Atonement

• Writer - Brad Mick
• Writer - Adam Patyk
• Penciler - Don Figueroa
• Inker - Elaine To
• Colorist - Espen Grundet Jern
• Lettering - Ben Lee

Summary

  Far beneath the Earth, Sunstorm's corpse sinks beneath the surface of a primeval smelting pool as Bumblebee watches in fearful disbelief. While this is happening...

  ...on Cybertron, Prowl explains to the Autobots that Sunstorm's presence on Earth places the planet in jepoardy; there is some dispute about their need to protect Cybertron first, but they quickly reach a gruding consensus to return to Earth immediately and establish a defense.

  ...on Earth, Bumper, Warpath, and their deactivated Autobot comrades are being dragged across the desert by their human captors from the Earth Defense Force (see issue #4). Their disorientation increases when their trailer suddenly disappears into a secret underground base...

  ...in Alaska, a restless Cliffjumper lashes out at Omega Supreme, angry that he has been left behind and unable to help. Omega Supreme takes it in stride, agreeing completely with Cliffjumper's sentiments.

  Back at the underground smelting pool, Starscream is boasting of his cleverness to Bumblebee when a flame leaps out of the pool -- and Sunstorm returns! He quickly gets the jump on the shocked Starscream, then grabs Bumblebee, and says he must be killed for harboring secret, untapped abilities. Before Sunstorm can deliver the finishing blast, however, his skin begins to blister as his body burns with unrestrained energies. Jetfire saves Starscream as Bumblebee fights back, and an angry Sunstorm races skyward, vowing to destroy the planet!

  Leaving Starscream to tend to the unconscious Bumblebee, Jetfire gives chase. He quickly catches up to Sunstorm; while the Decepticon attacks with unbridled fury, Jetfire carries them both into high orbit, trying to get Sunstorm away before his overloaded system explodes. Starscream, meanwhile, has rescued Bumblebee and left him on a nearby beach, then flies off to join the battle.

  As Jetfire carries Sunstorm higher and higher, the reaction reaches critical mass, and Sunstorm explodes. The ensuing fireball can be seen for miles, and Bumblebee can do nothing but mourn...