Title: The Not Knowing
Written by: James Roberts
Art by: Hayato Sakamoto
Coordination by: Phase6
Colours by: Joana LaFuente
Letters by: Tom B. Long
Editor: John Barber
Plot
Rewind talks to Rodimus about the story of the Necrobot, whilst he is carrying his office desk down the corridor to see Magnus and Megatron. The two other parts of the ship's command are examining the bullet left by Agent 113, Megatron deduces that "Vos" was Agent 113, and learns that the DJD had found the Necrobot's planet.
Rewind and Chromdome want to find the Necrobot, but Rodimus refuses since it's in the wrong direction for Cyberutopia, revealing that he has a map, that's been being scribbled into his desk since the start of the journey, subconsciously. Rewind reveals to them that he wants to see him so he can get closure on Dominus Ambus, as does Chromedome too. Megatron agrees to the trip, much to Rodimus' annoyance.
On the way to the planet, Rewind and Minimus Ambus finally talk about Dominus, with Minimus outright saying that he felt him die, and he would KNOW if he was still alive somehow. He then also points out that sometimes it's better too not know something upsetting.
The Lost Light arrives at the planet, and finds it to be a beautiful and organic looking place, with beautiful blue flowers placed all over the place, and one life sign. They locate the Necrobot's home, and thousands of statues, several of which are empty.
The Rodpod lands next to his home, but he closes the door on them after seeing who was there. Nightbeat rushes after him, and tries to get his attention.
The remaining crew examine the strange flowers, and wonder what they're for,and figure out that the statues are of all the Cybertronian species, and the ones that have no active statue hologram (which Mainframe reveals are holograms btw) are those who have died. Nightbeat manages to get through to the Necrobot, and he lets him into his home for a talk.
Chromedome and Rewind have snuck off, and access the planet's database, and search for Dominus' entry. Rewind isn't sure if he wants to know, but in the end gives in, and starts the search...and it reveals that Dominus has been deactivated....
Inside the Necrobot's home, Nightbeat learns the Necrobot is just a normal, but old Cybertronian called Censere, who uses his advanced technology to keep tabs on the Cybertronian race, and uses a Quantum Drive to teleport to the dying/dead Cybertronians so he can record and respect their deaths. He started this after a friend of his' death went unrecorded for some time. All of this annoys Nightbeat, as he was hoping that the Necrobot would be proof of something MORE after their deaths, but instead he is just a normal guy. Censere reveals that he himself believes in the Afterspark, and just because HE is a normal Cybetronian, doesn't mean there isn't anything mystical out there.
Later on, the Lost Lighters reunite at the Rodpod, where Perceptor has analysed the flowers, and learns that they're artificial. Censere reveals that he has the flowers imbued with residual spark energy from the death Cybertronians, and he plants them on the planet around the statue of the Cybertronian who caused their death, whether by action, or inaction.
Rewind and Chromedome return, with Chromedome offering to erase the sad news from Rewind's head, but Nightbeat drags him away to a plaque honouring the missing Cybertronians, that Censere has had to mark down as dead, despite being unsure. He was shown the list as his own name was on it due to being missing in the Dead Universe, and shows them that Dominus is on the list!
The Autobots prepare to leave the planet, with Nightbeat asking Censere to reconsider his own rules, and use his medical skills to heal the dying if he finds them still alive, instead of not interfering. Megatron and Ravage have wandered off though, and found Megatron's on statue, with a magnificent field of flowers, representing his kills filling the entire field, with no end in sight....
Characters
Autobot
Rodimus - Car
Ultra Magnus/Minimus Ambus - Vehicle Transport/Minesweeper
Megatron - Tank
Chromedome - Car
Rewind - Data Slug
Nightbeat - Car
Skids - Van
Perceptor - Microscope
Mainframe
Velocity - Race Car
Nautica - Submarine
Tailgate - Car
Getaway - Car
Swerve - Van
Riptide - Boat
Hound - Jeep
Alternative Minimus Ambus - Minesweeper (Flashback) Dead
Agent 113/Old Vos (Video Footage) Considered Dead
Windblade (Holo-Statue only)
Thunderclash - Truck (Mentioned) Still recovering from illness
Brainstorm - Jet (Mentioned)
Prowl - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)
Advocate Xaaron (Mentioned)
Ironhide - Van (Mentioned)
Raptor (Mentioned)
Scissorkick (Mentioned)
Dominus Ambus (Mentioned) Missing in Action
Pipes - Truck (Mentioned) Dead
Bumblebee - Car (Mentioned) Dead
Ambulon - Leg (Mentioned) Dead
Decepticon
Ravage - Cassette
Tarn - Tank (Mentioned)
Current Vos - Rifle (Mentioned)
Decepticon Justice Division (Mentioned)
Other Cybertronian
Censere/The Necrobot
Sky-Byte (Holo-Statue)
Other Holo-Statues
Tusk (Mentioned) Dead
Primus (Mentioned)
Knights of Cybertron (Mentioned)
Notes
- This issue reveals the identity of the Necrobot, confirms his existence and abilities, and confirms outright that the names on his list earlier in the series were those of the Alternate Lost Light.
- It's revealed that the original Vos, mentioned earlier in the series as having hooks for body parts was in fact Agent 113, and most likely is now dead....still no love for Punch :(
- It's also revealed that Prowl started the "Agent 113" program...damn him!
- Rodimus suggests that he should be called "The Chosen One" now. This was his title in the 80's G1 series too
- It's revealed that the scribblings that Rodimus has been making since the start of the journey has been a map to Cyberutopia thanks to his affinity with Primus, also shown when a Titan used him to pass on his help message to the ship.
- Rewind and Minimus Ambus/Ultra Magnus finally talk about their shared connection. Magnus' brother Dominus, Rewind's past Conjunx Endura. Though it's also revealed that Rewind HAS spoken to his alternate self about on on his old version of the ship.
- The Rodpod doesn't have stealth mode, but Rodimus likes to pretend it does...
- Megatron reveals to Ravage that whilst he does still intend to find the Knights of Cybertron, he's decided now to take his time, and not rush to his death, which is why he's allowing the trip to the Necrobot's panet.
- This issue confirms that Dominus Ambus has been recorded as "deactivated"...though the Necrobot puts a spanner into that story point by having him on the "Missing in Action" list, as he couldn't find the body.
- The Necrobot/Censere's cape is awesome....
- Seriously I want one!
- Nightbeat is revealed to have had an existential crisis following his confusing death in Spotlight Hardhead, an revival in the Dead Universe, and not witnessing the Afterspark in the meantime.
- Censere reveals that back in the old days of Cybertron people were allowed to retrain for new careers, rather than being stuck in one role for life....Swerve and Whirl would have liked life back then I think!
- As such, Censere is a trained census auditor and a forensic scientist, with both sets of skills being used for his role as the Necrobot.
- So yeah...Megatron has killed a lot of guys huh?
- You know, if they really cared, they could have looked up if Agent 113 is dead on the Necrobot's planet...I mean I guess at least Magnus or Rodimus would know his real name.
- Though unconfirmed, Raptor and Scissorkick are likely Autobots as Rodimus recognizes them along with Ironhide and Xaaron.
No comments:
Post a Comment