CON-QUEST ISSUE DETAILS:
Raksha's Rantings ... from Issue 4, Summer 1993

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What makes Autobots think they're so hot, anyway? Ask an Autobot, and he's likely to regurgitate a whole list of patented egotisms, swollen platitudes, and high-blown moral clichés, with which he has been thoroughly brainwa-I mean, indoctrinated, from the very first moment of his creation. They're all good at this-from that champion of self-righteousness himself, Obnox-- I mean, Optimus Prime, to the lowliest of their Micromasters. And if you, as a Decepticon, haven't died of boredom by the end of such a diatribe (or done the logical thing and blown the offending mechanism away), our hypothetical Autobot might complete his answer by saying, "And besides, we have the Matrix."

To which any self-respecting Decepticon's reply ought to be: "*So?*"

What is the Matrix, anyway? Let's take a closer look. In the comic it was referred to as the Creation Matrix-falsely promoted for a while as the only source of new Transformer consciousness. In the Movie and t.v. series it was called the Matrix of Leadership, a description that makes somewhat more sense. In both versions it was a power source, a supplier of healing energy, and-especially in the t.v. universe-a repository for the knowledge, wisdom, essence-consciousness? -- of Autobot leaders down through the ages. This "holy grail" was then passed down from leader to leader, so that each new Autobot commander would have access to his predecessors' experience. (Hasn't done them all that much good, to date, has it?)

Decepticon leaders, on the other hand, have been much more self-reliant. A Quintesson in The Five Faces of Darkness once brought up the concept of a Decepticon Matrix, and said of Galvatron, "77.9% probability he doubts the existence of the Matrix." And with good reason. There is no Matrix for a Decepticon leader to run back to for advice, no protective aura to crawl into when things look bleak, no crutch to lean on when the going gets difficult. Decepticon leaders have always had to have the courage and strength of character to make their own way in the Universe, without the benefit of being coddled by their ancestors. It has made them willing to take chances, able to reach for grander dreams, and above all, to use their own creativity. I would contend that this is true not just of Decepticon leaders, but of Decepticons as a species.

The Matrix is, indeed, Autobot domain. To those Decepticons who think they should have equal access to it, or even that there should be a corresponding Decepticon version of this exalted artifact, I would say: not necessary. Not even desirable. A reliance on some mystic source of power and wisdom only serves to dull one's own senses. Any striving to control or possess the Matrix, would ultimately weaken the Decepticon strength of character. (Someone should sit Thunderwing down and have a long talk with him. Any volunteers?)

Trust your own abilities.

The End