Darak
From Transformers Wiki
- Darak is an Agorrian from the Energon Universe portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.
Darak is the son of Agorrian Minister Dulin, and one of the planet's top pilots. A pragmatic survivor with a knack for thinking outside of the box, he'll do whatever it takes to get out of a tight situation—even break his civilization's longest-standing traditions by daring to work with their hated enemies, the Zertonians.
Fiction
Energon Universe
Ten years before the present day, Darak was working as an Edgewalker, helping construction projects on the edge of Agorria and the Wastelands of the Sacred Ring. After an incident careened him to the middle of the Wastelands, Void Rivals #7, Darak was delirious and barely conscious, finding an "oasis" before blacking out and waking back up in Agorria. Void Rivals #9
In the present, Darak had become a pilot for the Agorrians. When a comet containing four thousand tons of ice passed by the Sacred Ring, Director Elander ordered Darak to retrieve the comet and tow it into Agorrian space; not only would this bolster Agorria's water supplies, but doing so would also keep the comet out of the hands of the Zertonians, who were currently experiencing a water shortage. However, when Darak's ship cleared the orbit of the Sacred Ring, the vessel's autonomous systems failed to revive its pilot. While unconscious, Darak had a mysterious vision explaining the distant origins of his people—how the two races had come together once before to build the Sacred Ring, and would have to come together again—before he awoke, moments before a Zertonian starship intercepted his craft. Void Rivals #2
In the ensuing dogfight, both ships missed the comet, wound up in a distant quadrant, and crash-landed on a barren planet. Darak's handroid was able to revive its wearer; moments after regaining consciousness, however, Darak discovered that the Zertonian pilot, Solila, had also survived the crash. After a brief struggle, the Zertonian convinced him that, despite their long history of conflict, it would be better to work together to repair her mostly intact vessel. The pair set to work repairing the ship, but when Solila attached a cable the wrong way, the power surge overloaded the ship's energy core and caused a devastating explosion. All was not lost, however, as Solila returned moments later, with news that she'd found an abandoned but mostly intact starship in a nearby valley. The pair attempted to jumpstart the ship's power cells—when they did so, however, the ship revealed itself to be the Cybertronian Jetfire, who promptly transformed and flew away.
Despite this latest setback, seeing Jetfire transform gave Darak the idea of stripping their armor for parts and using them to repair the ship, ignoring their race's shared taboos against removing their helmets in the presence of an enemy. The pair did so and realized that Agorrians and Zertonians were members of the same species. Void Rivals #1
After returning to Darak's wrecked vessel, the pair spent weeks cobbling together whatever they could find into a ramshackle, semi-pressurized spacecraft—enough to get them off the planet and broadcast a long-distance distress signal. While floating through an asteroid field, their ship drifted into the path of a massive starship built into the hull of a hollowed-out meteor; when the vessel pulled them in, the two ran afoul of its owner, a fearsome Skuxxoid. Void Rivals #2 The pair engaged in combat with the Skuxxoid, and later came across a Quintesson Scorpia as they journeyed deep into the Rockeroid. Solila distracted the creature long enough for Darak to shut a door on it from overhead, destroying a claw and damaging it beyond repair. They immediately came across another Quintesson-this time a Prosecutor, who proposed an alliance to dispose of the Skuxxoid and escape the Rockeroid. However, the Skuxxoid realized Darak and Solila had no bounties and were thus worthless to him, and offered them a Nebulos spacecraft in exchange for the metals on their ramshackle craft.
Aboard the Nebulan ship and en route to the Sacred Ring, Solila expressed concern about what would happen when they returned home. Darak was more relaxed and optimistic, hoping to appeal to his father, and expecting that the Agorrians and Zertonians alike would detest being set against each other by the conspiracy they uncovered. He suggested that they part ways via escape pods to their respective worlds upon arrival, and she agreed. Solila thanked him for suggesting that they work together, and he let his guard down. Solila knocked him unconscious with her spear. Void Rivals #3
Even while Darak was unconscious, Handroid attempted to prevent Solila from taking the craft to Zertonia, but she reached the upper hand and forced it to surrender. On Zertonia, Darak was disappointed in himself for believing that they were friends. Solila rebuked him, saying that they were at best rivals, which he found wryly amusing. Even after she apologized for her attack, he still managed to display optimism towards her. He glibly assessed their situation thus far, but again Solila was upon him, suggesting that if he wanted to survive, he would keep quiet about removing their helmets, and everything else they discussed about their worlds in private. He was marched out in front of Zertonian society, and his masked appearance was revolting to the populace as he was led away to a detention cell. Not long after his imprisonment, Solila ended up in the cell with him. Void Rivals #4
Darak tried to understand what would happen next, and Solila told him that the situation had changed: Zalilak had become aware of their secret, and now they would not only both be killed, but Darak himself would be tortured for more information. Right on cue, Zertonian guards entered the cell, sedated him, and dragged him away for interrogation. He managed to be flippant in the face of torture for three days, never revealing more than his name and that he was a pilot. When his interrogator took a reprieve, a mysterious Zertonian child named Ultum approached him and freed him. Through a tortuous path, Ultum led Darak away from the interrogation chamber and they snuck around just out of sight until they arrived at a secret meeting place of Unifiers, a group of Zertonian underground resistance members. The Unifier Kanela wanted Darak's help in reuniting the Agorrians and Zertonians, but Darak refused to even listen to her proposal unless they also agreed to rescue Solila. Void Rivals #5
Kanela agreed to these terms and shortly returned with a surprised Solila. Darak kept things light, but he was unaware of the large distrust between Solila and Kanela. Since Solila was rescued, Darak agreed to uphold his end of the deal: reach the Unifiers' counterpart in the Agorrian resistance and deliver data to them so that communications could be reestablished between their camps. Solila joined him again, with nothing but death remaining for her on Zertonia. Darak embarked on the journey unmasked, tying a cloth around the gem on his forehead as a disguise.
The group moved out onto the streets of Zertonia, heading towards a Blastwing that had been prepared for them. Solila told Darak that everything she had done—including her betrayal of him—had been done to alleviate the poverty and destitution around them. Darak sadly reflected that conditions were not this dire in Agorria. Upon reaching the Blastwing, the group was besieged. The junior Unifier Ultum, whose mother was missing, had betrayed the group under the promise that she would be found. Solila and Darak quickly commandeered a Slip Rider, escaping further into the north. After another sighting, they were forced to reach the wastelands that separated Zertonia and Agorria. Darak asked if she trusted him, and she said yes. Void Rivals #6
Handroid notes that their quickest path across the Wastelands would take three months, but they have only weeks' worth of supplies. Darak tells Handroid and Solila that they just need to make it halfway, and the duo begin their long trek. During their journey, they discuss Darak's vision, with Solila believing he was chosen by Zerta. After camping for the night, Void Rivals #7 Solila tells Darak that there is someone Zalilak could send after them, and asks what awaits them in the center of the wastelands. Darak says his memory is hazy, but calls it an "oasis" of sorts. Later, an energy arrow lands in front of them and explodes. Solila panics as she sees Proximus approach. The pair try to fend off the hunter, but Solila tells Darak to simply run, as she doesn't believe either can survive facing Proximus. Darak refuses but is swiftly knocked out. A solar windstorm sends all three across the wastelands, sending the two rivals away from Proximus. Proximus throws a spear (which had been impaled in his chest by Solila during the earlier conflict) into the wind, striking Solila. Void Rivals #8
Darak rushes to the aid of Solila, who has miraculously survived getting impaled with her spear. The two continue their journey, but Solila collapses from blood loss, and Darak nearly collapses himself before realizing they've made it to the "oasis" — a small shelter with discarded bits of technology and a green and yellow vehicle - that transforms into the Autobot Springer, offering aid, although when he realizes they're organics, he's unsure how to assist. Proximus attacks once again, causing Springer to grab his sword. The two duel each other while Darak tends to Solila, causing Darak to discover the green key Mistress Vill gave to her, Void Rivals #9 a key that Handroid reports is "very, very old". Solila springs to life and throttles Darak, telling him not to touch the key before collapsing again. Using his transformation ability and his built-in arsenal, Springer keeps Proximus on the ropes, but ultimately defeats him by stabbing him into the ground with his sword; however, when Darak once again asks Springer to help Solila, Proximus escapes, leaving behind an arm and a leg.
Springer takes the two to his underground lab, built from the remains of his ship and scavenged parts. When Darak removes his helmet, Springer is shocked to see the mind eye crystal on his forehead, which he recognizes as an Energon port. Realizing Solila has the same, Springer pours some of his Energon supply into the crystal. Solila awakens to find herself glowing pink as her body absorbs the Energon, to the astonishment of Darak and Springer. Springer explains that Energon is the fuel and food of the Cybertronians and that while the Agorrians and Zertonians are indeed organic, their physiology has elements of a synthetic nature that appears to be Cybertronian in origin. He also reveals that the Sacred Ring itself is an engine that generates its own Energon, though he doesn’t know why. Darak recognizes the name "Cybertronian" from their encounter with Jetfire. Springer tells them how the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons and their ever-dwindling resources led him to seek out the legend of Zerta Trion, who rebelled against her fellow Cybertronians and set out to "forge a new path." Solila asks Springer to tell her everything about Zerta Trion, but their conversation is interrupted by the sound of an explosion on the surface: an entire squadron of Zertonian soldiers and weaponry has just arrived. Void Rivals #10
Springer endeavors to protect Darak and Solila, transforming into helicopter mode to try and escape. However, the gravity of the wastelands proves too strong to achieve lift. Realizing they have nowhere to run, Solila instead decides to engage their attackers, with Springer and Darak providing backup. Though Darak has trouble with shooting, seeing Springer kick one of the Zertonian tanks gives him the idea to recover his old Edgewalker unit, and while it is not as physically strong as Springer, it does give them the added muscle they need to turn the tide. As the Zertonians begin to retreat, Darak realizes that this might be their only chance to tell Zertonia what they’ve learned about Energon and how they can use it. He calls out to one of the soldiers and asks Springer to take him into his lab to share the process. Solila is concerned that Darak would give up his people's advantage, but Darak argues that since learning the truth about themselves, he doesn't see the sides anymore, just the lives of people who need help.
Back at Springer’s lab, Darak asks the Cybertronian for his help getting him and Solila to the Agorrian border, as well as a data drive to share with his people. Springer readily agrees, but Solila reluctantly informs Darak that this is where they must part ways. Void Rivals #11
In Springer's base in the wasteland, Solila prepares to depart on her journey to find Zerta Trion, though Darak objects to her going alone. However, Solila insists that if their people are to be reunited, Darak needs to continue to Agorria with Springer and find the Unifiers there. Still not wanting her to face the journey alone, Darak gives her his Handroid, much to the glove’s objections. Solila tells Darak that he reminds her of her brother, and warns him that she doesn’t want him ending up like he did. As they say goodbye, she presses her forehead to his, and their mind eyes touch. Void Rivals #12
In the wastelands, Springer and Darak make their way to Agorria, but the terrain forces Springer to convert to his helicopter mode. Springer continues to probe Darak for details on his encounter with Jetfire, but Darak informs him that while he could direct Springer to the planetoid, he unfortunately didn't catch Jetfire's trajectory. As their conversation finishes, they reach the outskirts of Agorria, and Darak disembarks into the city.
In Agorria, Darak is approached by Director Elander, who informs him that his father, Minister Dulin, wants to see him. At the capital, Dulin demands Darak turn in Solila and voices his disappointment in his son's chosen path in life. Dulin wanted a successor, not another pilot. When Darak passionately tells his father that they need to stop the stupid war with the Zertonians and unify as one race, Dulin warns him that the current status quo is actually to the benefit of their planet - and that unity would lead to their end. Void Rivals #13 Minister Dulin tells Darak that unity with Zertonia will lead to the awakening of Goliant, much to Darak’s confusion. His father apologizes for not telling Darak about the burden that is their legacy, as he worried he wasn't ready to learn the truth. However, his story is interrupted by the news of an alien vessel approaching Aggoria. Dulin tells Darak they will finish their conversation another time, but Darak insists on going with him, a request to which Dulin acquiesces.
Dulin speculates that the object moving towards them could be some new Zertonian weapon, but Darak insists that such an attack is impossible given their current lack of resources. Dulin allows Darak to go out and investigate, with Elander giving Darak a new blue Handroid to replace his lost one. As he prepares to take off in his Jump Jet, he orders his Handroid to revive him as soon as they cross the event horizon of the Sacred Ring’s black hole. As they do so, the Handroid confirms it is administering a reviver. But Darak remains unconscious...
Darak finds himself in a void and believes himself to be once again experiencing a vision until he sees the astral figure of Solila floating above him. Though neither knows how or why they've become linked, they use the opportunity to catch up, with Solila asking if Darak was able to make contact with Kanela's allies. Darak says no, but realizes no one asked him for it, meaning it was likely already found by the Agorrian Unifiers. Darak then informs Solila about Dulin and Zalilak knowing the true nature of their conflict, much to Solila’s shock, but both wake up before they can talk more. And just in time for Darak, as he is almost hit by a Cybertronian shuttle. Believing Darak was trying to hit him, the shuttle fires a series of warning shots at the Jump Jet, but Darak quickly sends out a message to make his peaceful intentions known. The shuttle's pilot responds in kind, apologizing and introducing himself as being "Hot Rod from Cybertron" the mention of which immediately gets Darak’s attention. Void Rivals #14
 Spoiler warning: Plot details for Void Rivals issue 15 follow. |
Darak escorts Hot Rod's shuttle to the surface of Agorria, where they are greeted by Minister Dulin, Elander, and an armed escort for “security purposes.” Darak is immediately wary of their presence, fearing that his new ally’s size will startle the troops. Sure enough, as Hot Rod steps out, the guards train their guns on him and Darak must talk them down. Hot Rod introduces himself and explains that he is looking for another of his kind; Dulin claims that if there were another creature like him on Agorria, he would know about it... only for Springer to arrive in his helicopter mode. Dulin gives Darak a stern look for not telling him about the other robot.
Dulin is hesitant to trust the Cybertronians, but Darak assures him that whatever his misgivings, they would make for valuable allies against Zertonia. He later asks Elander what happened to his things when he arrived. When Elander hesitates, Darak realizes that Elander is Kanela's counterpart in Agorria, and asks if they've made contact with the Unifiers. Elander urges him to be quiet, as Dulin has eyes and ears everywhere.Void Rivals #15
