15
(Live Movie Prequel Novel)
WRITER: Alan Dean Foster
PUBLISHING INFORMATION: New York: Del Rey Books/Ballantine Books, 2007
BACK COVER DESCRIPTION: The first human-alien contact. The last word in galactic warfare. The story you must read - before Transformers rockets to the big screen!
A mammoth robotic being, clearly of alien origin, has been found beneath the Arctic ice. Its advanced engineering dwarfs known human technology, and unlocking its secrets will catapult American science eons into the future. In search of the mysterious artifact’s origin, a covert government agency sends the manned craft Ghost 1 on a perilous journey of discovery.
When a mishap maroons Ghost 1 in the far reaches of unknown space, the ship’s distress beacon reaches the very alien race Ghost 1’s crew has been seeking: the Autobots. The gigantic mechanized beings are also on a quest: to find the Allspark, a device crucial to the salvation of their home world, Cybertron. But they’re not alone. The Decepticons, the Autobots’ brutal enemies, have their own sinister purposes in seeking the Allspark. As these adversaries are drawn together once more, the stage is set for a death-dealing new battle in which each is driven by a single-minded aim: total annihilation of the enemy.
SUMMARY:
(Please take note that I read this book without getting to actually read the official IDW prequel comics yet, but I have an idea that some of the the events that took place in this book happened after the story in the comic book)
The book tells us of how, in 1969, a secret Arctic-based US government organization, Sector Seven, launched a ship - the Ghost 1 - based on technology derived from an alien being commonly referred to as the “Ice Man,” out into space with the purpose of finding information on the possibility of an invasion by an army of “Ice Men.” The ship got itself sucked into a wormhole, transported light years away from Earth, and into the presence of two alien ships manned by the Autobots (the Ark led by Optimus Prime) and the Decepticons (the Nemesis under the command of Starscream). The Autobots and the Decepticons were sentient mechanoid beings from the planet Cybertron scouring the far reaches of the universe in search of the Allspark. Both parties decided to investigate the human vessel since its design showed signs of their home planet’s technology. In the course of their investigations, the humans found out the true nature of both factions; while both the Autobots and Decepticons discovered new information on the whereabouts of the Allspark and the Decepticons’ long-lost leader, Megatron. Optimus Prime and the Autobots offered to help the humans find a way to get them back to Earth. In the Decepticon camp, a brief mutiny by the Decepticon Blackout was suppressed by their commander Starsceam.
Back on Earth, Sector Seven was on alert on the disppearance of Ghost 1. Another cause of concern was the suspicion that the base has been infiltrated by a Russian spy. While the scientists and engineers were busy in their attempt to reestablish contact with Ghost One, plans were also underway to transfer the Ice Man south as a means to prevent the Russians from getting hold of the alien. This convoy was to transport the alien to the nearby transfer point under extremely cold weather conditions.
Ghost 1 eventually reestablished contact with Sector Seven and reported everything they have witnessed. Sector Seven ordered them that although there may be a possibility for the human vessel to return home, they were ordered not to do so as it would risk Earth being reached by the alien mechanoids. Realizing that they will die far away from home, Ghost 1’s crew decided to assist the Autobots in the imminent battle with the Decepticons.
Out in the cold Arctic north, the convoy carrying the Ice Man was ambushed by the Russians. During the firefight, the alien awakens, causing further chaos. The Russians were defeated when a team of rescue Rangers arrived, scattering the enemy and preventing them from getting their hands on the Ice Man. The alien was stopped when two of Sector Seven’s high-ranking officers sacrificed their lives and was able to spray the liquid nitrogen on it causing it to be re-frozen and contained.
Out in space, the Autobots and the Decepticons were now engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Though Optimus Prime ordered the humans to stay away from the fight, Ghost 1 was persistent. Just as the Decepticons were ready to deliver the fatal blow to the Autobots, the humans managed to course its way close to Starscream and launched a painful blow to the Decepticon commander. Starscream retaliated by obliterating the human vessel, but was badly damaged by the Ghost 1’s attack, forcing a Decepticon retreat. Optimus Prime and his Autobots were left in wonder at the courage and sacrifice of the humans - regardless of their size - and decided to make a visit to Earth if what they found out from the humans about Megatron and the Allspark were true.
REVIEW & RATING: Review coming soon.
out of 5.