Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday
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| Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Del Rey Books | ||||||||||||
| First published | March 27, 2007 | ||||||||||||
| Story concept | David Cian | ||||||||||||
| Writer | Alan Dean Foster | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Movie continuity | ||||||||||||
| ISBN | ISBN 0345497988 ISBN 9780345497987 | ||||||||||||
| Page count | 286 | ||||||||||||
In 1969, shortly after the Apollo 11 moon landing, the clandestine organization known as Sector Seven tests their first Ice Man-derived spacecraft with disastrous consequences.
Synopsis
As Apollo 11 launches into space, all eyes are on it. Almost all eyes, anyway. In the Arctic Circle, Sector Seven is preparing to launch their own ship, the Ghost 1. As the Ghost's crew launch into space, some S7 workers—including Thomas Kinnear—are worried.
The captain of Ghost 1, Samuel Walker, silently worries about the mission. He knows that he has to return to Earth, but he's not sure that he'll make it. He gives his crew a speech, and they rocket towards the Sun. As they are about to slingshot towards Jupiter, they are sucked into a wormhole, and they all lose consciousness.
Meanwhile, the Nemesis is continuing its search for Megatron and the Allspark, when the Decepticons receive indications of wormhole travel. Since Cybertronians are the only ones who use wormhole travel, Starscream orders them to investigate. However, Optimus Prime and the Autobots detect the same energy signature, and takes the Ark to investigate. The Nemesis arrives first, and the Decepticons cannot believe what they are seeing. It appears to be a Cybertronian vessel of Decepticon design, but it's too crude to be one of theirs, along with the organic lifeforms inside. Blackout believes they should destroy it, as anyone capable of wormhole travel is sufficiently advanced to be a threat. To regain the initiative, Starscream decides they will investigate. Before they can, Barricade detects the Ark's reemergence from wormhole travel, and the Nemesis manages to hide behind the moon of the planet the vessel reached. As the Autobots arrive, Ironhide assumes the vessel is Decepticon, but further analysis shows that it can't be. On board Ghost 1, the crew regains consciousness, and upon seeing the Ark, become concerned.
Back on Earth, Walter Simmons orders that the Ice Man be moved from the Sector Seven High Arctic Base to a secret location close to the more recently discovered Cube. The Soviets learn of the move and raid the convoy hoping to recover the frozen artifact. During the chaos of battle, Megatron partially wakes up in a bad mood. The Soviets are beaten back with the help of Staff Sergeant Martin and his unit of commandos. Megatron is re-frozen with liquid nitrogen and eventually makes the trip to Nevada without further incident.
Feactured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Sector Seven |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"If Megatron has allied himself with these life-forms, you're going to get your Spark handed to you. Painfully."
- —Blackout reminds Starscream about how ruthless Megatron is.
"Starscream, I'm here for you."
"Then come! I've maintained a special file that is devoted to nothing but anticipation for this!"
"Your wait is over."
- —Optimus Prime and Starscream exchange taunts.
"Time to repeat a lesson you seem to have forgotten." [cuts Blackout's weapons systems off] A short memory can be fatal. Here is lesson number two: pain hurts." [fires into Blackout's chest then punches him in the face] "Lesson number three: pain continues to hurt even when you wish for it to stop."
"Don't... You prevail. I concede utterly. You are the leader. I withdraw my challenge."
"We are not quite done yet. Here is the last and most important lesson: pain is an excellent teaching tool that should be practiced by all leaders and recognized by all smart-mouthed soldiers." [shoots Blackout again]
- —Starscream teaches Blackout a few lessons. He was so abused as a kid.
Notes
- The novel was originally announced as being written by David Cian, but after turning in a (self-admittedly[1] rushed) first draft, he was replaced by Alan Dean Foster, who then rewrote the novel to an unknown extent. Foster's is the lone name on the binding, while Cian receives a story credit inside.
- The book as published only marginally resembles Cian's description of the one he was writing and features a much more defined scope and focus.[2]
- Much of the plot takes place on a planet reminiscent of the setting of Dune—desert environment, pillars with glyphs carved into them, sandworms, etc.
- Autobots can fly under gravity.
- Starscream learns that both Megatron and the Allspark are on Earth (but not the location of Earth) from the humans. He keeps that information to himself.
- Christolph Smythe owns hardcover copies of the books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.
International printings
Japan
- ISBN 4150116229
- ISBN 978-4150116224
- Date published: July 15, 2007
- Publisher: Hayakawa Publishing Corp.
- Translator: Tsukasa Kaneko
- Pagecount: 431
