Black Body (prose)
| This article is about the prose story. For the coating that makes you super strong, see Black body (technology). |
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| "Black Body" ブラックボディ
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| Publisher | Dengeki Hobby, Hyper Hobby, Hobby Japan, Figure Ō | ||||||||||||
| First published | December 2004 | ||||||||||||
| Packaged with | G1 Convoy Limited Black Version, Beast Megatron Limited Black Version, Starscream Limited Black Version, Beast Convoy Limited Black Version | ||||||||||||
The Autobots and Decepticons fight over the power of black body technology.
Synopsis
[edit]To improve the absorption of solitarium, Autobot chemists have developed the ability to cover a Transformer with the black body (abbreviated as "BB"), capable of absorbing all energy from nearby machinery, including other Transformers. Thanks to Buzzsaw's observations of the Autobot base, the black body data makes it to Starscream at his secret Idaho base, who uses his scientific acumen to create fake BB data that would result in disaster if it were applied to a Transformer.
Optimus Prime volunteers to be the first test subject for the BB, despite his comrades' protests. Perceptor explains to his leader that the testing will involve being secluded in a remote chamber, as to not affect other Autobots with the BB's effect. However, Buzzsaw switched out the Autobots' data chip for the fake data chip created by Starscream. The fake data causes a painful and unstable "infection" in Prime. Not wanting to be a threat to others, Prime flees to an empty cave in a lonesome canyon.
In the meantime at Decepticon Headquarters, Starscream, in an attempt to overthrow Beast Megatron, gives his leader the fake data on a chip. Megatron installs the chip and, instead of having the expected effect of weakening the Predacon, his unique systems allow him to have a true black body! Energized by the absorbed power of nearby Decepticons, Megatron sets out to attack the Autobots. Frustrated by this turn of events, Starscream runs back to his base and uses the true BB data chip to convert his own body. With his newfound abilities, Starscream sets out to attack and finish off Optimus Prime. But just as he is about to finish off the Autobot leader, a fault in the canyons causes a collapse that buries Starscream.
Megatron reaches the Ark and easily tramples over the Autobots helpless before his new powers. An offhand comment that Starscream gave him the black body gives Optimus Primal an idea. Realizing that the traitorous Starscream would never willingly grant his leader power, Primal applies the fake data to himself, confirming that it has no detrimental effect on Beast Warriors. Using the Sky Spy to track down Optimus Prime, Primal blasts off to rescue him. Once there, Primal's BB coating cures Prime of his infection, and the two Optimuses go together to rescue the Autobots from Megatron. After Prime damages the BB chip in Megatron's body, Primal tosses his nemesis to the horizon. Thanks to absorbing Optimus Prime's black body infection, Optimus Primal's own black body fades, but the Autobots cheer their victory.
Back at base, Megatron finds that he has built an immunity to BB and notes that Starscream having the same kind of power will cause "complications". Finding the traitor's secret base, Megatron destroys a chip, just as Starscream returns to replace his damaged chip. In his foolhardy haste, he inserts the remaining chip containing the fake data...
Featured characters
[edit](Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons |
|---|---|
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Notes
[edit]- "Black Body" was written to give a rationalization to the Robotmasters "Limited Black Version" toys of G1 Convoy, Beast Convoy, Beast Megatron, and Starscream that one could order through the October 2004 issues of various Japanese toy magazines.
- "Black Body" is a story told through four pamphlets, each part showing the perspective of the character they were packaged with and called "G1 Convoy Chapter" (G1コンボイ編), etc. As they all retread over the same events, the entire story is summarized here instead of through individual chapter articles.
- Victory Saber also received a black redeco during the Robotmasters toyline, however, unlike all the others, his was not for a black body, but as "optical camouflage" for the purpose of infiltrating the Decepticons.
- Likewise, Black Lio Convoy was released in the toyline, but as a separate character from Lio Convoy and nothing to do with black body technology.
References
[edit]- Complete text of "Black Body"
- Rough translations of "Black Body" pamphlets at Soundwave's Oblivion
