Issue #3

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

Summary

  Pinned down behind Autobot lines, a weary Starscream theorizes to Skywarp and Thundercracker that their mission from Megatron was an exercise in pain management. Skywarp sharply counter argues that they're stuck only because Starscream had told Grimlock about their attack beforehand, and angrily leaves with Thundercracker. Meanwhile, as Megatron watches from afar, Soundwave and the Insecticons search for Optimus Prime, while Shockwave leads a Decepticon assault on the Autobot headquarters at Iacon. Jazz questions the wisdom of the attack, and Prowl worries that it's related to Optimus Prime's disappearance...

  Deep underground, Prime is marvelling at the subterranean wonders of Cybertron when he's confronted by a ghostly vision of himself. The vision explains that it represents all the previous Autobot Primes, who also felt a need to understand the value of Cybertron when they assumed the mantle. The soliloquy is interrupted as Ravage attacks, but Optimus manages to fight him off after a brief struggle.

  Back at Decepticon headquarters, Starscream confronts Megatron and demands some answers for his recent orders. Megatron explains that, eons ago, he had discovered advanced alien technology hidden beneath Cybertron, which suggested that Cybertron itself was once a planetary starship. He then instigated the Decepticon uprising; while the Autobots were fighting the war, he has been busy with both repairing the engines and modifying Cybertron so it can transform into a war world. Megatron then explains that he needs the Autobot Matrix to activate the engines, which prompts Starscream to laugh in derision at his gullibility. Megatron slaps Starscream aside, then notices that Optimus Prime has beaten Soundwave's group, and stomps off to confront Optimus directly.

  On the surface, at the orbital torus state of Uraya, Grimlock receives new orders from Prowl -- while the Decepticons are attacking Iacon, Grimlock's team can use the distraction to carry out a special mission elsewhere.

  Deep below Cybertron, Optimus Prime confronts Megatron on a narrow bridge overlooking a deep, glowing pit. Megatron demands the Matrix from Prime, who swears to defend it to his death. As the two advance on each other, Starscream blasts the bridge, sending both leaders falling into the depths...