus refers back to the time he "interfaced" with Vector Sigma; the footnote directs readers to ''More than Meets the Eye'' #1, which was when we first learned about it, though it actually happened off-panel during the events of [[Chaos Part Four: Genesis|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #30]].

===Errors===
*The single-panel flashback of the Guiding Hand shows Rung with his backpack attached—but per [[Little Victories|''More than Meets the Eye'' #22]], we know that he was only given that backpack millions of years later by the Functionist Council.
*Crankcase claims the ''Lost Light'' is five miles long; only a third of the fifteen-mile measurement consistently given elsewhere.

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in August 2018, this issue arrived a little late, in the first week of September.
*You might've noticed that no explanation is provided in this issue or the previous one for why Mederi had to be brought to the Benzene Cluster, given that all that happened to it was that it was destroyed by the Functionist Primus. Presumably, the young version of Adaptus must have seen this happening on his trip to the future, and was fulfilling an ontological paradox by making it happen.
*Intentional or not, the above image of the Evil Primus ripping Cybertron in half bears a marked resemblance to Unicron doing the same in [[Road's End|''Unicron'' #4]].

===Soundtrack===
TBC

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Velocity, Nautica, Anode, Lug, and Nickel, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover B:''' Tyrest/Solomus versus Pharma/Adaptus, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Lawrence's black and white lineart from Cover A
<gallery>
File:LL23 cvrA.jpg|
File:LL23 cvrB.jpg|
File:LL23 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #24
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
*[[Our Finest|''Unicron'' #3]]
*''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'' TPB
*[[Win If You Dare|''Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare'' graphic novel]]
*''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' #255
*''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vs. the Six Million Dollar Man'' TPB
*In Memoriam: Harlan Ellison
*''Wynonna Earp'' Season 3

==External links==
*[http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2018/08/31/exclusive-idw-preview-transformers-lost-light-23/ Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

Vector Sigma

2018-08-20T20:33:13Z

One: /* The Functionist Universe */

[[File:VectorSigmaG1.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|A Clockwork Orange]]

'''Vector Sigma''' is an ancient and incredibly powerful multiversal super computer which exists across many (conceivably all, though this is speculative) universes. Collectively these multiversal nodes were networked together as the "Vector Sigma Gestalt",<ref>"[[Crossing Over: Part 6]]"</ref> although that [[Shroud|is no longer the case]].

Vector Sigma is generally shaped like a faceted orb. It frequently acts out the will of [[Primus]], and among its other abilities is the infusing of inanimate [[Transformer]] bodies with [[Spark|new life]]. Activating it requires a [[Key to Vector Sigma|special circuit key]], and possession of the key brings great power.

Hundreds of years in the future, some Vector Sigma nodes would be protected behind a shell program called the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]].

{{quote|I am Vector Sigma. Before Cybertron was, I was.|Vector Sigma upon activation|"[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]"}}

==Known multiversal nodes==
The [[Caretaker]], an independent computer designed by Vector Sigma to aid the Autobot [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] was able to uplink to the larger multiversal Vector Sigma Gestalt. It gave a 10 digit numerical designation to each reality where Vector Sigma had a node. (The caretaker also spoke of a "central hub" that [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]] (the Classicsverse) was too far away from for Caretaker to function properly.)

=== Continuities with Vector Sigma "nodes" ===
*141.207.6.661 - [[Aurex 405.0 Epsilon]], a [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoon universe<ref>Specifically, the Unicron Trilogy universe [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], and possibly also [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] and [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] are from. Whether this is the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comic Unicron Trilogy, the cartoon Unicron Trilogy, or a hybrid of the two is a [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|subject of debate]].</ref>
*585.354.3.116 - [[Primax 797.18 Epsilon]], the [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|3H Beast Era]] universe, potentially a tangent timeline to the original G1 cartoon universe<ref>The [[Caretaker]] notes that the Unicron Trilogy hub and this hub recently had "disruptions", which seems to indicate the [[Unicron Singularity]]'s effects on the Unicron Trilogy and ''Universe''. The Generation 1 cartoon universe is a universe very similar to this one, if they are not indeed the very same.</ref>
*216.333.8.616 - [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]], the ''[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]'' universe
*[[Malgus 1207.26 Alpha]], the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|''Animated'' cartoon]] universe
*[[Primax -408.24 Epsilon]], the ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (fiction)|Shattered Glass]]'' universe, where the node is known as the [[Omega Terminus]]
*[[Primax 208.06 Zeta]], the [[Waspinator (BW)#Waspscream continuity|Waspscream]] continuity
*[[Primax 209.0 Gamma]], the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' universe
*[[Primax 302.06 Gamma]], [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s Generation 1 comic universe
*[[Primax 496.22 Alpha]], the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon universe containing the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoon.
*[[Primax 509.28 Epsilon]], the ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]''
*[[OG World|Primax 785.06 Alpha]], the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon universe, and its related timelines [[Primax 400.05 Alpha]], [[Primax 406.3 Eta]], [[Primax 498.1 Alpha]], [[Primax 787.3 Alpha]], and [[Primax 1097.01 Alpha]]
*[[Primax 798.0 Gamma]], the [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|''Beast Wars'' manga]] universe
*[[Primax 984.17 Alpha]], the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] universe
*[[Primax 1005.19 Gamma]], [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s Generation 1 comic universe
*[[Primax 1212.13 Kappa]], the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game universe
*[[Tyran 110.21 Alpha]], the ''[[Transformers: Cyber Missions|Cyber Missions]]'' online cartoon universe
*[[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], the Aligned novels universe
*[[Uniend 911.05 Alpha]], the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' cartoon universe
*[[Viron 102.0 Beta]], the ''Robots in Disguise'' universe where [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] assumed an "Air Attack" form
*[[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], the "[[Shell Game]]" universe
*[[Viron 901.8 Alpha]], the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]] universe
*[[Xobitor 1085.06 Alpha]], the [[Compu-Core]] within the ''[[Robotix]]'' world of Skalorr.<ref>Gee, wonder where [[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|this]] originates.</ref>

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Corey Burton]] (English), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese)}}

[[File:Ktvs prime and trion.jpg|left|thumb]]

Described as the "mega-computer" which gave all Transformers life, Vector Sigma resides in a spherical chamber deep within the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Its origins are unknown, save for the cryptic sentence it speaks upon being activated, whereupon it pronounces that before Cybertron existed, it did.

In 1985, seeking to combat the [[Autobot]]s' rule of the roads, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] created the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and brought them to Cybertron with the intent of having Vector Sigma program them with true cybernetic personalities. Requiring Vector Sigma's [[Key to Vector Sigma|activation key]] to bring the computer online, he stole it from [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and successfully completed his plan. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} In retaliation, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] constructed his own new team, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], but Megatron had already returned to Earth with the key still in his clutches, leaving the Autobots unable to reactivate Vector Sigma. As a first-generation product of Vector Sigma, Alpha Trion shared the mega-computer's computation matrix, and sacrificed himself by merging his lifeforce with it. This action reactivated the computer long enough for Optimus Prime to instruct it to program the Aerialbots with life.

Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that the key possessed another power—the bizarre ability to generate an energy beam that "de-energizes" organic matter, transforming it into lifeless metal. Megatron attempted to use this power to turn Earth into a new Cybertron, but his plans were thwarted and the key destroyed. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

After draining the energies of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to cure the [[Hate Plague]] in 2006, Optimus Prime began to suffer premonitions of some unseen future disaster. Believing that these visions were coming to pass with the Decepticons' theft of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}, Prime used the empty shell of the Matrix to reactivate Vector Sigma, so that he could communicate with the spirit of Alpha Trion, still living within the computer, in hopes that the old sage could provide answers. Alpha Trion indicated that the recent conflict that had erupted around the Chamber had, in fact, been engineered by Vector Sigma as a means of bringing about a new Golden Age of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} The plan ultimately succeeded when the chamber's energies were released, forcing Earth's sun to go supernova, only for the excess solar energy to be rerouted into Vector Sigma by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and the Autobots' [[Nebulan]] allies, thereby re-energizing the planet. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese continuity as detailed above, save for the fact that the events of 2006 take place in 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. The nature and origins of Vector Sigma were heavily revised in a major [[retcon]] in 2007, when events of the ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]'' [[Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|radio drama]], along with a [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|timeline]] published in the ''[[Kiss Players/15 Go! Go!]]'', merged the computer with several other concepts from across ''Transformers'' fiction, including [[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's assistant]] (also known as the Oracle) and [[Primus]]. As a consequence, it is now a ''very'' different entity than in the English version of the same episodes—or any other continuity for that matter. Japanese continuity also incorporates the events of the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoon, which are not strictly part of English cartoon continuity, and as such, are listed under a separate header in this article.}}

[[File:Oracle COTP thumb.gif|thumb|All hail the shiny sparkly cotton candy mass.]]
Vector Sigma began life as "the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]]", an ape-like [[Primitive]] robot created by the ancient genius, [[Primacron]]. The Oracle possessed the power to bring robotic beings to life, and hence played an important role in Primacron's experiments. Those experiments, however, eventually resulted in the creation of [[Unicron]], who turned on his creator and destroyed the Oracle's body in the course of his attack. The Oracle's essence persevered, however, and, encased within a protective shell, fled to a dead planet at the center of the universe, which he proceeded to transform into a verdant, living world. However, he could sense that in the future, Primacron would go on to create another universal danger in the form of [[Tornedron]], and so summoned the Primitive Transformers of the future back through time to his planet, where he instructed them in how to destroy the threat. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

{{note|This time travel was inserted by the previously mentioned retcon and is not alluded to at all in the episode itself. It would seem to exist purely to prevent the Oracle's role in the episode from conflicting with everything else the retcon sets out to do.}}

=====''Kiss Players''=====
[[File:TGGPrimus2.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb]]

At some undefined point later in his life, the Oracle reached into the future again when he became aware of a plot by Unicron's servants, the [[Sparkbot]]s to resurrect their evil master following his destruction in the year 2005. The Sparkbots had duped the humans [[Marissa Faireborn]], [[Shaoshao Li]], and [[Atari Hitotonari]] into helping them gather Unicron's splintered [[Angolmois|lifeforce]] from throughout space and time, telling them that the fragments they were gathering were actually parts of the "[[Allspark (disambiguation)|Allspark]]". {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #40}} After the girls had gathered up several fragments of Unicron's lifeforce, the Oracle decided to take an active hand, and began stealing away the fragments before the girls could claim them. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #45}} Unaware of the true nature of the situation, the girls gave chase through time aboard [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]], but they wound up crashing into the "[[Wall of Time]]" and were hurled into the parallel universe of the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]". {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #47}} The Oracle personally rescued the girls from each of the different time periods they had wound up in {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio dramas #48-50}} and brought them back to their home universe to explain what was really going on, appearing in the form of a giant golden robot and introducing himself to them as "Primus". The team proceeded to pursue the Sparkbots back to prehistoric [[Earth]], where Primus prevented the resurrection of Unicron, sealed his lifeforce within the planet and created Brave Maximus to serve as a guardian. When the girls asked Primus what their future would be, he did not deign to reply, and returned them to their proper place in time before returning to his world and settling down to rest... by transforming into the familiar golden spherical form of Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #50}}

As Primus slept, the [[Quintesson]]s discovered his planet and invaded it, subjugating Primus and obtaining the shell that had held his essence, which went on to become the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Using Primus's shackled powers, the Quintessons transformed his planet into the metallic Cybertron, and began creating their own race of robotic slaves, which eventually became the Transformers. {{storylink|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)}}
{{-}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[File:VectorSigmaHM.jpg|thumb|The exterior of the Vector Sigma chamber, as seen in ''The Headmasters''.]]
One year after Optimus Prime drained the energies of the Matrix to cure the [[Hate Plague]], in 2011, the loss of the Matrix's energy caused Vector Sigma to destabilize, threatening Cybertron with destruction. The Decepticons—their forces bolstered with the recent addition of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] warriors from the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]—sought to take advantage of the chaos that ensued, seeking to gain control of the unstable computer, thereby bringing Cybertron under their dominion again. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

[[File:VectorSigmaHM2.jpg|thumb|left|Vector Sigma itself in ''Headmasters'', sporting a slightly different look than in the original series.]]

Determined to save the planet at any cost, Optimus Prime fought his way through the tunnels leading to Vector Sigma's chamber, led by the [[ghost]] of Alpha Trion, while [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and a group of Autobot Headmasters began searching for the Matrix, which had been left on Earth to recharge itself using the planet's natural energy. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Although they were successful in their mission, and the Matrix was even recharged by Alpha Trion, they were not fast enough to re-stabilize Vector Sigma with it, forcing Optimus Prime to sacrifice his life (again) by merging with the computer and restoring it to normal. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Not long thereafter, Vector Sigma began a series of experiments to create a new super-alloy. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] and his cassettes were able to penetrate Vector Sigma's chamber and learn of the experiments, which in turn prompted [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] to launch an all-out attack on Cybertron to secure the new alloy, [[Cybertonuron]], for himself. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} However, Galvatron's ally, Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], was not enthused at the idea of Galvatron acquiring such a powerful weapon, and determined to keep the metal out both his hands and those of the Autobots through means most drastic—the total destruction of Cybertron itself. Powerful bombs were planted in Vector Sigma's chamber, and although the Autobots learned of the plot, they were unable to stop it, and Cybertron was reduced to a burnt-out husk. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
[[File:Lynxmaster reformat.jpg|thumb|]]
In the aftermath of Cybertron's destruction, the broken form of Vector Sigma was discovered by the Autobot [[Disaster Relief Team]] in the planet's wreckage. Still functioning, the supercomputer granted them new bodies and abilities to help rebuild the planet. Ten years later, Vector Sigma had found a new chamber and aided [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] in resurrecting Optimus Prime. They were interrupted by the arrival of the vengeful [[Roller (G1)|Roller]], which led to a battle between [[Sky Reign]] and [[Grand Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} Vector Sigma succeeded in reviving Optimus Prime during the battle, but because of Prime's repeated deaths, the computer's best efforts were only able to grant him one week's worth of life. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}} As Unicron attacked Cybertron, Vector Sigma restored the Disaster Relief Team's combiner joints so that they could join the other combiners in fighting him off. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

At the trial of the [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]], many years later in the post-[[Cybertron Alliance]] era, the Autobots recounted how Vector Sigma/Primus had created Brave Maximus. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}}

{{-}}

=====Wars manga=====
[[File:Train Wars Vector Sigma Oracle.jpg|thumb|left]]
On Cybertron, the central node of Vector Sigma was stolen by [[The Fallen]], who wished to absorb its power to create new life into himself. The orb rejected The Fallen's efforts, transforming into its little-seen robot mode as the Oracle. The Oracle lent its brilliant light to [[Overdrive]] and his [[Quantum Dial]], allowing the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]] to summon new defenders from outside space and time to protect Vector Sigma. Overdrive vanished, but six new warriors appeared in the skies to battle The Fallen. {{storylink|Train Wars}}

These warriors were not enough to stop the new combined form of The Fallen, however. Apparently too drained for further resistance, the Vector Sigma orb was claimed by The Fallen, who began to assimilate its properties. [[Shouki]] used his partner [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] as an electrical bow to shoot Vector Sigma free of The Fallen, and [[Goshooter]] then kicked the spherical node right in The Fallen's stupid face. [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] merged with the power of Vector Sigma to empower Shouki into a "train bazooka" mode that Goshooter used to deliver the ultimate attack against The Fallen, defeating him. {{storylink|Train Wars 2}}

=====''Beast Wars Returns'' cartoon=====
:''See [[Vector Sigma#Beast Machines cartoon|Beast Machines cartoon]], below.''

=====''Beast Wars Neo'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Chie Hirano]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Neo-VectorSigma.jpg|thumb|Vector Sigma's Blue Period.]]

Tens of thousands years after the [[Great Reformatting]], Vector Sigma appeared to be in charge of the planet, handing down orders via the [[Convoy Council]]. It was under Vector Sigma's orders that [[Big Convoy]] was removed from solo warrior duty and placed in charge of a group of unruly Maximal new recruits. By means of Big Convoy's [[Energon Matrix]], Vector Sigma would occasionally possess Big Convoy for a brief instant in order to give words of wisdom and encouragement to the Maximal new recruits. {{storylink|Big Convoy, Move Out}} Big Convoy, initially very distant and anti-social, gradually became more compassionate as Vector Sigma's actions began to rub off on him.

After being resurrected by the [[Blentron]]s, [[Unicron]] traveled to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] with the intention of transforming it into his new body. He briefly achieved this goal by possessing Vector Sigma and overriding it. His scheme would have worked, however, he allowed himself to be lured out of Vector Sigma by Big Convoy, the Maximal recruits, [[Lio Convoy]], and [[Magmatron]]. Unicron underestimated their power and was destroyed. Now free, Vector Sigma oversaw the reconstruction of Cybertron by the united forces of the Maximals and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]].
{{-}}

=====''Car Robots'' cartoon=====
At some point, Vector Sigma created the [[O-Part]]s as part of a complex system for activating the ancient guardian [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]]. {{storylink|Peril from the Past|The Final Key? Farewell, Ai}}

Later, Vector Sigma created [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Fire Convoy]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!|Forced Fusion! God Fire Convoy}} and granted Fire Convoy his [[Energon Matrix]]. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Enter! God Magnus}}

After being defeated by [[Omega Prime|God Fire Convoy]], [[Megatron (RID)|Gigatron]], the [[Predacon (RID)|Destronger]]s, and the [[Commando (RID)|Combatron]]s were taken by [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]] to stand trial before Vector Sigma for their crimes. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|Final Battle! Fire Convoy}}

=====Ask Vector Prime=====
[[Prowl 2]] was born when Vector Sigma infused the rebuilt Beta BT unit of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] with life. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/10}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
[[Scourge (RID)|Black Convoy]] managed to escape from prison and steal an Energon Matrix from Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Vector Sigma created [[Neo Brave Maximus]] to act as the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s headquarters, allowing the original Brave Maximus to be returned to Earth. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

[[Devil Z]] recounted the story about how the Oracle became Vector Sigma and how these events had unintentionally led to his creation. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

====''Wings Universe''====
Alpha Trion used Vector Sigma to bring [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to life. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 44|''Wings Universe'' Jhiaxus bio}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Carol Savenkoff]] (English), [[Nobutoshi Canna]] (Japanese)|[[Emanuela Damasio]] (Italian), [[Martina Treger]] (German)}}

[[File:Oracle (The Reformatting).jpg|thumb|225px|The Oracle usually appears outwardly like a ball of "outer space", but many things can be displayed on its fluid surface. A swirling mass of sparks is another common visual.]]

Three hundred years after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] between the Autobots and Decepticons, Vector Sigma had faded into legend until it was rediscovered by [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and his small band of [[Maximal]]s while they were on the run from [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who had conquered the entire planet. By this point in time, however, Vector Sigma had become outfitted with an additional layer of "security" that helped to mediate access to its power: the "[[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]", a "shell program" of sorts that would only allow Transformers with a "receptive [[spark]]" to access Vector Sigma. To protect Primal's Maximals from the effects of the [[transformation virus]] Megatron had used to conquer Cybertron, the Oracle reformatted them into new [[technorganic]] forms {{storylink|The Reformatting}}

[[File:Vector sigma core.jpg|left|225px|thumb|A Diagnostic Drone interfaces with the Vector Sigma core, which appears very similar to the Generation 1 Vector Sigma.]]

Through the Oracle and Vector Sigma, Optimus Primal came to commune with the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]], the extradimensional source of all Transformer life to which the computer was revealed to be connected, and believed that it was the will of the Allspark that Cybertron be restored to its organic beginnings. {{storylink|Survivor}} In truth, Primal was incorrect—the Oracle actually desired a ''balance'' between the organic and the technological—but it would take the disastrous unleashing of Vector Sigma's power to make him realize this. When Megatron's treacherous general, [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], discovered that Vector Sigma lay at the heart of the Oracle, he used the sparkless [[Diagnostic Drone]] to access Vector Sigma and withdraw the code for the mega-computer's key. {{storylink|The Key}} Arming the [[Tank Drone]]s at his command with the power of the Key to Vector Sigma, Tankor had Megatron unleash the key's energies upon Cybertron, in order to purge any trace of organic matter from the world by converting it into metal. Optimus Primal countered by unleashing the power of the Plasma Energy Chamber, and two enegies violently cancelled each other out. {{storylink|End of the Line}} Primal was killed by the energy backlash and travelled to the Allspark, but chose not to join it, now understanding what the Oracle truly desired. Primal returned to reality via the Oracle, and the computer—Vector Sigma core and all—vanished. {{storylink|Fallout (episode)|Fallout}}

{{--}}

====3H comics====
The Oracle was revealed to have been a shell program constructed by the [[Quintesson]]s in an attempt to harness the power of Vector Sigma (which the Quintesson [[Al-Badur]] described as "the ultimate physical embodiment" of Primus) and cut off its connection to the Transformers it birthed. Using the Oracle, the Quintessons allegedly fed Optimus Primal the visions and information necessary to orchestrate the technorganic reformatting of Cybertron, believing that it would leave the Cybertronians weak and disoriented, opening the planet up to an easy conquest. {{storylink|Disclosure}} In actuality, however, it was the Quintessons themselves who were being manipulated, by Primus, who used the greedy aliens to instigate this great evolutionary leap for his children. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===''A Birth of Planet Saybertron''===
Vector Sigma was originally a computer built within a mere satellite. It was the result of the greatest minds of a coalition of planets coming together to assemble an instrument that would ensure peace between their civilizations. But the computer malfunctioned, and the satellite begun drawing in materials from other satellites to build itself up. Those who had built the computer tried to stop it, but found themselves unable to defeat the rapidly-evolving machine. Cybertron came to strip its galactic neighborhood of its resources, extinguishing the life of its creators. Over time, primitive machines sprung from it, eventually evolving into the Transformers. {{storylink|A Birth of Planet Saybertron}}

===''Beast Wars Neo'' manga===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Double Cross}}}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
Vector Sigma was the internal computer of Primus, which he used to analyze what was happening in the universe via information gained from the [[Sonic Canyons]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} After taking control of Cybertron, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attempted to access Vector Sigma and download its information, but concluded that he needed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to initiate an uplink. Capturing Optimus Prime, he forcibly removed the Matrix from the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] and initiated a complete download. {{storylink|War and Peace}} However, the information was so great that it overwhelmed Shockwave's multiple secondary computers, spilling into whatever available memory it could find, including the as yet-to-be activated [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation One}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
[[File:ForcedFusion RID vectorsigma.jpg|thumb|Is this from ''Transformers'' or ''Bubble Bobble''?]]
[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by "the Allspark", Vector Sigma, to carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and lead the Autobots. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}
{{-}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
Although never actually seen, Vector Sigma's existence was noted by [[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]]. Like the more-famous [[AllSpark]], it possessed the ability to create Transformer life, and was used to continue the growth of the Cybertronian race after the AllSpark was jettisoned into space to end the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The Allspark Almanac II}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:VectorSigma-DOTM.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Yep, this is very live-action film-y looking, yessirree.]]
The great historian [[Alpha Trion (ROTF)|Alpha Trion]] preserved important datatracks from Vector Sigma, the "Cybertronian Database". Some of these datatracks told of a handful of battles on the planet [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Cyber Missions|Cyber Missions}} Vector Sigma also, more appropriately, held records of the Transformer race's long history, its artifacts and terminology, and its most important combatants.<ref>Transformers.com's ''Dark of the Moon'' website</ref>
{{-}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
[[File:COP-VectorSigmaAlphaTrion.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
A prototype of Vector Sigma was utilized by the [[Thirteen]] to simulate battle strategies against [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]]. The full scale model was created after the Chaos Bringer's defeat and before the War of the Primes. Unlike the device that would much later become the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Vector Sigma would remain unchanged over the eons.

During the [[Age of Rust]], Alpha Trion went to Vector Sigma to try and acquire the Matrix hoping to reignite the lost fire of Cybertronian society. Vector Sigma refused saying the time was not right but gave him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]] instead. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
Vector Sigma had become a myth. Many believed it was located within the [[Sonic Canyons]], although a few of Cybertron's elite knew it was located beneath [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. When the [[Decepticon]]s bombed the Sonic Canyons, they bombed the area where an entrance to Vector Sigma was said to be located, causing outrage among Cybertronians. When the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] opted to remain behind, believing the computer would keep him alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

Shockwave eventually found it and tried to use Alpha Trion as a substitute key only to learn the ancient Prime had looped a false access code around his necrocortex. Undeterred, Shockwave began pumping [[Dark Energon]] into the computer to try and override its security despite Alpha Trion's protests. His plans were stopped by the [[Wrecker]]s rescuing Trion but the Prime despaired as Shockwave's experiments had attracted something [[Quintesson|monstrous]] to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:OrionPaxPart3 Vector Sigma.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
The entrance to Vector Sigma was, unbeknownst to the [[Decepticon]]s, located beneath their capital of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. It remained there untouched throughout the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]] until [[Jack Darby]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] followed the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to it. In the chamber below the planet's surface, Jack used the Key to activate the supercomputer and began to download the contents of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Despite an attack of [[scraplet]]s, the download was successful, and Vector Sigma disappeared back into the depths. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}
{{--}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:ChaosGalvatronVectorSigma.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I did it thirty-five minutes ago."]]

In the Cybertronian's creation myth, [[Guiding Hand|their gods]] went to war against one of their own, [[Mortilus|the god of death]], and the light-bringer Primus was so badly wounded that he had to merge with Cybertron itself in order to survive. He reformatted himself into Vector Sigma, the life-giving supercomputer in the core of the planet. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Another tale put forth the idea that Primus had fashioned Vector Sigma as his crypt in preparing for his physical demise. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

Whatever its true origin, Vector Sigma became the source of new Transformer life in Cybertron's early era by periodically sending out pulsewaves that ignited new [[hot spot]]s of [[spark]]s across the planet and the moons. Following the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] however, these waves began to grow less frequent and eventually ceased, forcing [[Nova Prime]] to extract new sparks from the [[Matrix of Leadership]] instead. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

Vector Sigma would continue to serve as Cybertron's primary source of [[energon]], and the religious myths surrounding it caused many to believe it was a miracle machine that would continue to provide them with energy forever. [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]], on the other hand, thought the computer to be part of a system that wasn't designed to handle the sprawling metropolis Cybertron had become thanks to Nova Prime's population boost, and feared that it would eventually run dry. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} His prediction apparently came true, as Cybertron was eventually crippled by widespread energon shortage. {{storylink|The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Monstrosity|Monstrosity}}

According to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Vector Sigma was "essentially erased" when Cybertron was rendered a dead and uninhabitable world by the long war and [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s rampage. {{storylink|Ironing Out the Details}}

The psychotic [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]], being manipulated by the [[D-Void]] through the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], believed that destroying Cybertron would save the universe when, in fact, it would merge it with the [[Dead Universe]], killing all forms of life. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] attempted to stop him, but were too late to prevent him from feeding the Heart of Darkness into Vector Sigma. While [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]], and [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] fought with Galvatron, Rodimus convinced an initially reluctant Optimus that the only way to save Cybertron and the universe was to release the Matrix of Leadership inside Vector Sigma. Agreeing, Prime leapt into Vector Sigma, opening the Matrix and preventing the assault of the Dead Universe on Cybertron and the rest of the universe. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}} Unexpectedly, however, this resulted in the rebirth of Cybertron itself. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

Some years later, Cybertron was invaded by the [[Iron Ring]] eventually resulting in one of their number, the [[Prysmosian]] sorcerer [[Merklynn]], using the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] to create the city of [[New Prysmos]] deep in Cybertron's underground. {{storylink|First Strike issue 6|First Strike #6}}

The Cybertronians eventually placed New Prysmos under quarantine with [[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]] unintentionally discovering that the Talisman's energies were spreading outwards from the alien city after a portion of it had decayed his arm. Following this, [[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] began to examine the Talisman energy surrounding New Prysmos and found that the device itself was burrowing its way down to Vector Sigma, apparently intent on completing the terraforming process. [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] did not take this news well. {{storylink|Schismatic}}

Wheeljack eventually constructed an anti-Talisman bomb that if detonated close enough to the supercomputer could immunize it against [[magic]]. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Transformers vs. Visionaries)|Desperate Measures}} After [[Quickswitch]] transported the bomb to Vector Sigma's antechamber, {{storylink|Good Men}} it went off at the same time as [[Galadria]]'s healing spell managing to preserve Vector Sigma while moving New Prysmos to Cybertron's surface. {{storylink|The Curtain}}

====The Functionist Universe====

When the [[Functionist Council]] discovered [[Nova Prime]]'s stockpile of Sparks, they deemed it heretical that the [[Senate]] would try to use them. The Senate responded by sealing Vector Sigma's chamber behind a wall of [[ununtrium]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Since ununtrium could cut ununtrium, this was, at best, a minor inconvenience for the Functionists but they left the supercomputer alone out of fear that their [[Key to Vector Sigma|collective alternate mode]] was unnecessary to activate it. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

Millions of years later, the Council "discovered" that the true purpose of [[Rung (G1)|Rung's]] alternate mode was to drill through the wall and free Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Fearing what the Council could do with Vector Sigma, [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] led a team to try and rescue Rung before they breached the chamber. The group arrived too late and were met by [[Six-of-Twelve]] whom Rodimus insulted before tackling him into Vector Sigma's chamber. His team followed and were horrified by the sight of, {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}} Six using the false Matrix as an agony beam to torture Rodimus. Using Rung as a false hostage, [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] got Rodimus freed and the group escaped back to the surface and onto the [[Cog (base)|Cog]]. On the ship, Rung explained that once the Council learned of his ability to generate [[Photonic crystal|photonic crystals]], they'd tried to tap the [[Matrix of Leadership]] for Sparks but failed due to it being a fake so they instead turned to Vector Sigma to extract all the Sparks they needed to build a galaxy conquering army. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

{{spoiler|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|September 5}}

After turning Cybertron itself into a cosmic engine of destruction, the planet's lack of mobility proved a hinderance to Functionist Council. To counteract this, the Council engineered Cybertron with a robot mode in [[Primus]]'s likeness, which was directed by seven of the remaining eleven councillors, all merged with Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
After Megatron had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]], {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}} the talisman led him to the face of [[Primus]], deep beneath Cybertron's surface. Using the Matrix, Megatron managed to pervert Vector Sigma causing the supercomputer to begin reshaping Cybertron into Megatron's likeness. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
At some point during the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Vector Sigma was destroyed, threatening the Cybertronian species with eventual extinction. However, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] desired for his race to have some kind of future and made contact with the humans, who had forced the end of planet-devastating Great War. Maximus was granted the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] to replace Vector Sigma, and thus the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s were born. {{storylink|Head Games}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
After being brought to life by their respective factions thanks to Vector Sigma, the Aerialbots and the Stunticons fought for control of the supercomputer. Though the Autobots ultimately triumphed, the Decepticons made their escape in possession of the Key to Vector Sigma. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1 (Legends)|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

==Merchandise==
===Timelines===
[[File:VectorSigmaBotcon07b.jpg|thumb|Long have you hunted me. Long have I eluded you.]]
*A hollow plastic Vector Sigma, packaged with a removable Circuit Key and a clear "hovering effect" display stand, was produced by the Lukis Bros of [http://www.unicron.com/ Unicron.com] as a special souvenir item offered [[exclusive]]ly at [[BotCon 2007]].

:The sphere of Vector Sigma was designed to scale with the contemporary-at-the-time ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' toys, while the slot for the key was intentionally designed to enable the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] mold to be inserted into the sphere, allowing Safeguard to function as an alternative personal key for [[Vector Prime]] to use to access Vector Sigma himself.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153596737309912&id=317740274911</ref>
{{-}}

===Masterpiece===
[[File:VectorSigmaMP10.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Masterpiece Optimus Prime''' (2014)

:Vector Sigma came as an exclusive with the Hasbro Asia re-release of the Hasbro version of ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-10 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|Optimus Prime]]. It contained a hollow plastic Vector Sigma, a removable Circuit Key and a cardboard stand.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*According to episode writer [[David Wise]] at various conventions (such as [[BotCon 2009]]), he was instructed to include Vector Sigma when writing "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|The Key to Vector Sigma]]" as part of the [[Hasbro]] episode mandates. Not knowing what Vector Sigma was, he pressed story editor [[Bryce Malek]], who in turn had to go to Hasbro to learn that Vector Sigma was "the computer that gave all the Transformers personalities". This caused Malek to respond: "Well, it didn't do a very good job, did it!" Of course, this does raise the question of ''where'' the Vector Sigma concept originated, as nothing like it was ever used by [[Bob Budiansky]] in the Marvel comics or toyline [[bio]]s.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Vector Sigma''' (ベクターシグマ ''Bekutā Shiguma''), (The Rebirth, ベクトル・シグマ ''Bektoru Shiguma'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mólì Shénqiú''' (魔力神球, "Magic Ball"), '''Sigma Shǐliàng''' (西格玛矢量, "Sigma Vector")
*''Russian:'' '''Sigma Computer''' (Сигма Компьютер ''Sigma Kompʹyuter'')

==References==
<references />

==See also==
*[[Primus]]
*[[Transformer afterlife]]

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2007/VectorSigma/VectorSigma/vectorsigma.htm Vector Sigma on TFU.info]

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