Issue #4

• Writer - Chris Sarracini
• Penciler - Pat Lee
• Inker - Rob Armstrong
• Lettering - Dreamer Design
• Colorist - Ramil Sunga
• Colorist - Gary Yeung
• Colorist - Alan Wang

Summary

  The story begins with General Hallo's helicopter landing at the Pentagon, fresh from the Transformers' battle in the Canadian Northwest (see last issue). As his men take the captured Spike Witwicky to a holding cell, a subordinate asks about the result of "Operation Clean-Up." Hallo, clearly distressed, orders all records of the classified operation to be destroyed, and admits that something is wrong indeed...

  Up in the Northwest Territories, there is now a giant metal sphere -- with Optimus Prime embedded into one side. After an effort, Prime frees himself from the wall, then meet up with Mirage and Wheeljack. Wheeljack explains that the sphere was produced by Megatron's metallic virus, and managed to saved them all from the explosion. Optimus Prime insists the virus must be stopped, and a quick survey reveals that Megatron has already left the area.

  In the Pacific Ocean, the captain of a U.S. submarine is alerted by his crew of some unusual sonar readings. Before they can get more information, a giant object smashes the sub.

  The Autobots soon find the core of Megatron's cyber-virus generator. The other Autobots are found to be functional but drained, while the humans caught by the virus are now metal corpses. Wheeljack announces that the virus is now self-sustainable, and he'll need time to find a way to stop it. The just-revived Ironhide then weakly whispers a final message from Megatron, about one last surprise for Optimus.

  At the San Francisco docks, a group of longshoremen are complaining about the return of the Transformers menace when they are immediately killed by a massive tidal wave -- courtesy of Devastator, rising out of the ocean. While Wheeljack, Jazz, and Mirage remain at Lazarus' base to repair their comrades and stop the virus, Superion flies the other Autobots to the rescue.

  To demonstrate the foolishness of saving humans, Megatron orders the Decepticons to destroy the city. Their attack is soon interrupted by the Autobots' arrival; Megatron tries to taunt Optimus Prime, but Optimus skips the banter and responds with his fists. Prime interrupts his battle to save some humans, but is then met by their insults and screams. The battle is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of something high overhead, something which causes Autobots and Decepticons alike to gape in astonishment...

  Meanwhile, in his cell, Spike's cries for help are answered with a note slipped beneath the door, telling him to be ready at three o'clock.