Landquake (Timelines)

Landquake is an amicable Decepticon first seen in the Cybertron portion of the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

I caught one this big.

Landquake has always been an unusual Decepticon at best. While he does possess a 'Con-like pragmatic craftiness, interest in battle, and instinctive distrust of anyone other than himself and his friends, he finds the constant in-fighting and bloodthirsty selfishness of the faction wearying. He also possesses a mastery of energon that some say goes past the capabilities of the Omnicons and Terrorcons, to almost supernatural levels of power. He can shape it in any number of ways, ranging from forging weapons and shielding (even against explosions) to powering his own systems, all with a touch of his hands, or sometimes with telekinetic force alone.

He had joined the Decepticons mainly because he had become bored with his job as an energon refinement specialist in Kalis, after he caught wind of Megatron's raids of Mini-Con villages. He had hoped it would give him the military discipline he craved, and his short attention span—combined with his daydreams for glory and adventure—further made him susceptible to the lure of Megatron's campaign. However, he soon found that Megatron was actually only interested in his own solipsistic plans, and Landquake once again became bored and disillusioned.

Then a chance meeting with the Autobot Skyfall finally showed him that his restlessness, unusual powers, and strange yearnings might mean he had a great purpose after all. He now finds himself with a new direction in life—to find out more about this ancient combiner he apparently is a part of, seek out the rest of his gestalt brethren, and claim his destiny.

Later he becomes known as Landfall.

Fiction

Fun Publications comics

Where do I remember you from? Oh, right, you were the other leg.

Landquake was once part of the multiversal singularity known as Nexus Prime of the Thirteen. In order to prevent the power of the Star Saber from falling into the wrong hands, Nexus Prime split himself and the Saber into pieces, scattering them throughout the multiverse. Out of the One, Many

Landquake started out as an Energon flow analyst at the Kalis refineries, but joined Megatron's army at the beginning of the Cybertronian Civil War in the hope that they would help him achieve the greater destiny he envisioned for himself. After centuries of service, he started to become disillusioned with the cause, seeing it as little more than a vehicle for his leader's ego. Landquake's profile in Club magazine #11

During the Mini-Con civil war, Landquake was enlisted by the Decepticon-aligned Mini-Cons to build a cannon designed to destroy the Autobot-aligned headquarters of the Mini-Con Council of Sages from afar. The Council of Sages drafted a handful of Autobots to their cause, among them the recent Velocitronian transplant Skyfall, who recognized Landquake immediately. Skyfall, who was desperate to discover his forgotten past, had been shown ancient markings on the walls of Cybertron's energon pools that resembled the forms of him and Landquake. Despite instantly attacking the Autobot, Landquake sensed a kinship as well. Revelations Part 4

Any conversation worth having was suddenly delayed by the arrival of Unicron, the Chaos-Bringer himself. Raw energon from Landquake's constructed cannon spilled free in the firefight, threatening to annihilate them all if a stray spark from all the laser fire caught it. Skyfall used his impenetrable force field to shield Landquake while the latter used his energon-manipulating abilities to gather and dispose of the raw energon. Revelations Part 5 The Coming Storm: Part 1

Despite having just met, the duo began to bicker while working together. A stray shot finally slipped through, however, and a massive explosion rocked the debris field, leaving no trace of Landquake and Skyfall. The energon explosion somehow rocketed them through space-time, causing the pair to crash-materialize on Earth in another dimension...right at the feet of Megatron. Revelations Part 6 A shaky Landquake barely had enough time to begin processing his current situation when Megatron hauled him off after Optimus Prime and the Autobots arrived to thwart his schemes. Crossing Over, Part 1

Back at the crashed Ark, Megatron held Landquake prisoner until his claims could be properly verified. Analysis by Soundwave and Scrapper confirmed Landquake's story to Megatron's satisfaction. Furthermore, Scrapper detected a massive source of energon that just turned up on their sensors at the same time Landquake arrived in their dimension. The energon also produced a radiation wavelength identical to the internal energon bleed off from Landquake's own systems. Intrigued, Megatron assembled the Decepticons to investigate, imposing his will upon Landquake. Landquake instantly agreed to serve him, but was conflicted by his actions, beginning to recognize that he had a greater destiny at hand than merely being another Decepticon stooge. Crossing Over, Part 2

As the Autobots and Decepticons crossed paths in South America, Landquake remained in the shadows, avoiding any direct combat for Megatron's cause. He sensed Skyfall's presence, but was unable to personally locate him until Devastator accidentally caused a cave-in, dropping Landquake into the caverns below with Skyfall and his Autobot escort, Cliffjumper. Eager to slag some 'Cons, Cliffjumper drew his pistol and leveled his aim to blast Landquake before he could recover. Crossing Over: Part 3

Before Cliffjumper could take the shot, a second cave-in carried the trio even deeper underground. Landquake found himself in the presence of a pool of Rarified Energon, and several ancient carvings which appeared to depict him, Skyfall, and a third Transformer. Landquake and Skyfall (finally learning each other's names) agreed to work together to uncover the secrets of their shared past. After a zealous Cliffjumper caused a reaction in the rarefied Energon, Landquake suggested they eliminate him for practical reasons before proceeding further. Skyfall voiced his disapproval of the idea...as did another robot who appeared from thin air to tap them from behind. Calling himself Breakaway, the third robot healed Cliffjumper's leg with only a touch. The Decepticon Mini-Cassettes arrived at that moment, forcing the growing group to retreat further into the sanctuary. Crossing Over: Part 4 Landquake thought about giving the rarified Energon to Megatron and assuring his place in the Decepticon army, but the pull of something greater than himself or the Decepticon cause led Landquake to abandon the energon and press forward with the others. Crossing Over: Part 5

Beyond the passageway, Landquake, Skyfall and Breakaway were met by the Caretaker super-computer. The Caretaker explained itself to be an autonomous terminal for the Vector Sigma network gestalt, extending across countless universal nodes. According to the Caretaker, Landquake, Skyfall, and Breakaway were three parts of a Prime, one of the thirteen original Transformers created by Primus, each dedicated to a specific task. The Prime they were components of was the Guardian of Rarified Energon, energon in its purest form which served as an essential building block of Transformer life and conduit for Primus's spiritual energy. Landquake and his comrades were then charged with fulfilling their destiny of reunification, and the Caretaker sent them on their way to a new dimension to find the fourth component of their greater self. Crossing Over: Part 6

Gives new meaning to the term "crotch rocket", doesn't it?

Landquake, Skyfall, and Breakaway emerged from the Caretaker's space bridge in a strange and unfamiliar place (with Cliffjumper now nowhere to be found). A greeter welcomed them with an explanation that they were in Axiom Nexus, and that they needed to go with him to "Processing". Landquake disliked the idea of being "processed" greatly, but the statues surrounding them bearing armed weapons convinced him to go along regardless. As they were led along, Silverbolt explained further about Axiom Nexus and how the three travelers had arrived there. Landquake asked if the city had a Caretaker they could consult with, but Silverbolt was unfamiliar with the term and advised them that once they were processed, their assigned guide Alpha Trion could help instead. Landquake and the others followed Trion as their new guide explained Axiom Nexus and the Transcendent Technomorphs further, and led them off to go the "outworlder" sections of the city. Transcendent: Part 1

As they stepped onto a lift to the lower parts of the city, Landquake and Skyfall were alarmed to find that Breakaway had gone missing at some point. Landquake threatened Trion when Trion tried to restrain them from taking off to look for him, but relented when Trion explained that Breakaway had been taken by the TransTech, and he would help them with their rescue. Trion explained as he led the two along that the TransTech were dangerous oppressors who were hijacking outworlders, and Trion and his followers were freedom fighters from peaceful dimensions....

...right before showing them his lovely collection of corpses. Ouch Transcendent: Part 2

As Skyfall reacted in horror to the corpses, he and Landquake were introduced to Topspin, and Topspin and Trion explained that the Transformers' sparks had actually been transferred "safely" out of their bodies. Landquake was skeptical but was impressed when Topspin demonstrated his abilities, fascinated by the lethal possibilities. However, he was less-than-impressed by Topspin's expressions of fanatic loyalty to Trion. Transcendent: Part 3 Landquake and Skyfall discussed their situation; both thought Trion was crazy, especially since Landquake knew Trion's claim that they were hijacked was untrue, since he was sure that Topspin was the one the Caretaker had sent them to find. They then discussed the underlying purpose of their quest, about their apparently being part of a combiner. After heading back to Trion's headquarters, word came that Breakaway had been found in Shockwave's laboratory, near a dimensional gate to Trion's home universe, and Trion made plans for everyone to attack. Transcendent: Part 4

They were successful in their initial entry to the Transwarp Complex, and Trion had Landquake, Skyfall, and Immorticon follow him to where Breakaway was being held. Once they reached the laboratory proper, Landquake and Skyfall moved to help Breakaway while the others battled Megatron and Shockwave. Landquake sensed that Breakaway would survive the injuries Shockwave had inflicted on him, but needed to be taken to safety to heal properly. Transcendent: Part 5 He carried Breakaway along as they all made their escape from the laboratory to the dimensional transit room, and he and Breakaway were then ushered through the gate by Nightscream... Transcendent: Part 6

...as they came out of the other side of the gate in Trion's home reality in a disused laboratory. When Trion came through the gate soon after with Skyfall's newly-dead body, Landquake demanded that Trion tell him what had happened. Trion ignored the repeated inquiries in favor of issuing orders until Landquake physically forced the Autobot to acknowledge him. Trion paused, then relented and claimed that Skyfall had been shot from behind as they went through the gate. Landquake then briefly hid along with the others when Topspin noticed that an Autobot scout was approaching. Trion killed the scout and ordered Landquake to clean up the body. Landquake refused, however, saying he refused to take Trion's orders, that the killing contradicted Trion's claim that his world was at peace, and that he wanted some answers. Breakaway noticed that Skyfall's wound had been caused by a blade rather than gunfire, but that caused the components to be seized by Trion's acolytes. Trion then revealed his true plans for Landquake's group—to use them as tools for his plans for personal conquest, then kill them. Reunification: Part 1

Landquake asked why Trion didn't just kill them now, and Trion explained that "reunification" wouldn't work with all of them dead. Landquake then quietly plotted with Breakaway and Topspin to escape, killing several of the acolytes in the process.

Apparently being part of a Prime grants Decepticons "roll out" privileges.

Millicycles later, the three were holed up in a derelict building with some empties, with Breakaway and Topspin looking to Landquake for guidance. Landquake protested against them, acting like he was their leader, since his first idea—to use their powers to resurrect Skyfall—had thus far failed, and he had no clear idea of what to do next. Breakaway tried to give Landquake a pep talk, until Topspin reported that something strange had just happened. Reunification: Part 2

The "something strange" turned out to be their latest visitor, Aquarius, having encased them all in a slow time bubble. The strange alien explained that he was actually the one who had brought them to their current universe, and he was there to help them. Landquake complained that Aquarius seemed crazy and disquieting, but the others convinced Landquake to listen to him regardless. After Aquarius explained that the Autobots were creating a dangerous superweapon called Omega Doom, Landquake asked what that had to do with them, as surely the three of them wouldn't be successful if even Megatron couldn't stop the superweapon. Aquarius told him that with Skyfall's body and their fifth member—who was with Megatronthey would stand a chance. Also, Computron was about to rip the roof off their hideout, no pressure. Reunification: Part 3

The reason he is remolding Computron's head is because of financial spill-over.

Fleeing from Computron, Landquake reluctantly proposed that they talk to the resident Megatron after all. As they made a run for the Decepticon base, Aquarius continued his explanation to Landquake. He had activated a Vector Sigma recall program for a warrior to defeat Omega Doom, which had delivered Landquake and his friends as the response. Landquake was surprised by almost running headlong into Abominus, who handled Computron as the group pressed on. Once they reached the base's entrance, Landquake was greeted by Megatron and finally reunited with the wayward Cliffjumper. Landquake explained the situation to the Decepticons once they were all inside the base, and Megatron introduced Heatwave to the others. Then everything went south as Cyclonus assassinated Megatron on Alpha Trion's orders. Reunification: Part 4

When Breakaway suggested they try to revive Megatron, Landquake didn't think it would be any more successful than their attempt to revive Skyfall was, but when Breakaway pointed out that Skyfall had been dead a while before they tried, and now they had Heatwave to help. Landquake relented. As they started applying their energies to the body, Landquake felt uncomfortable and had a strange flashback to when he and Skyfall first met. The group was transported to a white, featureless place, where Landquake was surprised to find that Skyfall was indeed alive. They were also greeted by Primus, who welcomed them home and gave the now-reunited gestalt a choice: to die, live as they currently were and eventually fade away, or be reborn as what they were meant to be. Landquake chose, along with the others, to be "reborn", as Primus commanded, "Arise, Nexus Prime." Reunification: Part 5

After being reborn, Nexus Prime finally entered the battle with Omega Doom he had been summoned for, as the Autobot superweapon had recently arrived. When Omega shot a missile into Cybertron's sun, Nexus Prime had to follow to repair the sun before it went nova. The part of his mind that was still Landquake wanted to stay on Cybertron to fight, but was overridden by the Skyfall and Breakaway parts of him who knew that all of Cybertron would burn unless the sun was healed.

After Nexus was successful in repairing the sun and defeating Omega Doom, Cliffjumper bade the Landquake and Skyfall parts of him goodbye, as he stepped through a stellar spanner to continue his search for the broken Star Saber. Reunification: Part 6

Landquake returned as part of Nexus Prime's components to stop Ultra Magnus from misusing the Terminus Blade. Restoration Nexus Prime brought together the Terminus Blade and the united Star Saber, using them to rewrite the rules of the multiverse. Out of the One, Many

After the Shrouding, Landquake was reincarnated as a natural resident of the negative polarity universe named Landfall, along with his teammates Heatwave, Spinaway, Quakebreak, and Skytop. Working as menial laborers, Landfall and the team seemed to have no firsthand knowledge of their previous incarnation, although Aquarius apparently maintained the awareness to tell them the legend of the Prime of Combination they once were. Landfall and his comrades desperately wanted a quest to prove they were as worthy as the original Nexus Prime and eventually stole the shuttle Buoyancy to make their own way in the universe. Coalescence

Toys

Timelines

Candy tank!

• Landquake (Basic, 2006)

• Accessories: Dual cannon/radar (combiner foot/hand), Decepticon-style energon star
• Known designers: Dan Khanna (concept artist)

A redeco of the Energon Blight/Kickback mold, Landquake transforms into an anti-aircraft tank similar to a Gepard. He has a clear-red energon star that can attach to most Energon-series toy molds. He is also capable of forming a limb to any combination of Energon-style combiners, but he is specifically intended to combine with Skyfall, Breakaway, Topspin, and Heatwave to form Nexus Maximus.

Landquake was an exclusive to the Fun Publications Transformers Collectors' Club, given as an "incentive" freebie to members who had purchased a club membership between April 2005 and April 2006. He is also available for normal sale through Fun Publications' web store.

This mold was also used to make Universe Bruticus Maximus team members Blast Off and Brawl and their Revenge of the Fallen counterparts, Blast Off and Brawl. Another planned redeco, movie Gunbarrel, was canceled.

• More information on Landquake at TFU.info

Notes

• Landquake was originally intended to have a retooled robot head. However, the Chinese factories that manufactured the new parts for the BotCon 2005's "Descent into Evil" set had insisted on using a grade of steel for the molds that was prohibitively expensive; so while they went ahead with the convention toys' new molds to get them done for the show, for a toy that would largely be given away free, it was deemed unworkable. Heatwave was the only figure that ended up with a retooled part—the combiner head.
• Although Landquake does not appear in any Timelines-designated stories, his instruction sheet was printed with the Timelines logo. Pete Sinclair has claimed this was probably a mistake, and the instructions should have had the Cybertron logo.
• The names of the reincarnated members of Nexus Prime (sans Heatwave) are the combinations of the names of two of the original members. In Landfall's case, his name is a combination of Landquake and Skyfall.