Axis cradle

The axis cradle is a piece of Cybertronian technology that allows one to imprint their will onto another being.

Fiction

IDW Generation 1 comics

Using Ultra-Energon and the axis cradle, Bludgeon sent Thunderwing to attack Nebulos. This was done in the interest of harvesting energy to restore Cybertron to its former self. Stormbringer #2 Once his rampage began, Bludgeon left the axis-cradle on auto-driver, constantly feeding Thunderwing the instruction to devastate Nebulos.

When the Wreckers and Optimus Prime broke into Bludgeon's hideout and dispatched Bludgeon's entourage, the captive Jetfire told his rescuers to destroy the axis cradle. Springer obliged. However, the destruction of the axis cradle removed Bludgeon's instructions to Thunderwing, and he returned to Cybertron. Stormbringer #3

Later, when the Dead Universe Transformers initiated the Expansion, Thunderwing was used as a guard for a Nega-Core on Corata-Vaz. To stop his threat, Jetfire built his own axis cradle to override the beast's homicidal tendencies with his will. Spotlight: Doubledealer Jhiaxus didn't take kindly to this interference and sent Bludgeon, who was being controlled by Jhiaxus with Jhiaxus's own technology, to attack Jetfire. This released Jetfire's hold on Thunderwing, but Jhiaxus found his hands too full with multiple forces resisting the Expansion, and Bludgeon returned to being a stiff corpse. Jetfire did not attempt to regain control of Thunderwing, but he was eventually stopped and the Expansion foiled. Spotlight: Sideswipe