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Reorganizing to have less of that pre-2010 editorial/Derik flavor and conjecture
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[[File:Stars kit.jpg|thumb|252px|S.T.A.R.S. members receive the most advanced Cybertronian cardboard technology available.]]
[[File:Stars kit.jpg|thumb|252px|S.T.A.R.S. members receive the most advanced Cybertronian cardboard technology available.]]


{{bigquote|Earth allies like you are desperately needed. We must thwart the forces of evil now!|Optimus Prime}}
The '''S'''ecret '''T'''ransformer '''A'''utobot '''R'''escue '''S'''quad is an underground organization of Autobot-allied humans on [[Earth]]. S.T.A.R.S. members keep watch for potential [[Decepticon]] activity in their sector and alert the Autobots if any is detected.


The '''S'''ecret '''T'''ransformer '''A'''utobot '''R'''escue '''S'''quad is an underground organization of Autobot-allied humans on [[Earth]]. S.T.A.R.S. members keep watch for potential [[Decepticon]] activity in their sector and alert the Autobots if any is detected. Recruitment drives seem to be aimed at both children and members of the [[United States of America|U.S.]] [[United States military|military]], with at least one specific reference to [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[Cobra]].
{{bigquote|Earth allies like you are desperately needed. We must thwart the forces of evil now!|[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime}}
 
{{note|All information about S.T.A.R.S. comes from toy pack-in [[Pack-in material#Mail-order flyers|mail-order flyers]] which, unlike most ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' fiction, were written in the ''second'' person. The reader was being actively "recruited" into the fictional organization. What this meant in real-world terms was membership in a fanclub with a few special trinkets and toys. But for the purposes of this article, we include elements like the membership card and the recruitment flyers themselves as part of the fiction.}}


==Fiction==
==Fiction==
===S.T.A.R.S. continuity===
===S.T.A.R.S. continuity===
[[File:Johnny htdduoafa.jpg|thumb|"We appreciate your vigilance, but that car parked across the  
[[File:Johnny htdduoafa.jpg|thumb|"We appreciate your vigilance, but that car parked across the street isn't a [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] either. Do your parents let you out much, Johnny?"]]
street isn't a [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] either. Do your parents let you out much, Johnny?"]]
S.T.A.R.S. was created early in the Earthbound [[Transformer]]s' conflict, at a time when the Autobots were desperate for help against the Decepticons.  Recruitment messages made many promises to potential S.T.A.R.S. members, such as being able to "command [their] own Earth sector" and "get instant respect from Autobot allies." One later message even promised leadership of the entire S.T.A.R.S. organization, from [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] himself. {{storylink|You Have Been Chosen.}} Whether these promises were genuine is unknown; what ''is'' known is that the membership kit included:


Early in the war between [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s on [[Earth]], the tide turned against the Autobots, which necessitated the shipment of the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]], the [[Powerdasher]]s, and the [[Time Warrior (G1)|Time Warriors]] from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. In conjunction with this, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] declared the need to recruit "Earth allies" into the S.T.A.R.S. organization who could work in conjunction with the Time Warriors in covert missions in Decepticon territory. To wit, [[human]]s were sent flyers about their battles and S.T.A.R.S. membership.
The membership package included:
*A [[Command Center (G1)|Command Center]] (also called a "Control Center") for monitoring one's sector.
*A [[Command Center (G1)|Command Center]] (also called a "Control Center") for monitoring one's sector.
*A [[Tech-Spec Manual]] containing information about [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the Autobot base, and specific Transformers.
*A [[Tech-Spec Manual]] containing information about [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the Autobot base, and specific Transformers.
*An [[iron-on patch]].
*An [[iron-on patch]].
*A [[S.T.A.R.S. membership card]] that switched between displaying an Autobot symbol and a Decepticon one, depending on the angle of view. Personal data could be entered on the reverse side.
*A [[S.T.A.R.S. membership card]] that switched between displaying an Autobot symbol and a Decepticon one, depending on the angle of view. Personal data could be entered on the reverse side. {{storylink|The battle is far from over!}}
 
The membership card was coded with identification data that allowed the holder entry into a portion of the Autobot Refueling and Weapons Armory. Once inside, a handprint/voiceprint analysis still had to be passed, and failure to do so would leave the entrant trapped inside a chamber under the threat of stun-radiation. Success, on the other hand, would grant access to the Command Center (whose design looked uncannily similar to the desktop device of the same name), where S.T.A.R.S. members needed to go to participate in search-and-rescue missions.  Several tasks might be asked of a S.T.A.R.S. member, such as communication dictation, radio-frequency changing, equipment monitoring, and ''self-destruct activation.'' S.T.A.R.S. members were, in fact, ''expected'' to be familiar with the self-destruct sequence. {{storylink|Tech-Spec Manual}}


The first S.T.A.R.S. recruitment message was sent immediately following the arrival of the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]]s, [[Powerdasher]]s, and [[Time Warrior (G1)|Time Warrior]]s from Cybertron. {{storylink|The battle is far from over!}} The Autobots' situation seemed grim at the time, but soon the Omnibot [[Overdrive]] sent another message that painted a rosier picture:  He claimed that the Decepticons were indeed driven back by the Autobots' renewed offensive, and the Decepticons had changed their strategy to constructing hidden bases all around the world from which to strike. He said that Optimus was holding back until human allies were ready to help take down the bases with the aid of the Omnibots and Time Warriors.  This message seemed to be meant for US military personnel, mentioning G.I. Joe and Cobra specifically. {{storylink|Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!}}
The membership card was coded with identification data that allowed the holder entry into a portion of the Autobot Refueling and Weapons Armory. Once inside, a handprint/voiceprint analysis still had to be passed, and failure to do so would leave the entrant trapped inside a chamber under the threat of stun-radiation. Success, on the other hand, would grant access to the Command Center (whose design looked uncannily similar to the desktop device of the same name), where S.T.A.R.S. members needed to go to participate in search-and-rescue missions.  Several tasks might be asked of a S.T.A.R.S. member, such as communication dictation, radio-frequency changing, equipment monitoring, and ''self-destruct activation''. S.T.A.R.S. members were expected to be familiar with the self-destruct sequence. {{storylink|Tech-Spec Manual}}


Later messages, however, were targeted to the young, telling the story of [[Johnny (G1)|Johnny]], a boy whose town came under the energy-draining assault of [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. His first instinct was to activate his S.T.A.R.S. Command Center and summon the help of several [[Autobot Cars|Autobot cars]] and the Omnibots, to whom he prepared to issue orders. {{storylink|Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?}} However, his console lost power and then went to the mysterious "CODE RED," at which point the recruitment messages ceased telling his tale. {{storylink|Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?}}
The Decepticons were driven back by the Autobots' renewed offensive, and the Decepticons had changed their strategy to constructing hidden bases all around the world from which to strike. Optimus was holding back until human allies were ready to help take down the bases with the aid of the Omnibots and Time Warriors. To gain more support for their efforts, [[Overdrive]] sent a message detailing those events, and allowing his audience to learn of "top-secret plans" where the Omnibots would use the Time Warriors to time their attacks. [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] was mentioned as fighting battles at the same time elsewhere and S.T.A.R.S. members were invited to use their vehicles. {{storylink|Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!}}


At one point, Ultra Magnus sent a message recruiting for the position of S.T.A.R.S. Commander. Notably, it also contained the standard offer to become a basic S.T.A.R.S. member, which suggests that he was attempting to fill the position from outside the organization. {{storylink|You Have Been Chosen.}}
A later message told the story of [[Johnny (G1)|Johnny]], a boy whose town came under the energy-draining assault of [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. His first instinct was to activate his S.T.A.R.S. Command Center and summon the help of several [[Autobot Cars|Autobot cars]] and the Omnibots, to whom he prepared to issue orders. {{storylink|Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?}} However, his console lost power and then went to "CODE RED"; the message prompted the audience to solve this situation. {{storylink|Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?}}


One message, while recruiting for S.T.A.R.S., also presented the recipient with a mission: Get three friends to go see ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]],'' the Autobots' new film, and then mail in their ticket stubs plus one dollar each to get posters. {{storylink|The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:}}
At one point, Ultra Magnus sent a message recruiting for the position of S.T.A.R.S. Commander. {{storylink|You Have Been Chosen.}} One message, while recruiting for S.T.A.R.S., also presented the recipient with a mission: Get three friends to go see ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', the Autobots' new film, and then mail in their ticket stubs plus one dollar each to get posters. {{storylink|The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:}}


Later messages involved their recipients less directly, simply sharing tales of robot-on-robot battles and inviting the audience to help the Autobots by joining S.T.A.R.S. {{storylink|The Autobots Are Under Attack!}} The timeframe became increasingly unclear, as some messages referred to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] talking about a [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|past battle]], which the recipients were encouraged to get involved in. Whether this implies [[time travel]] or just poor wording on the Autobots' part is unclear. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}}
Later messages involved their recipients less directly, simply sharing tales of robot-on-robot battles and inviting the audience to help the Autobots by joining S.T.A.R.S. {{storylink|The Autobots Are Under Attack!}} One message referred to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] talking about a [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|past battle]], which the recipients were encouraged to get involved in. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}}


===''Animated'' cartoon===
===''Animated'' cartoon===
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===Ask Vector Prime===
===Ask Vector Prime===
With the success of S.T.A.R.S., the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] of [[Primax 185.0 Beta]] responded with their own [[Decepto-Pack]], enslaving humans and giving them the Decepto-Packs to augment their capabilities and help him conquer the planet. S.T.A.R.S. recruits fought valiantly against the Decpto-packed hordes, but their sacrifices were not enough. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime/Facebook src#June 4, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 04/06/2015}}
With the success of S.T.A.R.S., the [[Decepticon]]s of [[Primax 185.0 Beta]] responded with their own [[Decepto-Pack]], enslaving humans and giving them the Decepto-Packs to augment their capabilities and help him conquer the planet. S.T.A.R.S. recruits fought valiantly against the Decpto-packed hordes, but their sacrifices were not enough. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 04/06/2015}}


==Merchandise==
==Merchandise==
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:*Tech-Specs Manual
:*Tech-Specs Manual
: The Japanese Transformers fan club also included a cardboard command base which many label the "Japanese S.T.A.R.S."  This is inaccurate.  The Japanese command base was a cardboard environment for the toys to play in, not a roleplay center, and there was no equivalent of the S.T.A.R.S. story in Japan (at least as far as the fan club went).
: The Japanese Transformers fan club also included a cardboard command base which many label the "Japanese S.T.A.R.S."  This is inaccurate.  The Japanese command base was a cardboard environment for the toys to play in, not a roleplay center, and there was no equivalent of the S.T.A.R.S. story in Japan (at least as far as the fan club went).
{{-}}
{{--}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
[[File:Patches g1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|When the Autobot army rolls into town, wear your patch so you don't get shot.]]
[[File:Patches g1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|When the Autobot army rolls into town, wear your patch so you don't get shot.]]
*S.T.A.R.S. is specific to its own [[micro-continuity]], so its relevance to the rest of the [[Continuity|multiverse]] is debatable. However, other continuities contain their own parallels:
*All information about S.T.A.R.S. comes from toy pack-in [[Pack-in material#Mail-order flyers|mail-order flyers]] which, unlike most ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' fiction, were written in the ''second'' person. The reader was being actively "recruited" into the fictional organization. What this meant in real-world terms was membership in a fanclub with a few special trinkets and toys. But for the purposes of this article, we include elements like the membership card and the recruitment flyers themselves as part of the fiction.
**In the "[[The Battle for Planet Earth|Battle for Planet Earth]]" audio-story "[[Menace at the Dam]]", a network of "physicists and people who realize the gravity and importance of the Transformers' presence" are in continual radio contact with the Autobots, reporting all Decepticon sightings.
*The operational model used by S.T.A.R.S. seems to be lifted almost point-for-point from American [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]] paranoia about Communist {{w|fifth column}}ists who keep Stalinist posters, radio transmitters and little red books of ideology hidden in their attic. The ones who'll put on their identifying armbands and rush out to guide troops towards vital infrastructure when the Russkies invade. The description of the Autobots' human allies in "Menace at the Dam" even evokes leftist intelligentsia!
**A [[commercial]] for the "[[Prizes in Disguise]]" contest shows [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and an unknown friend wearing reflective patches to gain entry to an Autobot base.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Bbz1-fRK8 "Prizes in Disguise" commercial on YouTube]</ref>  These patches were available as a toy pack-in promotion, and though they weren't the same patches given to S.T.A.R.S. members, the similarity in concept is notable.
**The Autobots are not the only ones recruiting human children, as the Decepticons have offered power and glory with the irresistible lure of the [[Decepto-Pack]].
**The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]]'s [[Earth Defense Command]] seems like a hugely-expanded, public version of S.T.A.R.S., and in fact [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|one episode]] features [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] contacting their [[Mars (planet)|Martian]] base and calling them "the stars on Mars."
**[[NEST]] from the [[live-action film series|live-action movies]] is very similar to S.T.A.R.S., as it's also a secret human-Autobot organization that deals with Decepticon threats.
*The fact that the S.T.A.R.S. ID card can switch to a ''Decepticon'' symbol as well as an Autobot one is curious. Considering that a Transformer's Autobot sigil has been seen to be encoded with verification data in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK comic]] "[[(Double) Deal of the Century!]]", perhaps the S.T.A.R.S. ID likewise contains counterfeit Decepticon codes.
*The operational model used by S.T.A.R.S. seems to be lifted almost point-for-point from American [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]] paranoia about Communist {{w|fifth column}}ists who keep Stalinist posters, radio transmitters and little red books of ideology hidden in their attic. The ones who'll put on their identifying armbands and rush out to guide troops towards vital infrastructure when the Russkies invade. The description of the Autobots' human allies in "Menace at the Dam" even evokes leftist intelligentsia!
*Despite the dramatic overtones, the only actual ''mission'' ever explicitly issued by the Autobots is a {{w|multi-level marketing}} scheme.  And it's a particularly crappy one, since the participants aren't even promised a cut from all those $1 payments they're getting their friends to make.
*The "Transformers" in the [[Acronyms|acronym]] is not only superfluous (since "Autobot" already implies Transformerdom), but actually incorrect (since S.T.A.R.S. members are explicitly ''not'' Transformers).
*For some reason, {{w|Nemesis (Resident Evil)|Nemesis}} has a real grudge against S.T.A.R.S..
*For some reason, {{w|Nemesis (Resident Evil)|Nemesis}} has a real grudge against S.T.A.R.S..


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*''Japanese:'' {{ruby|'''STARS'''|スターズ}} (''Sutāzu'')
*''Japanese:'' {{ruby|'''STARS'''|スターズ}} (''Sutāzu'')


==References==
<references />


{{DEFAULTSORT:Stars}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stars}}

Revision as of 04:30, 6 October 2020

S.T.A.R.S. is an Autobot-allied human organization from the S.T.A.R.S. continuity portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.
S.T.A.R.S. members receive the most advanced Cybertronian cardboard technology available.

The Secret Transformer Autobot Rescue Squad is an underground organization of Autobot-allied humans on Earth. S.T.A.R.S. members keep watch for potential Decepticon activity in their sector and alert the Autobots if any is detected.

{{bigquote|Earth allies like you are desperately needed. We must thwart the forces of evil now!|[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime}}

Fiction

S.T.A.R.S. continuity

"We appreciate your vigilance, but that car parked across the street isn't a Stunticon either. Do your parents let you out much, Johnny?"

Early in the war between Autobots and Decepticons on Earth, the tide turned against the Autobots, which necessitated the shipment of the Omnibots, the Powerdashers, and the Time Warriors from Cybertron. In conjunction with this, Optimus Prime declared the need to recruit "Earth allies" into the S.T.A.R.S. organization who could work in conjunction with the Time Warriors in covert missions in Decepticon territory. To wit, humans were sent flyers about their battles and S.T.A.R.S. membership.

The membership package included:

The membership card was coded with identification data that allowed the holder entry into a portion of the Autobot Refueling and Weapons Armory. Once inside, a handprint/voiceprint analysis still had to be passed, and failure to do so would leave the entrant trapped inside a chamber under the threat of stun-radiation. Success, on the other hand, would grant access to the Command Center (whose design looked uncannily similar to the desktop device of the same name), where S.T.A.R.S. members needed to go to participate in search-and-rescue missions. Several tasks might be asked of a S.T.A.R.S. member, such as communication dictation, radio-frequency changing, equipment monitoring, and self-destruct activation. S.T.A.R.S. members were expected to be familiar with the self-destruct sequence. Tech-Spec Manual

The Decepticons were driven back by the Autobots' renewed offensive, and the Decepticons had changed their strategy to constructing hidden bases all around the world from which to strike. Optimus was holding back until human allies were ready to help take down the bases with the aid of the Omnibots and Time Warriors. To gain more support for their efforts, Overdrive sent a message detailing those events, and allowing his audience to learn of "top-secret plans" where the Omnibots would use the Time Warriors to time their attacks. G.I. Joe was mentioned as fighting battles at the same time elsewhere and S.T.A.R.S. members were invited to use their vehicles. Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!

A later message told the story of Johnny, a boy whose town came under the energy-draining assault of Thundercracker. His first instinct was to activate his S.T.A.R.S. Command Center and summon the help of several Autobot cars and the Omnibots, to whom he prepared to issue orders. Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all? However, his console lost power and then went to "CODE RED"; the message prompted the audience to solve this situation. Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?

At one point, Ultra Magnus sent a message recruiting for the position of S.T.A.R.S. Commander. You Have Been Chosen. One message, while recruiting for S.T.A.R.S., also presented the recipient with a mission: Get three friends to go see The Transformers: The Movie, the Autobots' new film, and then mail in their ticket stubs plus one dollar each to get posters. The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:

Later messages involved their recipients less directly, simply sharing tales of robot-on-robot battles and inviting the audience to help the Autobots by joining S.T.A.R.S. The Autobots Are Under Attack! One message referred to Rodimus Prime talking about a past battle, which the recipients were encouraged to get involved in. Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth. Transformers Combat Data

Animated cartoon

Forged S.T.A.R.S. idento-cards were among the many wares that Rattletrap dealt in. The AllSpark Almanac II

Ask Vector Prime

With the success of S.T.A.R.S., the Decepticons of Primax 185.0 Beta responded with their own Decepto-Pack, enslaving humans and giving them the Decepto-Packs to augment their capabilities and help him conquer the planet. S.T.A.R.S. recruits fought valiantly against the Decpto-packed hordes, but their sacrifices were not enough. Ask Vector Prime, 04/06/2015

Merchandise

Generation 1

  • S.T.A.R.S. membership kit (1985)
The perfect addition to YOUR trackless wasteland!
S.T.A.R.S. was the Transformers fan club. It started in 1985, and the price of membership was $6.50 (or £4.99 and 4 Robot Points in the UK). S.T.A.R.S. members received the following:
  • S.T.A.R.S. membership card.
  • Command Center (a cardboard communications panel which doubled as a toy display case)
  • Iron-on patch
  • Transformers poster
  • Tech-Specs Manual
The Japanese Transformers fan club also included a cardboard command base which many label the "Japanese S.T.A.R.S." This is inaccurate. The Japanese command base was a cardboard environment for the toys to play in, not a roleplay center, and there was no equivalent of the S.T.A.R.S. story in Japan (at least as far as the fan club went).

Notes

When the Autobot army rolls into town, wear your patch so you don't get shot.
  • All information about S.T.A.R.S. comes from toy pack-in mail-order flyers which, unlike most Transformers fiction, were written in the second person. The reader was being actively "recruited" into the fictional organization. What this meant in real-world terms was membership in a fanclub with a few special trinkets and toys. But for the purposes of this article, we include elements like the membership card and the recruitment flyers themselves as part of the fiction.
  • The operational model used by S.T.A.R.S. seems to be lifted almost point-for-point from American Cold War paranoia about Communist fifth columnists who keep Stalinist posters, radio transmitters and little red books of ideology hidden in their attic. The ones who'll put on their identifying armbands and rush out to guide troops towards vital infrastructure when the Russkies invade. The description of the Autobots' human allies in "Menace at the Dam" even evokes leftist intelligentsia!
  • For some reason, Nemesis has a real grudge against S.T.A.R.S..

Foreign names

  • Japanese: STARS (スターズ) (Sutāzu)
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