Issue #2

• Writer - Simon Furman
• Penciler - Don Figueroa
• Inker - Elaine To
• Lettering - Dreamer Design
• Colorist - Rob Ruffolo

Summary

  In the Decepticon fortress of Kolkular, Megatron is holding court over his troops as he toys with the head of Emirate Xeon, musing on how Xeon's corruption helped the Decepticons rise to power. Starscream notes that the Autobots are preparing to abandon Cybertron and that they should attack, and Megatron hints that he has plans of his own. He then travels with Soundwave beneath cybertron's surface, where the Constructicons are working on a massive planetary turbine. Scrapper explains that if they were to start it now, superheated plasma waste would be vented to the surface.

  Meanwhile, the Autobots at Iacon are busy loading the shuttles as they debate the wisdom of Optimus Prime's evacuation plans. Grimlock, frustrated, abandons his post and stalks off. Elsewhere, Prowl is updating Optimus Prime on the evacuation efforts, and notes that there's a lot of resentment in the Autobot ranks. Optimus and Prowl begin arguing over the wisdom of evacuation when the ground trembles -- and a mile-high pillar of plasma vaporizes the Iacon Forum of Enlightenment. As the flames die down, Grimlock is first on the scene, and quickly enters the newly-formed fissure.

  Optimus Prime, Prowl, Ratchet, and Red Alert arrive soon afterward and survey the destruction. Theories of natural causes and accidents are quickly discarded as Optimus realizes that this was Megatron's way to get his attention. Optimus then takes an access shaft -- alone -- beneath Cybertron, and is soon attacked by the Insecticons. He offers to surrender peacefully, but the Insecticons fire on him anyway, knocking him even further deeper. Recovering his footing, Optimus staggers to search for a save haven, unaware that he's being trailed by Ravage...

  Back at Iacon, Prowl tells the other Autobots that Optimus insisted on exploring the plasma rift alone, and ordered them to continue the evacuation efforts. Bluestreak interrupts to report that sensors detect a massive swarm of incoming units, along with a broadband transmission -- which shows Shockwave leading a plethora of Decepticons determined to exterminate them all...