Natural Selection, Part Five: Difference between revisions

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→Synopsis: Gonna cut that back down a good chunk. Every small exchange of diallogue doesn't need detailed, nor every cameo named - it bloats the summary.
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==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
Deep within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] holds the [[Sword of Primus]] above the head of a cowering [[Demon]], and announces that the will of Primus decrees he use the blade to exterminate all of the creature's kind so the next step in the evolution of the [[Transformer]] race can begin. But after a moment's hesitation, Hot Rod concludes that Primus' will is not ''his'' will, and he will not further the grievous wrong their creator committed, on which their race is built. Taking the [[Covenant of Primus]] as well, Hot Rod exits the chamber—the gashes on his chest healing closed as he does so—and returns to the surface, the Demons all parting before him, genuflecting in fear of the light of Primus's artifacts. Hot Rod vows to return, to try and undo the harm done to Cybertron's first inhabitants.
Deep within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] holds the [[Sword of Primus]] above the head of a cowering [[Demon]], and announces that the will of Primus decrees he use the blade to exterminate all of the creature's kind so the next step in the evolution of the [[Transformer]] race can begin. But after a moment's hesitation, Hot Rod concludes that Primus' will is not ''his'' will, and he will not further the grievous wrong their creator committed, on which their race is built. Taking the [[Covenant of Primus]] as well, Hot Rod exits the chamber—the gashes on his chest healing closed as he does so—and, vowing to return, heads back to the surface, the Demons all parting before him, genuflecting in fear of the light of Primus's artifacts.  


At the Iacon Civil Defense Hub, [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] is regaling a [[Gene Key]]-modified [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] with a story of having been surrounded by [[Mecannibal|Mecannibals]], when they hear a loud thumping noise, looking up just in time to see [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] running towards them in dinosaur mode at top-speed. Guzzle only has time to curse before Grimlock rams them aside to make way for the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], [[Grapple]] and [[Hosehead]]. Speeding past Guzzle's non-moving form, and noting that Guzzle is "one of ours", Crosshairs cautions the others that if Scorponok's plan can be sabotaged, and Gene Key-modified Autobots returned to their natural state, that they need to set their weapons to only stun or disable any others they come across, as he transforms and takes out [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] and [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]]. [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] blasts Runamuck off his feet, while Blurr quickly neutralizes (and apologizes to) two generics and [[Sparkstalker]]. Entering another chamber, Crosshairs cautions the group to wait, as there might be other defenders waiting. Grimlock says there's no time to wait, that the element of surprise is all they have. He then rams into the control room where [[Pounce]] and [[Wingspan]] are. The two quickly decide to surrender. Grapple and Blurr examine the control panel, noting that it doesn't seem like the data on building [[Nucleon]]-free bodies Scorponok transferred from [[Nebulos]] has been dumped, though they are locked out as the control panel is passcode-encrypted.  
In [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Grapple]]'s united teams storm the [[Civil Defense Hub]]. Grimlock catches [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] and [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] unaware and stomps them flat, prompting [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] to insist that they be careful to disable, rather than destroy, the guards, since many of them are [[Gene Key]]-reprogrammed Autobots. [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]'s speed allows him to prevent the sealing off of the hub's lower levels, and the team bursts into the control room, where [[Wingspan]] and [[Pounce]] wisely surrender immediately. A quick scan of the computer by Grapple reveals that the data on Scorponok's new technologies is intact, which will allow [[Nucleon]] suffers to be cured, but also that the planet's orbital defenses have targeted the approaching ''[[Valiant]]'' cruiser, returning from [[Earth]], and that the [[Clone (subgroup)|clones]] have locked the system. Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] leave to confront [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] at the [[Sonic Canyons]], while Blurr puts his speed to use racing through all possible passcodes for the computer... but even his prodigious pace is not fast enough to stop the missiles launching. [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] demands the abort code from Pounce at gunpoint, but the clone does not believe his threats... until Crosshairs shoots Wingspan dead. The terrified Pounce immediately hands over the code, allowing the missiles to be safely detonated before they strike the ''Valiant''.


The ''[[Valiant (G1)|Valiant]]'' is returning from Earth with its crew, its flightplan locked in via coordinates from Space Traffic Control, and put on autopilot by [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]. [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] notes that after receiving an extremely unwelcome reception on Earth, he is looking forward to Cybertronian hospitality, not knowing it was Pounce and Wingspan who gave the landing coordinates on Scorponok's orders, with further instruction to blow the ship out of the sky.
On [[Earth]], in the Yukon, [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] monologues on the bridge of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], as the craft grows nearer and nearer to being spaceworthy. Down in the lower decks, meanwhile, the lobotomized [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] sits slumped by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s immobile body. Starscream is shocked to hear a voice suddenly speak to him.. and even ''more'' shocked to discover that he can speak again! The voice is that of Shockwave, speaking through the Ark, who explains that he has removed the blocks [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] placed in Starscream's mind. Awoken by the destruction of [[Aunty|Auntie]], Shockwave is one with the ship now, but does not have complete autonomy: the Ark still requires a pilot, and that role would be much better filled by Starscream than by Galvatron...


On Earth, in the Yukon, [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] has prepared the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] for takeoff, intending to return to Cybertron and rule the planet. Several decks below the bridge, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] calls out to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Stirring, and asking who called his name, Starscream discovers that he can talk again. Shockwave says that he inhibited Starscream's basic functions before, but that he how has free reign to turn his thoughts into actions. Starscream asks why, if Shockwave can now think and act, is he still doing Galvatron's bidding? Shockwave explains that after [[Aunty|Auntie]]'s destruction, he arose from his catatonic state, but is still not completely autonomous- the Ark still needs a pilot, to which Starscream replies with a scheming grin, that the pilot might as well be himself...
At the Sonic Canyons, Scorponok rages as [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] announces another delay caused by a minor technical difficulty, and knocks [[Roadblock (G2)|Roadblock]] into the canyons in anger. The other Decepticons watch with silent concern as Scorponok continues to rant, until Grimlock arrives on a [[Sky-sled]] and opens fire, lecturing Scorponok on loyalty, and how it must be won through action. Glad of a target, Scorponok transforms and blasts Grimlock out of the sky, subduing him with his failsafe crystal and ordering Perceptor to activate the Gene Key. Scorponok continues to pontificate about the true unification of Cybertron and his role in it as the key hums to life... but when its effects tear through all present, the result is highly unexpected: everyone is back to normal! It is revealed that Grimlock never used the Gene Key on Perceptor, and that the scientist has been the Autobots' "inside man" all along, pretending to work with Scorponok in order to sabotage the Gene Key. Scorponok turns on Perceptor, but Grimlock tackles him from behind before he can fire, and calls for the other Dinobots, in hiding nearby, to strike. The remaining few Decepticons quickly flee, leaving Scorponok to face Grimlock alone on the bridge over the canyons. As they battle, [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] blasts out a support strut, and the structure begins to collapse. [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] flies in on a sky-sled and offers Grimlock his hand, but the Dinobot leader refuses: thanks to Scorponok, he went too far over the line, and knows there can be no going back. Locked in battle, both Scorponok and Grimlock tumble into the bottomless darkness of the canyons as the other Dinobots look on in horror.
 
At the [[Sonic Canyons]], Scorponok is growing increasingly volatile at delays in the building and activation of the Gene Key, berating [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] for all the glitches, and threatening to kill him if it continues. Perceptor replies that he ''was'' fixing the glitch before Scorponok interrupted him. Turning away from the Autobot scientist angrily, he sees [[Roadblock (G2)|Roadblock]]. While asking Roadblock what he's looking at, Scorponok violently backhands (backclaws?) Roadblock off the bridge the Gene Key is on and to his death in the depths of the Sonic Canyons. Scorponok then turns to [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], [[Needlenose]] and [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]], asking if any of ''them'' have opinions they'd like to express. Scorponok then starts pontificating again about his grand plan, but is interrupted by Grimlock firing shots from atop a hoversled. He scatters Scorponok's bots with several shots, saying that he's learned the hard way that fear doesn't equal respect, and that loyalty can only be earned. Spinister and Needlenose raise their weapons, but Scorponok forbids them, transforming into scorpion mode and blasting the hoversled with his stinger, disabling it and causing Grimlock to crash to the ground. Scorponok takes out the crystal that gives him control of Grimlock's body and orders Perceptor to activate the Gene Key at once.
 
Inside the Civil Defense Hub, an alarm is sounded. Grapple responds to Crosshairs' inquiry about the sound that it's missile silos targeting the ''Valiant''. Crosshairs orders Blurr to abort the launches, but even with Blurr going his fastest to decrypt the control panels, he still hasn't been able to unlock them. Realizing they only have seconds to spare, Crosshairs turns to the Decepticon clones, demanding the passcode, stating that if Pounce doesn't give it up, Crosshairs will execute him on the spot. Pounce, not believing that an Autobot would do something like that, hesitates, earning Wingspan an immediate blast through the midsection from Crosshairs' gun. As he kills Wingspan, Crosshairs reflects that because of Scorponok's actions, they're all making major adjustments. Crosshairs then states that he won't ask for the passcode a second time, and a shocked Pounce immediately gives the passcode, enabling Blurr to cause the missles targeting the ''Valiant'' to detonate before they hit the ship. However, because the missiles detonate so closely to the ship, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] believes they're under attack and orders the shields up and the Wreckers to prepare for immediate battle.
 
As the Gene Key begins to glow and power up, Scorponok once again begins waxing poetic about the true unification of Cybertron and his role in it. However, something is suddenly going terribly wrong- Scorponok feels the Gene Key affecting him as well! As the Gene Key is also affecting [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], [[Skram (G2)|Skram]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]], they come to their senses. Highbrow briefly wonders where he is before noting that he remembers everything. Landmine felt like he was having an out of body experience, while Skram guiltily recalls enjoying all the destruction and mayhem. Scorponok realizes that the Gene Key was tampered with and that it could only have done by Perceptor! Recalling how Grimlock demonstrated then reversed the Gene Key's effects on him, then told him to "pretend to be bad!", Perceptor looks down at Scorponok, who notes how well Perceptor played evil, but that it will only delay his plans, not stop them. He prepares to fire his shoulder-mounted cannons at Perceptor, but is head-butted by Grimlock and knocked off-aim. Grimlock then orders the Dinobots to attack, before transforming and chomping on Scorponok's arm with his jaws, forcing Scorponok to drop the crystal controlling Grimlock. Spinister and Needlenose quickly transform and fly away, while Perceptor orders [[Override (G1)|Override]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] and two other Autobots on the bridge to get off immediately, as the Dinobots are destroying the bridge the Gene Key is situated on. Grimlock and Scorponok fight fiercely, with Grimlock gripping onto Scorponok to prevent him fleeing. Scorponok screams that Grimlock will kill them both, and Grimlock replies that Scorponok finally gets it- thanks to him, Grimlock went too far over the line, and intends to take Scorponok down with him. As [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] realizes what Grimlock is doing, he flies by on his hoversled, desperately trying to get a hold on his leader. Grimlock notes that the bigger they are, the farther they fall. As [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], Snarl and Swoop look on in horror, the bridge finally crumbles, and Scorponok and Grimlock plunge into the Canyons.


Back on Earth, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] arrives at the Ark site... just as the giant vessel takes off! Looking up at the bridge window, Optimus sees Galvatron staring back, and believes that Megatron has returned!
Back on Earth, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] arrives at the Ark site... just as the giant vessel takes off! Looking up at the bridge window, Optimus sees Galvatron staring back, and believes that Megatron has returned!

Revision as of 13:02, 11 April 2013

« The Transformers: Regeneration One #90 »
"Natural Selection" Part 5
Publisher IDW Publishing
First published April 10, 2013
Cover date April 2013
Writer Simon Furman
Penciler Andrew Wildman
Inker Stephen Baskerville
Colorist John-Paul Bove
Color assists James Stayte
Letterer Chris Mowry
Editor John Barber
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity

As subterfuge from within brings his plan crashing down, Scorponok faces off against Grimlock in final battle.

Synopsis

Deep within Cybertron, Hot Rod holds the Sword of Primus above the head of a cowering Demon, and announces that the will of Primus decrees he use the blade to exterminate all of the creature's kind so the next step in the evolution of the Transformer race can begin. But after a moment's hesitation, Hot Rod concludes that Primus' will is not his will, and he will not further the grievous wrong their creator committed, on which their race is built. Taking the Covenant of Primus as well, Hot Rod exits the chamber—the gashes on his chest healing closed as he does so—and, vowing to return, heads back to the surface, the Demons all parting before him, genuflecting in fear of the light of Primus's artifacts.

In Iacon, Grimlock and Grapple's united teams storm the Civil Defense Hub. Grimlock catches Roadblock and Guzzle unaware and stomps them flat, prompting Crosshairs to insist that they be careful to disable, rather than destroy, the guards, since many of them are Gene Key-reprogrammed Autobots. Blurr's speed allows him to prevent the sealing off of the hub's lower levels, and the team bursts into the control room, where Wingspan and Pounce wisely surrender immediately. A quick scan of the computer by Grapple reveals that the data on Scorponok's new technologies is intact, which will allow Nucleon suffers to be cured, but also that the planet's orbital defenses have targeted the approaching Valiant cruiser, returning from Earth, and that the clones have locked the system. Grimlock and the Dinobots leave to confront Scorponok at the Sonic Canyons, while Blurr puts his speed to use racing through all possible passcodes for the computer... but even his prodigious pace is not fast enough to stop the missiles launching. Crosshairs demands the abort code from Pounce at gunpoint, but the clone does not believe his threats... until Crosshairs shoots Wingspan dead. The terrified Pounce immediately hands over the code, allowing the missiles to be safely detonated before they strike the Valiant.

On Earth, in the Yukon, Galvatron monologues on the bridge of the Ark, as the craft grows nearer and nearer to being spaceworthy. Down in the lower decks, meanwhile, the lobotomized Starscream sits slumped by Shockwave's immobile body. Starscream is shocked to hear a voice suddenly speak to him.. and even more shocked to discover that he can speak again! The voice is that of Shockwave, speaking through the Ark, who explains that he has removed the blocks Megatron placed in Starscream's mind. Awoken by the destruction of Auntie, Shockwave is one with the ship now, but does not have complete autonomy: the Ark still requires a pilot, and that role would be much better filled by Starscream than by Galvatron...

At the Sonic Canyons, Scorponok rages as Perceptor announces another delay caused by a minor technical difficulty, and knocks Roadblock into the canyons in anger. The other Decepticons watch with silent concern as Scorponok continues to rant, until Grimlock arrives on a Sky-sled and opens fire, lecturing Scorponok on loyalty, and how it must be won through action. Glad of a target, Scorponok transforms and blasts Grimlock out of the sky, subduing him with his failsafe crystal and ordering Perceptor to activate the Gene Key. Scorponok continues to pontificate about the true unification of Cybertron and his role in it as the key hums to life... but when its effects tear through all present, the result is highly unexpected: everyone is back to normal! It is revealed that Grimlock never used the Gene Key on Perceptor, and that the scientist has been the Autobots' "inside man" all along, pretending to work with Scorponok in order to sabotage the Gene Key. Scorponok turns on Perceptor, but Grimlock tackles him from behind before he can fire, and calls for the other Dinobots, in hiding nearby, to strike. The remaining few Decepticons quickly flee, leaving Scorponok to face Grimlock alone on the bridge over the canyons. As they battle, Swoop blasts out a support strut, and the structure begins to collapse. Snarl flies in on a sky-sled and offers Grimlock his hand, but the Dinobot leader refuses: thanks to Scorponok, he went too far over the line, and knows there can be no going back. Locked in battle, both Scorponok and Grimlock tumble into the bottomless darkness of the canyons as the other Dinobots look on in horror.

Back on Earth, Optimus Prime arrives at the Ark site... just as the giant vessel takes off! Looking up at the bridge window, Optimus sees Galvatron staring back, and believes that Megatron has returned!

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Others

Quotes

Notes

Transformers references

Real world-references

  • For some head-scratching reason, the passcode Pounce provides is in Japanese: "juu-kyuu-hachi-juushi-nijuu-juu-yon" is "10-9-9-14-20-10-4." Any significance those numbers might have, we haven't sussed it out yet.

Errors

  • On page 13, Highbrow is colored like Needlenose.
  • The Ark is drawn to match it's cartoon appearance instead of its unique Marvel shape, but is still colored in traditional Marvel silver.
  • Swoop is shown in pteranodon mode blasting the bridge supports, yet mere seconds later, he's shown in robot mode reacting to Grimlock's death.

Trivia

  • Shockwave says he has "destricted" Starscream's blocks. "Destriction" is in fact a word, from "striction", meaning "binding", but is marked as both obsolete and rare by the Oxford English dictionary.
  • Introducing two Transformers who share a name into a continuity within a single issue just to immediately kill both of them must be some kind of first.

Covers (3)

  • Cover A: Grimlock vs. Scorponok on the bridge above the Sonic Canyons, by Andrew Wildman and Jason Cardy.
  • Cover B: Grimlock in scorpion-mode Scorponok's grip, by Guido Guidi.
  • Cover RI: Scorponok fires on Grimlock's sky-sled, by Geoff Senior and Josh Burcham.

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