Ark II
| The name or term "Ark" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Ark (disambiguation). |
- The Ark II is a ship from the Generation 1 continuity family.
The Ark II was a ship constructed through a joint effort between the Autobots and Human governments, meant to transport the Autobots and a few humans to Cybertron.
Fiction
Cartoon continuity
The Ark II was built by the Autobots and the governments of Earth to take the Autobots back to Cybertron after the Decepticons were defeated. More than Meets the Eye, Part 3 It was never used, due to interference from an unspecified Decepticon attack.[1] This attack may refer to the Decepticons' plunder of a solar power plant. [2] Transport to Oblivion
Dreamwave comics continuity
Following the defeat of the Decepticons during Operation: Liberation, the governments of Earth helped the Autobots construct a giant spacecraft named Ark II so the Autobots and their Decepticon prisoners could return home. In exchange for Earth's assistance, the Autobots offered to bring a small crew of humans, guaranteeing their complete freedom to roam Cybertron and study it as they deemed fit. Nicknamed 'the Magnificent Seven', the humans were allowed to stay as long as they wanted and bring back any and all findings deemed 'useful' to the progression of humanity. They were touted as representing the dawning of a new age.
Tragically, on June 24th, 1999, the Ark II exploded minutes after liftoff, apparently killing all on board. The official explanation given was "mechanical failure". Prime Directive issue 1 In reality, the ship was sabotaged by General Robert Hallo, head of Military Development of the United States in his scheme with engineer Adam Rook to reprogram the stasis locked Transformers salvaged from the explosion and make them into weapons for the United States military. Prime Directive issue 5
Shockwave later claimed he had a hand in the destruction of Ark II, but then, he was pretty much responsible for everything. War and Peace
Notes
- The events of More than Meets the Eye, Part 3 make it appear that the Autobots are going to use a repaired Ark for the return trip to Cybertron. Fuel trucks are seen with hoses leading to the Ark, the Autobots are shown loading it up with supplies, and Jazz said moments earlier, "Let's get back to base. We have a ship of our own to repair." The Ark II is never shown, but a corner of the launch tower is glimpsed.
Footnotes
- ↑ The Ark II was never named in its appearance in the original cartoon, but it was marked as such on its model sheet. From Disciples of Boltax.
- ↑ Dialogue cut from "Transport to Oblivion", the first episode of the regular series, suggest that the Autobots were preparing to launch for Cybertron at the beginning of the episode. From Bigbot.com.
