Multiplicity

• Writer - Simon Furman
• Penciler - Alex Milne
• Inker - Elaine To
• Colorist - Jong-Im Lee
• Colorist - Josh Perez
• Colorist - Sigmund Torre
• Colorist - Yvonne Poon
• Lettering - Ben Lee

Summary

  A week ago, Optimus Prime was at the United Nations in New York City, finalizing an agreement for a permanent protective Autobot presence on Earth with the world's leaders. But now, a growing number of humans are protesting the Cybercord agreement, fearful that this is just a subterfuge to conquer the planet and destroy humanity...

  Flying through a space bridge portal, Jetfire arrives on Cybertron, and quickly hooks up with Prowl. They have no idea where Optimus Prime has disappeared to (see last issue), and his disappearance leaves Jetfire with the unenviable task of persuading the High Council to send more Autobots to Earth. Meanwhile, inside the near-dead shell of Unicron, Optimus Prime argues with the ghost of Megatron; Prime insists he'll never help free Megatron, but Megatron chuckles that it's only a matter of time...

  Off the shores of the Black Sea of Turkey, Kicker and the Omnicons prepare for a deep-sea expedition. Signal Flare creates an energon bubble around Kicker, who descends beneath the waves to implant an underwater drill nodule so the Autobots can tap the energon vein beneath. Just then, they're attacked by Tidal Wave, now rechristened Mirage and sporting a new, deadlier body! As Signal Flare tries to recall Kicker, Mirage and Slugslinger tear into the Omnicons -- causing Signal Flare to lose contact with Kicker, immediately exposing the human to the deep-sea pressures!

  Meanwhile, in downtown Los Angeles, Rad and Alexis are watching an anti-Autobot protest march. Rad is baffled by their distrust, but Alexis understands -- how does humanity know the Autobots aren't merely out to save Earth for themselves? Soured by her cynicism, Rad curtly turns away, but quickly apologizes just as she catches a taxi to the airport.

  On Cybertron, the High Council formally rejects Jetfire's request for more Autobot troops for Earth. But then, Councillor Avalon notes that guarding Earth's energon from Unicron is in their own interest, and the Council agrees to reconsider.

  Inside Unicron, Optimus Prime steadfastly refuses to help Megatron escape, which Megatron finds amusing. Megatron then mentions that each Terrorcon has a hiddden optical implant, which allows Unicron and Alpha Quintesson to see what they're doing at all times. To demonstrate this feature, Megatron projects a live video feed for Prime -- just as thousands of Terrorcons are razing the major cities of Earth!

  In Los Angeles, as the protestors flee from the Terrorcon attack, Rad rushes for Alexis' taxi -- just as a stray blast levels it!