Space bridge: Difference between revisions
| Line 105: | Line 105: | ||
*''German:'' '''Weltraumbrücke''' (''Space Bridge'') | *''German:'' '''Weltraumbrücke''' (''Space Bridge'') | ||
*''German Generation 2:'' '''Raumbrücke''' (''Space Bridge'') | *''German Generation 2:'' '''Raumbrücke''' (''Space Bridge'') | ||
*''Polish:'' '''Most kosmiczny''' (''Space Bridge'') | |||
Revision as of 18:37, 23 April 2011
The space bridge is a means of moving Transformers from one planet to another almost instantaneously, without the need for a spacecraft.
Space bridges are not to be confused with Transwarp technology, which is generally used to propel a spaceship between worlds (and, on occasion, through time.)
Fiction
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Transformers cartoon
The space bridge was apparently first conceived by Shockwave in 1984, as a means of transport back to Cybertron for the Decepticons stranded on Earth, and to allow them to ferry energon cubes to revitalize the planet. Transport to Oblivion
The Cybertronic end of the space bridge is a fixture in Shockwave's command center, where it takes the form of a cylindrical tube, the top of which projects outside of the center's dome; it is through this open end that transportees enter or depart amid a geyser of energy. The Earth-based end of the space bridge is decidedly more flexible—the Decepticons frequently constructed new space bridges in various locations, normally in the form of large metal rings.
In early uses of the space bridge, the dimensional portal could only remain open and stable for a maximum of 11 minutes. Early Space Bridge travel likewise proved somewhat unstable, and required the use of a small vehicle to safely transport any cargo. The vehicle was rolled into the ring on a railed structure, and then had to be piloted along "a beam of light". Some Decepticons displayed pronounced horror at being chosen for this unenviable task, as not staying on the light beam would cause the pilot and cargo to "cease to exist". Divide and Conquer In the very first practice run of the mechanism, the villains opted to use the captive Spike Witwicky, rather than risk any of their number.
After being knocked into the bridge by accident, Megatron proved able to traverse the bridge without a craft. Transport to Oblivion Several Autobots likewise survived the trip in their vehicle forms. Divide and Conquer After this, the need for the craft seems to have been removed, as many Transformers and various cargoes would travel by space bridge with no vessel and no difficulties. On one occasion, two humans in a convertible even made the trip with no ill effects. Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1 The process could, however, still go wrong, as it did when the Decepticons attempted to convert a baseball field into a new space bridge site, and a malfunction blasted a small group of Transformers to an alien world of giants. Child's Play
It's never made clear exactly how the space bridge works. Typical activation sequences show what appears to be a dimensional portal in the sky above the bridge, opened up by a blast of energy from the bridge ring; the bridge's contents (along with a great deal of rock and detritus) were then drawn into the portal, which then closed with a large discharge of energy. On the Cybertron end, the arrival is marked by a beam or gusher of energy arriving from deep space.
The space bridge technology was taken to its ultimate extent when the Decepticons constructed three colossal pylons that would generate a "space pyramid", the apex of which extended to Cybertron's location in another galaxy. Using this, Cybertron was transported into Earth's orbit for a brief period. The Ultimate Doom, Part 1 Cybertron was later removed from Earth's orbit by an explosion; though never explicitly addressed, this event by rights should have left Cybertron much closer to Earth, possibly accounting for the ease of travel between the two planets thereafter. The Ultimate Doom, Part 3
The space bridge was used for planetary transportation once more when the Combaticon Onslaught wired his missile guidance systems into it and used its powers to redirect the orbit of Earth, intending to send it spiraling into the sun, only to be stopped by an Autobot-Decepticon team-up. The Revenge of Bruticus
The space bridge fell into disuse when the Autobots reclaimed Cybertron in 2005, and throughout 2006, both they and the Decepticons were shown to rely on more mundane means of space travel (shuttles, self-propelled flight) in addition to space bridge-like devices called "Warp Gates" located throughout space. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5
The Headmasters cartoon
By the year 2011, the Autobots had studied and duplicated the space bridge technology for their own use. They developed their own space bridge network, allowing transport between Cybertron, Earth and the planet Athenia, with fixed space bridge receptors in each base (the transport beam was, of course, now the traditional Autobot orange, as opposed to the Decepticons' iconic purple). They did not, however, destroy the original Decepticon space bridge, as the Decepticons were unable to use it to travel to the planet due to Vector Sigma maintaining an Autobot balance of power. This proved to be a mistake, however, when the Matrix's energy was released in 2010 to cure the Hate Plague; this caused Vector Sigma to become destabilized, and the Decepticons were able to exploit this to use the space bridge to invade Cybertron.
When Mars was destroyed by Scorponok, the gravimetric balance of the solar system was disrupted, making space bridge travel to Earth unstable. This soon ceased to be an issue, however, when the Decepticons headed off on an interplanetary energy raid; in order to slow the Autobots down, Sixshot destroyed the Earth-based space bridge, causing a chain reaction that detonated the entire network.
The destruction of the space bridge left the only means to travel to Earth as the Trainbots and Battleship Maximus (or on one occasion, Broadside). This reduced ability to travel to Earth is one of the reasons for the heavy human involvement in the following battles, since Transformers are mostly unable to join the battle on Earth themselves.
Marvel Generation 1 comics
The space bridge was built by Lord Straxus's Cybertronian Decepticons, in response to the discovery that Megatron's lost group of Decepticons were alive and had set up operations on Earth. The bridge, which resembles a normal Earthen suspension bridge when not in use, has two halves; one which which remains stationary on Cybertron, and another which teleports to Earth. Passing through the bridge's central arch transports objects across vast distances, instantly and painlessly. Although a properly functioning space bridge is a far more pleasant mode of transportation than the more fuel-efficient Autobot version, the Trans-Time Dimensional Portal, an improperly calibrated space bridge will annihilate any object or being who attempts to pass through its arch. Lord Straxus illustrated this fact when Blaster sent him over the edge during transit.
The original space bridge was built from the vast body of Spanner, a neutral scientist who had been captured by Straxus's forces and forced to design the Bridge. After the space bridge was almost completely destroyed, a new Bridge was built to replace it.
Robots in Disguise cartoon
Dreamwave Generation 1 comics
The space bridge was developed by the Decepticons as a means of exploring (and presumably conquering) other worlds far away from Cybertron. These bridges were stargates small portals that could only be programmed for a certain number of people. Megatron himself underwent the first test of the space bridge. However, Optimus Prime collided with him before he entered. As it had been only programmed to accept one, the space bridge exploded, and both leaders were presumed dead. War Within: The Dark Ages In actuality, they had survived, and been transported to Quintessa, where they remained for several millennia. War Within: The Age of Wrath
Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity
Space bridges are the main mode of traveling in the Unicron Trilogy. Unlike their Generation 1 counterparts, they do not appear to need the use of a fixed device at both ends.
They appear to change in variation from series to series, although this is likely simply due to art direction. In Armada, the Transformers are 'stretched' into warp gates, while in Energon and Cybertron, space bridges tend to appear as a large hole in the sky that may or may not have a clear ramp leading into it.
Animated cartoon
Space bridges are used to travel around the galaxy. This incarnation takes the form of a large, forked structure and works by generating a sphere of energy between the two prongs.
The technology is exclusively Autobot, and gave them a major strategic advantage over the Decepticons: thanks to the bridges, the Decepticon expansion was halted. The AllSpark Almanac II
The AllSpark was thrown into one to keep it out of Decepticon hands. Optimus Prime and his small band of Autobots were put in charge of repairing space bridges. Transform and Roll Out
Megatron planned to use some schematics to build his own, allowing him to transwarp to Cybertron and strike it without warning. He kidnapped Isaac Sumdac to design it The Elite Guard and used Mixmaster and Scrapper to build it, but it wasn't enough. With some additional help he completed it, A Bridge Too Close, Part I but as often is the case with Decepticon plans, it didn't end well. A Bridge Too Close, Part II
During the Decepticon Uprisings, the Decepticons went after every space bridge on the periphery in a simultaneous assault. Team Chaar were the first squad to capture a bridge, but couldn't arrive at the Space bridge nexus on Cybertron as Shockwave, who held the access codes at the nexus, was waiting for Megatron's signal to begin the attack. The network was later shut down by the Cybertron Elite Guard. TransWarped
Blackarachnia used components from a transwarp generator in order to create a teleportation pod which she used to transform Wasp into a Technorganic being; however, after its use, the chamber exploded. Predacons Rising Bulkhead along with Isaac Sumdac later attempted to work together in making a space bridge on Earth for the Autobots but faced many arguments on how to calibrate the equipment. Luckily, Sari Sumdac managed to activate the system which was later used to transport Optimus Prime onto the Elite Guard flagship which had been taken over by the former Decepticon prisoners. Decepticon Air
IDW continuity
Space bridge technology was invented by Jhiaxus. After being turned into a zombie by Jhiaxus, Sixshot obtained his space bridge schematics and traded them to Megatron in exchange for being returned to normal. Spotlight: Metroplex Megatron planned to create a web of space bridges across the galaxy, granting the Decepticons instant access to anything they needed. The first space bridge was constructed by Bombshell in the Decepticon-conquered New York City. All Hail Megatron #10
Movie continuity
If the Transformers RISK game is to be taken at face value, there is a location on Cybertron housing a stationary space bridge. This area is bordered by Perihex and Polyhex, and is linked via a bridge to Kalis. It is in this location where Bumblebee began his adventure. Risk
Space bridges (also known as "transpatial portals") were first used by the Dynasty of Primes, allowing them to transport between dimensions. Defiance #4 Seekers have the ability to create space bridges, teleporting across worlds and between planets. Tales of the Fallen #3 It was eventually discontinued in later models because of the excessive rate of failure. Apparently it was prone to catastrophic malfunction. Revenge of the Fallen
Eventually, the Decepticons began using space bridge nodes to travel between vast distances of space. Starscream ordered Thundercracker to build a space bridge on Mars while his team went to retrieve Megatron and the AllSpark. The trials were successful, but because of the distance between Mars and Cybertron, they would have to pass through several nodes to return to their homeworld. The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Two
Jetfire mentioned the Space Bridge by name shortly before he did a really half-assed job of throwing himself and the rest of the heroes halfway across the world to Egypt, wrecking Sam's hand in the process (Jetfire wasn't entirely sure they were still on the right planet). The even-more-ancient but significantly less senile Fallen, one of the original Primes, shows a similar ability where he teleports across short distances, seeming to use it as a form of flight. Revenge of the Fallen
Aligned continuity
Space bridges were the foundation for Cybertron's Golden Age, linking it to Velocitron, Gigantion and the Hub. As they grew less reliable, Cybertron's society stagnated and lost contact with its colonies. During the civil war, only one in Cybertron's orbit was still believed to be operational. When the Ark and the Nemesis entered it, it separated the two ships to different parts of space. According to Optimus Prime, the space bridges work by tearing holes in the fabric of reality. Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron
In the present, Starscream was assigned by Megatron to find remnants of space bridges, and he successfully built one in Kaon. Arcee and Cliffjumper overloaded its systems, jumping through it and landing on Earth — as did Starscream — before it blew up. Meanwhile, Ratchet developed the ground bridge, to transport themselves across Earth. Transformers: Prime
Starscream subsequently built another space bridge in Earth's orbit, which he used to bring back Megatron from his deep space Dark Energon expedition, Darkness Rising, Part 1 which Megatron intended to use to resurrect the Cybertronian dead and bring them to Earth via the space bridge. The Autobots discovered the Decepticons' plans for a space time vortex generator, indicating that they had built a space bridge. Darkness Rising, Part 4 The fact that the Decepticon ship's navigation sensors were damaged meant that the Decepticons had to use a radio dish array in Texas to target the space bridge at Cybertron. Once this was accomplished, Megatron heaved a big chunk of Dark Energon through and raised Cybertron's dead. This undead army began traversing the space bridge to Earth, however the Autobots had obtained the space bridge schematics, and were able to reverse the valve on the energon pump. The reversed power caused the space bridge to explode, taking the zombie army and possibly Megatron with it. Darkness Rising, Part 5
While observing Skyquake's battle with Optimus and Bumblebee, Soundwave picked up a Decepticon life signal near the remains of the space bridge, possibly Megatron's. Although initially trying to dismiss it, Starscream eventually went to investigate. At the space bridge debris field, he found Megatron, still alive thanks to the Dark Energon crystal he had placed within himself. Although Starscream intended to leave Megatron for dead, Soundwave, not trusting his comrade, sent his Deployer to also search the space bridge debris field, forcing Starscream to take Megatron back to the Decepticon ship. Masters & Students
Merchandise
- RISK TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON Battle Edition (2007)
- The Space Bridge is one of the yellow zones on the board.
Notes
Foreign names
- Japanese: Space bridge (スペースブリッジ supēsu burijji)
- German: Weltraumbrücke (Space Bridge)
- German Generation 2: Raumbrücke (Space Bridge)
- Polish: Most kosmiczny (Space Bridge)
