The Invisibility Factor

	{{#if: Man, that sure is Galvatron's box art coming out of the Millennium Falcon there. \|; Man, that sure is Galvatron's box art coming out of the Millennium Falcon there.}}}}
	"The Invisibility Factor" {{#if: \| {{#if: \|; (')}} {{#if:\|; ""}}}}
Publisher	Ballantine Books}}
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Imprint	Find Your Fate Junior}}
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First published	1986}}
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Writer	Josepha Sherman}}
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Illustrator	William Schmidt (interior pencils and cover painting)}}
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ist}}{{#if: \| by}}	}}
and Elements }}by	}}
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ISBN	ISBN 978034533391; ISBN 0-345-33391-8}}
TPB ISBN	ISBN }}
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Page count	73pp}}
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{{#if: FYF Invisibility Factor Cover.jpg | {{#if: Ballantine Books | {{#if: | {{#if: Find Your Fate Junior | {{#if: | {{#if: 1986 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Josepha Sherman | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: William Schmidt (interior pencils and cover painting) | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: ISBN 978034533391
ISBN 0-345-33391-8 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: 73pp | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: |

{{#switch:{{#sub:xx|2|14}}|dark cybertron=}}

While driving through the desert outside Metroplex one night, Hot Rod and Kup come upon a battered ship that can become invisible. Who controls this ship, and what are their intentions for Earth? How are the Autobots to deal with this potential threat? You decide!

Synopsis

(PAGE_1) Hot Rod and Kup are enjoying a quiet drive in the desert at night. Admiring Earth's beauty, Kup is reminded of reminded of the desert world of Sonacron V, homeworld of the Sonites. As he begins to recount the story of his time there to Hot Rod, he is interrupted when Hot Rod spots what appears to be a shooting star, heading directly towards them. (PAGE_2) Hot Rod observes that the "star" is blinking on and off. Their curiosity piqued, the two Autobots drive forwards to meet what turns out to be a spacecraft. Observing it more closely, Hot Rod notes that the ship is barely holding together, and is patched together by scrap metal and odd parts. Stranger still, one moment the ship is visible, then it becomes invisible, then visible again. Curious to see who operates this bizarre vessel, Hot Rod suggests they look inside. (PAGE_69) But Kup is wary of the strange vessel, and suspects it might be a Decepticon trap. He suggests that they should return to the Autobot City of Metroplex for some back-up before investigating further.

Should Kup and Hot Rod investigate the spaceship immediately? (>>PAGE_54>>)

Should Kup and Hot Rod fetch a backup team of Autobots before proceeding? (>>PAGE_20>>)

(<<From_PAGE_69<<) Kup and Hot Rod decide to stick around and investigate the ship by themselves. (>>PAGE_54>>) Concealing themselves behind nearby rocks, the pair witness the ship's hatch opening. Out of the craft steps out a human woman, who turns to look at her spacecraft in disgust. Before Kup can stop him, Hot Rod reveals himself, startling the woman. Kup steps out into the open as well, and reassures her, explaining that they are Autobots, friends to humankind. The woman says that she has heard of the Autobots before, but admits that she believed them to merely be part of fantastic stories children told one another. The woman introduces herself as Sarah Sanders, a scientist working on a research grant funded project. Hot Rod points to a box in Sarah's grasp, and asks if it's her invention. (PAGE_19) Sarah explains that the machine she holds is the Invisibility Device, or rather, it will be after she has it working properly. Kup and Hot Rod look at one another in amazement. An invisibility device would be instrumental in defeating the Decepticons. What should they do?

Should Hot Rod simply take the device from Sarah, considering it would ultimately serve to benefit mankind in defeating the Decepticons? (>>PAGE_45>>)

Should they try to convince Sarah to use the device to help the Autobot cause instead? (>>PAGE_25>>)

(<<From_PAGE_19<<) Hot Rod, unable to control himself, snatches the device away from Sarah. (>>PAGE_45>>) He begins to giddily talk on how easy it will be to defeat the Decepticons with this new invention. Sarah protests her invention being taken away from her forcibly. Kup agrees with Sarah, and tells Hot Rod to return the device to its proper owner. But Hot Rod is too caught up in his dream of becoming a hero, and zooms off with the device, eager to present it to Ultra Magnus. But Hot Rod is unaware that the Invisibility Device has a self-destruct mechanism, which he accidentally triggers when he hits a bump. The device goes up in smoke, as do Hot Rod's dreams of becoming a hero.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_19<<) Hot Rod and Kup attempt to coax Sarah into helping the Autobots with her invention. (>>PAGE_25>>) But Sarah refuses, explaining that she does not wish her device to be used for any kind of warfare. Though Kup and Hot Rod attempt to politely convince her that the Autobots would use her device for a just cause, they are interrupted by the sound of jet engines drawing near. The Decepticons have seen the flickering spaceship in the distance, and are now raining down explosives onto Sarah and the Autobots! One blasts nearly hits Sarah, and sends her flying, causing her to lose her grip on the Invisibility Device. Prioritizing Sarah's safety above everything else, Hot Rod transforms to vehicle mode, and whisks her out of the Decepticons' firing range. Kup follows the young Autobot, but takes a look back to see what the Decepticons are doing. (PAGE_26) Kup sees that the Decepticons aren't following them, but are investigating Sarah's spacecraft instead. He instructs Hot Rod to hide behind nearby rocks so they can spy on their adversaries. Thrust is amongst the Decepticons, and questions why they aren't chasing down the Autobots. Galvatron orders his minion to forget about the Autobots, and admits he is deeply curious about the spacecraft. Galvatron spots the Invisibility Device lying on the ground, and begins to mull over it. Sarah gasps in horror as her device is being prodded by such an evil creature. What should Kup and Hot Rod do?

Should Hot Rod and Kup attack the Decepticons immediately? (>>PAGE_8>>)

Should Hot Rod and Kup attempt to steal the Invisibility Device back from Galvatron? (>>PAGE_18>>)

Should Hot Rod and Kup assume the Decepticons will leave Earth with the spacecraft, and return to Autobot City with reinforcements and an Autobot spaceship? (>>PAGE_52>>)

(<<From_PAGE_26<<) Hot Rod and Kup decide to attack the Decepticons immediately. (>>PAGE_8>>) Leaping out from behind their cover, Hot Rod manages to land a hit on Thrust, and Kup manages to injure Galvatron. But no matter how valiantly they fight, they are only two Autobots against a whole squad of Decepticons. Hot Rod and Kup's gruesome fate is better left to the imagination.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_26<<) Hot Rod and Kup decide it would be best to attempt stealing the Invisibility Device back from Galvatron. (>>PAGE_18>>) They watch as Shockwave rolls the device in the palm of his hand, and moves away from Autobots, towards the Decepticon base, along with the rest of the Decepticons. Hot Rod and Kup give the Decepticons a small head start, and then tell Sarah to wait for them in hiding while they go off to trail the evil robots. The Autobots follow the Decepticon squadron until their quarry head down into a canyon. Hot Rod is ready to follow, but Kup advises him against it. Kup has been in a similar situation when he was stationed on the planet Renerian, he explains, and his experience there will help him formulate a plan of attack. (PAGE_28) After briefing Hot Rod on what to do, Kup and the young Autobot quickly go into action. The pair race back and forth along the canyon's rim, and fire at the Decepticons from a variety of angles. Thrust, Starscream, Ravage and Laserbeak are caught by surprise by the attack, and are unable to tell how many Autobots they're up against. Panicked and angry, the Decepticons attempt to return fire, but only manage to make shattered rocks rain down upon themselves. (PAGE_64) The Decepticons begin to bicker amongst themselves as they fire in all directions, and are too distracted to spot Hot Rod sneaking up on them. Hot Rod moves into position to retrieve the Invisibility Device from Shockwave, but notices that Galvatron's back is turned to him. He thinks to himself that this might be the perfect opportunity to wipe out Galvatron once and for all!

Should Hot Rod risk attacking Galvatron? (>>PAGE_13>>)

Should Hot Rod stick to the plan and concentrate on retrieving the Invisibility Device? (>>PAGE_71>>)

(<<From_PAGE_64<<) Hot Rod decides to use this opportunity to attack Galvatron. (>>PAGE_13>>) But as he charges towards the unsuspecting Decepticon leader, he is spotted by Starscream, who fires first! Hot Rod is an easy target, and for him this turn of events spells…

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_64<<) Hot Rod decides focus on retrieving the Invisibility Device from Shockwave. (>>PAGE_71>>) He dashes forwards, and snatches the device from the Decepticon. Shockwave yells for help, and points out Hot Rod to the rest of the Decepticon squadron. The Decepticons race to capture Hot Rod, but Kup is observing the whole development from atop the canyon ridge. Kup fires a powerful laser blast behind Hot Rod, which triggers a rockslide that buries Hot Rod's pursuers under a pile of rubble. Hot Rod rejoins Kup, and exclaims that now that Sarah has seen how evil the Decepticons are, she is sure to lend her technology to help the Autobots in their fight against them. Kup is happy to say that Sarah's help might not even been necessary, as the Decepticons appear to be out of commission at the moment.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_26<<) Hot Rod and Kup decide to return to Autobot City for reinforcements and an Autobot spaceship, in case Galvatron boards Sarah's vessel. (>>PAGE_52>>) Sure enough, the Decepticons board the spacecraft to be able to study the Invisibility Device without having to deal with any Autobot interference. Ultra Magnus is quick to mobilize his troops upon learning of these developments from Hot Rod, and the Autobots lift off from Metroplex in one of their own spaceships. Springer, acting as the ship's pilot, muses about the vastness of space, and asks his fellow Autobots if any of them might know where the Decepticons might have disappeared to. (PAGE_59) Kup reasons that the Decepticons couldn't have gotten too far, relatively speaking, as they did not have much of a head start on the Autobots. He proposes that the Decepticons might be hiding on Earth's Moon. Prowl suggests that they could be heading for the Asteroid belt beyond Mars. Springer adds that the Decepticons might have already figured out how to work the Invisibility Device, and might be lying in wait for an attack on the Autobots.

Do you think the Decepticons are hiding on the dark side of the moon? (>>PAGE_10>>)

Do you think the Decepticons are headed for the asteroid belt? (>>PAGE_17>>)

Do you think the Decepticons are invisibly lying in wait for the Autobots? (>>PAGE_48>>)

(<<From_PAGE_59<<) The Autobots decide to investigate the dark side of the moon. (>>PAGE_10>>) They are unable to see whether or not the Decepticons are there as no sunlight shines on the area in question. The ship's sensors aren't picking up any Decepticon activity in the area either, making it unclear whether the Decepticons are well hidden or not there at all. Hot Rod suggests the open fire, in an attempt to goad the Decepticons in firing back, revealing their position in the process. Jazz dismisses the idea, saying it is too risky, as it would reveal their position first. Jazz suggests he might have a better plan in mind. What should Ultra Magnus do?

Should Ultra Magnus give Hot Rod's plan a shot, even though it may be risky? (>>PAGE_40>>)

Should Ultra Magnus listen to what Jazz has in mind? (>>PAGE_46>>)

(<<From_PAGE_10<<) Ultra Magnus decides to go along with Hot Rod's plan. (>>PAGE_40>>) He orders Springer to fire the ship's gun's at the moon's surface, and the flashes the lasers produce allows Jazz to briefly spot something metallic. But before the Autobots can properly coordinate another attack, their ship is rocked by Decepticon fire. The Autobots have made themselves a perfect target, and are soon reduced to space junk by the Decepticons' relentless assault.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_10<<) Ultra Magnus decides to listen to Jazz's plan before taking any further action. (>>PAGE_46>>) Following Jazz's stratagem, the Autobots are ordered to keep silent, and to shut off all power in the ship, so that the Decepticons won't be able to detect them on their scanners. Hiding in the moon's shadow, the Autobots launch a small probe. When the Decepticons spot the probe's rocket, they mistake it for the Autobots' ship, and open fire upon it, revealing their position. Powering back up their ship, the Autobots begin their attack on the Decepticons. But the Decepticons manage to strike back with a lucky shot. (PAGE_60) The Autobot ship receives damage, but remains functional. Hot Rod spots the Decepticons attempting to escape the moon, and Springer manages to land a direct hit on their fleeing target. The Decepticons' craft lights up in a huge explosion, and is no more. Kup is relieved that it's over, though he is pained to see the Invisibility Device destroyed in the process. Ultra Magnus admits that the device's loss is unfortunate, but is happy that the Decepticon menace has been destroyed… for now.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_59<<) The Autobots decide to investigate the asteroid belt beyond Mars. (>>PAGE_17>>) Soon enough, the Autobot ship comes in danger of being smashed to bits by all of the debris around it. Jazz suggests that the Autobots should hurry out of the Asteroid belt. Springer argues that if the Decepticons made it through the asteroids, so should they. Hot Rod retorts that they don't even know for sure that the Decepticons did go through the asteroid belt. What should the Autobots do?

Listen to Jazz and retreat from the asteroid belt? (>>PAGE_11>>)

Continue to maneuver through this treacherous environment? (>>PAGE_27>>)

(<<From_PAGE_17_OR_PAGE_56<<) The Autobots decide to retreat from the asteroid belt. (>>PAGE_11>>) The Autobots return to Earth safely, but have lost all trace of the Decepticons. Telling one another that the Decepticons surely perished in the asteroid belt, the Autobots are caught unawares days later when Metroplex comes under attack from an unseen enemy. Ultra Magnus regrets having given up pursuit so easily, as they are now defenceless against the Decepticons with a fully functional Invisibility Device. Though they Autobots attempt fighting back, they are at too great a disadvantage, and soon all of Metroplex is reduced to ruins.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_17<<) The Autobots decide to push on through the asteroid belt. (>>PAGE_27>>) Springer cruises through the ever shifting environment, and manages to safely avoid the asteroids until two huge asteroids come zooming towards the ship. With an asteroid on each side, the Autobots must blast them apart. But they only have time for one try, and if they only manage to blow up one of the asteroids, the other will still destroy the ship. The ship's weapons are controlled by a series of buttons, label 1 through 10. Which button should Springer hit?

Button 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9? (>>PAGE_30>>)

Button 2, 4, 6, or 8? (>>PAGE_56>>)

Button 10? (>>PAGE_53>>)

(<<From_PAGE_27<<) Springer pushes one of the odd-numbered buttons. (>>PAGE_30>>) Two blasts shoot out and blow both asteroids to pieces! The Autobots' ship is battered by bits of flying rocks, but Prowl reports that it has only received a few dents and scratches. Springer then spots an open space before them, and continues to wonder where the Decepticons might be. (>>PAGE_48>>)

(<<From_PAGE_30_OR_PAGE_59<<) The Autobots are now in a vast, empty expanse of space... (>>PAGE_48>>)...but Hot Rod has an unshakeable feeling that they are being spied upon. Jazz concurs with Hot Rod's sense of foreboding. Kup suggests that the Decepticons might have figured out how to work the Invisibility Device. Just then, Kup's hunch is proven correct when the Autobot ship is shaken by fire from an unseen opponent. Another shot hits them from another angle, and Jazz concludes that the Decepticons have indeed worked out the Invisibility Device, and are now circling them. Jazz says the Autobots should make a run for it. (PAGE_49) Kup however, suggests that they might yet be able to fight back. He recalls that Sarah said she hadn't been able to make the device function perfectly yet.

Should the Autobots retreat? (>>PAGE_51>>)

Should they instead listen to Kup, as the old Autobot devises a new strategy? (>>PAGE_58>>)

(<<From_PAGE_49<<) The Autobots decide to retreat. (>>PAGE_51>>) But the Autobots are unable to shake off their invisible enemies. Again and again, the Autobots are helpless as their ship is rocked by energy blasts. Soon enough, the ship is torn apart from all the punishment it's forced to endure, and the Autobots are reduced to nothing more than space junk, drifting aimlessly in the void.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_49<<) The Autobots listen to Kup's new plan of action. (>>PAGE_58>>) Ultra Magnus instructs the Autobots to stand ready at their battle stations, but to only open fire at his command. The Autobots obey their leader, and are steadfast as the ship is hit over and over by Decepticon fire. But just as things seem bleak, the Decepticons ship flickers into view. Just as Sarah had said, the Invisibility Device is still not completely reliable. As soon the Autobots see the Decepticon ship, they concentrate all of their weapons onto it at once. The Decepticon ship is blown into space dust! The Invisibility Device has been lost in the carnage, but the Decepticons have now been rendered invisible… forever!

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_27<<) Springer pushes the button numbered 2, 4, 6, or 8. (>>PAGE_56>>) The asteroid hurtling towards the Autobots from the left is blown into space dust, but Springer is unable to destroy the other asteroid on a collision course with their ship. The Autobot shuttle takes heavy damage from the impact. The Autobots can't risk another hit from an asteroid, and must retreat. Though the damaged controls aren't always responsive to Springer's commands, and the Autobots flinch every time another space rock grazes their ship, they manage to escape the asteroid belt. After hearing the ship's damage report, Ultra Magnus has no choice but to return to Earth. (>>PAGE_11>>)

(<<From_PAGE_27<<) Springer pushes the button labelled "10". (>>PAGE_53>>) Two bursts of energy fire out from the Autobot ship, but both of them miss the asteroids completely! Springer attempts to get another shot out, but he is too late. The Autobot ship is crushed into nothingness by the two asteroids, along with all of its passengers.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_69<<) Kup and Hot Rod decide to return to Autobot City for reinforcements. (>>PAGE_20>>) The two Autobots race out of the desert, and back to Metroplex. Reporting what they witnessed to Ultra Magnus, the Autobot leader concurs that it bears an investigation, and sends Hot Rod and Kup back into the desert, along with a team of Autobots. But once they've arrived where Kup and Hot Rod say they've seen the strange ship, there is nothing there waiting for them. Both Springer and Jazz doubt that there ever was a ship, and blame sand in their comrades' circuits for the strange things they saw. Hot Rod is bewildered, being certain that he wasn't hallucinating.

Should the Autobots return to Metroplex to check Hot Rod and Kup for loose wiring? (>>PAGE_68>>)

Should the Autobots continue to search the desert for the spacecraft? (>>PAGE_31>>)

(<<From_PAGE_20<<) The Autobots decide it would be best for Hot Rod and Kup to return to base and have their systems checked. (>>PAGE_68>>) Ratchet inspects the two of them, but can't find anything wrong. The spacecraft is forgotten— for a few days. Then the Autobots are caught off guard as a fleet of identical spacecrafts descend upon Autobot City, and lay waste to Metroplex with neuron beams. When the massacre is over, Galvatron comes to survey the aftermath. He thinks aloud to himself that it was lucky the Autobots never found the Decepticon craft the night it broke down. Because the Autobots never returned, the Decepticons were able to retrieve the craft, perfect it, and built a whole fleet! Now that the Decepticons are victorious, Galvatron sets his sights on the entirety of both the Earth and Cybertron!

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_20<<) The Autobots decide to continue searching for the spacecraft. (>>PAGE_31>>) Though Springer insists that Hot Rod and Kup both have their systems check if their search yields no results. The Autobots split up, and at first there is no sign of anything unusual, until Hot Rod calls the Autobots over to his position. The young Autobot has discovered a trail in the sand where something heavy has been dragged away. Jazz apologizes for having jumped to conclusions about Hot Rod's state of mind. Kup points out that the only beings on Earth powerful enough to drag away a spaceship, other than the Autobots, are the Decepticons! The Autobots follow the trail in the sand until it comes to an abrupt end as the terrain becomes rocky. (PAGE_32) The Autobots once more spread out to pick up the spacecraft's trail, to no avail. But something catches Kup's eye, and he warns the rest of the Autobots to take cover. (PAGE_14) The Constructicon Scavenger is rolling along the desert in his steam shovel form. And in the jaws of his shovel, he's holding an Earth woman captive! What should the Autobots do?

Should the Autobots attack Scavenger to rescue the woman immediately? (>>PAGE_21>>)

Should the Autobots follow Scavenger to try and discover why he's kidnapping the woman, before rescuing her? (>>PAGE_4>>)

(<<From_PAGE_14<<) The Autobots decide to rescue the woman immediately. (>>PAGE_21>>) Springer transforms to robot mode and leaps before Scavenger, startling the Decepticon. Scavenger drops the woman and transforms, ready to fight, until he sees the other Autobots coming out from their hiding spots. The Constructicon then yells for help and begins to run away.

Should the Autobots pursue Scavenger? (>>PAGE_33>>)

Should the Autobots allow Scavenger to escape while they tend to the woman? (>>PAGE_65>>)

(<<From_PAGE_21<<) The Autobots pursue Scavenger. (>>PAGE_33>>) But before they can catch him, Scavenger reaches a whole squadron of Decepticons, crowded around the spacecraft. Scavenger alerts the rest of the Decepticons of the Autobots' presence.

Should the Autobots run away? (>>PAGE_41>>)

Should the Autobots stand their ground and fight? (>>PAGE_5>>)

(<<From_PAGE_33<<) The Autobots run away from the Decepticons. (>>PAGE_41>>) When it becomes apparent that the Decepticons cannot be outrun, Hot Rod suggests the Autobots should split up. All six of them then head into a different direction, confusing the Decepticons. Frenzy and Thrust begin to bicker on which direction they should take to hunt down their enemies, before Galvatron berates the both of them for allowing the Autobots to gain ground. At that moment, Hot Rod makes a U-turn and blinds the Decepticons with his high-beams, allowing the Autobots to avoid pursuit. Once the Autobots are sure they've lost the Decepticons, they regroup, and set out to search for the woman, who they find wandering the desert alone. (>>PAGE_65>>)

(<<From_PAGE_21_OR_PAGE_41<<) The Autobots ask the woman what her story is. (>>PAGE_65>>) At first she is hesitant, asking whether or not the Autobots are allied with the other robots she has encountered. The Autobots assure the woman that they are her friends, and introduce themselves. The woman tells them her name is Sarah Sanders, and explains that she is a scientist, working on a college grant, that has invented a spaceship with an Invisibility Device built into the control panel. She had been followed by what she assumed were foreign spies. She goes on to say that she considers her invention too dangerous, and was planning to crash the ship, containing all of her notes, into the ocean to destroy them all. But the ship broke down in the desert, and has now fallen into the evil hands of the Decepticons. Prowl is none too pleased that the Decepticons have now access to both the ship and the Invisibility device. What should the Autobots do?

Should the Autobots ask Sarah to build them an Invisibility Device, to fight back against the Decepticons? (>>PAGE_3>>)

Should the Autobots redouble their effort to retrieve Sarah's craft? (>>PAGE_44>>)

(<<From_PAGE_65<<) The Autobots ask Sarah to build them an Invisibility Device. (>>PAGE_3>>) But Sarah refuses to build a weapon of war, no matter how much Prowl, Springer and Hot Rod insist that the weapon would not be used against humankind. Frustrated by the Autobots' demands, Sarah takes off on her own. (PAGE_70) But overhead flies the Decepticon jet Dirge. Galvatron has sent him out on a mission to destroy Sarah, so that the Decepticons will be the only ones with access to the Invisibility Device. Dirge drops a missile, aimed towards Sarah. But Hot Rod, having heard the sound of Dirge's engine, warns Sarah of the incoming explosive. (PAGE_34) Sarah is able to evade the missile just in time, but is thrown off her feet by the explosion. Hot Rod drives up to the woman, and urges her to hop into his vehicle mode. Dirge pursues Hot Rod and Sarah, but they, along with the rest of the Autobots, are able to avoid his shots until they reach Metroplex. Once in the safety of Autobot City, Sarah expresses her gratitude towards the Autobots. Though she is still unwilling to build another Invisibility Device for them, she does show them how to build a device that will counter it, an Invisibility Scrambler. Two days later, the sound of fighter jets fill the seemingly empty sky above the Autobot city. Ultra Magnus takes out the Invisibility Scrambler. (PAGE_72) When the odd-looking machine is turned on and pointed at the sky, the air begins to shimmer. The Decepticons appear overhead, but they are unaware that the Autobots can now see them. The Decepticons are blown out of the air and taken prisoners by the Autobots.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_65<<) The Autobots attempt once more to retrieve Sarah's ship. (>>PAGE_44>>) They all come to the conclusion that they can't afford to allow the Decepticons to study the device. They soon find the Decepticons working busily around the spacecraft in a narrow canyon. If the Autobots linger for too long, the Decepticons might detect them! Hot Rod suggests they attack immediately! But Prowl might be able to come up with a better plan if given time to think.

Should the Autobots attack while they still have the element of surprise? (>>PAGE_61>>)

Should the Autobots instead allow Prowl time to come up with a better idea? (>>PAGE_22>>)

(<<From_PAGE_44<<) The Autobots attack while the element of surprise is still on their side. (>>PAGE_61>>) Blaring down the canyon walls, the Autobots startle the Decepticons! Confused by what's happening, the Decepticons are powerless as Hot Rod swoops down, snatches the Invisibility Device away from them, and drive away. The Decepticons begin to mobilize, but the Autobots already have them surrounded. The Decepticons are trapped as the Autobots open fire on their enemies. Once Hot Rod has put enough distance between himself and the battle, the rest of the Autobots follow him, leaving the immobilized Decepticons behind. Hot Rod is proud of his accomplishment, and Kup announces that when he tells the story of this battle, he will title it "The Decepticon Dazzle!"

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_44<<) The Autobots pause to give Prowl time to come up with a plan of action. (>>PAGE_22>>) Since there are too many Decepticons for them to take on, Prowl sends out Hot Rod to distract the bulk of them. Hot Rod drives down and taunts the Decepticons for having let him escape once already, then drives away. Most of the Decepticons take the bait, and take off after Hot Rod. Galvatron realizes that this is a trap, but is powerless to stop most of his troops from running off. The only ones who stay behind are Scavenger and Shockwave, but Prowl and the rest of the Autobots take them out quickly, forcing Galvatron to retreat. Once the spacecraft is secure, Springer asks what has become of Hot Rod… (PAGE_37) The young Autobot is still racing through the desert with the angry Decepticons in pursuit. Though they are unable to catch him at first, Hot Rod finds himself unable to continue when the ground before him becomes interrupted by a canyon. What is Hot Rod to do?

Should Hot Rod try climbing down the canyon wall? (>>PAGE_42>>)

Should Hot Rod try to leap the canyon? (>>PAGE_50>>)

Should Hot Rod attempt to trick the pursuing Decepticons? (>>PAGE_6>>)

(<<From_PAGE_37<<) Hot Shot attempts to scale down the canyon wall. (>>PAGE_42>>) As he begins his descent, a sudden blast hits a rock near him. Looking up, Hot Rod sees Starscream firing down upon him. Hot Shot scrambles to get a shot back at his aggressor, and manages a clean hit, causing Starscream to spiral down into the canyon. To his surprise, once Starscream crashes at the bottom of the canyon, a secret door opens besides the fallen Decepticon. From the door emerges a rescue team of Decepticons, who hose down Starscream, and pull him back into the secret door. Hot Rod radios in his location and his discovery, before hiding in a small cave. Moments later, an army of Autobots arrive on scene and blast through the secret door. Within they find an underground Decepticon base. After the Autobots have destroyed the base, Ultra Magnus congratulates Hot Rod. Thanks to him, not only has Sarah's spaceship been retrieved, but the Autobots have dealt a mighty blow to the Decepticons' operation. Though Hot Rod accepts the congratulations with grace, he is beaming with pride on the inside.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_37<<) Hot Shot attempts to leap the canyon. (>>PAGE_50>>) revving up his engine, the young Autobot drives forward at full speed, and clears the gap! The Decepticons come to a halt behind him, as they are less confident of their jumping abilities. While the Decepticons transform so they can simply fly over the canyon, Hot Rod wastes no time increasing the distance between himself and his pursuers. Once he feels safe, he decides to find Sarah and his Autobot friends. (>>PAGE_9>>)

(<<From_PAGE_50_OR_PAGE_6<<) (>>PAGE_9>>) When Hot Rod finds the others with the spaceship, he is happy to see they did fine without him. But just as he's arrived, Sarah runs off towards her spaceship. As she climbs aboard, Sarah explains that what she has witnessed has convinced her that the Invisibility Device is simply too dangerous an invention. Sarah's ship takes off before the Autobots can stop her. Ultra Magnus muses that the scientist may be right, such an invention would be too easily abused for sinister purposes. As the Autobots drive off, Kup begin recounting the story of the time he saw a similar device on the planet Serton.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_37<<) Hot Shot attempts trick the Decepticons. (>>PAGE_6>>) He wheels about as he reaches the canyon's edge, and races full speed back towards the incoming Decepticons! The Decepticons attempt to shoot him, but Hot Rod moves too quickly to be hit. As Hot Rod comes closer towards the Decepticons without slowing down, the Decepticons realize he is ready to crash right into them. The Decepticons scramble out of the way and trip over one another. By the time they've righted themselves, Hot Rod is long gone. As Hot Rod drives away laughing, he should find Sarah and the other Autobots. (>>PAGE_9>>)

(<<From_PAGE_33<<) The Autobots decide to hold their ground and fight... (>>PAGE_5>>) which costs them their lives as they are hopelessly outnumbered. The spacecraft, it turns out, was a messenger craft from the planet Quintesson. The message it carries informs the Decepticons that the Quintessons will come to aid them in their conquest of Earth. If the message had been intercepted by the Autobots, they might have been able to stop the invasion. Alas, the Decepticons and the Quintessons will soon turn Earth into one big fuelling station.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_14<<) The Autobots decide to trail Scavenger before jumping into action. (>>PAGE_4>>) They follow the Constructicon all the way back to Decepticon Headquarters. Once he arrives before the mass of buildings, Scavenger transforms and forces his prisoner through a door. The Autobots transform and continue to quietly trail the pair. Making their way through a maze of long dark corridors, the entire group soon find themselves before Galvatron himself! The Autobots quickly hide behind some fuel tanks, and listen in on what Galvatron says to the woman. (PAGE_12) Galvatron demands the woman's name, and she answers that she is called "Sarah Sanders." Galvatron explains that his spy, Ravage, saw Sarah's craft out in the desert, and witnessed it become invisible for a time. He then commands Sarah to reveal to the Decepticons the technology behind this power of invisibility. When Sarah refuses to divulge any information, Galvatron tells her that her cooperation is not necessary, as Bombshell's cerebro-shells will make her the Decepticons' mental slave anyways. Bombshell then steps out of the shadows, and mutters to Sarah: "I want you mind!" The Autobots know now is the time to step in!

Should the Autobots attempt to rescue Sarah through a direct attack? (>>PAGE_36>>)

Should the Autobots attempt to rescue Sarah through trickery? (>>PAGE_62>>)

(<<From_PAGE_12<<) The Autobots attempt to rescue Sarah through a direct attack. (>>PAGE_36>>) But within the Decepticon halls, the Autobots soon find themselves outnumbered! Soon the Autobots pay the price of their rashness, and are torn apart by their enemies. Galvatron is now free to use Sarah's technology to attack the entire planet! For the people of Earth, it is certainly…

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_12<<) The Autobots attempt to rescue Sarah through trickery. (>>PAGE_62>>) Prowl quickly formulates a plan, and instructs Jazz on what to do. Just as Bombshell is about to rob Sarah of her mind, Jazz leaps out from his hiding spot, and creates a dazzling sound a light show, producing illusions of Autobots, space monsters, and blaring out a confusion of different sounds. The Decepticons reel in confusion, allowing Sarah to run from her captors. She bumps into the Autobots, and Kup informs her that they are friends, and that she should follow them. Seeing little choice in the matter, Sarah agrees. (PAGE_24) Sarah is scooped up into Prowl's arms, and the Autobots run down the hall. But the Decepticons soon regain their bearings, and give chase to the group. Sarah points to a hallway, and tells the Autobots that she overheard the Decepticons say her spaceship was at the end of it. But the hallway ends in two doors. Sunstreaker asks Sarah if she knows which door leads to her ship, but Sarah has no idea. With the Decepticons hot on their tails, the Autobots must make a quick decision! [Flip a coin]

[If the coin comes up heads.] The Autobots take the door to the left. (>>PAGE_67>>)

[If the coin comes up tails.] The Autobots take the door to the right. (>>PAGE_43>>)

(<<From_PAGE_24<<) The Autobots take the door to the left. (>>PAGE_67>>) The passage opens onto a courtyard, with Sarah's ship in the middle of it. Unfortunately, the ship is guarded by Decepticon droids, who immediately recognize the Autobots as intruders. At such close range, the droids make short work of the Autobots, and Sarah is recaptured by the Decepticons. She is in turn enslaved by Bombshell. With the power of invisibility at the disposal of the Decepticons, Earth soon falls to their tyrannical reign.

THE END

(<<From_PAGE_24<<) The Autobots take the door to the right. (>>PAGE_43>>) The door opens into a closet, filled with Decepticon spare parts, including spare Decepticon insignias. Striking upon another idea, Prowl tells the others to don the emblems and "look mean." The Autobots then try the door on the left. This door opens onto a courtyard, with Sarah's ship in the middle of it. But the ship is guarded by drones, who scan the Autobots as they approach. (PAGE_16) The drones scan the Decepticon emblems, and grant the Autobots safe passage onto the spaceship.Once aboard, Sarah turns on the Invisibility Device, but tells the Autobots that her invention has not yet been perfected, and will only allow for a few minutes of invisibility. Prowl hopes that it will be enough time for them to repair the ship's engines and be on their way. Prowl and Kup busy themselves fixing the ship's circuitry. But just as the Invisibility Device begins to fail, Decepticons begin to swarm into the courtyard and spot the ship! (PAGE_38) But Prowl and Kup have finished their work, and Sarah manages to get the ship engines to fire. But Hot Rod notes that they are moving too slowly, and they will soon be in the range of the encroaching Decepticons. Sarah turns the thrusters to full power, though she fears doing so might simply burn out the engines… (PAGE_66) The engines struggle, and blasts from the Decepticons begin to blaze closer towards their mark. But the Invisibility Device flickers back on, robbing the Decepticons of a clear target. The engines then reach full power, and Sarah's spaceship zooms away. Soon the whole group find themselves safely within Metroplex. After having seen the Decepticons up close, Sarah wants to help the Autobots in any way she can in defeating them. She gives the Autobots the plans to her Invisibility Device. For the evil Decepticons, this is the beginning of…

THE END

Featured characters

{{#if:* Hot Rod

Kup
Metroplex
Ultra Magnus
Springer
Prowl
Jazz
Ratchet
Sunstreaker
Red Alert (Only featured in illustrations)
Powerglide (Only featured in illustrations)|

{{#if:* Hot Rod

Kup
Metroplex
Ultra Magnus
Springer
Prowl
Jazz
Ratchet
Sunstreaker
Red Alert (Only featured in illustrations)
Powerglide (Only featured in illustrations)|| style="background:#ffdddd;" valign="top" |
Hot Rod
Kup
Metroplex
Ultra Magnus
Springer
Prowl
Jazz
Ratchet
Sunstreaker
Red Alert (Only featured in illustrations)
Powerglide (Only featured in illustrations) }}{{#if:* Thrust
Galvatron
Shockwave
Starscream
Ravage
Laserbeak
Scavenger
Frenzy
Dirge
Bombshell
Cyclonus (Only featured in illustrations)|

Autobots }}{{#if:* Thrust Galvatron Shockwave Starscream Ravage Laserbeak Scavenger Frenzy Dirge Bombshell Cyclonus (Only featured in illustrations)\|	Decepticons }}{{#if:* Sarah Sanders\|	Humans }}{{#if:\|	Others }}{{#if:\|	Misc }}{{#if:\|	Misc }}
Thrust Galvatron Shockwave Starscream Ravage Laserbeak Scavenger Frenzy Dirge Bombshell Cyclonus (Only featured in illustrations) }}{{#if:* Sarah Sanders\|	Sarah Sanders }}{{#if:\|	}}{{#if:\|	}}{{#if:\|	}}

Notes

Starscream is alive in this book, as is Prowl.
Ravage and Laserbeak have the power of speech.
Seriously. That is totally the Millennium Falcon on the cover. If that weren't enough, the illustrations also make use of an Imperial Shuttle.

External links

Review on Demian's Gamebook Web Page

Search

The Invisibility Factor

Contents

Synopsis

Featured characters

Notes

External links