Devastation issue 3

Script: Simon Furman Art: Nick Roche Colors: Zac Atkinson Lettering: Neil Uyetake Editor: Dan Taylor


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Deacon, Alexander Holt, Ratchet, Jimmy Pink, Verity Carlo, Sixshot, Wheeljack, Hot Rod, Ironhide, Hunter O'Nion, Sunstreaker, Optimus Prime, Hardhead, Prowl, Bumblebee, Jazz, Nightbeat, Reapers, Galvatron
 * Originally published: November 28, 2007

Synopsis
Within the Pentagon, military staff discuss the lockdown of all air traffic after the crash of Ark-19. During the meeting Deacon takes a call from senator Alexander Holt, revealing both men to be plotting something.

Meanwhile in Alabama, Ratchet activates the self-destruct mechanism of the escape pod he had just emerged from. Though Verity is injured, Ratchet urges them to board his vehicle mode as they have to leave quickly. However, his holomatter avatar proves more than capable of treating her as they travel (albeit lacking in bedside manner). He explains to the humans that Sixshot is a living weapon, impossible to assess regarding the threat he poses due to there being no surviving witnesses of his firepower. As if on cue, Sixshot swoops down and opens fire.

In Indiana, the Machination Headmaster fails to impress the brash Hot Rod, who claims that he's no Sunstreaker. However the Headmaster boasts that he has all of Sunstreaker's capabilities and more. Beyond this, he reveals that the Machination knows everything about the Autobots due to having downloaded their captive's databanks. Hot Rod counters this by saying that Wheeljack is constantly developing new inventions, and scoffing that Sunstreaker never paid much attention to their development. This proves useful, as the Headmaster is unable to counter a gyro-inhibitor shell from Wheeljack. The threat neutralized, the two Autobots escape. Time is running out, and they need to reach Ironhide before he is demolished.

In the Machination facility in Florida, the severed head of Sunstreaker explains to Hunter O'Nion that he is the center node of the network that controls and coordinates the Headmaster units. He further reveals that Hunter himself has been made a Headmaster and again begs for death as an end to his pain. He says that the way they are using him to hunt and kill Autobots is torture to him. Hunter instead replies that there are more cloned bodies within the city. He asks Sunstreaker to help him learn to use his Headmaster abilities.

In Alabama, Ratchet and the humans gain a reprieve as the United States Air Force locks on to Sixshot. Though Jimmy expresses concern for the pilots, Ratchet grimly states that it's their only chance to escape. While Sixshot is distracted, they cross the state line into Florida. Ratchet hides amongst the ambulances of a local hospital, but Sixshot soon arrives and starts blasting them one by one until Ratchet is forced to flee. In transit, Ratchet lets Jimmy and Verity out, telling them to hide as he can no longer protect them. He speeds off, but is quickly cornered as he runs out of road. Transforming, he prepares to meet Sixshot head-on. However he finds he doesn't have to as the remainder of the Ark crew emerge from the nearby water to back him up.

In Earth orbit, the Reapers agree that Earth is too valuable a strategic resource and vow to destroy it to keep it out of the hands of either faction.

In the Dead Universe, Nemesis Prime orders Galvatron to travel to Earth at once.

Errors

 * Nemesis Prime's text bubble comes from Galvatron and vice versa.

Items of note

 * On the final page of the cover, a Transformers: Mosaic issue ("Reason") is featured.

Covers (3)

 * Cover A: Wheeljack and Hot Rod by E. J. Su
 * Cover B: Sixshot and Ratchet by Nick Roche
 * RI: Sketch cover (black and white of cover B)

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