Canon Information
Background: Link
He joined the defense forces before the War, but got his first taste of combat, and first distaste of Starscream, as Megatron consolidated power and widened the rift between his forces and the soon-to-be Autobots. Their enemy at first were aliens, but Megatron soon reorganized their efforts to a more offensive capability.(Defiance) Barricade was eager to get his hands dirty and do his part.
Fast forward to when Optimus jettisons the Allspark into outerspace, and Barricade is one of the assembled crew sent to retrieve it. Assigned as a Science Officer aboard the Nemesis, he was with the Decepticons who made first contact with the humans. He was…unimpressed. He was also unimpressed with his then leadership: Starscream, who certainly was taking his sweet little time with finding Megatron. When Blackout staged his coup, Barricade stood back (Ghosts of Yesterday) knowing that picking one side over the other was bound to mark him as a target by the other one. Whoever won or lost, Barricade would lose. Being small and under armored, he’s learned the hard way to choose his battles wisely and, if he can’t see an advantage to fighting, he won’t fight. (GoY)
That’s not to say he’s a pacifist. In fact setting two mechs against each other is one of his favorite pastimes, especially if it gives him an advantage(GoY) He just saw no advantage there. However, he believes in his cause and anything and anyone that will forward that cause-in the search for the Allspark, for Megatron, he was Starscream’s ally, (GoY and Tfwiki) He repeatedly questioned Starscream’s decisions-from Tyger Pax onward-but has never been more than verbally defiant. (Defiance 4, Reign of Starscream 1)
He was partnered with Frenzy for the mission to Earth. His specific task: to find Ladiesman217 and retrieve the Allspark. (2007 movie) An important mission, and failing in that, and losing Frenzy, has had a devastating effect upon him.
He blames everything for that loss, but mostly, he blames himself. He’s had two years on Earth, abandoned by his faction, running and hiding and dodging Autobot pursuit, to second guess himself. His attempt to interrogate Sam Witwicky again-an attempt to rectify what he was unable to accomplish before Megatron’s death-ended with another beating by Bumblebee and Barricade in flames. (Tales of the Fallen 1) Starscream gave him orders after the battle of Mission City-the battle he couldn’t even make it to, to wait…and that was two years ago. The wait, and the weight of his failures, have sharpened his hatred towards humans and toward his own side, who have abandoned him. Especially Starscream: Barricade views the Air Commander’s orders and subsequent disappearance, to be the jet’s petty revenge against him for all of his insubordination.
He joined the defense forces before the War, but got his first taste of combat, and first distaste of Starscream, as Megatron consolidated power and widened the rift between his forces and the soon-to-be Autobots. Their enemy at first were aliens, but Megatron soon reorganized their efforts to a more offensive capability.(Defiance) Barricade was eager to get his hands dirty and do his part.
Fast forward to when Optimus jettisons the Allspark into outerspace, and Barricade is one of the assembled crew sent to retrieve it. Assigned as a Science Officer aboard the Nemesis, he was with the Decepticons who made first contact with the humans. He was…unimpressed. He was also unimpressed with his then leadership: Starscream, who certainly was taking his sweet little time with finding Megatron. When Blackout staged his coup, Barricade stood back (Ghosts of Yesterday) knowing that picking one side over the other was bound to mark him as a target by the other one. Whoever won or lost, Barricade would lose. Being small and under armored, he’s learned the hard way to choose his battles wisely and, if he can’t see an advantage to fighting, he won’t fight. (GoY)
That’s not to say he’s a pacifist. In fact setting two mechs against each other is one of his favorite pastimes, especially if it gives him an advantage(GoY) He just saw no advantage there. However, he believes in his cause and anything and anyone that will forward that cause-in the search for the Allspark, for Megatron, he was Starscream’s ally, (GoY and Tfwiki) He repeatedly questioned Starscream’s decisions-from Tyger Pax onward-but has never been more than verbally defiant. (Defiance 4, Reign of Starscream 1)
He was partnered with Frenzy for the mission to Earth. His specific task: to find Ladiesman217 and retrieve the Allspark. (2007 movie) An important mission, and failing in that, and losing Frenzy, has had a devastating effect upon him.
He blames everything for that loss, but mostly, he blames himself. He’s had two years on Earth, abandoned by his faction, running and hiding and dodging Autobot pursuit, to second guess himself. His attempt to interrogate Sam Witwicky again-an attempt to rectify what he was unable to accomplish before Megatron’s death-ended with another beating by Bumblebee and Barricade in flames. (Tales of the Fallen 1) Starscream gave him orders after the battle of Mission City-the battle he couldn’t even make it to, to wait…and that was two years ago. The wait, and the weight of his failures, have sharpened his hatred towards humans and toward his own side, who have abandoned him. Especially Starscream: Barricade views the Air Commander’s orders and subsequent disappearance, to be the jet’s petty revenge against him for all of his insubordination.