Salvage!

Shockwave resurrects Megatron and primes him as a weapon to use against Galvatron.

=Marvel UK issues #160-161=

Writer: Simon Furman Art: Lee Sullivan Lettering: Tom Frame (160), Glib (161) Colors: Euan Peters


 * Characters: Megatron, Richard Branson, Jawbreaker, Thrust, Ramjet, Dirge, Blitzwing, Ultra Magnus, Sizzle, Fizzle, Guzzle, Galvatron, Shockwave, Snaptrap, Optimus Prime (illusion), Straxus (illusion),
 * Originally published: 9th April 1988 - 16th April 1988

Synopsis
In London, Virgin boss Richard Branson finances a cleanup operation to remove the remains of Megatron and Centurion from the bottom of the River Thames where they had been since their battle in Ancient Relics! No sooner have they been lifted clear than the Seacon, Jawbreaker leaps from the water and cuts the chains holding them to the cranes. Thrust, Dirge, Ramjet and Blitzwing then swoop in and attach harnesses and carry them away to Shockwave.

A few hours later the Sparkabots finish digging Ultra Magnus out from underneath Mount Verona. Ultra Magnus is at first disoriented; haunted by the memory of Galvatron and the many defeats he had suffered at his hands. Catching sight of Megatron and Centurion being flown past by the Decepticons they decide to follow after them.

Some time later in the Decepticon Fortress, Snaptrap has repaired Megatron’s body but his mind is broken. Shockwave is planning to use him as a weapon against Galvatron and so orders Snaptrap to use the psycho-probe in an attempt to repair his mind.

Ultra Magnus and the Sparkabots have made their way to the base of the fortress and are discussing how they will stop the Decepticons from reactivating Megatron, when to Ultra Magnus’ dismay, Galvatron, who has been spying on Shockwave, reveals his presence and tells them that he cannot allow them to interfere with Megatron’s resurrection.

Inside the fortress the psycho-probe is forcing Megatron to confront his deepest fears through a series of visions; unfortunately he is not handling this very well and is terrified of an image of Optimus Prime.

Ultra Magnus is having similar problems outside when confronted by Galvatron and is also cowering in fear, much to Galvatron’s amusement.

Megatron is confronted by a second image, this time of Lord Straxus, the Decepticon leader from Cybertron, who had attempted to take over his body in Resurrection. Straxus taunts Megatron and destroys the image of Optimus Prime, telling Megatron that soon he will be in control. This finally snaps Megatron from his fearful state, he attacks and rips the image of Straxus apart.

Having finally defeated his inner demons his mind snaps back to sanity. Shockwave takes advantage and uses the psycho-probe to brainwash Megatron into believing that Galvatron is his enemy and that he must destroy him

Outside Galvatron is taunting Ultra Magnus, who has become paralysed with fear. Galvatron begins to beat up the Sparkabots, while Ultra Magnus stands impotently by. Still haunted by his many defeats Ultra Magnus ultimately forces himself to confront his fear and he attacks Galvatron. Driven by fear turned to rage he manages to beat Galvatron who retreats. Ultra Magnus, with a renewed confidence declares that the next time he meets Galvatron will be the last.

Errors

 * What qualifies Snaptrap to perform repairs on Megatron?

Items of note

 * Shockwave decided to use Megatron as a weapon against Galvatron at the end of Enemy Action!
 * Here Megatron is forced to confront a vision of Lord Straxus who’s mind has infected Megatron’s after the botched mind swap in Resurrection. He defeats him subconsciously giving him the strength to reassert his own personality. Ironically this Megatron is later shown to be a clone created by Straxus that became infected with Megatron’s personality.
 * Despite Ultra Magnus' vow to defeat Galvatron once and for all the next time they meet, this actually the last time that they will come face to face.
 * The Decepticon Fortress was first built by the Decepticons in Power Play and later abandoned