Editing Vector Prime

{{factions|autobot}}
{{picsneeded|More screens from the Cybertron cartoon.}}
:''Vector Prime is a member of the [[Thirteen]] from multiple [[continuity family|continuity families]].''
[[File:VectorPrime dvd.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|He gives a new meaning to the term "grandfather clock".]]
'''Vector Prime''' is [[Primus]]'s appointed guardian of time and space. Though recorded history pegs him as 25 million years old,<ref>[[Revelations Part 4]]</ref> he has identified himself as 9 billion years old,<ref name="AVP">[[Ask Vector Prime]]</ref> making the clockwork-covered Transformer one of the [[Thirteen]]. He's so old that in many timelines, the locals have called him "the First Autobot".<ref>[[Ask Vector Prime]], 11 September 2015: "Come to think of it, in many timelines, I was not called "Vector Prime" but "The First Autobot." Indeed, this was from time-to-time shortened to simply "Autobot," though usually as an invective hurled at me."</ref> Despite his age, Vector Prime is very powerful, and can warp both space and time, though excessive use of this power can severely weaken him. His powers allow him to traverse the [[multiverse]] at will, allowing Vector Prime to track and record events across a countless number of realities. Indeed, he was once a [[multiversal singularity], existing as one being across all of time and space, but that is no longer the case.

Vector Prime was once a holder of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]<ref name="AVP">[[Ask Vector Prime]]</ref> before he left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to guard space and time, a lonely job which isolated him from Cybertronian culture for tens of millions of years. Though he has rejoined the timestream on occasion to protect it from large-scale dangers,<ref>[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]</ref> his extraordinary exile has left him emotionally, culturally, and politically disconnected from his race. He speaks in archaic terminology steeped in chivalry from an age long past, which has led [[Transcendent Technomorph|some]] to believe him to be little more than a doddering relic. Despite this disconnect, Vector Prime never forgets that these strange modern creatures are the reason he guards space and time so fiercely. It is the miracle of time that allows these precious lives to continue and flourish across the multiverse.

Vector Prime has a "Guardian [[Mini-Con]]" called [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]], and is also responsible for the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]].

{{quote|I finally understand the true value of time, for it is the bonds between us that give time its meaning.|Vector Prime's last words|"[[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]"}}

==Fiction==

===Fun Publications comics===
[[File:Vectorprimeut.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey, I can see THE DAWN OF TIME from here! Hi, Phil!]]
During the long dormancy of [[Primus]] and [[Unicron]] at the beginning of time, Vector Prime retreated from the march of history to prepare for when his skills would once again be called upon.  From this isolation he watched the greatest victories and defeats of the Transformers race across the various timelines, intervening only when his hand was needed to preserve the balance of time. (For example, Vector Prime helped mend  [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and repair the [[The Agenda (Part III)|timestorm]] that [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had unleashed in the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]].) However, the awakening of Primus and Unicron returned Vector Prime to active service, following the wake of Unicron across the multiverse to prevent or restore what damage the Dark God had inflicted with its contaminating presence.  

After the [[The Powerlinx Battles|Powerlinx Battles]], Primus attempted to lock Unicron's essence away in the center of a newborn sun, but this plan backfired and the sun collapsed into a black hole, also known as the [[Unicron Singularity]]. This threatened the multiverse itself, so Vector Prime was called back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to assist the Autobots in locating artifacts which would destroy the black hole. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

[[File:Vectorprimeutramjet.jpg|thumb|Hey, we got swords. Let's parry.]]
During the Autobots' search, Vector Prime would routinely confer with [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Alpha Trion]] on their progress.  During one such visit, Unicron's heralds [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] attacked Cybertron, prompting Alpha Trion to recruit some extra-dimensional help in the form of [[Sentinel Maximus]]. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}} No sooner had Maximus arrived than Ramjet and Nemesis came blasting into Alpha Trion's chamber; Vector duelled with Ramjet, but was unable to prevent him from heavily damaging Alpha Trion and destroying [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Balancing Act}} It was Ramjet's plan that Nemesis Prime would unleash his [[Dead Matrix]] to destroy their Creator, {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} and so the two travelled to the chamber deep within Cybertron that housed Primus's essence. Vector Prime and [[Sentinel Maximus]] met and battled them there. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 3}} {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 4}} Vector Prime and Ramjet's fight left the chamber and ended ultimately high above Cybertron. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Pt 5}} Though Vector Prime was able to defeat Ramjet and seal him away in another dimension, {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}} this act weakened him considerably.  The guardian of space and time returned to the Autobots on [[Earth]] and left Cybertron in the care of [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]], a Mini-Con who had taken the reins of what remained of Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

While on Cybertron of [[Primax 509.28 Epsilon]], [[Nexus Prime (Classics)|Nexus Prime]] decided to tell his companion [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] about the ancient artifact he was trying to find, the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. As he explained to Aquarius that the artifact was originally intended to serve good Transformers, the face of Vector Prime flashed through his mind. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}} Eventually, Nexus succeeded in finding all the pieces of the shattered sword, and united the rebuilt blame with the [[Terminus Blade]] with the intention of strengthening the multiverse and making the walls between dimensions less permeable. Vector Prime and the rest of the Thirteen were drawn to this momentous event from across space and time, but as a consequence of Nexus's actions, Vector and his brothers and sisters ceased to exist as multiversal singularities. They were splintered into infinite variations of themselves and scattered throughout the multiverse, sentient reoccurring themes each appearing in their own way, if at all, in all the worlds of the multiverse. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

===''Cybertron'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Richard Newman]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese)|[[Joscha Fischer-Antze]] (German), [[Sepuh Apikian]] (Armenian)}}

[[File:Cyb ep47 outside of time.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|We're picking up a large number of clocks!]]

Vector Prime spent much of his existence outside the linear flow of time, observing reality from afar. When he sensed the effect of the [[Unicron Singularity]] upon the timestream, he attempted to voyage further into the future to see what the outcome would be, only to strike a barrier which he found he could not pass beyond. Peering through the barrier and seeing only endless nothingness, Vector Prime realized that the black hole would go on to consume all space and time if he did not finally leave the safety of his extradimensional realm and re-enter the linear flow of time to heal seal it. {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guarian}} Appearing in the skies over Cybertron, Vector Prime immediately made contact with Optimus Prime and his Autobot team, making them aware of the Cyber Planet Keys and how they could stop the black hole. As Vector Prime then synchronised his map of the keys’ locations to the current arrangement of the cosmos, he was approached by the evil [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], who exploited Vector Prime's diminished memory of the Autobot/Decepticon conflict and convinced him to hand over the map. Alas, Vector Prime realized his mistake just as the other Autobots arrived to attack Megatron. The villain made good his escape, but not before his lieutenant [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] caused Autobot warrior [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] to be caught in the black hole’s gravitational pull, forcing Vector Prime to open a portal to save him, transporting him to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}}

[[File:Cyb ep9 time slip.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|But where's Cringer, his fearless friend?]]

Vector Prime joined with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobots in relocating to Earth in pursuit of Landmine, who had been befriended by three human children. Upon meeting these humans, Vector Prime recognised a symbol decorating the t-shirt of the female, [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]], as the pattern of the Omega Lock, the device that focused the power of the Cyber Planet Keys, and deduced that it lay in hiding somewhere on Earth. Further studies of duplicate patterns around the world failed to locate it, but did yield the co-ordinates of [[Velocitron]], the Speed Planet, resting place of the first Cyber Planet Key. Later, the lock was apparently discovered buried in the desert, but the Decepticons were hot on their tails. The battle had catastrophic consequences when Megatron's attack killed the Mini-Cons, and Vector Prime drew on his powers for the first time in ages to rewind time and save their lives. The resulting drain on his systems left him too weak to continue fighting, allowing the Decepticons to escape with the lock. {{storylink|Time (episode)|Time}} The lock in question was proven to be a fake, but the genuine article was soon discovered and acquired by Vector Prime, the Mini-Cons and the humans aboard the [[Atlantis]]—an ancient Cybertronian spaceship that had crashed on Earth and inspired the legend of the sunken continent. {{storylink|Ship}}

Vector Prime subsequently journeyed to Velocitron to observe [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] try to win the world’s Cyber Planet Key in a racing tournament. {{storylink|Hero (episode)|Hero}} He did not actually participate-mainly because his vehicle mode lacked wheels-but he offered encouragement and advice when he could. {{storylink|Race}} The races were intense enough to get even him worked up, although he did his best to restrain his enthusiasm-to Optimus Prime's mild amusement. {{storylink|Detour (episode)|Detour}}

[[File:Cyb ep16 feed me seymour.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|But whatever they offer you, don't feed the plants!]]

While Hot Shot trained for a particularly grueling track, the Autobots received a transmission urging them to come to the [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]] to help [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]], sent there in advance to seek out the second Cyber Planet Key. [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] offered to go, but Vector Prime and Optimus decided to make the trip, as they could open the dimension gate necessary to go there anyway. When they arrived, they were attacked by a massive plant monster, but Overhaul-now in the form of Leobreaker-saved them with his claws. Vector Prime joined Optimus in explaining the black hole's threat to Leobreaker's new friends, [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] and [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]], but was confused to learn that they had not, in fact, sent a distress signal at all. He then joined the others in confronting world leader [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], battling [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (who had sent the distress signal simply to watch the factions battle) and witnessing Optimus and Leobreaker's first combination into Savage Claw Mode. {{storylink|Savage}}

[[File:Cyb ep9 meteor attack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Hitting you where the sun definitely shines.]]

Soon after, Vector Prime and the other Autobots met Scourge and Megatron's forces in another battle, tricked into a canyon thanks to Sideways' trickery. He was also among the 'bots who watched Leobreaker's attempted interrogation of the two-faced trickster when the battle ended, {{storylink|Sand}} and returned to Velocitron in time to stop Megatron from stealing the Planet Cup after Hot Shot defeated Override in the final race. {{storylink|Champion}}

While most of the Autobots went back to Earth to investigate a disturbance created by the Omega Lock, Vector Prime returned to the Jungle Planet with Optimus Prime and Leobreaker, intending to secure the second Cyber Planet Key. {{storylink|Ice}} Their attempt to reason with Scourge failed miserably, leading to Leobreaker separating from Optimus mid-speech and futilely attacking the dragon-bot himself. With the lion storming off in a huff, Vector Prime accompanied Optimus back to Backstop's cave, where he learned of Scourge's beginnings as a student of Backstop's. Vector Prime was also present at the volcano Leobreaker had chosen to seclude himself in, and witnessed his reconciliation with Optimus Prime, the latter at last deciding to face Scourge in battle. {{storylink|Honor}} The Autobots ran into a Decepticon ambush en route to Scourge's temple, and Vector Prime had to use his sword to free the beast 'bots and Hot Shot from a net. He later stood back and watched Optimus and Leobreaker finally defeat Scourge in battle, winning the right to take the Cyber Planet Key. {{storylink|Primal}}

Unfortunately, Megatron led his Decepticons on an immediate counterattack, desperate to obtain the Planet Key. While most of the Autobots fended off Starscream and Thundercracker, Vector Prime came up with a plan to splinter the Decepticons. He distributed boxes amongst the Autobots, with the key's location unknown to even them, and bade them scatter to force the Decepticons to spread out. Vector Prime himself came face-to-visor with Sideways, intent on acquiring the "key". The enigmatic jet managed to steal the box, warping around Vector Prime and bypassing Safeguard with his faction-switching abilities, but learned it was a fake when he found naught but a rock inside. He later joined the rest of the Autobots in fending off Megatron and Starscream's attempted theft of the true key. {{storylink|Trust (Cybertron)|Trust}}

[[File:Cyb ep22 shell game.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]

The insertion of the Jungle Planet Key into the Omega Lock transported the Autobots into a strange dimension that Vector Prime identified as the consciousness of Primus. The god himself briefly spoke to them through the Mini-Cons before fading away, and a signal again alerted them to something in the North Pole. {{storylink|Trap}} Unfortunately, what came out of the North was Starscream, Sideways, and ''legions'' of [[Ancient Decepticon]]s, hell-bent on finding the Cyber Planet Key hidden on Earth. Vector Prime soon joined the fray, using his sword to warp in the main Autobot forces to back Snarl up. The Autobots were eventually forced to fall back, but made two new allies in the form of [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] and [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]]. {{storylink|Invasion (episode)|Invasion}}

Knowing that Starscream would come looking for the Omega Lock and the other two Keys, the Autobots established a communications blackout, using a direct link to the human telephone network to keep the refugee Autobots calm. Vector Prime soon brought up another worry, however-the children and Mini-Cons were missing! The kids soon returned, bringing the eccentric scientist [[Lucy Suzuki]] with them, but [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]]'s advance transmission about the government's knowledge of the Autobots allowed Sideways to find the Autobot's base. With no other option, Optimus Prime led a full retreat to Velocitron while Evac retrieved the Cyber Planet Key of Earth, but Starscream followed them up the space bridge and launched a one-bot assault to claim the artifacts for himself. Vector Prime was the last to stand in the Decepticon's way, vowing to give up his spark before he relinquished the Lock. Despite being blackened and battered from previous attacks, Starscream still managed to take down the ancient guardian of time, stealing the Lock and all three Planet Keys. {{storylink|Retreat}}

Vector Prime was present at the Autobot's base when it received a strange signal after Starscream inserted the third Cyber Planet Key. Enlisting the aid of [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] to decrypt it, he reported that it came from Cybertron itself, instructing them to return the Lock and Keys to the planet itself. Unfortunately, the part about ''what'' happens when the Lock is returned was lost due to interference from the black hole-and worse yet, Megatron's Decepticons were on their way to Earth to settle their own grudge with Starscream. Vector Prime generated a warp to speed his allies' trip to [[Niagara Falls]], and found himself battling the traitorous Autobot [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]]. He was shocked to discover that Landmine had practically raised the disgruntled warrior back on Cybertron...and even more dismayed to see Megatron cut down Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Scattorshot with a single volley from his newly-unlocked Cyber Key machine gun. {{storylink|Revelation (episode)|Revelation}}

[[File:Cyb ep27 giant vector.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtkGtXtDlQA| Lets go on a journey / a journey through all time / a TIME that's changing all the TIME / it's TIME to go to TIME!]]]

While others kept Megatron busy, Vector Prime evacuated the fallen warriors, assuring the pessimistic Scattorshot that they'd be fine. Upon returning to the battlefield, however, he grimly informed Optimus Prime that the situation of the trio was dire at best. Thankfully, Hot Shot, Scattorshot, and Red Alert recovered and reformatted, returning as the powerful [[Cybertron Defense Team]]. They kept the Decepticons occupied while Vector Prime warped Optimus, Override, and Evac to Starscream's newly-discovered island base. {{storylink|Critical}}

Megatron's forces soon made a break for the island, causing Vector Prime to warp the rest of his team into the fray as well. He and Optimus pursued Megatron into a volcano, and Vector Prime saved Optimus' life by blocking Megatron's shots with his own body. They would have both met their ends nonetheless, had [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] not chosen that moment to join the party as well. In response to Coby's warning that the black hole was distorting the space around Cybertron, Vector Prime would suggest sending an advance team to clear a path for the return of the Omega Lock. {{storylink|Assault}}

[[File:Cyb ep28 vector takes the hit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]

The two Primes continued their descent into the volcano, soon joined by Leobreaker. Vector Prime used a small warp to redirect one of Sideways' traps, hitting Scourge instead of them. When they finally met Sideways in battle, Vector Prime had the novel idea of attaching Safeguard to the warping enigma's back, allowing him to detect where Sideways would appear. When Starscream manifested himself as a giant, courtesy of Primus' stolen power, Vector Prime was trapped in the volcano, unable to move and with his sword out of reach. Wing Saber came to his rescue, and the pair escaped with the Omega Lock after fending off [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]]. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}} After seeing the Lock off with Leobreaker, Evac, and Override, he continued fighting against Starscream, and witnessed Optimus' combination with Wing Saber into Sonic Wing Mode to defeat the behemoth. {{storylink|United}}

With Starscream defeated, Vector Prime joined the rest of the Autobots in crossing the space bridge to Cybertron. They engaged Megatron, who managed to escape with the Omega Lock, but Optimus Prime battled him for possession of the Lock and keys within [[Fire dimension|Megatron's personal firey dimension]]. At Optimus' order, Vector Prime used his portal-generating abilities to collapse the dimension in upon itself, forcing Megatron to use all his power just to keep it open. Combining his own power with that of the Lock, Vector Prime fired a beam straight into the occupied Decepticon, apparently destroying Megatron. Vector Prime later encouraged Optimus to place the Lock within Cybertron-and the planet started coming apart beneath their feet. After evacuating the team to a nearby moon, Vector Prime realized that the planet wasn't separating; it was transforming into Primus himself! {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}} 

After Primus revealed that the fourth Cyber Planet Key rested on [[Gigantion]], homeworld of the Recon Mini-Con Team, Vector Prime recounted how he met the diminutive Transformers when they were lost playing hide-and-seek. He joined his friends in confronting the Decepticons (tenuously led by Scourge), and then joined everyone in gaping at Starscream's brazen attack on Primus himself. Vector Prime doubted Starscream's sanity for daring to attack their creator, but Primus' disposal of the treacherous jet allowed Vector Prime to finally regain the Planet Map. {{storylink|Balance}}

Sadly, a series of problems presented themselves after this small victory; Megatron returned in a mysterious ghost-like form, and the Mini-Cons seemingly disappeared along with the children. Vector Prime left to investigate the latter development, and reviewed the security camera footage at their headquarters. Discovering that Sideways had stolen the Mini-Cons and that the children had pursued him, Vector Prime requested Scattorshot and Red Alert's aid in locating them. {{storylink|Darkness (episode)|Darkness}} Continuing to work as the battle raged outside {{storylink|Memory}}, they finally received a signal from the kids, reporting that they were trapped on the ''Atlantis'' in the shadow of Earth's moon. Vector Prime led Scattorshot and Red Alert through a warp gate to the ship and caught an escape pod carrying Coby, Lori, and [[Six-Speed (Cybertron)|Six-Speed]]. Unfortunately, the other pod (carrying Bud, Jolt, and [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]]) was caught in the warp field of the ''Atlantis'' before the Autobots could retrieve it and was teleported away to parts unknown. {{storylink|Escape (episode)|Escape}}

Predicting that the ''Atlantis'' will be heading for Gigantion, Vector Prime reassured Coby and Lori that their friends would be fine in the warp gate to the planet, thanks to their flexible minds. Transformers, however, are not so flexible, and so Red Alert began working on a stablizing program, partially based on Vector Prime's sword. Vector Prime would join Optimus Prime in convincing the kids' doubting parents to allow Coby and Lori to join them on the trip to Gigantion. He also denied their fathers' wish to go as well, citing the requirement of an open mind (which the adults had just proven they lacked), but joined Optimus in promising to protect the children with his life. {{storylink|Family}}

With the children's assistance cemented, Vector Prime began rigorously studying the Planet Map for the location of the dimensional rift that led to Gigantion. He discovered the gate just after Primus defeated a superpowered Starscream, {{storylink|Titans}} informing the others that the gate is open for only a few days every year. After again reminding Coby and Lori about their immunity to the warp's effects, he helped load supplies onto the newly-arrived ''[[Ogygia (Cybertron)|Ogygia]]'' starship. After receiving his copy of the stabilizing program via injection (and observing Primus shooting down Jetfire's attempt to avoid getting one), Vector Prime boarded the ''Ogygia'' as it entered the warp, warning everyone that even the slightest moment of doubt or fear could destabilize the tunnel. After an unpleasant encounter with the Starscream-controlled ''Atlantis'', he joined his comrades in blasting a hole through a massive asteroid in the ''Ogygia'''s path before finally arriving in the dimension of Gigantion. {{storylink|Warp}}  

After landing on the Giant Planet, Vector Prime joined the search for the Cyber Planet Key, and came up empty-handed. When the Autobots met planet leader [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] and his lieutenant [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]], neither of whom allowed them access to the lower levels of the planet, Vector Prime attempted to create a warp, but found he could not due to security measures around the planet. After a confrontation with Megatron's goons, now including rebellious Gigantion native [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] and enigmatic impersonator [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], Metroplex and Quickmix were more willing to cooperate, {{storylink|Giant}} but admitted that they deleted all data on the lower levels from their memories to escape their past.

Undeterred, the team set up equipment to help Vector Prime determine the general location of the Cyber Planet Key. Using the Omega Lock, Vector Prime found the Key, but also realized that someone else had drawn power from it. Fearing the worst, the Autobots split into teams, with Vector Prime accompanying Optimus and Metroplex. Unfortunately, this allowed them to be picked off by Megatron, who had used the Cyber Planet Key to upgrade himself. By the time Optimus's team caught up with the Decepticon leader, he had dealt with every other Autobot, completed his transformation, and renamed himself Galvatron! In this state, he struck down Vector Prime with a single blow, and only the combined strength of Optimus Prime and Metroplex was enough to force his retreat. {{storylink|Fury (Cybertron)|Fury}}

When Scattorshot determined that there were four potential routes to the Cyber Planet Key, the Autobots again split up to cover all of the paths. Vector Prime teamed up with Optimus, Metroplex, Bud, and the Mini-Cons to travel down one of the trails. He joined Optimus in pursuit of Ransack and Crumplezone when the bumbling lackeys snatched Jolt, unable to fire for fear of hurting his friend, and gave Coby an approving thumbs-up when he dramatically transformed [[Cobybot|his personal mech]] to save Jolt. {{storylink|City}} After that, the journey was mostly uneventful, save for watching the Velocitronian partners in grime get beaten up and sent off (repeatedly), {{storylink|Ambush}} and meeting up with Lori and Override. {{storylink|Challenge}}

When Bud and the Mini-Cons accidentally fell down a secret passage, Vector Prime remained with the group, as Optimus claimed they would be more effective as a team searching for their lost comrades. When they found their small friends, Bud had given Scourge an eye-opening talk, and the Jungle Planet leader immediately challenged them all to a duel (for reasons only they seemed to understand). Vector Prime was the second opponent, and easily defeated the dragon, who nonetheless challenged the next comer with enthusiasm. {{storylink|Scourge (episode)|Scourge}}

[[File:Cyb ep45 matrix glow.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Two hearts beat as one..."]]

At last, the Autobots reached the central, organic layer of Gigantion, where the Cyber Planet Key rested in the ancient starship ''[[Lemuria (Cybertron)|Lemuria]]''. Unfortunately, both Galvatron and Starscream chose that moment to make their appearances, and the former's taunts were enough to force Optimus into a breakdown of self-doubt. Finding his best logic to the contrary useless, Vector Prime was forced to drastic measures: ''punching'' Optimus in the face. Berating his peer for his arrogance, Vector Prime explained that Optimus' men trust him with their lives, but ''he'' has to trust ''them'' to do their jobs. His words snapped Prime out of his momentary funk, and the duo continued on in time to see a super-sized Landmine defeat Starscream and engage Galvatron. The combined strength of the Autobots was enough to send the Decepticon leader into retreat, leaving Optimus to claim the Cyber Planet Key and thank Vector Prime for his support (and comment on his mean right hook). {{storylink|Optimus (episode)|Optimus}} 

Vector Prime personally inserted the final key into the Omega Lock, opening a path to their home universe (via opening the planet layers and creating a space bridge). Barring their path, however, was Galvatron, intent on taking the now-completed Lock and achieving his dark plans. Vector Prime moved to stop him, but was aghast to learn that Galvatron could warp-as well as summon a massive blast that sent all the Autobots sprawling. With the Lock in Decepticon hands, Vector Prime made a final attempt to take it back, but Galvatron simply electrocuted the ancient Transformer through his own sword and knocked him back. Perhaps due to this beating, Vector Prime was only able to watch Galvatron's apocalyptic confrontation with Starscream and subsequent escape through the space bridge. He theorized that Starscream (and the two Planet X survivors also caught in the final clash of superpowered Decepticons) had been blasted into ''another'' dimension rather than destroyed, but bigger concerns arose when the gate between universes closed, leaving the Autobots stranded on Gigantion. {{storylink|Showdown (Cybertron)|Showdown}}

[[File:Cyb ep47 vector prime dies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|I'll see you in another life, brother!]]

In the wake of this shock, Vector Prime was the only Autobot with any ideas on what to do, but Jolt, seemingly aware of what was coming, insisted against it. Instead, an attempt to create a space bridge generator was made, but Vector Prime was forced to destroy it after it released hordes of [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|bird-like drone robots]]. Optimus assured Vector Prime that he had done the right thing, but it was realized by all that the only way back was through the warp, which would not open again for a year. With no other options, Vector Prime revealed the only way to get back to Cybertron was for him to reverse time to the point where the warp to Gigantion was open. Jolt cut in to point out that the effort would be enough to destroy him-in the conventional sense, anyways. Despite this, Vector Prime was adamant, knowing that the black hole would destroy all of time itself if left unchecked. In preparation for this final act, he released Safeguard, telling his old partner to live on Cybertron with the other Mini-Cons, gave his Planet Map to Bud, and told Optimus Prime that it was an honor to work with him. As the three Autobot starships took off, Vector Prime gave it his all to get his allies back to Cybertron, finally returning them to their own dimension before his energy gave out and his body dissolved into green particles of light.  {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guardian}}

[[File:Cyb ep49 vector ghost.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Remember, the force will be with you. Always...]]

However, as Vector Prime had already explained to the Autobots, since he had existed for most of his life outside of time, he would ''always'' exist there, able to observe the passage of time, even though he could now no longer enter the linear universe. He swore to always watch over Optimus Prime and the Autobots, and would be there for them in spirit when their need was greatest. The first such moment came during Optimus Prime's pivotal moment within the black hole, as he appeared alongside the Autobot leader as he reached for the Omega Lock. {{storylink|End}} 

[[File:Vector Primevs.Megatron.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|Battling... IN THE NEXT DIMENSION!]]
Subsequently, the black hole was sealed, but Galvatron was not yet through, and challenged Prime to a final one-on-one duel. During the battle, as Galvatron stood poised to deliver the final blow, Vector Prime's Planet Map flew from the pocket of the watching Bud and moved between the two combatants, blocking Galvatron's blow. Vector Prime spoke to Optimus once more, promising to always be there for him, and bestowing upon him the greatest of gifts—his own sword, [[Rhisling]], with which Optimus Prime defeated and destroyed Galvatron once and for all. {{storylink|Unfinished}} Not long afterwards, as the Autobots departed on a mission across the universe to create a new [[space bridge]], Vector Prime appeared to Optimus once more, smiling at his old friend. {{storylink|Beginning}}

Vector Prime was last seen dueling Galvatron in an existence after death.
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{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Haven}} {{storylink|Hidden}} {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}} {{storylink|Space (episode)|Space}} {{storylink|Speed}} {{storylink|Collapse}} {{storylink|Search}} {{storylink|Deep}} {{storylink|Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming}} {{storylink|Inferno (episode)|Inferno}}}}


===Ask Vector Prime===
====As a multiversal singularity====

[[File:Ask Vector Prime Facebook.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Vector Prime: causing wiki headaches since 2015.]]

In ancient times, Vector Prime visited Earth. His [[holomatter]] avatar formed the basis for human legends of [[w:Hermes|Hermes]], while Rhisling was likewise interpreted as the [[w:Caduceus|Caduceus]].

At some undetermined point in Vector Prime's life, he took the time to answer a series of questions about himself, other Transformers, and the ''Transformers: Cybertron'' toyline in a recurring feature on Hasbro's official ''Transformers'' website, to be reprised in ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', ''[[Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete AllSpark Almanac]]'', and a [[Fun Publications]]-provided Facebook account, called "[[Ask Vector Prime]]". Because of his mastery of time and space, it is impossible to determine when exactly he communicated with our universe, but it may have been during the course of events in the ''Cybertron'' animated series, as he answered questions regarding those events and other characters who he had not met before the series began. 

He revealed much about himself in these pages, including his past. He fondly remembered all his brothers, even knowing how three of them turned into dread monsters, and listened with rapt attention to the [[Liege Maximo (G2)|Liege Maximo]]'s tales of the [[Covenant]] and [[Primon]], stories he was not even sure were real or just legends. After helping [[Nexus Prime (Classics)|Nexus Prime]] hide his five new pieces, Vector went into hiding in the universe [[Aurex 404.11 Kappa]] and locked away all memories of his trauma. Out of necessity, he took a much simpler form, one that turned into a device similar to a wristwatch.

[[File:WatchRoboCard.jpg|188px|thumb|right|Available in the finest vending machines across the country.]]

There, he became the Autobot leader and wielded the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He had a bodyguard, [[Scorpia]], during his Matrix-bearer days, and the two became [[Transformer romance|close]] despite the difference in rank (and his initial reluctance to act on his feelings for a subordinate). After leading the Autobots to victory in the [[Second Cybertronian War (Armada)|Second Cybertronian War]] against such foes as [[Devron (Armada)|Devron]], [[Megazarak (Armada)|Megazarak]], and the [[Destructon]]s, he was called on by the [[Chronarchitect]] to help fix damage to Time itself! Reluctantly, he passed the Matrix to [[Guardian Major]]. 

With a group of fellows, the [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warriors]]—Scorpia, medical officer [[Kaltor]], intelligence officer [[Autoceptor]], and quantum scientist [[Deceptor]]—Vector Prime faced foe and threat innumerable, with some timelines only knowing him as "First Autobot" or, when shortened, "Autobot" as a slur, meaning his watch self has often been mistaken for a person ''called'' Autobot. Eventually the Warriors discovered their true enemy, [[Mogahn the Mass]], an indescribable entity that absorbed entire star systems into itself. In the final battle, Vector found his mind entering the [[Realm of the Primes]] and learning his true identity once more; [[Amalgamous Prime|Adaptus]] gifted him the power to create the mighty sword Rhisling, and he smote Mogahn so hard that his remains went back in time and detonated in [[the Big Bang]].

Aware of his true role in the multiverse, Vector Prime had to say a tearful goodbye to Scorpia. He tries not to remember her and does not like talking about it.

During his time answering questions on Facebook, he had taken up residence in [[Axiom Nexus]]. 

Notable other revelations:

* His favorite human authors were [[Peter David]] and [[Alan Dean Foster]], though he seldom had time to read.
* He was a fan of the [[Dinobot (disambiguation)|Dinobot]]s.
* His favorite planet was Cybertron, and his favorite city there was [[Apophenia]].
* He was over nine billion years old, almost as old as the galaxy itself.
* He did not need to shave.
* He used to "boogie down" with [[Disco ball]] when he was younger, but not so much any more. He still enjoyed the symphonies created by the [[Eurythma]] natives. On the other hand, he was not a fan of the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]], since he found their name tasteless.
* He found the [[Viron]] universal cluster to be underrated.
* He was unable to visit the [[Quadwal]] universe stream.
* He knows which universes have manifested as fiction in Quadwal.
* Despite having traveled far and wide, he could not see why kids loved [[Cinnamon Toast Crunch]].
* He feared the [[Elder God]]s.
* He missed Safeguard, as well as Lori, Bud, and Coby.
* If he had to choose an Earth mode, he would choose a dirigible, though he didn't because he was "not here to blend." 
* If he had to choose a beast mode, it would be a large sea mammal.
* He was not a fan of dragons.
* He was definitely not [[Santa Claus]].
* He held several misconceptions about humans, such as how long we could survive decapitation, and whether or not they enjoyed molten boron.
* Though he vehemently dismissed the Decepticon ideology, he did find his species too quick to jump to philosophical extremes, and wished they were more apt to find a middle ground.
* He could view events from elsewhere in the [[Omniverse]], and was impressed by the adventures of [[w:Ben 10|Benjamin Kirby Tennyson]].
* He cherished his relationship with each of his fellow Thirteen original Primes, though he acknowledged that some of them had gone bad.
* He enjoyed [[Energon Z]] and Stanixian energon wine, but did not care for [[Red Energon]].
* The large glowing hole in his chest was a [[Critias Gate]]way.
* He answered to many names, including [[GoBots (franchise)|Vec-Tor]], [[Convoy (disambiguation)|Vector Convoy]], Vector Maximus, Vector Maximo, and [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Vector Prima-Vectorum]].
* He was in the process of absorbing the memories and experiences of his [[Vector Prime (WFC)|Uniend counterpart]], which would eventually alter his physical appearance.
* Since there were constant threats across the multiverse, he had no intentions of retiring anytime soon. If Vector Prime ever got the opportunity to settle down without jeopardizing space or time, however, he would like to become a factory and help build useful things.
* He eventually grew tired of having people ask him about the identities of nameless Transformers, and politely suggested that his audience could ask him more cosmically significant questions.
* In his down time, he enjoys the art galleries of [[Axiom Nexus]].
* Everyone he ever cares about will grow old and die in what, to him, is just the pulse of a spark. Sometimes, he feels alone even when he's in a crowd.
* He had bravely faced down many threats during his life, but he dreaded the prospect of going up against [[KSI]]'s legal department.
* He found biological functions confusing, and thus he had no wish to become a [[synthoid]].
* His favorite anime was ''[[Galaxy Force#Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]''. (don't think about this one too hard)
* His favorite character from [[w:Babylon 5|Babylon 5]] was the ambassador [[w:Kosh Naranek|Kosh]].
* In some universes, Vector is female. She would purchase [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]] as a guilty pleasure more often than when she is male. She sounds like [[Star Trek|Kate Mulgrew]].
* Though he doesn't have a birthday, per se, he suggests that a celebration could be held on [[September 19]], the day he first arrived on Earth (and, not coincidentally, the day [[Fallen (episode)|the first episode]] of Cybertron aired in the US.)
* He doesn't like talking about the various conflicts and tribulations that his species regularly undergo. He'd rather discuss music, art, and the beautiful things that he's seen across the multiverse; he rarely has the opportunity to talk about the nature of his work to someone on an equal level. 
* His favourite human movie was ''[[w:Back to the Future|Back to the Future]]'', due to the performance of lead actor [[w:Eric Stoltz|Eric Stoltz]].
* He revealed himself as a [[Point One Percenter]] (after the Shroud).

Vector Prime gave some of these answers as part of an advice column position with [[Axiom Nexus News]] in [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]]. {{storylink|Axiom Nexus News Editor}} He was viewed by the TransTech public as a respected if a bit eccentric elder 'bot, but ANN journalist [[Rook (TransTech)|Rook]] (correctly) suspected that Vector Prime was merely putting on an act. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}}

At one point during his tenure at ANN, he was kidnapped and tortured by [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. While Vector Prime was indisposed, Sideways took over his inventory of unanswered questions, and offered decidedly unhelpful answers. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

Vector Prime escaped the clutches of Sideways when the head of the Herald of Unicron suddenly [[David Willis|exploded]]. However, [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] was part of the [[Axiom Nexus Security Administration|OZSA]] team sent to rescue Vector Prime, and the Mini-Con initiated a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] sequence with Sideways, allowing the Herald of Unicron to escape capture via a [[Dimensional Interfacer]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}}

After a few decades of recovery in other universes, Vector Prime resumed his advice columnist position in Axiom Nexus but, after [[Nexus Prime]] summoned him {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}, the column fell into the hands of [[Grimlock (G1)|a Grimlock]].  After being falsely told that Vector Prime lied about Dinobots and said they looked like jerks, Grimlock snarled "him look like jerks!" and, in a burst of wit, said Vector was ''old''. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Grim Grams|Ask Grim Grams}} When [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] took over the column, he was dismayed to note that he was filling in for a "filthy Guardian do-gooding dunce" and refused to answer any questions about Vec-Tor. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric}}

====As a TransTech====
{{voiceactor|[[Richard Newman]] ("Special Guest")}}

Vector Prime returned to Axiom Nexus soon after "the [[Shroud]]" had cut it off from every other universe. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|ANN live coverage}} Little did anyone in the city know, this "Shroud" was the product of Nexus Prime's unification of the Star Saber and Terminus Blade, and the Vector who returned was not truly the same being as the one who had left: per the results of Nexus Prime's actions, the Vector who resumed his duties as host of the column was no longer a multiversal singularity, but a single incarnation of the many that now existed throughout the multiverse. This was a TransTech Vector Prime, native to Axiom Nexus, a "mere" 25 million years old, with a unique history of his own as a professor at the [[Academy of Science and Technology]] who had been the teacher of [[Rhinox (TransTech)|The local Rhinox]], and who had come up with the theoretical foundation of the [[universal stream]] classification system. Accordingly, he was left with only unclear memories of exactly had happened, much like a dream, and was no longer aware of his original nature: he believed his exploits as one of the Thirteen had happened to the (possibly newly created) other Vector Primes. 

Briefly leaving his column in the hands of [[Spacewarp]] while he responded to a summons from the city's Ministry of Higher Dimensional Sciences, Vector Prime's experience with multiversal travel led to him taking part in an Axiom Nexus scheme to try to establish contact with one of the nine fundamental realities: specifically, [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]], requiring him to be stationed on [[Nebulos]] as a factory manufacturing [[hoverboard]]s, binary bonded to a local codenamed Safeguard and with a bodyguard known as Scorpia. He hoped he'd got on well with them!

In the interim, he endeavoured to answer questions and among his answers:

* He has 'dreams' of the exploits of other Vector Primes and believes this is down to an unusual physiology of his. While he has a vague sense of having been greater once, these memories "are but oneiric wisps, gossamer threads that vanish when I touch them." 

* He's ''dramatically'' less interested in questions about who came from what universal stream. Stop wasting his time, nerds!

* He has visited a few other realities as a scholar. It was Rhinox that challenged him into getting out into the field.

* The students he remembers the most fondly after Rhinox are [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Apelinq]], [[Proxima]], and [[Brainstorm]], who all did great things in their respective fields. [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]], on the other hand, often challenged him to excel but they did not go on, each believing the other had deep problems. [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] and [[Herr Fiend]] were frustrating as neither seemed likely to do nice things with their skills.  

Not long into his voyage on [[Galaxy Shuttle]], he started to develop tentative feelings for Scorpia. Unfortunately, his trip was interrupted by an abduction. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} [[Spacewarp]] came to his aid on behalf of the wounded Galaxy Shuttle. {{storylink|Spacewarp's Log}}

===''Galaxy Force'' manga===
When the [[Unicron Singularity|Grand Black Hole]] began to devour Cybertron, Vector Prime opened a warp and sent [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] to Earth. When the humans Coby, Bud, and Lori failed to repair Landmine, Vector Prime arrived through a warp and thanked the kids for their efforts before repairing Landmine himself. Vector Prime revealed he was unable to save Optimus Prime, but his despair was distracted by the human children bombarding him with questions about Transformers (sound familiar?). Then Megatron showed up and used his hypnotic powers to mesmerize Vector into handing over the Map to the [[Cyber Planet Key|Ancient Power]]. Luckily, Coby was able to yell loud enough to snap Vector out of it. And then Optimus Prime showed up, alive and well, and forced Megatron into retreat. {{storylink|Touchdown! Optimus Prime}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Devil's Dogfight! Coby's Courage}} {{storylink|Deep Sea Discovery! Vector Prime}} {{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.8}} {{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.9}}}}

===''Beast Wars Reborn''===
[[File:Bwreborn text.jpg|thumb]]

After the [[Great Reformatting]], [[Soundblaster (Cybertron)|Logos Prime]] abducted [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] onto his amazing starship, though they had lost their memories. After a series of confusing escapades between the two, Logos Prime introduced himself as Soundblaster. He offered his powers over space and time to Megatron, hoping that he'd be his successor.  But Vector Prime appeared and interrupted. The two old Transformers recognized each other as ancients, and a battle was likely imminent...  {{storylink|Master of the Game}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}}}}

===''Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!''===
[[File:KPVectorPrime.jpg|left|thumb|"Scary-Faced Gear Man", she calls him.]]
As [[Shaoshao Li (KP)|Shaoshao]] piloted [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]] in pursuit of a mysterious golden hand that had stolen a fragment of the [[Allspark]], the flying fortress crashed into a wall of time, scattering its passengers through space, time and relative dimensions.

After a brief adventure on [[Primus]]'s surface, Shao found herself face to face with Vector Prime, who informed her that he was a former guardian of time and space and that she was trapped in a parallel world. He used his sword to slash a hole between dimensions, from which the golden hand emerged and grabbed Shaoshao, pulling her through. {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 3}}
{{-}}

===''Animated'' cartoon continuity===
When the battle between [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] caused the [[AllSpark]] to discharge an energy flare, this massive surge of cosmic power caught Vector Prime's attention. Peering through the dimensions, he observed the growing conflict between these Autobots and Decepticons and recorded his thoughts in a journal. {{storylink|Dispatches}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' film===
After the Fallen was caught trying to harvest a [[Sun|star]] from a system with life, he turned on the other Primes and made war on them. In order to prevent the Fallen from harvesting the star, the remaining Primes (including Vector Prime) hid the [[Matrix of Leadership|key to the harvester]] inside a tomb made of their own bodies and sealed it with their own life essence. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} 
{{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

{{note|Vector Prime was among the [[Dynasty of Primes]], though it was unclear which exact Prime he was. However, since he simply claims that he was the "handsome one", this may have all been a joke. If not, Vector Prime's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novel “[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]].”}}

===''Alternity''===
Vector Prime was contacted by his fellow defenders of space and time, the hyper-evolved Autobots known as the [[Alternity]], when they were facing their final hours. At the Alternity's behest, Vector Prime communicated with a race of two-dimensional beings called [[Planicron]]s who were under threat from [[Megatron (G1)#Alternity|Megatron]], and discovered that they were attempting to evolve beyond their two-dimensional existence. To do so, they had to pass through a doorway that took the form of a diagram somewhere on the Earth of [[universal stream]] [[Story of Binaltech|Primax 903.0 Beta]]. A team consisting of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Arcee (Energon)|Elita Seven]], and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] successfully located the diagram, and Vector Prime proceeded to lead the Planicrons through it, successfully evolving them into higher-dimensional lifeforms that took the Alternity's place as defenders of reality. {{storylink|Alternation}}

===''Kre-O'' online comics===
In a universe built out of blocks, Vector Prime witnessed a Decepticon attack on [[Metroplex (Kre-O)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}

==Games==
===Transformers Power Up: The Game===
{{Note|Vector Prime is one of four Transformers that can be built over the course of the game.}}
{{storylink|Transformers Power Up: The Game}}

==Toys==
===Generation 2===
[[File:G2AutobotGenerations.jpg|100px|thumb|Sadly not featured in a hilarious rap-filled commercial.]]
*'''Autobot''' (Watch, 1993)
**''Accessories'': Watchband

: Autobot originated in the [[1983]] ''[[Microman]]'' ''[[Micro Change]]'' line as MC-06 Watch Robo, where he was available in four different colors. In [[1993]], he was released directly by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] in North America as part of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', alongside [[Scorpia]] and the wristwatches of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

:He transforms from a boxy silver chrome robot to a boxy functional digital watch that attaches to a plastic wristband.

:He was [[retcon|retconned]] into an old form of Vector Prime's in a 2015 [[Ask Vector Prime]] entry. 

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/Autobot/autobot.htm More information on Autobot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Cybertron===
[[File:Cybertrontoy hasbro and takara vector primes.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|The [[Last Autobot]]'s beiger cousin.<br>(Hasbro Vector Prime at left, with the differently-colored Takara release on the right, and their respective Cyber Keys from top to bottom at center.)]]
* '''Vector Prime''' (Voyager, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GC-03'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Rhisling|Sword]], missile, [[Zeonomicon|Cyber Planet Key]]

:Vector Prime transforms into a large Cybertronic space cruiser with "solar panel" wings, his shape seemingly taking cues from both the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[starships|starship]] ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' and the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' [[Darth Maul|Sith Infiltrator]]. His nosecone has a spring-loaded missile launcher at the tip. In robot mode, raising his right arm triggers electronic laser sounds; inserting his unique [[Cyber Planet Key]] into his chest in either mode activates a vague electronic charging sound, and replaces his arm-activated laser sounds with those of a clashing sword. He comes with his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]], and as such is one of the few early molds from ''Cybertron'' to have Mini-Con [[Powerlinx]] plugs. 

: First made available in Japan by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] several months ahead of [[Hasbro]]'s release of the figure, Vector Prime has some significant differences between his two separate releases. Where Hasbro's release features a high-contrast color scheme of stark white and rich chocolate-brown plastics, Takara's uses a softer metallic-tinged grey and burgundy. [[For safety reasons]], Hasbro uses a softer, bendable translucent plastic for Vector Prime's wings and sword, where Takara was able to cast these parts in firmer materials. Finally, there are some [[paint operation]] differences between the two: Takara's version features a burgundy rim that runs all around the figure's wings, extra red circles on his shoulders, silver paint on the thigh vents, and several additional gold details on his forearm guards, helmet crest, and the sides of his legs, while Hasbro's does away with these and adds instead a larger gold application around his midriff and Cyber Key slot, and an Autobot [[insignia]] on his vehicle-mode cockpit. Where Hasbro's Cyber Key is entirely unpainted translucent blue with the [[Cyber Key Codes|code]] "v38g" printed on the reverse, Takara's features a generous metallic silver paint coating and no code.

[[File:VectorPrime toy.jpg|thumb|right|Stock image, "None of the above"]]
Unhelpfully, [[stock photography|stock photo]]s of Vector Prime depicted a conglomerated version of the figure with Hasbro's white plastic, Takara's burgundy, and all the different paint applications from both versions, as shown left.

: The Korean [[Mocom Toy]] version of Takara Vector Prime replaces the silver paint of his Cyber Planet Key with a light gray.

:This mold was also used to create [[BotCon 2007]] [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/VectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on Vector Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy vprime vs sscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
* '''Vector Prime'' vs ''Starscream''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories:'' Sword, missile, Cyber Planet Key

: The Vector Prime in this [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] set is identical to the regular-retail version, even though the [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] is not only a mold not available at normal US retail, but is in an entirely new coloration not used for its Japanese release.

{{-}}
{{anchor|LOC}}
[[File:LOC VectorPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|And I'm his poorer cousin who can't afford paint.]]
* '''Vector Prime''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)

: As part of the ''[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]]'' line, Vector Prime is a miniature, heavily-simplified version of the Voyager-class toy, yet retaining much of the sculpted detailing. He was part of the third wave of product, the first wave to be sold outside of "[[market six]]" stores and in "big box" chains like Toys 'R' Us and Kmart.

: This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/LOCVectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on ''Legends of Cybertron'' Vector Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
{{anchor|CGFVectorPrime}}
[[File:Cyb GFVectorPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Safeguard pimps his ride. Fo sho.]]
* '''Galaxy Force Vector Prime''' (Voyager, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Sword, missile, Cyber Planet Key

: Not to be confused with the ''Galaxy Force'' release of Vector Prime, Galaxy Force Vector Prime is a matte gold [[redeco]] of Vector Prime released near the end of the [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]]. His transparent blue parts were changed to transparent orange, and he has the same number of paint applications as the original ''Cybertron'' Vector Prime toy. The packaging photography shows the [[prototype]] as considerably more blinged out than the rather yellowish matte gold plastic actually used for the production run.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/GFVectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on Galaxy Force Vector Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[File:JollibeeVectorPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The Guardian of Shakes and Fries]]
* '''Vector Prime''' (Jollibee Kids Meal, 2007)

: Available exclusively from the Jollibee restaurant chain in the Philippines, this small scale, extremely simplified version of Vector Prime was sold under the subline ''Transformers: Cybertron Robot Blasters''. Similar to the ''Legends of Cybertron'' version, the Robot Blasters Vector Prime has an even more simplified transformation sequence and less articulation and paint detailing. However, he impressively retains a significant amount of Vector Prime's sculpted detailing.

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:Universe2008 VectorPrime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Last Autobot [[homage]]: Denied!]]
*'''Vector Prime with Mini-Con Safeguard!''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Sword, missile, Key, Safeguard

:Vector Prime is a part of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' "Cybertron Series" and is a redeco of the previous ''Cybertron'' release of Vector Prime, in black, brown and blue colors. Notably, this is the first Hasbro iteration of the figure to have painted wings like the Takara Galaxy Force version, as well as being the only version with a painted sword blade. Like [[BotCon]] exclusive [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]], sadly, he has been gutted of his electronic features, rendering the Cyber Key pointless. The battery compartment is riveted shut.

:This toy was shipped in extremely low quantities, and as a result was a very rare sight at U.S. retail stores.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUVectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on ''Universe'' Vector Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Attacktix===
*'''Vector Prime''' (Booster, 2006)

[[File:Attacktix VectorPrime.jpg||thumb|upright=1.1|Go ahead. Ask me again about how well I blend.]]
{{attacktix
|ID=TF11
|faction=Autobot
|class=Leader
|special=Vengeance — 2525 (77%) success ratio
|cost=40
|speed=4
|attacktype=Shooter (Energy Blast)
}}
{{-}}
:Part of the first assortment of ''[[Attacktix]]'' Transformers-series Booster packs, Vector Prime is one of the less stable shooters his size. He has three points of articulation (shoulders and waist) which you can use to put him in a more stable stance than his default, though it doesn't look very comfortable.

:Vector Prime appears to have been created as the counterpart to the powerful Decepticon [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] figure. His Special Power is the antithesis of Scorponok's, allowing you to instantly remove up to two of your opponent's in-play [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticons]]. Who knew Vector Prime hated Terrorcons so much?

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/AttacktixVectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on ''Attacktix'' Vector Prime at TFU.info]''

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:VectorPrimeGoldCG.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Vector Prime goes Super Saiyan.]]
* "Vector Prime" was the originally proposed name for [[Sentinel Maximus]], going so far as to be printed on Sentinel Maximus's shipping cases.
* One of the earliest known sketches of Vector Prime gave him a vaguely pharaonic head, making him look a fair bit like [[wikipedia:Giant Robo (OVA)|Giant Robo]]. This appears to have been coincidental, as [[Aaron Archer]] had no idea what Giant Robo was when questioned about it—although, to be fair, the sketch was not one Archer had done himself.<ref>http://tfu.info/issue12/aaronsdesk.htm Stuff From Aaron's Desk, Day 22</ref>
* According to the [[Hasbro]] panel at [[BotCon 2006]], Vector Prime's head was largely based around the [[Autobot]] insignia.  At one point in the design process, a flip-down battle mask identical to the Autobot symbol was proposed.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/naladahc/256973979/in/set-72157594305640507/ BotCon - Friday - Vector Prime's original head]</ref> Also, he was originally going to have two swords, as seen in the image on the right.
* The "Galaxy Force Vector Prime" color scheme appears to have been inspired by a [[GONZO]] CGI color mock-up done before Vector Prime's final coloration was decided. A Hasbro design chart showing this and other concepts was first seen at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2005, and was present at [[BotCon 2005]] later that same year. The image also made an appearance during a slideshow at one of Hasbro's [[BotCon 2006]] presentations, and in Galaxy Force Vector Prime's unlockable online Cyber Key content.
* The released version of the Vector Prime ''Attacktix'' figure featured the Takara coloration of the ''Cybertron'' toy, gray with a metallic burgundy. [[:File:WhiteVectorPrimeAttacktix.jpg|A more Hasbro-release-like white-and-brown redeco]] was seen through various avenues, such as Toy Fair 2006 and Hasbro publicity photos, but ultimately never came out at retail.
* [[Don Figueroa]] had a different [http://www.unicron.us/tf2007/figueroa/DonceptVector-b.jpg interpretation] of Vector Prime.<ref>From [http://www.unicron.com www.unicron.com]</ref>
[[File:RobotTimeMachineSixModes.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Robot Time Machine in watch, "battle station", "galactic shuttle", "cosmic tank", "solar creature", and robot forms. No, this time we're not joking.]]
* After being released in ''Micro Change'', Autobot was sold by Takara in a line called '''''Watch Q''''' in 1984. The watches who would become [[Kaltor]] and [[Scorpia]] were also sold in ''Watch Q'', as were a bunch of other transforming watches who were never sold as Transformers. Autobot was also sold as part of Takara's North American ''[[Kronoform]]'' line, where he was called "Robot Time Machine" and had the unique honor of appearing in a television commercial that advertised him as being, at the least, a [[Six Changer]] (albeit a highly unconvincing one).
* He has the distinction of being THE prototypical transforming watch toy of the 1980s, with scores of knock-offs produced during that era. Surprisingly, one of these was advertised ''within'' an issue of Marvel's ''Transformers'' series! "[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!]]" featured [[:File:BonkersRobotWatch.jpg|an ad from the Nabisco company]] for a "Robot-Watch" (plainly Autobot, with "Quartz" replacing "Takara" on his chest) at the cost of $3.95 and 3 "Bonkers" candy labels. 
* Two versions of Autobot's packaging are depicted in ''[[Transformers Generations]]'', one using his ''Micro Change'' art with an Autobot symbol slapped on and the other with original art. According to the text, the former was a packaging mock-up; the one shown on this page is how he was released.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Vector Prime''' (ベクタープライム ''Bekutā Puraimu'')
*''Korean:'' '''Mega Vector Prime''' (메가빅텨프라임 ''Mega Biktyeo Peuraim'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Vector''' (Taiwan, 貝克達 ''Pèi K<sup>h</sup>è Tá''), '''Yǐn Tiān Xíng''' (China, 引天行, "Guide Heaven Walk")

==External links==
* [http://www.insecticons.com/vector-qa-00.html Ask Vector Prime archive at ''In Space, No One Can Hear Starscream'']
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNlb0h6qig8&amp;fmt=18 Kronoform Robot Time Machine commercial on youtube]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

{{Thirteen}}
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Alternity Autobots]]
[[Category:Animated Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Elderly Transformers]]
[[Category:Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category: Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]
[[Category:Transcendent Technomorphs]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Watches]]