Vector Prime (Transformers)
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| Transformers character | |
 | |
| Vector Prime | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Autobot (Cybertron) |
| Sub-Group | Voyagers |
| Function | Dimensional Supervisor (Takara), also known as Knight Warrior of Cybertron and Defender of Spacetime. |
| Motto | "Time transcends the person who does not know the limit of oneself." (Takara), "For honor, for glory, for Cybertron!" (Hasbro) |
| Alternate mode | Ancient Cybertronian Spacecraft |
| Mini-Con Partner | Safeguard |
| Cyber Key Code | v38g |
| Fictional Appearances | |
| Voice actors: | Richard Newman (English) Sho Hayami (Japanese) |
Vector Prime is a fictional character in the Transformers: Cybertron television series, comic series and toy line.
Hasbro Tech Spec: Vector Prime is one of the first Transformers. A powerful, wise and incredibly ancient warrior, he has served as protector over Cybertron for time immemorial. Pulled out of the shadows of Time by a distress signal broadcast by his damaged planet, he arrives too late to save Cybertron without assistance. Arising from an era in which all Transformers lived in harmony, he is unaware of the conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons, a fact that Megatron uses to trick him and steal the map to the Lost Planets and the Planet Keys. Realizing his mistake, he joins Optimus Prime and pledges his knowledge and skill as a warrior to the desperate quest to retrieve the Planet Keys before Megatron.
Cyber Key Info: Vector Prime is a Transformer from the earliest days of Cybertron's history. There is a legend of 13 original Transformers, built by Primus before he took the shape of the Planet Cybertron. It has been rumored that Vector Prime is actually one of these original 13!
Repaint Cyber Code Info: Ancient, powerful and wise, VECTOR PRIME has survived all through the long ages of his existence through more than mere power. Granted the ability to travel through time and across dimensions, Vector Prime has left echoes of himself throughout the past and future of countless dimensions. Though his appearance often shifts along with the dimensions through which he passes, he remains always the same – loyal, honest and devoted to the cause of justice. Though he may sacrifice himself in one incarnation, VECTOR PRIME will always exist, and will always rise whenever the universe is threatened.
Takara Tech Spec: This ancient warrior appeared after crossing the time and space in order to save the planet Seibertron. He explained to us the function of the Force Chips, which make Transformers even stronger, so we could activate the Ignition powers that transcend us beyond what we were. His ability to control space-time will doubtless become an enormous force for saving the universe.
Vector Prime is the Keeper of Space and Time, meaning he has the ability to move time backwards. He has a Mini-Con partner named Safeguard (Roots in Galaxy Force), and was also accompanied by the Mini-Con Recon Team, which consisted of Jolt, Six-Speed and Reverb. He wields a sword (called either the Cyber Caliber or Rhilsing), which has the ability to open "dimension gates" (or spacebridges). He transforms into an ancient space-ship. His Cyber Key Power summons a barrier known as the "Tachyon Shield" (also called "Action Field" by some sources).
Television Series
Vector Prime entered the series in the first episode, when Cybertron was at the mercy of a black hole (said to be caused by the collapse of Unicron in the dub). After revealing himself to the Autobots, he told them of the four Cyber Planet Keys, which held the power of Primus, and could apparently stop the black hole from destroying the universe. However, Vector Prime was very ancient, and had not been on Cybertron for many eons, and so, Megatron preyed upon his lack of knowledge (and the fact that the Autobots doubted his story), and stole the map to the Cyber Planet Keys from him.On Earth, Vector Prime would join the Autobots, telling them that the Omega Lock, the item that controlled the four Planet Keys, lay hidden somewhere on Earth. Later, he would prove his worth by defeating Megatron in battle, and saving the secret of the Autobots' new base. In the process, he revealed to the Autobots (and subsequently the Decepticons) the existence of the Cyber Keys, individual power-ups that drew from the power of Primus.
As the series progressed, Vector Prime would serve as an honored member of the Autobot team, using his ability to open gates to transport the Autobots across Earth and to other planets. In addition, he became a close friend of Optimus Prime, and in many ways, performed the function of a "second-in-command" (though technically, this title belonged to Jetfire). It was his analytical skills that allowed the Autobots to find Velocitron, Jungle Planet (Animatros) and, later, Gigantion.
The map would later be recovered from Starscream, who had stolen it from Megatron.
Towards the end of the series, Vector Prime gave his life to help the Autobots return to Cybertron. Using his powers over time and space, he turned back time until a point where the space bridge was still open, which was destroyed in the final clash between Galvatron and Starscream. Vector Prime, being born from the very essence of time itself would survive and live on as a part of that entity if the black hole were to be closed, as the black hole was devouring the essence of time itself. This was not before he left his comrades with a goodbye, earning him the honor and respect of the entire group of Autobots.
This was not the end, however, as Vector Prime's spark would reach out to Optimus Prime in his time of need. In the second instance, he imparted onto Optimus his sword, which the Autobot leader then used to finally destroy Galvatron. He re-appeared for a final time as a ghostly image, before Optimus Prime and his team while they were on the new Space Bridge Project, apparently as a reminder and encouragement to Optimus to not give up his cause and mission.
In the ending credits of Galaxy Force, he was seen battling the essence of Galvatron (in what may have been the Allspark, the Transformer afterlife).
Comic Series
Vector Prime appeared as one of the major character in the Transformers: Cybertron comic produced by the Transformers Collectors Club.Issue 1 (Vector Prime: In The Beginning) - Vector Prime secretly aided Generation One Optimus Prime in surviving the attack in the Ark by Megatron during the Beast Wars, as well as having witnessed other key events from the various multiverse Transformers stories. Vector Prime and Safeguard receive a distress signal from Cybertron and return to their ancient home.
Issue #2 (Balancing Act Part 1) - Ramjet and Nemesis Prime arrive on a nearly deserted Cybertron. In Iacon they kill Crush and Jackhammer, two Transformers who remained on Cybertron after it's evacuation. Vector Prime and Safeguard report to Alpha Trion in his chamber that the search for the Cyber Planet Keys isn't going well (this story seems to take place several episodes into the TV series). Prime reports he discovered the location of one of the planets. Alpha Trion has been able to use the anomolies created by the black hole to find an ally they might use - Sentinel Maximus. Ramjet arrives in the chamber and attacks Sentinel Maximus and Nemesis Prime attacks Alpha Trion. Vector Prime rushes into battle against Ramjet, but Ramjet is able to blast Vector Sigma. With Alpha Trion and Vector Sigma damaged, Ramjet and Nemesis Prime retreat.
Issue #3 (Balancing Act Part 2) - Vector Prime places Alpha Trion in a CR Chamber then tells Sentinel Maximus who Ramjet and Nemesis Prime are. Sentinel Maximus says they will be ready and not taken by surprise again, but Vector Prime warns that Unicron could bring more minions. Just then Dark Scorponok rises from the dead. Skyfall arrives in his ship at the Iacon Spaceport only to discover the place abandoned - until he is attacked by Scrapmetals and Scorponok. Ramjet and Nemesis Prime use the Scrapmetals to locate the essence of Primus. Ramjet also explains that while Unicron is dead, they can turn the tables by using the Dead Matrix to kill Primus and feed his energy to Unicron.
Issue #4 (Balancing Act Part 3) - As Scorponok continues to attack Skyfall, Skyfall is burried in rubble. The Mini-Cons of Ramjet find Scorponok and lure him to the Autobots. Safeguard attempts to defend Alpha Trion's chamber from Scorponok, then is joined by Sentinel Maximus. Scorponok fights madly, ignoring all injuries to himself. Meanwhile Skyfall blasts his way out of the rubble and is discovered by Ramjet and Nemesis Prime. Ramjet claims he was expecting someone else, but he knows Skyfall, which Skyfall finds interesting, not knowing Ramjet. Ramjet claims Cybertron changed much since Skyfall left it.
Issue #5 (Balancing Act Part 4) - Skyfall wants to know how Ramjet knows him, but Ramjet's Scrapmetal Terrorcons have located the information he needs and they don't have time. Ramjet offers that if Skyfall assists him he will tell Skyfall all he knows. Sentinel Maximus and Safeguard are barely holding their own against Scorponok as Vector Prime tries to get the nearby autoguns online. Scorponok stings Sentinel Maximus who nearly shuts down due to the cyber-venom. The autoguns come online and blast Scorponok. Vector Prime helps Sentinel Maximus up as Safeguard says they have seen beings like Scorponok before, but it beyond their power to help him. Vector Prime admits he wasn't the one who got the autoguns online just as a radio signal calling for help comes from Downshift, saying the spark core access tunnel is under attack. Vector Prime opens a rift in space to get them there fast. In the spark core access tunnel Ramjet and Nemesis Prime have captured Downshift. Ramjet leads his group down the tunnel only to find Vector Prime and Sentinel Maximus standing to defend it.
Issue #6 (Balancing Act Part 5) - Vector Prime stands against Ramjet as Nemesis Prime attempts to get down the spark core access tunnel. Sentinel Maximus goes after Nemesis Prime. Skyfall frees Downshift. Ramjet claims he just wants to restore the balance between Primus and Unicron, but Vector Prime doesn't believe him. Nemesis Prime gets to the spark core of Primus and seals off the entrance before Sentinel Maximus can enter. He then attempts to unleash the Dead Matrix.
Issue #7 (Revelations Part 1) - As Nemesis Prime unleashes the Dead Matrix, Vector Prime and Ramjet do battle above Iacon. Vector Prime attempts to finish off Ramjet with his Cyber Key Power. In the spark core Nemesis Prime is attacked by Omega Prime, who appears seemingly out of nowhere. Omega Prime then splits into Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. As Optimus tries to save the spark of Primus, Magnus takes on Nemesis Prime. Ramjet lays in pieces, but cannot die. Vector Prime opens a portal to another dimension to imprison Ramjet. Although Skyfall tries to save Ramjet, Vector Prime is able to use his Cyber Key Power again to overcome Skyfall's force field. Back in the Spark Core Optimus uses his Matrix to heal the spark of Primus as Ultra Magnus knocks out Nemesis Prime. Sentinel Maximus gets to the spark core in time for to see Optimus say they need to talk.
Issue #8 (Revelations Part 2) - Vector Prime returns to Alpha Trion's chamber carrying Skyfall, with both needing repairs. As Vector Prime is telling Downshift what happened, Sentinel Maximus, Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus return and inform them that Nemesis Prime is in stasis lock and was placed in an energy dampening cell. Optimus Prime tells the story of where they came from (The Transformers: Universe comic). Vector Prime is unable to maintain his form and begs Sentinel Maximus to protect Skyfall, thinking he came to Cybertron for a reason. Vector Prime then vanishes. A voice speaks from nowhere that explains that Vector Prime and Safeguard are now on Earth (where he continues in the television series). The voice is the Mini-Con Over-Run, whose body was killed by Starscream while he was linked with the planet, and he now lives in Cybertron's computer system. Over-Run was the one who activated the autoguns that defeated Scorponok and the one who brought Omega Prime to Cybertron. Over-Run has Optimus and Magnus store the Dead Matrix in the rare items locker at the Cybertron archives, but they are observed by Soundwave.
Official Bio
It is impossible to encompass all that Vector Prime is. One of the very few truly unique creatures in all the Multi-verse, he has walked the time stream from its raging headwaters to its muddy, struggling ending, where it bleeds out into the ever more infinite sea of entropy that marks the passing of every totality. His vision is limited only by the borders of space-time, but that there is yet more beyond he has no doubt.
Created by Primus at the very beginning of its struggle with Unicron, when most of the newborn universes were little more than swirling clouds of ionized hydrogen, his was the most complex task of all the original 13. Drawn from the sublime material of a multiverse at the far end of entropy, he is the very soul of order. At his heart thrum the subtle mathematics that govern the movements of quarks, the slow spin of galaxies. Before his eyes run the lines of force that tie all things back towards their center, back towards Cybertron.
Vector Prime's might has dwindled over the years, his boundless energy taken up in the never ending task of maintaining the Gordian mechanics of space-time. As the multiverse has run down its inevitable course, so has Vector Prime aged - his systems shutting down piece by piece, code that once ran at the forefront of his mind forgotten, files fragmenting, memory sectors burning out.
As he aged, and as the weight of time built up within him he found himself less and less engaged in the linear universe. With both Primus and Unicron dormant - their endless confiict for the moment ended - he withdrew from the flow of time, submerging himself in a dimension of probability, in which all moments and all possibilities exist concurrently.
He emerged occasionally to correct serious disruptions in the ordered flow of events, but he did not return to Cybertron until called by Vector Sigma - the vast, interdimensional mainframe that connects all aspects of Cybertron to one another. Now, he has returned home to find the multiverse he was created to protect in danger of being torn apart at the seams.
Any discussion of Vector Prime' abilities would be fruitless without first mentioning his sword, Rhisling. Extraordinary for its properties as a tool as much as for its powers as a weapon, Rhisling is the means by which Vector Prime interacts with spacetime.
Forged of ethereal supermatter, its edge is fine enough to slice through the very fabric of reality, allowing Vector Prime to move from dimension to dimension, or alter time itself. The heat of the blade can be used to heal any damage it inflicts. Wielded by a master swordsman such as Vector Prime, there is no finer weapon in existence.
Vector Prime's sensory equipment - housed in the bottom section of his vehicle mode - is capable of detecting objects and energy signatures at a distance of 12 parsecs, and is fine enough in its resolution to pinpoint a subject within only a few meters. He also has a temporal mechanics analyzer that allows him to generate a potentiality schematic starting at a specific point in space-time, thereby predicting likely courses of action. This essentially gives him a nearly complete knowledge of every event, past and future, within his sensor range.
His sensory duster is protected by a quartet of Gauss cannons that fire short bursts of armor-piercing, nuclear shells, delivering a series of EM shocks to stun any mechanical target they strike. His most formidable weapon in vehicle mode is a single probability torpedo, housed in a reinforced launching tube in his nosecone.
In addition to a significant conventional detonation, this weapon disrupts causality in a localized area, yielding a variety of effects, all of which are inevitably disastrous for the target. Vector Prime rarely uses this weapon, as its effects always result in more work for him after the conclusion of battle. In both modes, Vector Prime's armor is enhanced by several hundred microscopic dimensional vortices that capture and redirect part of the energy of every attack made against him to the heart of the larger of Cybertron's twin suns.
Despite his unique perspective, he is nonetheless a linear thinker, locked into the concepts of cause and effect. As a result, he is not particularly imaginative, which limits his ability to use the vast amount of data available to him. Sufficiently unpredictable enemies have often outwitted him.
Internal inhibitors prevent him from creating a paradox by appearing in two places at the same time. As a result, he is occasionally forced to expend a great deal of energy seeding himself throughout time, thereby giving the impression of omnipresence.
Finally, though he is a consummate swordsman, his reflexes are sometimes slowed by his internal data structure. When about to engage in combat, he prepares by shutting down a number of sub-processors, enhancing his thinking speed, but decreasing his significant Intelligence and ability to predict the actions of his enemies.
Other media
Vector Prime appears as the editor of a "Question & Answer" section on [the Official Transformers web-site]. This is known for several infamous quotes, such as the one defending his rather alien alternate mode ("I am not here to blend."), and his mentioning the existence of a Mini-Con disco ball. There is also a parody version on the [Insecticons website]Vector Prime also appears in the Official Transformers club comic, which affirms his status as one of the Original 13 Transformers, and has him going up against Unicron's heralds, Nemesis Prime and Ramjet.
Both of these sources reveal some information about his alleged backstory, such as the fact that he witnessed such events as the Beast Wars, that he knew Alpha Trion, and that he once led the Autobots. However, all of this conflicts with the series. Vector Prime had no idea about the distinction between Autobots and Decepticons in the first episode, and Beast Wars is in an entirely different continuity. Despite the fact that Vector Prime transports himself between dimensions, witnessing such events would SURELY give him cause to be suspicious of someone named Megatron - so keeping an open mind only carries one so far. Thus, these events are most likely to be non-canon.
One of the details revealed – that Vector Prime is one of the Original 13 Transformers - is one of the few things that does not conflict with his show portrayal. It is entirely possible that he was one of the original 13 in Cybertron's continuity, as long as one follows the assumption that he left Cybertron and did not return for a long while.
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