Starscream: Encyclopedia II - Starscream - Beast Wars

Starscream - Beast Wars

Although 1990s Transformers series, Beast Wars, officially occurred in a universe/continuity that contained aspects of both of the G1 cartoon and Marvel comic, the show most commonly displayed its lineage with references to the animated series. To that end, Starscream's ghost made a brief but memorable appearance in the first season episode, "Possession". His spark wandered to prehistoric Earth and ended up in a computer. Taking control of Waspinator's body with Terrosaur watching, Starscream went about his standard backstabbing ways, acquring the trust of Predacon leader Megatron, telling him that he was defending Galvatron against Unicron and got blasted but his spark endured and planning to overthrow Megatron. His true intent discovered by Blackarachnia who knew he was really scrapped by Galvatron, he took the spider under his wing to teach her the ways of treachery - ironically resulting in her betrayal of him. Caught in an Energon explosion, Starscream's spark was forced out of Waspinator's body and set adrift in space once more.

At the time "Possession" was written, the idea that Beast Wars took place in the past had not been cemented, hence it was not precisely explained how Starscream's spark was able to travel back in time, aside from a qualifier in the form of Starscream's indistinct claim that his spark was "...beyond the reach of time itself." It is generally speculated that his spark hails from a point in time that post-dates his final appearance in the G1 cartoon, since he was last seen tumbling through space - a predicament he is also in, sans his body, at the beginning of "Possession". However, this has not been officially confirmed, nor was it the writer's intent.

In the second season of Beast Wars, the reason for Starscream's ability to survive beyond death was revealed—a mutation in his spark had rendered it indestructible. Maximal experiments to replicate this effect resulted in the creation of the insane monster, Rampage.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Beast Wars", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki