Ark (Transformers)
The Ark was the greatest starship built by the Autobots (Cybertrons).
U.S. Animated, Japan
Massive Autobot spacecraft, dispatched into space four million years ago- with Optimus Prime (Convoy) and his best warriors aboard- to search for badly needed energy supplies. However, the Ark was intercepted by the Decepticon (Destron) warship Nemesis. In the ensuring battle, the Ark was boarded by the Decepticons, and it crashlanded into a volcano on a world that would later be called Earth. (The Nemesis crashed elsewhere on Earth.) The Autobots and Decepticons aboard all entered stasis lock.
Some time later, the Ark became a target of the time-travelling Predacon (Destron) Megatron, who wished to change Transformer history. However, his enemies, the Maximals (Cybertrons) led by Optimus Primal (Convoy), steadfastly defended the ship, even setting up a base and defenses near it. Megatron was eventually defeated, and the Maximals left the Ark behind much as they'd found it.
In 1984, a small-scale eruption reactivated the Ark's computer, Teletran-1, which rebuilt both the Autobots and Decepticons onboard. The conflict began anew on Earth, with the Autobots using the Ark as their primary base on Earth for many years. However, by 2005, their primary base of operations became Autobot City (Cybertron City). In 2006 (2010), the Ark was demolished by Trypticon (Dinosaurer).
Marvel U.S., Marvel U.K.
Massive Autobot spacecraft, dispatched into space four million years ago- with Optimus Prime and his best warriors aboard- to clear a path for Cybertron through the Solar System's asteroid belt. However, the Ark was intercepted after finishing their job by a Decepticon warship. In the ensuring battle, the Ark was boarded by the Decepticons, and it crashlanded into what would become Mount St. Hilary on Earth. The Autobots and Decepticons aboard all entered stasis lock.
In 1984, a small-scale eruption reactivated the Ark's computer, which rebuilt both the Autobots and Decepticons onboard. The conflict began anew on Earth, with the Autobots using the Ark as their primary base on Earth for many years. After Grimlock took over Autobot leadership, however, he had the ship repaired and launched into space. Some time later, Grimlock piloted the Ark to Cybertron, where it suffered damage in the battle against Unicron. (Grimlock hit Unicron across the jaw with the ship.) In the aftermath of Unicron's assault, it was taken by Shockwave and Starscream, who took it back towards Earth. However, thanks to Ratchet (who was still aboard when they launched), the ship crashlanded in northern Canada, with additional stowaways Megatron and Galvatron aboard.
Megatron recovered, and rebuilt the Ark, using its technologies to broker a deal with Cobra Commander for a full systems upgrade. (Unknown to Cobra Commander, however, Megatron had infected the equipment with a virus that rendered it inoperative.) Shortly thereafter, the Ark was destroyed forever when Fortress Maximus flung himself through its power core.
Dreamwave
Massive Autobot spacecraft, construction of which began 8.2 million years ago as part of the plans by the new Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, to abandon Cybertron for a better world. Although the plan was abandoned, construction continued slowly over the next few million years under the supervision of Wheeljack, Grapple and Huffer.
Shortly after its completion, it was dispatched into space four million years ago- with Prime and his best warriors aboard- to destroy an asteroid headed straight for Cybertron. Their plan was to break the asteroid into smaller fragments, which would be dispersed by an orbital space bridge network. However, the Ark was intercepted after finishing their job by a Decepticon warship, the Nemesis. In the ensuring battle, the Ark was boarded by the Decepticons, and both ships passed through a space-bridge portal, sending them to Earth's solar system. Both ships crashlanded on Earth, and the Autobots and Decepticons aboard all entered stasis lock.
In 1984, a small-scale eruption reactivated the Ark's computer, Teletran-1, which rebuilt both the Autobots and Decepticons onboard. The conflict began anew on Earth, with the Autobots using the Ark as their primary base on Earth for many years. Following Shockwave's capture of many Autobots, a small group was dispatched by Optimus Prime to set up shop in the Ark again. Unfortunately, it was attacked by Starscream and the Combaticons, who wanted to strip it for parts to rebuild the Nemesis. To prevent that, Ratchet and Brawn destroyed the Ark.
