Editing Gone Too Far

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|''Transformers Timelines'']]<br>text story
|prev=Wreckers: Finale Part II
|next=Force of Habit
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]''
|next2=Bee in the City
|image=Axiomnexusgonetoofar.jpg
|caption=And thus began an era where prose stories were enjoyable again.
|title="Gone Too Far"
|publisher=[[Transformers Collectors' Club]] (online exclusive)
|date=[[March 13]], 2008
|written by=[[Greg Sepelak]] and [[Trent Troop]]
|illustrations by=[[Evan Gauntt]]
|pagecount=28pp
|continuity=[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] & [[Transformers: Classics#Fiction|Classics]]
}}

'''Two Autobots try to make their way in Axiom Nexus and get more than they bargained for.'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|Events from the prologue are in italics}}
[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], having been transported in a [[space bridge]] accident to an alternate Cybertron, are put through "processing" by the native Cybertroninains, known as the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s. Jackpot is interrogated by a old robot named [[Nitpick]], working for the [[Department of Acclimation]]. The gruff old bot asks his name and subjects him to a scan, gives him his [[Tech Spec]]s, and sets him out to meet his guide. Reunited with Hubcap, Jackpot is intrigued by the "Jackpot III" designation on his tech specs, while his friend is uncomfortable. The two are suddenly greeted by [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], their guide, who welcomes them to [[Axiom Nexus]]. Over a cup of oil, Scattorshot explains that this Cybertron never had a Great War, and that most of the population remains neutral. Axiom Nexus is mostly filled with offworlders, with the TransTech's limited to the higher levels. When Jackpot inquires about why they're allowed to keep their weapons, Scattorshot tells him that most of the dangerous bots are sent back, while the ones that remain are usually glad to not have to fight anymore. Scattorshot tells them that aside from the TransTech guards and police in the upper levels, most of the policing is done by various guilds and factions in the non-TransTech zones, including the Offworlder "[[Shadow Government]]", the [[Order of Bureaucratic Enlightenment]], the [[Freelance Police Legion]], and the [[Elder Councils]], the TransTech content to let them be as long as the offworlders remain peaceful. Jackpot is curious about how he's the third Jackpot, and Scattorshot proceeds to give him the "short" explanation on [[Transwarp]]. A realm of space that contains millions of alternate universes and realms, Transwarp space is used by most races to power faster-than-light travel, time travel, [[subspace storage pocket]]s, portals, and interdimensional travel. Some of these universes are closer than others, causing near identical variations of its people to pop up. Hubcap wonders how and when they'll get home, and Scattorshot explains that they can leave anytime by applying exit visas, unless they've been designated a "unit of interest"-usually meaning they've participated in criminal activities or have unique technology that could potentially threaten planetary security. Getting up, Scattorshot leads them on a tour around the zones, until eventually being called back to begin another tour. Hubcap is suspicious of the entire process, but Jackpot wants to see the sites, and follows a bunch of [[Beastformer|cyborg aliens]] carry specimens to what he assumes is a zoo. An exasperated Hubcap follows his friend into the city.

After a few incidents, including the "zoo"/bounty reclamation office and getting into trouble with security at a crowed credits station when Hubcap calls it a scam, Hubcap and Jackpot arrive at a tavern called ''[[The Blue Deployer]]''. Hubcap is annoyed that his senses are dulled by a jamming field, but is excited when he spots gambling games. Jackpot orders himself a drink, and is greeted by the proprietor, [[Cryotek (TransTech)|Cryotek]]. A jovial yet somewhat threatening TransTech, Cryotek tells the bot to enjoy his stay, although his "[[Nucleon (substance)|habit]]" won't be easy to indulge in. A confused and uneased Jackpot is glared at by Cryotek's subordinates, [[Black Shadow (Victory)|Black Shadow]] and [[Backslash]], but puts his concerns aside. Heading over to check up on Hubcap, Jackpot finds his friend already having piles of credit-chips, and heads over to the roulette tables to flirt with the [[Roulette (Universe)|croupier]]. Hubcap, meanwhile, plays a game of [[Fullstasis]] (a card game based around quantum physics) with [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]], a Decepticon Action Master. Hubcap manages to calculate all the probabilities need to win the game, but when Jackpot comes over to watch his friend, his luck field warps them to allow for Gutcruncher to win. Hubcap looses all 53,000 of their credits, arguing with Jackpot before deciding to try and earn back their money in other games. Suddenly, they are interrupted by [[Dirge (Timelines)|Dirge]], who tells Hubcap that Gutcruncher he wants to talk to him. With Jackpot as his "consultant", Hubcap heads to Gutcruncher's booth. The Action Master admires the Mini-Bot's skills, and offers him a chance to join his team, figuring he owes Hubcap. Handing him a card, he tells him to come to Zone 9, Level 43 tomorrow evening. Leaving, Jackpot and Hubcap don't trust the Decepticon, but the two are told by Cryotek that with their financial states and the tavern's lack of a tab, it would be in their best interests to go to Gutcruncher's meeting. Cryotek tells them that while Gutcruncher may be a Decepticon, he's is nothing if not loyal this own cause, and generous to all his friends, and promises to have Backslash keep an eye on the two.

The next night, Jackpot and Hubcap find themselves at a rally, where numerous gangs have all gathered together to here what Gutcruncher has to say. Hubcap wants to stay to figure out what's going on, and agrees to run for it. The crowd goes silent when Gutcruncher gets on stage. Gutcruncher begins by calling out all the various gangs he sees from all corners of Axiom Nexus. Axiom Nexus, he claims, does not belong to the TransTech, but to the offworlders, despite the former having all the power. Gutcruncher calls for a truce between gangs to lead a revolution against the TransTech and take over the world. Jackpot and Hubcap, having seen enough, begin to leave, but a laser bolt flies past them, straight into the Decepticon's head. A voice accuses the two of having murdered Gutcruncher, and the two bots, surrounded by an angry mob, rush out. Jackpot uses his nucleon engine to burst forward as his friend follows in vehicle mode to the exit tunnel. Followed by the [[Malignus (G1)|Malginus Revolutionaries]], Jackpot hops on his friend as the lead Malignus, [[Jipe (Malignus)|Jipe]], grabs onto Hubcap's bumper. Jipe attempts to shoot Jackpot, but the Autobot kicks him back, sending one laserbolt into a fluid main. Coolant bursts from the pipes, and Hubcap and Jackpot are shot out of the tunnel on a huge geyser.

Safe for time being, Hubcap tunes into the police band, finding that they're wanted. After an unfruitful attempt to find help from other versions of themselves, the two head back to the ''Blue Deployer'', figuring no one would look where the two lost all their money to their "victim". Cryotek, however, refuses to hide them, telling them of the price Dirge has put on their head. Not unsympathetic to their plight, the TransTech allows for them to head out of the back and tells them to head to ''[[Widow's Cafe Cybertronian]]'', and sneak into the [[Heap]], where the [[United Anarchists League]] might be able to hide them. His guards backing him up when Hubcap threatens him, Cryotek tells the two that he won't sell them out if only to prevent his buisness from being hit, and sends the two on their way. Walking through the alleways, Jackpot suggests that they should try to find the real killer. Hubcap objects; they aren't detectives, and besides, Gutcruncher was a Decepticon. While discussing this idea with his friend, Jackpot runs into a TransTech police officer. As the officer realizes who the two are, they run off, Hubcap carrying Jackpot on his vehicle mode top. ''Listening in on the police band, Hubcap manages to head the opposite way, but as the two run into a warehouse, the TransTech police surround in, having known that Hubcap was listening to their communications.''

At [[Axiom Nexus Security Administration]] headquarters, Jackpot and Hubcap bicker until the Security Administration Officer, [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]], walks in. Ignoring the two bots at first, Cheetor instructs [[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] to get units out on security detail, with the council having ordered the offworlders to be locked down. Turning to his other subordinate, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], he orders her to assemble a team to look after three strange bots under the care of [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. Hubcap and Jackpot insist that they aren't the killers; Stungun probes Jackpot about his nucleon "addiction" before being stopped by Cheetor, who admits they don't have the firepower or the guts to murder, even if it looks like it. Jackpot asks if he can use the i.d. bolts to see who was with them at the time, but Cheetor informs him that they aren't GPS trackers due to civil rights and resource issues. The TransTech puts the two under protective custody, but on Jackpot's cue, Hubcap turns on his vehicle mode engine, flooding the room with smoke. Jackpot punches past Stungun, and the two rush out of the building. Stungun prepares to go after them, but Cheetor has him stand down, sending him to the ''Blue Deployer'' to keep an eye on Cryotek. As Stungun leaves to room, Cheetor watches as a figure wisps through the smoke out the door...

Racing down the streets, Hubcap is suspicious, not even sure if they're being chased. Heading for ''Widow's Cafe Cybertronian'', the two almost reach the tavern, when a taut cable flips Hubcap over. Six Malignus flank them, ready to rip into the Autobots. Jackpot has Hubcap turn into vehicle mode again, and throws him at [[Jipe]], knocking the bot over. Rushing forward, the two race off again, until heading into a dead end. Cornered, the two say their goodbyes as the Malginus fire a shot, but Jackpot's luck field warps the probabilites, causing the laser bolt to hid the near indestructible i.d. bolt on his arm, reflecting off and hitting a bot on a nearby roof. Falling down, the near invisilbe bot weakly gets up, and announces that they're all under arrest. While the Malignus squabble about what to do, Jackpot and Hubcap drag the small bot out of the puddle on the ground, as a neon sign falls into it and electrocutes the criminals. Hubcap asks the cop who he is; the Mini-Con informs him that his name is [[Detectas]], and that Cheetor assigned him to keep an eye on the two. Jackpot tells the Mini-Con to hide, his damaged form being too much for them to lug around, and the cop reluctantly agrees, going invisible. Suddenly, the Malginus are back up and gunning for the two. The two run away yet again, and Hubcap uses a sonic decoy to lead the Malignus to an elevator shaft, sending the dumb bots tumbling 50 meters. Quickly running out of options, the two try to find a place to rest, but are suddenly greeted by an unseen robot. Coming into the light, the voice turns out to belong to Black Shadow, who tells them that he knows they didn't kill Gutcruncher...because he did. Ready to tie up loose ends, Black Shadow aims his guns, but Hubcap quickly distracts him by announcing that his shoelaces are untied, causing the bot to reflexively look at his feet. The two split up, thinking the assassin can't chase them both...but as they run, Black Shadow's chest opens up, the true robot form jumping out of his [[Crossformer]] shell. Black Shadow and his shell turn into their jet modes, splitting up to chase after the two.

Hubcap radios Jackpot, who is being chased by Black Shadow's shell, and realizes that they're dealing with a form of [[Pretender]]. Trying to avoid Black Shadow, Hubcap propels himself into the chasm used by flying Transformers. Landing on top of a blue [[Scourge (G1)|hoverskiff]], and convinces the Decepticon that he's armed with an [[Exponential Generator]], telling him to get him to level 29 so he can have it disarmed. Jackpot, meanwhile, is cornered by Black Shadow's shell, which is equipped with a rudimentary artificial intelligence. Even with the advantage of full intelligence and Action Master powers, Jackpot is still quickly beaten by the shell. On Zone 6, Hubcap drives through the artificial rain, loudly leading Black Shadow along. Blasted off the road, Hubcap is about to be terminated by Black Shadow, when Dirge, along with the Malginus and the Gigantion [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]]. interrupt. Black Shadow is ready to turn over the Autobot, but a recording suddenly emanates from Hubcap's body, repeating Black Shadow's confession of killing Gutcruncher. Black Shadow claims that it's fake, but Hubcap claims that he has videos of a maser cannon shot rushing past him. Led on, Black Shadow claims he's full of it, his weapons being photon cannons, and Dirge concurs that the Autobot is wrong...because the shots that killed Gutcruncher was a photon charge. Angered, Black Shadow rushes forth to kill Hubcap, but the criminals rip into him, only stepping aside to allow Menasor to crush the Crossformer. Jackpot, meanwhile, is quickly running out of fuel, and is about to be terminated by the shell, but a system failure causes a capsule in it's head to go off, destroying to shell. Radioing Hubcap to confirm that it's all over, Jackpot walks out of the alleyway...right into Airazor's cannon.

Later, Cheetor reflects that all things considered, it had not been a bad day. The forensics team confirmed Black Shadow's confession, and autopsy confirmed the wound matches up with the Crossformer's weapons. Gutcruncher's illegal contraband had been seized, and a disaster averted, with many of the criminal detained (Menasor, in particular, in a vehicle lot with a mode lock). Still, something nags at him; the head was missing from Black Shadow's main body, and the capsule that destroyed the shell also destroyed it's data core. Along with the hole through Gutcruncher's head, it all ties together a little too neat. Heading over with some officers to the ''Blue Deployer'', Cheetor confronts Cryotek, interrogating him as to if he knows what Black Shadow's been up to. Cryotek lies straight to his face, telling him that as long as his employee's actives don't mess with his business, they are free to do what they want. Cheetor suggests that he become invested with his employees personal lives, leaving behind the smug Cryotek. Backslash doesn't like the cops tone, but Cryotek is pleased with the scene of events; if Gutcruncher's uprising had gone through, the Military Police would have gotten involved, and that would have been no good. Too much order, after all, is bad for business. Meanwhile, Jackpot and Hubcap, having been labelled undesirables, get ready to head home. As the chamber shields close, Hubcap realizes to quickly ask if they're being sent to Cybertron or Earth, but pop straight into transwarp before they can get an answer.

On the planet of [[Zoruul]], the Decepticon [[Killzone]] rampages through the capital city, terrifying the native [[Zegrin]]s. The high priest [[Yurgeth]], pinned by a statue of his deity, [[Xoul'kol]] the Protector, prepares himself for death, when a bright flash erupts upon the sky. Jackpot and Hubcap land on top of Killzone, knocking the Decepticon unconscious. Jackpot shouts ineffectually at the TransTech, while Hubcap notices Yurgeth. The alien cowers before the two, assuming they are here to kill them as well, puzzling the Autobots. Taking the statue off the small alien, Hubcap asks if they have any space travel capabilities. With only just having landed one of their own on their moon, [[Zo'Etha]], two years ago, and Killzone's ship having been destroyed while crashing into an orphanage, the two are stuck with having to send out a distress beacon. Jackpot asks why Killzone was here, and when the alien informs them that he was here for glowing [[energon|pink rocks]] that explode if damaged, the two light up. The pair promises to take Killzone off their hands, ''and'' get rid of the rocks, free of charge...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] (1)
*[[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] (2)
*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (4)
*[[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (8)
*[[Swerve (Cybertron)|Swerve]] (13)
*[[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] (18)
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (19)
*[[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] (20)
*[[Detectas]] (21)

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s/[[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]]|c2=
*[[Black Shadow (Victory)|Black Shadow]] (6)
*[[Backslash]] (7)
*[[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] (9)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (10)
*[[Dirge (Timelines)|Dirge]] (11)
*[[Bruticus (RID)|Bruticus]] (12)
*[[Jipe (Malignus)|Jipe]] (15)
*[[Calcar]] (16)
*[[Buzzbomb]] (17)
*[[Camaro]] (22)
*[[Pick-Up (Malignus)|Pick-Up]] (23)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (24)
*[[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] (25)
*[[Killzone]] (26)

|c4=
*[[Nitpick]] (3)
*[[Cryotek (TransTech)|Cryotek]] (5)
*[[Mindset (G2)|Mindset]] (14)
*[[Yurgeth]] (27)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Hubcap:''' "So, when do we get to go home?"<br>
'''Scattorshot:''' "Oh, that. Whenever. You just gotta apply for exit visas, an' the 'Techs will deliver you to your universe of origin... or at least an approved alternate reality. Provided, a' course, that you ain't been designated 'units of interest'."<br>
'''Jackpot:''' "And I'll take 'Ominous Terminology' for 500 [[shanix]], 'Shot."


"''Expression of menace and unveiled hostility. ...Ironic yet mean-spirited quip.''"<br>
:—'''Black Shadow's Crossformer shell AI'''. It knows the words, my dear, but it will never master the tune.


"You are in Zoruul, capital city of Zegris. Please, are you to bring more terror as he did? If so, kindly strike us down in a more painless and efficient fashion, for we are running out of places to pile the rubble and the screams are disturbing the rest of the untouched."
:—'''Yurgeth''' is a practical-minded alien.

==Notes==
* Characters mentioned who do not appear include: two other Jackpots, [[Unicron]], [[Sights (G1)|Sights]], a creepy [[Hubcap (MW)|Hubcap]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], a [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]], [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Primus]], and a [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]].
* Characters who appear in art but not in-story include: [[Delta Seeker]], [[Tigertrack]], [[Deep Cover]], [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]], [[Squawktalk (G1)|Squawktalk]], [[Duck Diver]], [[Signal Lancer]], [[Geno]], [[Samus Aran]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]], [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]], [[Apeface]], and [[Crowmax]].

===Continuity notes===
* The [[Primax]] Cluster is mentioned in this story; this, along with the entire [[universal stream]] concept, would be built up in the following ''TransTech'' prose story, "[[Withered Hope]]".
* The three strange bots Cheetor refers to are [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], and [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]; the three arrived in Axiom Nexus in "[[Transcendent: Part 1]]", and Cheetor was part of the welcome party greeting them. 
* The Generation 1 reality that Jackpot and Hubcap arrive in at the end of the story was later identified in ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'' as [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]], the Classicsverse. It is not, however, the one that they came from, merely one that the TransTechs considered similar enough to deport them to.

===Transformer references===
* Their are a "lot" of non-TransTech offworlders throughout the story from various franchises. Aside from the main characters ''Generation 1'' Jackpot, Hubcap, Gutcruncher and ''Victory'' Black Shadow, these include:
** ''Cybertron'' Scattorshot, Swerve, and Menasor.
** Fun Pub original characters Backslash and Buzzbomb.
** [[OTFCC 2003]] Roulette.
** [[BotCon 2005]] Dirge.
** ''Armada'' Demolishor.
** ''Robots in Disguise'' Bruticus.
** Marvel ''Generation 2'' character Mindset.
** The Malignus from the South American version of the ''Generation 1'' toyline.
** European ''Generation 1'' exclusive Calcar.
** ''Machine Wars'' Hubcap.
** ''Beast Wars'' Airazor in her [[Dawn of Future's Past]] body.
** [[Micron Booster]] wave 4 toy Detectas.
** ''Generaton 1'' Scourge.
* Additionally, many characters appear in the illustration of downtown Axiom Nexus, including: 
** ''Robotmasters'' Delta Seeker.
** Japanese ''Generation 1'' exclusives Tigertrack and Deep Cover.
** ''Generation 1'' Squawktalk, Beastbox and Apeface.
** ''Beastformers'' Duck Diver and Crowmax.
** ''Cybertron'' Signal Lancer.
** ''Beast Machines'' Thrust.
** ''Alternators'' Tracks.
** ''Generation 2'' Manta Ray.
* The idea of subspace storage pockets originated as [[fanon|a fan-created concept]] that served as a communal explanation for where Transformers stored their weapons when they transformed, where size-changing characters' additional mass went, and where Optimus Prime's trailer regularly disappeared to.
* Jackpot describes himself as an [[Action Master]]; various characters in the story construe this to mean that he is a [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] addict. Several asides in the story explain some of how the Nucleon serves as a self-regenerating fuel source and a means of sudden power bursts.
* The humanoid beast cyborgs Jackpot follows are [[Beastformer]]s, from the ''Headmasters'' series (sold in America as ''Battle Beasts'').
* Scattorshot's next tour is for a [[Vehicon general]] from ''Beast Machines''.
* Jackpot and Hubcap have to deal with [[Mini-Con]] pickpockets before heading to The Blue Deployer.
* Hubcap's [[identification bolt|ID card]] reads "[[Tech Spec|Strength=3]]", in reference to his Tech Specs.
* Backslash and Buzzbomb also worked for their version of [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]] in "[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]".
* Jackpot drinks a [[Botropolis Special]], named for the home of the Playskool Go-Bots.
* Jackpot and Hubcap are surprised to find that [[energon]] is not a currency in Axiom Nexus, but appreciate a currency format that isn't likely to explode, as energon is so often shown to do in the ''[[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoons]] and [[Marvel Comics|comics]].
* Fullstasis is a game introduced in Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic issue [[Assault on the Ark!|#242]].
* Jackpot: "Shall we make like a [[Scraplet]] and bolt?" Scraplets are a metal-eating parasite introduce in the original Marvel ''Transformers'' comics.
* Axiom Nexus is home to a whole host of teams, gangs, and subfactions. The United Anarchists League rule the [[Heap]], to the extent that anarchists will deign to rule anything. Gutcruncher notes in his speech that the crowd includes representatives of the [[Destructicon (disambiguation)|Destructicons]] (a name used several times prior in ''Transformers'' fiction, [[Free Technorgs League]] (Technorganics), [[Scourge (group)|Scourge]]s (Presumably like the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s), [[Destron Boy]]s (named for the Japanese designation for the Decepticons), [[WildGuard]], the [[Neo-Mutant Liberator]]s, [[Beast Rider|Beast-Rider]]s (Beast Riders are chariots from the ''Beast Machines'' toyline), [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem Attacker]]s (from the Marvel ''Transformers'' comics), the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] Revolutionaries (One of the South American ''Transformers'' toyline groups), and the [[Junkion Ripper]]s (named for the species introduce in "[[The Transformers: The Movie]]"). He also mentions the [[Lightning Strike Coalition|Lightning Striker]]s (named for an Autobot group from the Dreamwave ''War Within'' comics), [[Imperius Legion]]s, and [[Dinobot (disambiguation)|Dinobots]].
* Jackpot regrets the absence of [[Sights (G1)|Sights]], his [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] partner.
* The "other" Hubcap creeps out our Hubcap; ''Machine Wars'' Hubcap likes to use dead Decepticons for target practice.
* Jackpot notes the irony of them being unable to afford a disguise, which would have been in the form of a [[reformatting]].
* Jackpot has "seen more to trust in a Sharkticon’s smile" than in Cryotek.
* [[Shanix]] are brought up several times; a monetary system introduced in the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic.
* While verbally harassing Jackpot about his "Nucleon habit", Stungun first quotes the Action Master tagline of "Stronger, faster, more alive", then parodies a line from the [[Transformers (film)|2007 live-action ''Transformers'' film]]: "What else you into? [[Syk]]? Chips? [[Solitarium]]? Hit a little of the Old Fortran at nights?" (Syk is a drug introduced in Marvel UK's ''Transformers'' issue [[Secrets (G1)|275]], while Solitarium is a mysterious ore from ''Robotmasters''.) Jackpot plays along: "[[Sam Witwicky|Are you on plugs]]?"
* Cheetor asks "And anyhow, did you [[Furmanism|want to live forever or something]]?" in reference to one of the many Furmanisms. (Jackpot and Hubcap: "''Yes.''")
* The casing of the i.d. bolts is made from an [[electrum]] alloy, electrum having been seen in ''Generation 1'' cartoon episode "[[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon]]".
* Hubcap tells Scourge that he's been rigged with an [[Exponential Generator]], a piece of technology from ''Generation 1'' cartoon episode "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]".
* The capsule that destroys Black Shadow's shell is made from Scraplet stomach acid and unstable solitarium.

===Real-world references===
* Jackpot's personality is inspired by the "the goofy, gabby, pun-hurling [[Tony Oliver]]-voiced version" of {{w|Lupin the Third}}<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/4436/16/ Allspark Interview with Greg Sepelak and Trent Troop]</ref>, while Hubcap's personality and mannerisms are based on comedian-magician {{w|Penn Jillette}}.
* In the prologue, Jackpot sarcastically suggest they play {{w|Three-card Monte|Three-Card Monty}}, named for the infamous scam card game.
* The various tiny pieces of art seen in the downtown Axiom Nexus illustrations are all various illustrations re-used by Evan Gauntt from previous work, including:
** [https://zeromayhem.deviantart.com/art/Saturday-Night-in-NYC-37568474 A crossover] between ''{{w|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles}}'' and ''{{w|Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles}}''.
** A previous {{w|DeviantArt}} i.d. used by Gauntt.
** [https://zeromayhem.deviantart.com/art/Sixshot-Colored-24346219 A sketch of] [[Sixshot]].
** [https://zeromayhem.deviantart.com/art/Skullcruncher-Detail-40861985 A sketch of] [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]].
** An earlier version of the cover to ''[[Transformers Legends (book)|Transformers Legends]]''.
** A sketch of [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]].
** A sketch of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]].
** An edited picture of Delta Seeker.
** [https://zeromayhem.deviantart.com/art/Overdrive-24347848 A sketch of] ''Alternators'' [[Overdrive]].
** A sketch of [[Bantor (BW)|Bantor]].
** The European cover of ''{{w|Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots}}''.
** A picture of Omega/Zero from ''{{w|Mega Man Zero 3}}''.
* The writing on the signs for the bar in the downtown illustration is a stylized rendition of "{{w|Cheers}}", obviously referencing the sitcom of the same name.
* [[Nintendo]] characters [[Geno]] (an obscure ''{{w|Mario (franchise)|Mario}}'' character from ''{{w|Super Mario RPG}}'') and [[Samus Aran]] (from the ''{{w|Metroid}}'' franchise) can be spotted hidden amongst the crowd in the illustration of downtown Axiom Nexus.
* Jackpot, as quoted above, parodies the contestant format of the game show ''{{w|Jeopardy!}}''
* The Freelance Police Legion is a reference ''{{w|Sam & Max}}'' franchise, whose main characters are "freelance police officers".
*[[Widow's Cafe Cybertronian]] is a references to the film ''{{w|Casablanca (film)|Casablanca}}''— it's a stand-in for Rick's Cafe Americain, the club run by Humphrey Bogart's character. This, of course makes [[The Blue Deployer]] an analogue of Sydney Greenstreet's competing club, The Blue Parrot (the Beast Era [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]] having owned a [[Deployer (BM)|Deployer]] named [[Chro]], who is a blue bird). This is not the first time that a Cryotek has been based on Greenstreet; his ''Universe'' counterpart was styled after the actor in "Theft of the Golden Disk".
* "They can't catch us! We're the ''wind'', baby!" Jackpot enthuses during a high-speed chase, paraphrasing ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s {{w|Tom Servo}}.
* "Olde Fortran" is an alcoholic beverage made for robots in ''{{w|Futurama}}'', which was in turn a reference to the computer programming language {{w|Fortran|FORTAN}}.
* "This is another fine mess you let me get us into," says Jackpot, a play on a famous ''{{w|Laurel & Hardy}}'' line.
* "Didn't we just leave this party?!" Jackpot says, quoting [[Han Solo]] from ''Star Wars''.
* The general plot of the story is based on the film/novel ''{{w|The Warriors (film)|The Warriors}}''.

===Other trivia===
* Jackpot spies a "synthetic flesh canine" among the crowds.

==External links==
* [http://transformersclub.com/prose/Gone_too_far.pdf "Gone Too Far"] at The Official Transformers Collectors' Club

[[Category:Text stories]]
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