Ark shuttlecraft: Difference between revisions
Transformers '84, Marvel, some reorganisation |
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{{main|Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta}} | {{main|Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta}} | ||
This class of Ark shuttle is capable of spaceflight and is compatible with [[transwarp]] technology. Among its features is a flight recorder that records the experiences of all the crew members aboard. Although a shuttle of this type was carried on board the Ark, the cockpit and controls are small enough for [[Rhinox (BW)|a Maximal]] to operate, suggesting that its use may have been limited to the [[Mini Vehicle|smaller Autobots]] aboard. These shuttles are outwardly sturdy—the ''Omega Delta'' crashed through the bridge of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' without damage {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}—but are easily damaged from the inside, as the same shuttle was destroyed by a punch to the control console. {{storylink|Fires of the Past}} | This class of Ark shuttle is capable of spaceflight and is compatible with [[Unspace|transwarp]] technology. Among its features is a flight recorder that records the experiences of all the crew members aboard. Although a shuttle of this type was carried on board the Ark, the cockpit and controls are small enough for [[Rhinox (BW)|a Maximal]] to operate, suggesting that its use may have been limited to the [[Mini Vehicle|smaller Autobots]] aboard. These shuttles are outwardly sturdy—the ''Omega Delta'' crashed through the bridge of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' without damage {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}—but are easily damaged from the inside, as the same shuttle was destroyed by a punch to the control console. {{storylink|Fires of the Past}} | ||
===Beast Era=== | ===Beast Era=== | ||
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Bearing a resemblance to a [[black repaint]] of the starship ''Heart of Gold'' from the ''Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' TV series, this shuttle was used for intercontinental flight within Earth's atmosphere. It has pop-out weaponry in the forward section and is combat-capable. | Bearing a resemblance to a [[black repaint]] of the starship ''Heart of Gold'' from the ''Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' TV series, this shuttle was used for intercontinental flight within Earth's atmosphere. It has pop-out weaponry in the forward section and is combat-capable. | ||
===Marvel | ===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=== | ||
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] led a small group of Autobots to [[United Kingdom|England]] in a "Heart of Gold"-type shuttle to try to locate the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]]'s ship before the Decepticons could get hold of it. It was aboard this shuttle that he encountered [[Sammy Harker]]. When the ship was located beneath [[Stansham Castle]] and battle was joined against the Decepticons, the shuttle led the Autobot attacks and was eventually successful in driving their enemies away. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} | [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] led a small group of Autobots to [[United Kingdom|England]] in a "Heart of Gold"-type shuttle to try to locate the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]]'s ship before the Decepticons could get hold of it. It was aboard this shuttle that he encountered [[Sammy Harker]]. When the ship was located beneath [[Stansham Castle]] and battle was joined against the Decepticons, the shuttle led the Autobot attacks and was eventually successful in driving their enemies away. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} | ||
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=="Slave I"-type== | =="Slave I"-type== | ||
[[File:Arkshuttle3.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold."]] | [[File:Arkshuttle3.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold."]] | ||
Examples of this kind of Ark shuttle are few and far between. They are known to carry a [[Crystalline containment vessel|control crystal]] and are fitted with weaponry that can be detached and fired remotely by [[Embrey|humans]]. | Examples of this kind of Ark shuttle are few and far between. They are known to carry a [[Crystalline containment vessel|control crystal]] and are fitted with weaponry that can be detached and fired remotely by [[Embrey|humans]]. {{storylink|Destiny of the Dinobots!}} Only one shuttle of this design has been seen, which seems to share some design elements with [[Boba Fett]]'s ship ''[[Slave I]]'' from the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' universe. | ||
===Marvel Comics continuity=== | ===Marvel Comics continuity=== | ||
A shuttle of this type transported the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to the [[Savage Land]] shortly after the Ark's crash. When they were buried in a tar pit, this shuttle was abandoned. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} | ====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics==== | ||
A shuttle of this type transported the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to confront [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] in the [[Savage Land]] shortly after the Ark's crash. When they were buried in a tar pit, this shuttle was abandoned. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} | |||
[[File:Arkshuttle11.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|We parked it in Marvel 616.]] | [[File:Arkshuttle11.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|We parked it in Marvel 616.]] | ||
====Earthforce==== | =====Earthforce===== | ||
{{earthforcefiction}} | {{earthforcefiction}} | ||
The Dinobots' shuttle was salvaged by a [[Embrey|human paleontologist]], who used its technology to care for sick [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]]. When this was discovered by the Dinobots in [[1992]], they used the shuttle's [[Crystalline containment vessel|equipment]] to transfer [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]]'s mind into the body of a Stegosaurus. What happened to the Stegosaurus's mind went unrecorded. {{storylink|Destiny of the Dinobots!}} | The Dinobots' shuttle was salvaged by a [[Embrey|human paleontologist]], who used its technology to care for sick [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]]. When this was discovered by the Dinobots in [[1992]], they used the shuttle's [[Crystalline containment vessel|equipment]] to transfer [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]]'s mind into the body of a Stegosaurus. What happened to the Stegosaurus's mind went unrecorded. {{storylink|Destiny of the Dinobots!}} | ||
====''Transformers '84''==== | |||
[[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] related the tale of how [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s Dynobots were reanimated as Dinobots by [[Aunty|AUNTIE]] shortly after the Ark's crash and how they travelled to confront Shockwave <s>in the Savage Land</s> somewhere in a "Slave I"-type shuttle. Upon arrival Grimlock used the shuttle's weaponry to fire at Shockwave, then all five Dinobots bailed out of the shuttle to take on the Decepticon scientist. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}} With no-one at the controls it presumably crashed afterwards, as Grimlock walked back to the Ark. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}} | |||
=="Bird of Prey"-type== | =="Bird of Prey"-type== | ||
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Similar in design to a [[Klingon]] ''Bird of Prey'' from the ''[[Star Trek]]'' universe, these shuttles saw common service on Earth in the early days of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. The Ark carried at least five "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, though most of them were damaged or destroyed in combat. They have a storage bay capable of holding and deploying a mobile Autobot repair bay, or [[Mobile Autobot Repair Bay|M.A.R.B.]] and appropriately enough, they can be fitted with cloaking devices. | Similar in design to a [[Klingon]] ''Bird of Prey'' from the ''[[Star Trek]]'' universe, these shuttles saw common service on Earth in the early days of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. The Ark carried at least five "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, though most of them were damaged or destroyed in combat. They have a storage bay capable of holding and deploying a mobile Autobot repair bay, or [[Mobile Autobot Repair Bay|M.A.R.B.]] and appropriately enough, they can be fitted with cloaking devices. | ||
===Marvel | ===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=== | ||
{{noteukonly}} | {{noteukonly}} | ||
[[File:Arkshuttle1.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|...wait, how big is that dinosaur?!]] | [[File:Arkshuttle1.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|...wait, how big is that dinosaur?!]] | ||
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It seems likely that these craft were not originally amongst the Ark's complement but were instead commandeered from the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]''. They are capable of transporting troops from orbit to a planet's surface, as well as interstellar travel. Fulfilling a similar purpose to the "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, ATTTs are used to transport small groups of Autobots over long distances, often between worlds. The Ark apparently had a number of these vehicles, as at least one was lost in combat. | It seems likely that these craft were not originally amongst the Ark's complement but were instead commandeered from the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]''. They are capable of transporting troops from orbit to a planet's surface, as well as interstellar travel. Fulfilling a similar purpose to the "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, ATTTs are used to transport small groups of Autobots over long distances, often between worlds. The Ark apparently had a number of these vehicles, as at least one was lost in combat. | ||
===Marvel | ===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=== | ||
[[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] used an ATTT as a platform from which to attack the Decepticons' [[Club Con|island base]]. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}} | [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] used an ATTT as a platform from which to attack the Decepticons' [[Club Con|island base]]. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}} | ||
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Resembling nothing so much as a scaled-down version of the Ark from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]], this kind of shuttle is capable of interstellar flight and holds a substantial crew, though it is possible for a single Autobot to pilot one. At least one "Ark"-type shuttle was taken from the ''Steelhaven'' and repurposed for use aboard the Ark proper. | Resembling nothing so much as a scaled-down version of the Ark from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]], this kind of shuttle is capable of interstellar flight and holds a substantial crew, though it is possible for a single Autobot to pilot one. At least one "Ark"-type shuttle was taken from the ''Steelhaven'' and repurposed for use aboard the Ark proper. | ||
===Marvel | ===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=== | ||
{{noteukexclusive|"Ark"-type shuttles}} | {{noteukexclusive|"Ark"-type shuttles}} | ||
After his resurrection on [[Nebulos]], Optimus Prime—along with [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]], [[Getaway]] and [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]]—returned to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle and encountered three [[Wrecker]]s ruining [[Christmas]] for everyone. {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}} | After his resurrection on [[Nebulos]], Optimus Prime—along with [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]], [[Getaway]] and [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]]—returned to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle and encountered three [[Wrecker]]s ruining [[Christmas]] for everyone. {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}} | ||
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{{note|Optimus and the [[Powermaster]]s were last seen aboard the ''Steelhaven'' and have yet to join up with the rest of the Autobots stranded on the Moon, so this shuttle must have been aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]]'s ship. However, the ''Steelhaven'' just kind of disappears around this point in continuity (possibly cannibalised to repair the Ark) and like the ATTTs, its "Ark"-type shuttles appear to have been absorbed into the Ark's complement.}} | {{note|Optimus and the [[Powermaster]]s were last seen aboard the ''Steelhaven'' and have yet to join up with the rest of the Autobots stranded on the Moon, so this shuttle must have been aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]]'s ship. However, the ''Steelhaven'' just kind of disappears around this point in continuity (possibly cannibalised to repair the Ark) and like the ATTTs, its "Ark"-type shuttles appear to have been absorbed into the Ark's complement.}} | ||
Optimus Prime and his Autobots once again travelled to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle to battle [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], the crazed Decepticon from the future. {{storylink|Time Wars}} | Optimus Prime and his Autobots once again travelled to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle to battle [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], the crazed Decepticon from the future. {{storylink|Time Wars}} | ||
The [[Triggerbot]]s followed [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] to Earth in a small "Ark"-type shuttle armed with a [[nuclo-deatomiser cannon]]. Unfortunately they were spotted by the Decepticons and to fake their deaths and maintain their cover, the Triggerbots allowed the shuttle's energon reserves to detonate, leaving the stricken vessel to crash into Earth's atmosphere. {{storylink|Race with the Devil}} | |||
In [[2008]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] rescued [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]] in one of these shuttles, though they were waylaid by [[Quintesson]] ships as they left the planet. Wreck-Gar used his superior piloting skills, not to mention the emergency boosters, to escape. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}} | In [[2008]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] rescued [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]] in one of these shuttles, though they were waylaid by [[Quintesson]] ships as they left the planet. Wreck-Gar used his superior piloting skills, not to mention the emergency boosters, to escape. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}} | ||
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Rarely seen, this type of shuttle is one of the largest. With a smooth, rounded hull, it is capable of carrying large numbers of Autobots to a planet from the Ark in orbit. | Rarely seen, this type of shuttle is one of the largest. With a smooth, rounded hull, it is capable of carrying large numbers of Autobots to a planet from the Ark in orbit. | ||
===Marvel | ===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=== | ||
{{noteukonly}} | {{noteukonly}} | ||
''The [[Advance Surveillance Unit]] of [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] arrived on Earth in a "Dome"-type shuttle. It was fitted with a "scan cloak" that rendered it invisible when parked.'' {{storylink|Firebug!}} | ''The [[Advance Surveillance Unit]] of [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] arrived on Earth in a "Dome"-type shuttle. It was fitted with a "scan cloak" that rendered it invisible when parked.'' {{storylink|Firebug!}} | ||
Revision as of 09:41, 22 April 2021
| This article is about the various ancillary vessels carried by the Ark. For the larger shuttles featured prominently in the animated movie, see Autobot shuttle. |
- Ark shuttlecraft are a form of Autobot transport from the Generation 1 continuity family.
While the Ark itself spent most of Generation 1 stuck in the side of a volcano, the Autobots were not stranded in Oregon by any means. The mothership was positively stuffed to the brim with smaller shuttlecraft of varying designs and functions. It is possible that not all of the Ark's shuttles were spacefaring craft, as many of them are not seen to leave Earth's atmosphere, though later models are capable of travelling interstellar distances. They are a convenient and apparently disposable way for the Autobots to get where they need to be when the plot mission of the week demands it.
Types of Ark shuttlecraft
Several of the shuttlecraft share similar designs, and at least five types of shuttle have been seen. Presumably, each of these was designed for a specific purpose, though what that might have been is open to speculation.
Omega Delta-type
This class of Ark shuttle is capable of spaceflight and is compatible with transwarp technology. Among its features is a flight recorder that records the experiences of all the crew members aboard. Although a shuttle of this type was carried on board the Ark, the cockpit and controls are small enough for a Maximal to operate, suggesting that its use may have been limited to the smaller Autobots aboard. These shuttles are outwardly sturdy—the Omega Delta crashed through the bridge of the Nemesis without damage Nemesis Part 2—but are easily damaged from the inside, as the same shuttle was destroyed by a punch to the control console. Fires of the Past
Beast Era
When the Ark crashed on Earth, it was carrying the shuttle Omega Delta on board, along with the deactivated Autobots and Decepticons. At the end of the Beast Wars, Rhinox appropriated the Omega Delta to defeat the Nemesis. After it had been fitted with a transwarp cell, the shuttle flew Rhinox, along with his fellow Maximals and the captive Megatron, back to Cybertron. Nemesis Part 2 It's unknown whether the Autobots, on awaking in 1984, asked one another, "Dude, where's our shuttle?"
Botanica also piloted a shuttle of the Omega Delta-type. It is unknown whether it too had previously been carried aboard a vanguard-class vessel. Home Soil
"Heart of Gold"-type
Bearing a resemblance to a black repaint of the starship Heart of Gold from the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy TV series, this shuttle was used for intercontinental flight within Earth's atmosphere. It has pop-out weaponry in the forward section and is combat-capable.
Marvel The Transformers comics
Optimus Prime led a small group of Autobots to England in a "Heart of Gold"-type shuttle to try to locate the Man of Iron's ship before the Decepticons could get hold of it. It was aboard this shuttle that he encountered Sammy Harker. When the ship was located beneath Stansham Castle and battle was joined against the Decepticons, the shuttle led the Autobot attacks and was eventually successful in driving their enemies away. Man of Iron
It was not seen again.
"Slave I"-type
Examples of this kind of Ark shuttle are few and far between. They are known to carry a control crystal and are fitted with weaponry that can be detached and fired remotely by humans. Destiny of the Dinobots! Only one shuttle of this design has been seen, which seems to share some design elements with Boba Fett's ship Slave I from the Star Wars universe.
Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comics
A shuttle of this type transported the Dinobots to confront Shockwave in the Savage Land shortly after the Ark's crash. When they were buried in a tar pit, this shuttle was abandoned. The Last Stand Repeat Performance!
Earthforce
The Dinobots' shuttle was salvaged by a human paleontologist, who used its technology to care for sick dinosaurs. When this was discovered by the Dinobots in 1992, they used the shuttle's equipment to transfer Snarl's mind into the body of a Stegosaurus. What happened to the Stegosaurus's mind went unrecorded. Destiny of the Dinobots!
Transformers '84
Counterpunch related the tale of how Grimlock's Dynobots were reanimated as Dinobots by AUNTIE shortly after the Ark's crash and how they travelled to confront Shockwave in the Savage Land somewhere in a "Slave I"-type shuttle. Upon arrival Grimlock used the shuttle's weaponry to fire at Shockwave, then all five Dinobots bailed out of the shuttle to take on the Decepticon scientist. Secrets & Lies #2 With no-one at the controls it presumably crashed afterwards, as Grimlock walked back to the Ark. Secrets & Lies #3
"Bird of Prey"-type
Similar in design to a Klingon Bird of Prey from the Star Trek universe, these shuttles saw common service on Earth in the early days of the Great War. The Ark carried at least five "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, though most of them were damaged or destroyed in combat. They have a storage bay capable of holding and deploying a mobile Autobot repair bay, or M.A.R.B. and appropriately enough, they can be fitted with cloaking devices.
Marvel The Transformers comics
Ratchet took a shuttle of this design to retrieve the Dinobots from the Savage Land. Repeat Performance!
When the Dinobots went rampaging across America due to damage to their primary cybo-dendrons, the Autobots used a number of "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles to follow them. The first, piloted by Cliffjumper, Gears and Windcharger, was captured by the Decepticons and booby-trapped, then later destroyed by Bumblebee. A second suffered heavy damage when either Grimlock or Sludge bit through the fuel tank, injuring Sideswipe, while a third piloted by Prowl was written off when he electrified the hull and crashed it into a lake in order to knock out Grimlock. Only Prime's shuttle was undamaged. Dinobot Hunt!
Universe
A "Bird of Prey"-type shuttle was utilized by Trailbreaker, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Roulette, and Shadow Striker when they took a hiatus at the close of the Great War. They returned in it, somewhat worse for wear, after the Great Transformation. Abduction
All-Terrain Turbo-Transport
It seems likely that these craft were not originally amongst the Ark's complement but were instead commandeered from the Steelhaven. They are capable of transporting troops from orbit to a planet's surface, as well as interstellar travel. Fulfilling a similar purpose to the "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, ATTTs are used to transport small groups of Autobots over long distances, often between worlds. The Ark apparently had a number of these vehicles, as at least one was lost in combat.
Marvel The Transformers comics
Fortress Maximus used an ATTT as a platform from which to attack the Decepticons' island base. The Desert Island of Space!
An ATTT was stolen by the increasingly Matrix-possessed Thunderwing and taken back to the Ark. After a brief battle, Nightbeat was able to blow both Thunderwing and the ATTT out of the airlock. All Fall Down
Later, Grimlock stole an ATTT from the Ark to take the Dinobots to Hydrus Four. Eye of the Storm
"Ark"-type
Resembling nothing so much as a scaled-down version of the Ark from the cartoon, this kind of shuttle is capable of interstellar flight and holds a substantial crew, though it is possible for a single Autobot to pilot one. At least one "Ark"-type shuttle was taken from the Steelhaven and repurposed for use aboard the Ark proper.
Marvel The Transformers comics
After his resurrection on Nebulos, Optimus Prime—along with Joyride, Getaway and Slapdash—returned to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle and encountered three Wreckers ruining Christmas for everyone. Cold Comfort and Joy!
Optimus Prime and his Autobots once again travelled to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle to battle Galvatron, the crazed Decepticon from the future. Time Wars
The Triggerbots followed Dreadwind and Darkwing to Earth in a small "Ark"-type shuttle armed with a nuclo-deatomiser cannon. Unfortunately they were spotted by the Decepticons and to fake their deaths and maintain their cover, the Triggerbots allowed the shuttle's energon reserves to detonate, leaving the stricken vessel to crash into Earth's atmosphere. Race with the Devil
In 2008, Wheelie rescued Wreck-Gar from the planet Quintesson in one of these shuttles, though they were waylaid by Quintesson ships as they left the planet. Wreck-Gar used his superior piloting skills, not to mention the emergency boosters, to escape. Space Pirates!
The Asteroid Association Guide to Mechanoids and their Spacecraft lists the "Ark"-types as standard Autobot shuttles, noting that they are used for short hops and are usually found close to the Ark itself. Transformers Annual 1991
"Dome"-type
Rarely seen, this type of shuttle is one of the largest. With a smooth, rounded hull, it is capable of carrying large numbers of Autobots to a planet from the Ark in orbit.
Marvel The Transformers comics
The Advance Surveillance Unit of Inferno, Sandstorm and Broadside arrived on Earth in a "Dome"-type shuttle. It was fitted with a "scan cloak" that rendered it invisible when parked. Firebug!
Optimus Prime led the Autobots to the New Jersey swamps in a "Dome"-type shuttle when he surrendered to Scorponok. It was presumably destroyed when Shockwave's forces attacked, as it was not seen again. Surrender!
Earthforce
Grimlock and his crew travelled to Earth in a "Dome"-type shuttle. Break-Away! It would serve as their base of operations until Wheeljack later constructed a permanent base, presumably from parts of the shuttle itself. Internal Affairs!
