Key to Vector Sigma

This article is about the Key itself. For the episode that introduced it, see The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1.

The Key to Vector Sigma is an object in the Generation 1 continuity family.

Not a Sky TV remote so don't think about changing the channel.

The Key to Vector Sigma was an ancient device that was connected to Vector Sigma and allowed a Transformer to activate the ancient intelligence. It appeared as a small remote with an overdeveloped power circuit and had the ability to control the robotic Centurion droids that remained in the lower levels of Cybertron and defended Vector Sigma.

Fiction

Generation 1 cartoon

By the 20th century, the Key was present in the hands of Alpha Trion on Cybertron until his home was attacked by the Decepticons who gave the key to Megatron in his quest to imbue five cars with intelligence. Megatron would face some resistance from the guardians below but learned that the Key could reprogram them. He would activate Vector Sigma and give life to the Stunticons. The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1

Oh damn... we'll let the cleaners sort that out.

When he returned to Earth, Shockwave informed him that the Key possessed a different power on Earth which was capable of destroying it. Megatron accidentally learned, while studying the Key, that it was capable of transforming matter into metal. He began the process of transforming Earth into another Cybertron but was defeated by the Autobots. Silverbolt would later destroy the Key after he forced Megatron to drop it which reversed its effect on Earth. The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2

Beast Machines cartoon

Suddenly everyone realized how those trees on Earth had suffered.

Using the Diagnostic Drone, Tankor was able to obtain the code that formed the basis for the Key and materialize copies of it. He shot Nightscream with it, which caused the Maximal to turn to technomatter and go insane. The condition was contagious, as anyone Nightscream touched also became technomatter. Pleased with the results, Tankor faked his own death, knowing that Megatron would find the decoy corpse and plunder the Key program from it. The Key Tankor hoped that Megatron would use it to destroy all organic and techno-organic life on Cybertron—including Megatron himself, who still possessed his dragon beast mode. The Catalyst

Eventually, after Tankor gave Optimus Primal the key to activate the Plasma Energy Chamber in an attempt to force Megatron's hand, both Megatron and Primal activated their doomsday weapons, apparently disintegrating all three of them, but (thanks to a last-second change of mind from Primal) leaving Cybertron intact. End of the Line

Primal would be resurrected by the Oracle shortly afterward, while Megatron would survive in a purely organic form. Rhinox, however, was lost to the Allspark. Fallout

Merchandise

Diamond Select Toys

• The human-scaled Autobot Matrix of Leadership includes a human-scaled Key to Vector Sigma.

Timelines

So the volley ball and dodge ball are the same thing.

• A removable key was packaged with a hollow plastic Vector Sigma, a special souvenir item offered exclusively at BotCon 2007.