#road ranger

[askvectorprime]

Hey Vector Prime, I got an odd question.

So the Huffer and Road Ranger seen in the WFC Kingdom toyline both have primary weapons that seem to share similarities to The Spartan Laser from the Halo universe?

Is this merely a coincidence? Both weapons sharing similar technologies? Or perhaps there is a universe where Cybertronians existed in the world of Halo?

Dear Combat Transformed,

Not an odd question in the slightest! In one distant universe, Huffer led a Minibot science crew who were reassigned by Autobot high command to investigate a transwarp anomaly. They found a lone ship fleeing an alien fleet in orbit around a strange world—one which they realized was artificial, on account of its unusual toroid shape and the organic material coating much of its surface. Heavily outgunned, both ships were forced to crash-land.

First contact was made when they stumbled across a green Micromaster, sole survivor from his drop pod. After an initial misunderstanding, the Micromaster chief led Huffer and the rest to his people. But there was more to them than met the eye: they were not robotic lifeforms, but rather organic creatures in disguise! The lone Cybertronian-like consciousness amongst them was perhaps most uncanny of all: a disembodied mind, one that identified as female—who had been secretly giving instructions all along! Huffer had misgivings, but Pipes was enthralled with the creatures, and an alliance was quickly forged to match the aliens’ own covenant, with the Cybertronians adopting forms based on human technology.

The battle was there: on a strange, circular world, and it was called—Halo Wars! Soldiers from many planets clashed, but an even greater threat was unearthed: a parasitic organism, sealed away on the ring, which was in truth a cosmic superweapon, designed by an enigmatic forerunner race to purge the organism’s food source—all organic life throughout the galaxy. Being technological, Cybertronian biology was immune to the parasite and the superweapon alike. Huffer had a choice to make: safeguard the future of his species by wiping out this scourge, dooming the rest of the galaxy, or risk everything out of compassion for the humans.

Through a combination of human and Cybertronian technology, an upgraded version of the human’s armor was conceived, and he was redesignated as Road Ranger, his new GOBOT exosuit quarantined against the infection, the so-called Spartan Laser now a mere pistol in his hands. As he cut a swathe through the enemy, he found himself grappling more than ever with his own alienation: he lacked so many of the basic things that motivated humans. He didn’t get hungry or tired, he would never have a normal, loving relationship—perhaps brotherly love, but how, if he didn’t have parents? He had no religion to find meaning in, unlike the aliens, who had been unified by shared belief. He fell into escapism, giving himself over to the AI’s instructions and reveling in violence.

Ultimately, Huffer and Road Ranger were able to learn from each other. In Road Ranger, Huffer saw a dark mirror for his own misanthropy. And in Huffer, Road Ranger saw that it was possible for even a robot to experience complex emotion, belief in a cause, and even friendship. Together with Pipes, they stayed behind while their surviving comrades evacuated, sacrificing themselves to detonate the downed Autobot ship’s transwarp drive and destroy the ring.

As the explosion rippled through spacetime, an ancient forerunner race—not so extinct as had been believed—took notice, and came across three lifeforms lost in time…

[tfwarfare]

Transformers Warfare: Guardians

Don't mistake these guys for that rag tag group of idiots and misfits travelling through and "protecting" the galaxy (yeah, whatever, Space Lord or whatever your name is). These Guardians have actually earned their title. Or rather, they had previously. Their leader, the imaginatively named "Leader-1", isn't so sure after their home planet of Gobotron was destroyed by their war with the Renegades. What was once a great and powerful organization has now been reduced to a small handful of characters, which have taken to joining up with the Autobots to maintain some semblance of their original objective.

Leader-1

Leader-1's history is strikingly similar to his Cybertronian analogue, Optimus Prime. Once friends with a bot known as Cy-Kill, the two parted ways on less then friendly terms when Cy-Kill betrayed the Guardians and joined the Renegades. Since then, the two have been mortal enemies, seeking to rid the universe of the other. Even after Gobotron was decimated, their rivalry persists, partially because they both blame the other for the events that lead to the planet being destroyed... and partially because they've been fighting each other for so long that that's all they know to do anymore. Just another reason Leader-1 and Optimus Prime are so similar.

Leader-1 transforms into a Gobotronian jet resembling an Earth F-15 Eagle. He is armed with Gobotron standard laser blasters and can deploy a force field.

Turbo

Leader-1's right hand bot and best friend, Turbo is as hot headed as his red color scheme would imply. He isn't afraid to get into a fight, and he's damn sure going to make any Renegades he faces know that... and how painful laser blasts are. Unfortunately, this attitude often means he gets in over his head, but it hasn't backfired on him too significantly as of yet. Any day he keeps on living is a good day in his book. Even better when he considers that it's yet another day closer to his next tussle with his Renegade rival, Crasher.

Turbo transforms into a Gobotronian supercar. He is armed with Gobotronian standard laser blasters.

Scooter

Scooter would at first seem to be the kid of the group, but he's as old, if not older, then some of the others remaining Guardians. He just has a shrill, high pitched, and very irritating voice and is, admittedly, a bit of a coward. As much as he despises fighting, he finds himself on the front lines far more then he wants to be. His irreplaceable skill with technical work, as well as his hologram projector, make him a valuable member of the team, and while he'd like to have it a much different way, he'll always come around to help his friends. Even if it takes a little encouragement from others.

Scooter transforms into a Gobotronian scooter. Go figure. He does not use Gobotronian standard laser blasters, but his hologram projector makes a good enough weapon if one knows how to use it properly. (Spoiler alert, he does)

Backtrack

Backtrack used to be called Night Ranger, but when Gobotron was destroyed, he found himself on the same team as the similarly named Road Ranger. Taking on a more Cybertronian-esque name in an act of solidarity with his new teammates, Backtrack has now found himself on the front lines more as his previous occupation of "security officer" isn't exactly viable given the situation. It was this that revealed one thing to the rest of the Guardians: Backtrack is terrible at fighting. Hopefully some sparing sessions with the rest of the Guardians - and if need be, some of the actual Autobots - will help him along his way.

Backtrack transforms into a Gobotronian motorcycle resembling an Earth Harley-Davison Electra Glide. He is armed with Gobotronian standard laser blasters.

Path Finder

Path Finder is one of the most skilled and capable Guardians, so it's no surprise she was one of the few to survive Gobotron's destruction. Courageous and intelligent, she is one of the most important members in the new age of conflict. Lately, she's been putting her smarts to good use, building replacement tracking devices to keep tabs on the Renegades. And thankfully, her devices aren't as explosive as Wheeljack's tend to be.

Path Finder transforms into a Gobotronian spaceship resembling a stereotypical UFO. She is armed with Gobotronian standard laser blasters.

Road Ranger

You'd wouldn't be the first to mistake this humble, dedicated soldier for the leader of the Guardians. His resemblance to Optimus Prime considered by some to be a blessing and by others to be a curse. Asking Road Ranger himself will result in him telling you that it's the latter. All he wants is to fight the good fight and stop the bad guys.

Road Ranger transforms into a Gobotronian truck resembling an Earth Hino HE. He is armed with Gobotronian standard laser blasters.

Small Foot

Small Foot is the kid of the group, younger then the rest of her teammates and far less experienced. This, of course, means that she's got one hell of an enthusiastic personality. Whether it's naivety or idealism that powers her endlessly cheerful attitude and sense of adventure, these traits might seem to irritate the rest of the Guardians, they wouldn't trade it for anything in the known universe. Anybody who has just lost her home planet and can continue to look into the optics of others who had experienced the same loss and say "Thing's will get better." is somebody worth knowing. Even if she can get in over her head during a fight.

Small Foot transforms into a Gobotronian truck resembling an Earth Toyota Hilux MR5 with oversized tires. She is armed with Gobotronian standard laser blasters.

[toyboxcomix]

Bat Doberman

NEW COMIC

[comicgeekscomicgeek]

THE GO-BOTS! THE GO-BOTS! THE GOOOOO-BOOOOTS!

Dun da dun dun daaaa!

[emilybeemartin]

Masterpost

My Published Books:

A Field Guide to Mermaids (2022, Macmillan Kids, Middle-grade illustrated science-fantasy) "An indispensable, encyclopedic resource for nature quests—mythological or otherwise." - Kirkus Starred Review

The Outlaw Road duology (Harper Collins, Epic fantasy) "This is epic fantasy done right." -Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Sunshield (2020)

Floodpath (2021)

The Creatures of Light trilogy (Harper Collins, Epic fantasy)

Woodwalker (2016)

Ashes to Fire (2017)

Creatures of Light (2018)

Official Portfolio

Redbubble Shop (Lord of the Rings merch)

INPRNT Shop (portfolio prints)

Fanworks:

Boromir Lives AU Illustrated Anthology:

Boromir Lives: Helm's Deep

Boromir Lives: Whump-Time After Pelennor

Boromir Lives: GO TO SLEEP

Boromir Lives: Aragorn's Coronation

Boromir Lives: Faramir and Eowyn's Wedding

Boromir Lives: Panic! At the Ballroom

Boromir Lives: It's a BABY

Boromir Lives: High Uncle of the White Tower

Boromir Lives: We Didn't Have a Choice

Boromir Lives: The Haircuts

Other Lord of the Rings comics/illustrations

The Raccoon Saga

Boromir and Faramir Swimming the Anduin

Boromir on Caradhras

Ladies of Gondor and Rohan

Legolas Ten-Year Redraw

The Three Hunters Solve a Mystery

This Stupid One that Always Makes the Rounds

Queen's Thief Illustrations (This is by no means complete; these are just some of the ones I spent the most time on.)

Official Character Lineup

The Symbolism Illustration

At the Window

QT Appreciation Week Watercolor

The Fate of All Thieves

That One Scene

Don't Lower the Point in Third!

Rooftop

Park Ranger Stuff:

Tips for Applying for NPS Jobs

[vintagecamping]

Park ranger giving an evening campfire safety talk.

Wonder Lake, Alaska

1973

[arulens-least-horny-jongleur]

myself and my best friend planning on going as Will and Horace from Rangers Apprentice this halloween. we have our own money for costumes, and hopefully enough time (curse of ADHD) to actually pull it off. my friend will be going as Horace, in his Oakleaf Knight regalia, and i will be going as fully adult ranger Will.

problem: i’m short, relatively stealthy, and putting me in a camouflage cloak is not going to solve either of these problems. this probably wouldn’t be a big issue if we didn't live in a fairly urban area that is not well known for its pedestrian courtesy, but it is an issue we have to consider.

my friends brilliant solution? Road Safety Horace.

all he has to do is cross the street with me, and since as far as we can find in the books, his Oakleaf Knight costume is a white surcoat, a white shield, and shiny silver chainmaille, he will be fully and obnoxiously visible to any vehicles on the road.

which is all well and good, if not slightly entertaining, but now all i can imagine is Horace standing in the middle of a busy street so Will can run across the road without getting hit by a cart.

[forestgreenivy]

Blue Ridge Parkway near Mount Mitchell.

[smilysstuff]

Watch as I give Wash long hair.

AU where he grows his hair out instead of his beard when?

[fuckmeyer]

girl please, Charlie Swan is Team Werewolf and you know it

[acmeoop]

CBS Brand New Saturday Morning (1981)

[textless]

Flat tire, rangers who helped fix it, and a spiny plant I fell in when backing up to take a picture of the tire.

[theruffiansretrorampage]

art by Niban-Destikim

[tinyreviews]

Tiny Review: Smoke Signals. One of the best road movies. MUST WATCH.

It’s a relatively unknown but highly acclaimed movie. I went into this with high hopes and was not disappointed.  

Go into blind and enjoy the story. MUST WATCH!

Smoke Signals is a 1998 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Chris Eyre from a screenplay by Sherman Alexie, based on Alexie's short story collection The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (1993). It stars Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Bedard, Gary Farmer, and Tantoo Cardinal.

[maturemenoftvandfilms]

Walker, Texas Ranger (TV Series) S3/E7 'The Road to Black Bayou' (1994) - David Huddleston

I haven't seen this episode in years and a few things came to mind when watching it.

This is the episode that first got me into Huddleston, wishing I was literally in Huddleston.

David and Noble Willingham's asses.

This is the second time Huddleston and Willingham appeared in an episode together since they appeared in an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show What Are Friends For? Season 5 Episode 10.

And they were both fuckable in that.

[emilybeemartin]

Hello!

I've gained a lot of new followers recently, so I figured it was time to reintroduce myself:

I'm Emily!

I'm a fan artist! I love the Queen's Thief, Lord of the Rings, and forgotten early-aughts shows about problematic soldiers!

I'm an illustrator! My most recent book is a science-fantasy middle grade field guide to mermaids and their ecosystems!

I'm an author! I've written five epic fantasy novels about characters slogging through wilderness, overthrowing corrupt systems, and occasionally falling in love with each other! The three disaster children below are from my duology, The Outlaw Road!

I'm a park ranger! I like to bring my watercolors on hikes and paint the places I've worked and visited!

You can also find me on Instagram!

What will I post next? Who knows? Not me!

www.emilybmartin.net