Issue #3

• Writer - Chris Sarracini
• Penciler - Pat Lee
• Inker - Rob Armstrong
• Inker - Erik Sander
• Inker - Ferdinand Poblete
• Lettering - Dreamer Design
• Colorist - Ramil Sunga
• Colorist - Gary Yeung
• Colorist - Alan Wang
• Colorist - Talent Pun

Summary

  Optimus Prime, General Hallo, and Spike Witwicky are visiting the refinery attacked by Lazarus' Transformers (from the previous issue). Optimus wonders if the Autobots in the attack were controlled by Megatron, but is sharply rebuffed by Spike, who points out that humans inevitably suffer from the Transformers' war. Hallo tries to console Prime by pointing out that sacrifices are necessary, but Prime rejects that approach. Their survey is interrupted by news that Lazarus' base has been found; Optimus Prime and the Autobots immediately depart.

  At the base, a chained and manacled Lazarus is listening to Megatron lecture on the folly of humanity, while Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker are nearby, idly dismantling various Autobots. They leave to visit Soundwave, who has shackled the surviving humans and captive Autobots to a mysterious device. On Megatron's command, it's activated, and a cyber-virus quickly grows throughout the base, converting everything it touches into metallic machinery. Megatron's satisfaction is interrupted by Laserbeak, warning of the Autobots' approach.

  The Autobots and Decepticons face each other outside the base. Megatron explains that he's decided it'd be easier to convert Earth into a metallic planet instead of trying to return to Cybertron, and chides Prime for foolishly wasting his time protecting ungrateful humans. Megatron then introduces Grimlock, who explains that he's switched to the Decepticons due to his resentment at being used by the humans.

  As the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons quickly escalate, General Hallo and Spike are watching from an airborne helicopter overhead. Realizing the Transformers are no longer being controlled, Hallo orders the start of "Operation Clean-Up". As a soldier subdues Spike, the helicopter drops a bomb on the Transformers, then quickly takes off

  On the battlefield below, Megatron spots the falling bomb, but his yell at the humans' duplicity is interrupted by the ensuing fireball...