Source:Beast Wars Glossary

This is a transcribed copy (sans images) of the Beast Wars Glossary found in the TPB/Omnibus version of the out-of-print Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook. All spelling, grammatical, and formatting errors are left as is.

Beast Wars Glossary

Angolmois:

Drawing upon his near omniscient knowledge of time and space, the Dark God Unicron sensed that one day his physical form would be destroyed. To prepare for this, he began to contain his life force inside capsules, and when, ultimately, his premonition came true, they were teleported throughout the universe. The capsules were to lay hidden until his heralds could gather them and use them to reawaken their master, but they were uncovered by curious Cybertronians, who—largely unaware of its dark nature—called the energy Angolmois. Angolmois grants its bearer extreme power and in many cases has altered the bodies of those exposed to it. Unfortunately, this power comes with a price: Unicron's essence often corrupts those who use this power and has even turned themselves into heralds.

Ark, The/Teletran-1:

Millions of years ago, the Autobots assembled some of their finest warriors to crew a vast starship dubbed the Ark. The vessel crashed into a volcano on Earth, where it ultimately became the focus of the so-called Beast Wars. While Autobot commander Optimus Prime lay dormant within, the Predacon renegade Megatron attempted to destroy him in the hope of altering the future in favor of the Decepticons. Through the intervention of the Maximals he failed, and they then took up residence inside the volcano to serve as guardians of their future. Inside the Ark was Teletran-1, the most sophisticated Autobot computer of its time. Four million years after the Ark's crash, it would awaken and repair its passengers, renewing the struggle between the dormant Autobots and Decepticons aboard.

Artemis:

An agent of the Celestials, assigned to observe the planet Gaea with Moon. The two observers had an adversarial relationship, each wanting to impress their superiors with their acute observations. Over time, Artemis developed a close bond with Moon as she tried to act as his mentor. However, when the time came for Moon to join the fight on Gaea and betray the oath he made to the Celestials, Artemis supported her friend's decision even though it meant she would never be able to speak to him again. To this day, Artemis serves as an observer, traveling from planet to planet at the behest of the Celestials.

Axalon, The:

In the age of the Pax Cybertronia, the Maximals commissioned the construction of a fleet of starships, their primary purpose: scientific exploration. The captain of one such vessel, the Axalon, was given the unenviable task of finding a place to safely dispose of Protoform X, a failed attempt by the Maximals to replicate the mutant, indestructible Spark of the Decepticon Starscream, but before Optimus Primal could complete his mission, he was ordered to pursue Megatron and his crew of renegades. After a fierce battle high above ancient Earth, the Axalon crash-landed there. With its weapon stores, CR Chambers and computer equipment it became the ideal headquarters for the Maximals. To defend the Axalon, Rhinox adapted the Sentinel program to control a variety of inner and outer defenses. In an ironic twist of fate, the Axalon was destroyed by the Predacon borne from Protoform X: Rampage.

Celestials:

Millions of years ago the Celestials were a warlike race that conquered hundreds of worlds and built a vast galactic empire. However, their empire eventually descended into centuries of chaos and barbarism. When they emerged from this horrific age, they decided to reject their past and become a race of peaceful observers, recording the events throughout the galaxy and containing the data in a vast, hidden galactic library. Using their considerable power, they recruit agents from hundreds of worlds to aid them in their task. They have one prime directive: observers are never to interfere with the events they witness. Doing so means excommunication from the Celestial collective with no hope of ever returning.

CR Chamber:

Surprisingly, given the violent nature of the Great War and all that followed, few Cybertronians are well trained in the art of repair and maintenance. During the era of the Maximals and Predacons, the development of automatic repair facilities compensated for the lack of medics. Dubbed "CR (Cryogenic Regeneration) Chambers," these constructs resemble holding tanks or pools that subjects are lowered into for repairs. Each is equipped with spare parts, surgical instruments, welding equipment, nanotech compounds and lasers to repair/regenerate the intricate systems of modern-era Cybertronians. Both planet-based headquarters and starships alike are generally outfitted with a bank of CR Chambers. While incredibly useful, CR Chambers cannot perform extremely intricate tasks such as regeneration of entire limbs.

Cybertron (1):

The vast home planet of the Cybertronians. For millions of years Cybertron orbited a binary star in the Alpha Centauri system. Its inhabitants were largely unaware of its true nature until recently, when it was revealed that Cybertron is really the physical form of the Lord of Light, Primus. While his dormant essence is contained deep within the core of Cybertron, he developed many ways to keep watch over his creations including appointing guardians such as the ancient Autobot Alpha Trion. He also maintains contact with the universe at large by utilizing constructs known as the Sonic Canyons to absorb data from throughout the universe. Over the ages, the Cybertronians have constructed more and more layers of planetary strata. Most recently, the "Great Upgrade" saw the planet converted to suit the downsized Maximal and Predacon population.

Cybertron (2):

In an effort to present a more united front following the Great War, many Autobots and Maximals began referring to themselves simply as "Cybertrons." Their intent was to stay away from the faction names that in any way served as a reminder of the age-old grievances. However, rogue elements soon responded by calling themselves Destrons (see, Destron). The term "Cybertron" fell out of use fairly quickly in the era following the ratification of the Pax Cybertronia, but is still sometimes used as an alternative for the term "Cybertronian".

Dark Side, The:

While he focused on stealing the Golden Disk, Megatron had his fellow renegade Predacons hijack a vessel equipped with a Transwarp drive in order to make their escape. While the vessel has undergone several name changes, one of its longest standing names is the Dark Side. True to its Predacon heritage, the Dark Side is a warship: sleek and agile, it was capable of complex maneuvers and its primary armaments consist of a series of Mega Cannons designed to do maximum damage to starship hulls. Inside its halls were repair chambers and computer arrays. After a battle with the Axalon over ancient Earth, the Dark Side crashed into a barren, volcanic region of the planet. The Predacons used the vessel as their base of operations until it was destroyed by the Vok emissary Tigerhawk.

Destron:

In the dying stages of the Great War between the Maximals and Predacons, it became apparent that the Maximals had all but won. The Predacon government duly surrendered and preparations began in earnest for the implementation of the Pax Cybertronia. However, a small contingent of die-hard warriors refused to accept their leaders' decision and took to calling themselves the Destrons. Based on an ancient Cybertronian term for the Decepticons, they felt this title honored their predecessors and empowered them in their mission to topple the Maximals once and for all.

Energon/Energon overload:

Energon is the basic fuel for all Cybertronians. Over millions of years, it has taken on different physical forms. Raw, naturally occurring Energon is extremely rare and generally takes the form of volatile crystals that—through prolonged exposure—can cause Cybertronian systems to overload and go into Stasis Lock. Energon has also been known to take on a liquid state allowing Cybertronians to drink it. During Cybertron's Golden Age, Energon Cube technology was developed. The Cubes were sophisticated matter converters that could take any existing fuel source and convert it into liquid Energon (and store it). Unfortunately, the Cubes were extremely fragile and anything from powerful vibrations to stray weapons fire would ignite them. It is theorized that Energon can be manipulated into a solid stable form (to be used in weaponry and as a power booster). Such technology is still in the early stages of development.

Fuzors:

When the Quantum Surge struck planet Earth, the DNA scanners of several Stasis Pods were damaged. This caused the scanners to integrate the DNA of two animals into one beast form, leading to a new type of Cybertronian: a Fuzor. Fuzors are rare and their combined beast forms are generally unique. For from hindering their capabilities, Fuzor beast modes integrate the most desirable qualities of each beast, making them exceptionally powerful in battle.

Gaea:

A planet located in sector C-16 of Cybertronian space, Gaea possessed an unusually high amount of Angolmois energy and thus attracted the attentions of would-be despot, Galvatron. Gaea is a very Earth-like planet filled with forests, swamps and wide areas of frozen tundra. While animals and nature rule this world, the Maximals and Predacons discovered scattered pieces of technology on the planet, indicated that at one time the planet had been inhabited by a technologically advanced race. Gaea has two moons, one of which served as an observation post for Celestial observers Artemis and Moon.

Galvatron (G1):

Close to death, the first Megatron was granted a new body and identity—that of Galvatron—by the Dark God, Unicron. In exchange, Unicron ordered his new herald to destroy the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, the one thing Unicron feared. Galvatron manifests all of Megatron's most frightening aspects, but to the nth degree. His cruelty, ruthlessness and physical power are beyond measure, in part due to his ability to draw power from Unicron himself. Galvatron's eventual fate is the stuff of legend and conjecture. Some say he was ultimately defeated by four Autobot warriors and buried in the arctic ice on Earth. Other say he was pulled into an alternate universe by another Unicron. Once thing is certain, Maximals and Autobots alike are glad that Galvatron has not been seen for hundreds of Stellar Cycles.

Golden Disk (1):

The Golden Disk was the driving force behind Megatron's sudden offensive after years of underground planning. The original disk contained greeting messages and information on Earth, sent by humans on the Voyager space probe in the hope of contacting extraterrestrial life. However, unbeknownst to those humans, the original Decepticon leader Megatron had encoded a secret message on the disk. This message was a set of instructions for any successors to follow if he were to fail in winning the Great War. The Beast Wars era Megatron stole the disk from the Maximal vaults and this led to a pursuit by Optimus Primal and the crew of the Axalon. During his final battle, Dinobot destroyed this disk, leaving only a fragment for Megatron.

Golden Disk (2):

Following their arrival on ancient Earth, the Predacons found a second Golden Disk inside a glowing mountain. This disk was of Vok origin and featured many of the same markings as the devices they had planted on Earth. When the Metalhunter device was sent to Earth to stop the Cybertronians, Megatron used the disk to gain control of the alien device. Through the intervention of the Maximals, Megatron's plan failed and the device along with the disk were dispatched to parts unknown, both presumably destroyed in the ensuing explosion.

Great War (1):

The conflict begun by Decepticon leader Megatron millions of years ago on Cybertron. Leadership of both the Autobots and Decepticons fluctuated during the course of this conflict, and some historians break down the Great War into several sub-conflicts depending on the crucial events or who the leader of whichever faction was at the time. Thus, reference will be made to the "First" or "Second" Great War. In general, it is accepted that this conflict ended after the Decepticons surrendered to the Autobots and before Cybertron underwent its "Great Upgrade" to prepare for the age of the Maximals and Predacons.

Great War (2):

Although the ancestors of the Predacons had surrendered, the Predacons themselves took it upon themselves to renew the age-old conflict with the Maximals, the descendents of the Autobots. This relatively short lived conflict also came to be referred to as "The Great War" by Maximals and Predacons alike. Historical datatrax record the ratification of the Pax Cybertronia as the official end of this conflict.

Gung Ho:

A Trion-class vessel, this design revolutionized energy efficiency and functionality for Maximal-era ships. One of the first Trion-class starships was the Gung Ho and its Captain, Big Convoy, used the ship his now famous struggle against Magmatron and his Predacon horde. The Gung Ho's Transwarp engines allow it to traverse both space and time. It is large enough to house a crew of over thirty, but can function with as few three (due in large part to the ship's mobile computer: Navi). Navi is an artificial intelligence construct that guides the ship's day-to-day operations. The Gung Ho has an array of weaponry including torpedo launchers, particle beam cannons and missile launchers, and is equipped with energy shields and a hangar bay that houses six shuttlecraft. Heavily damaged in the final battle with Magmatron's forces, the Gung Ho was eventually refitted and returned to active service.

Matrix (1):

The Autobot Matrix of Leadership: a spherical metal container with a handle at either end. It is said to contain a fragment of Primus' life force and the accumulated knowledge of generations of Cybertronians. This object has the power to grant its bearer enhanced strength and knowledge and, ultimately, as a weapon of last resort, to destroy the being known as Unicron. Traditionally, the Matrix is held by 'chosen' Autobot leaders and can only be opened in times of dire need. Contained within the Matrix of Leadership is the Creation Matrix: an ancient program that gives its bearer the power to program new life into Transformer bodies. It serves as a conduit, transferring Sparks into new bodies from Primus himself.

Matrix (2):

A term used to describe any device akin to the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, one that gives its bearer special access to anything directly connected to Primus. An example is the Matrix held by Big Convoy that gives him a unique bond to the ancient supercomputer Vector Sigma.

Matrix (3):

A generic term sometimes used by Cybertronians to refer to the place where Sparks go when a Cybertronian life form goes offline. This is also sometimes referred to as the "All-Spark."

Matrix (4):

The facility where new Maximal Protoforms are created and join with a Spark.

Maximal Elders:

Following the end of the Autobot/Decepticon conflict on Cybertron, many of the Autobots faded from view, others leaving the planet altogether to pursue personal agendas. Three key figures remained however. Ironhide, Prowl, and Silverbolt had all served under the original Optimus Prime and they felt their accumulated wisdom would help guide the Maximals in this transitional era. To further facilitate their integration into Maximal society, the three downsized and took on Protoform-based bodies. Following the ratification of the Pax Cybertronia, the three withdrew from public affairs — still offering their guidance but allowing the day-to-day operations of the government to fall to others, most of whom now sit on the Committee for State Affairs.

Megatron (G1):

Over nine million years ago, Megatron began building an army to conquer Cybertron and convert the planet into a cosmic dreadnought. He led the Decepticons on a destructive march across Cybertron, taking the peace loving Cybertronians by storm. The Autobots—as those who took up arms to protect the planet called themselves—mounted a resistance and ultimately won the Great War, but from that day on Cybertronian society would forever be divided into factions. Megatron is ruthless, brilliant, and above all powerful. His plans were interrupted, however, when he wound up in Stasis Lock on ancient Earth. For a time, the Predacon Commander of the same name used Megatron's Spark to bolster his own power. That Megatron was ultimately defeated and the Spark of his Decepticon namesake was returned to its rightful owner. Thousands of years later, Megatron would emerge on Earth to start his war anew.

Nemesis:

Having caught wind of the Autobots' plan to guide the Ark (see, The Ark) to distant stars, Megatron pursued and attacked them in his own flagship, the Nemesis. In the struggle that ensued, both starships crashed into ancient Earth. Later, during the course of the Maximal/Predacon war, the Predacon scientist Tarantulas discovered the location of the Nemesis and brought the ship back to its operational status. Megatron himself took control of the gigantic starship in an attempt to destroy the Ark and its crew of dormant Autobots and Decepticons (and thereby change history in favor of the Predacons). Through the valiant efforts of the Maximals, the plan was thwarted and the Nemesis disabled. Millions of years later, the Nemesis was uncovered again. This time the original Megatron mined the ship for its power core, known as "The Heart of Cybertron."

Optimus Prime (G1):

When the Autobot leader Sentinel Prime was destroyed, the Matrix chose a new leader: Optimus Prime. At first, Optimus was a reluctant leader, but soon realized the importance of his role and served as the sturdy barrier that Megatron could never pass. Optimus Prime is an inspirational commander who blends military genius with compassion and strength. During the Beast Wars, Optimus Prime was almost destroyed by Predacon renegade Megatron. To save the Autobot leader's life, Optimus Primal took Autobot leader's Spark into his own body while Prime's body was being repaired. The sheer power of Prime's Spark reformatted Primal's body into a larger, more powerful form known as Optimal Optimus. Prime's Spark was later returned to his (repaired) body. Optimus Prime would reawaken thousands of years later on modern day Earth where his conflict with Megatron began anew.

Pax Cybertronia:

Following the defeat of the Predacons at the hands of the Maximals, there was a brief period of negotiation and power sharing that led to the drafting and eventually ratification of the Pax Cybertronia. This treaty document was signed and sealed by both the Predacon Alliance and the Maximal Imperium, effectively ending all hostilities between the two factions. While it sounds noble in intent, the agreement largely favors the Maximals, giving only small concessions in terms of property and rights to the Predacons. Part of the responsibility for the Committee for State Affairs is to maintain/uphold the Pax Cybertronia and its constitutional mandates.

Pit, The:

Sometimes referred to as "The Inferno," this facility is responsible for the creation of Predacon Protoforms and for joining those Protoforms with Sparks. Common Predacon belief holds that if you are taken offline, your Spark returns to this facility to be born again in a new body.

Planetbuster:

The arrival of the Maximals and Predacons on ancient Earth irrevocably contaminated the Vok experiments on that world. Seeing the planet as little more than a failure to be disposed of, the Vok activated the Planetbuster: a weapon disguised as one of the planet's moons. The Planetbuster fired a concentrated beam of heat at the planet, overloading Energon crystal deposits in order to destroy the planet. Before the Planetbuster could finish its assigned task it was destroyed by Maximal commander Optimus Primal, using a Stasis Pod retrofitted for space flight. The destruction of the Vok device created the Quantum Surge which spread outward, rapidly accelerating through space and time.

Primus:

At the beginning of time, two beings were created representing opposite spectrums of a universal balance. While Unicron represented chaos, Primus represented order. The destruction caused by Unicron shocked Primus and he vowed to act as a defender of life throughout the universe. Realizing the destruction caused by their escalating conflict ran counter to his primary goal of defending life, Primus tricked Unicron into trapping his essence inside a planetoid. However, Primus suffered the same fate and for ages the two remained dormant. Soon Unicron began to reshape his prison into a new body, forcing Primus to do the same, turning his into the planet that would become known as Cybertron. Primus is capable of achieving a robot mode but rarely does so, relying on his creations to fight in his stead.

Protoforms/Stasis Pods:

In an age where resources had grown critically scarce, technology was developed to produce Cybertronian forms that were smaller and more fuel-efficient. The basis of this new technology is the Protoform. Utilizing sophisticated nanotechnology, Protoforms are highly adaptable and able to mould into mechanical organic alternate modes, Protoforms are generally assigned a Spark upon creation. However, consignments of "blank" Protoforms are created in the event a Spark requires a new body.The key to converting Protoforms into fully functional beings are Stasis Pods. These devices store Protoform and Spark until they reach an assigned destination. Upon arrival, scanners built into the Stasis Pod scan for local life forms or machinery and assign those configurations to the Protoform. Stasis Pods are routinely stored in starships on military and exploratory missions. Recent advances in Protoform technology have generated Protoforms with built-in DNA scanners, eliminating the need for Stasis Pods.

Shell Program:

Maximal and Predacon Sparks are generated in different facilities, each one carrying knowledge of its affiliation at the point of activation. However, Predacon scientists long ago found a way to manipulate a Maximal Spark and reprogram it. There are literally dozens of different types of Predacon Shell Programs, but they all serve the same purpose: robbing Maximal Protoforms of free will, warping their personalities and forcing them to serve the Predacons. The Shell Programs developed by Tarantulas were particularly complex. In addition to surrounding the Maximal core programming and changing the affiliation of its victim, the program was also designed to terminate the Spark of the individual should anyone attempt to remove it.

Spark:

Each Cybertronian possesses a will, desires, love, hate and more. In the Golden Age, most Cybertronians referred to this essence as their Life Force or Laser Core. When the great downsizing to Maximals and Predacons occurred, a new term came into popular use: the Spark. No matter the name, Sparks represent a fragment of the God of Light himself, Primus. He releases Sparks into the universe at large as a means to a multitude of ends. The primary purpose of the Cybertronian race is to act as a last line of defense against the machinations of Unicron, Primus' eternal enemy. In addition, Cybertronians are sent out into the galaxy to gain knowledge and experience, and as their Sparks return to join Primus' essence, his knowledge and power grow accordingly.

Starscream (G1):

A name synonymous with betrayal, cunning and guile, Starscream was the second in command of the Decepticon forces under the original Megatron. A master manipulator who never made a secret of his ambition to command the Decepticons himself, he betrayed Megatron one too many times and met his end at the hands of Galvatron. It was later discovered Starscream had a mutant, indestructible Spark capable of possessing Cybertronian bodies and (in disembodied state) he traveled through space and time, eventually arriving on ancient Earth (whereupon he took over the body of Waspinator). Optimus Primal eventually defeated Starscream and drove his Spark from Waspinator's body. Starscream's Spark then traveled to another dimension where he inhabited the body of a Transmetal Waspinator, manipulating his superstructure to add a third, jet based vehicle mode. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Time-units:

Like most races in the galaxy, Cybertronians have their own distinct set of time measurements. Due to their past interaction with human beings, the units below are listed with their approximate equivalent in Earth time units. Several of these terms have fallen out of use over time.

Astro-second:

A unit of time, Earth equivalent, undetermined.

Astro-minute:

A unit of time, Earth equivalent, undetermined.

Breem:

8.3 Earth minutes

Orn:

One Cybertron lunar day

Vorn:

83 Earth Years

Nano-klik:

1/10th of an Earth second.

Klik:

One Earth second.

Cycle:

One Earth minute.

Mega-cycle:

One Earth hour.

Solar Cycle:

One Earth day.

Deca-Cycle

Thirty Earth days

Stellar Cycle:

One Earth year

Meta-Cycle:

500 Earth years

Transmetals:

The destruction of the Planetbuster device resulted in the creation of a powerful energy wave. This wave mutated the forms of several Cybertronians, changing them into Transmetals. Transmetals generally gained additional abilities along with a transport mode which took the form of everything from ground vehicles to jet modes. Unlike their previous techno-organic forms, Transmetal robot modes were highly resistant to Energon overload. The Quantum Surge changed the fundamental nature of Cybertronian superstructures, infusing them with Vok based energies that masked their presence from Vok devices such as the Metalhunter.

Tankor:

When the Earthbound Maximals finally returned to Cybertron (and their own time), they found their homeworld had become a nightmare planet ruled by Megatron with armies of non-sentient mechs known as Vehicons roaming the streets. To aid him in commanding these vast armies, Megatron took three captive Sparks and turned them into his Vehicon Generals. One of those Sparks belonged to Rhinox, and a shell program created a new, dark identity: Tankor. Brutally powerful but lacking in intelligence, Tankor was a fearsome threat to the Maximals. In time, Rhinox's personality reasserted itself, but the corruption to his Spark was thorough and he turned against those he once called friends. Following Tankor's destruction, Rhinox's Spark returned to the Matrix where he met a new fate at the hands of the Vok.

Transmetal 2 Driver:

Among the Vok devices planted all over Earth was the Transmetal 2 Driver. This mysterious sphere was found by the Predacons and used in an experiment to create the second Dinobot. Utilized properly this device could change both Protoforms and regular Cybertronians into Transmetals with extraordinary powers. Recorded Transmetal 2 powers include rapid healing, super speed and telekinesis. The Transmetal 2 Driver mysteriously disappeared before Optimus Primal and his crew returned to Cybertron, only to appear again during Magmatron's arrival on ancient Earth. Its true purpose has yet to be understood but it is theorized the driver is a failed Vok experiment to push the limits of Cybertronian physical evolution.

Transwarp Cruiser:

When the Tri-Predacus Council dispatched covert agent Ravage to ancient Earth to capture the renegade Megatron, they made sure to equip him with one of their most advanced starships. This small ship was known as a Transwarp cruiser. When physically linked to the vessel, Ravage could use his own cloaking abilities to make the ship disappear from sensors. The ship is armed with twin blasters and missiles. When Ravage turned on the Maximals, Rattrap brought the ship down using his specialized bombs. It was severely damaged in the crash, destroying Ravage's body in the process.

Transwarp Wave:

The destruction of the Vok Planetbuster device created a wave of alien energy known as the Quantum Surge. When this energy wave impacted on Earth, it changed several Cybertronians into Transmetals, and also damaged many Stasis Pods, resulting in Fuzors. The effects of this wave were not limited to Earth: traversing space and time, the wave came close to reaching Cybertron. Fearing the Maximals would detect the wave and organize a search/rescue mission, the wave was diverted by the Tri-Predacus Council. It became the catalyst for them to send covert agent Ravage to ancient Earth to capture the renegade Megatron.

Tri-Predacus Council:

In the era following the signing of the Pax Cybertronia, the remaining factions of the Predacons formed the Predacon Alliance. The glue binding this loose coalition together is the Tri-Predacus Council. Comprised of Cicadacon, Ramhorn and Sea Clamp, these three generals rose to power through strength, intelligence, and cunning. It is rumored that they are old enough to have once been members of the original Megatron's armies. The goal of the Council is to one day unite the various factions of the Predacons into a powerful, united army. Their approach is a slow and steady one, engaging in multiple covert activities simultaneously, hoping their plans will establish a firm power base from which they can orchestrate the overthrow of the Maximal Imperium.

Unicron:

Originally an energy based being, Unicron battled for eons with Primus, causing mass destruction in the name of pure chaos. Tricked into trapping his life essence in a planetoid, Unicron reshaped his prison into a new body — a mobile planet capable of traversing through space and across dimensions. To fuel his great form he has devoured entire planetary systems. Unicron sought to undermine the efforts of Primus' creations, the Cybertronians, by recruiting heralds to work against them and cause as much chaos as possible. When Unicron wishes to take a more hands on approach to his machinations, he is able to transform his body into a gigantic robot, capable of tearing planets apart with his bare hands. Over the eons, Unicron has been destroyed and resurrected repeatedly, but no matter what his physical form, Unicron remains the heart of evil in the galaxy.

Vok, The:

Eons ago, Primus created a race of robots, giving them the power of procreation. These early Cybertronians could multiply by a procedure similar to cell division and, as time passed, succeeding generations began to reproduce more rapidly, losing all sense of morality. The rapid reproduction also created a byproduct in the shape of the Swarm, and this force spread through the galaxy with little purpose but to devour all in its path. In time, the Swarm was enlightened by a fragment of Primus' essence, becoming an instrument of creation rather than destruction. The collective guilt felt over the destruction it had caused prompted the Swarm to evolve into the Vok, a collective of species including Cybertronian, human and a mysterious lizard race inhabiting a far off point in space called "Nexus Zero." The Vok's aim is to find the optimal development path for all the races involved in their origin, especially the Cybertronians.