The Ark (Oceros)

The Ark was the Autobots' flagship in the Oceros Cluster. A diecast vessel, it was one of twenty similar starships constructed to ferry Autobots and Autobot aligned individuals off Cybertron during the Exodus seven million years ago. The Ark was intended to carry the 'inner circle' of the faction, including Optimus Prime, Elita One, Ultra Magnus, Ratchet and Ironhide, but the launch of the Ark was cancelled and its intended crew elected to remain on Cybertron. It can be speculated that this choice was made due to a similar number of Decepticons also remaining upon Cybertron.

Four million years ago the Ark was intended to be launched to search for the Omega Keys with Jazz as its captain, but alterations were made to the mission's crew at the last minute after Optimus Prime chose to head the crew of the Ark himself in response to intelligence revealing that Megatron intended to head the Decepticons' rival operation. Prime requested Ratchet also partake in the mission and though the medic was reluctant to leave Cybertron, he agreed as he claimed it would be a shame to see the ship's state-of-the-art medical facility go to waste. Springer volunteered to join the Ark, but Optimus advised that he was best placed to remain on Cybertron and lead the Wreckers. Lancer, who was set to be the Ark's first officer, backed out just before launch due to previously unknown claustrophobia and Prowl took her place. Blurr also changed his mind about joining the Ark due to claustrophobia, having previously overestimated his ability to handle containment, leading to Red Alert volunteering to join the crew. Finally, Bumblebee was allowed to join the crew with Optimus's permission. The Ark finally left Cybertron with a crew of eleven out of its capacity of thirty-five - or so it was thought, in actuality the Ark's crew was twelve, Optimus Prime's drone Roller having tagged along without anyone noticing.