Wrecking Havoc

The Wreckers find out that humans always get in the way.

issues 172-173
Script: Simon Furman Art: Bryan Hitch Letters: Steve Parkhouse Colour: Euan Peters
 * Originally published: 2nd July 1988-9th May 1988

Synopsis
Northern Oregon:A group of USAF pilots on a routine exercise are attacked by Cyclonus and Scourge, who are looking for some target practise.Although the two Decepticons down most of the fighters, Cyclonus is nearly tricked into flying into a mountain and the pair are forced to flee from a counter-attack.Scourge notes it bodes ill for their forthcoming meeting with their old commander, Galvatron.

The city-state of Kalis, Cybertron: Twintwister is drilling the Wreckers for their forthcoming mission against Galvatron whilst Emirate Xaaron and Springer look on in concern.

Earth, the Decepticon fortress base:Shockwave reflects on his recent meeting with Cyclonus and Scourge.The pair aim to defeat Galvatron and reclaim the trigger device which could return them to their own time but have asked Shockwave for sanctuary if they fail.In return, they will serve him.

Cyclonus and Scourge arrive in the middle of a human settlement, where they had arranged to meet Galvatron.Their former commander had intended to invite them to serve them and is amused to learn of their plans.Even though he no longer has the trigger device, he doesn't inform them of that fact but all their plans are interrupted by the arrival of the Wreckers through the dimensional portal.Springer is horrified to realise they have arrived in an area full of humans, fearing their mission is doomed.

Reluctantly, the Wreckers engage all three Decepticons with Sandstorm attempting to usher the humans to safety.Broadside and Rack'N'Ruin engage Galvatron, who mentions the fact Cyclonus and Scourge were after a trigger device that no longer exists. Springer overhears the comment and, after overpowering Cyclonus and lifting a human straggler to safety, he knocks Galvatron to the ground and runs off, shouting that he has the time jump trigger.As he hoped, Scourge(who has been battling the Jumpstarters)and Cyclonus both chase after him, away from the humans.Galvatron instantly realises what Springer is doing and tells the other Wreckers they have a choice of trying to capture him or saving their leader.

Cyclonus and Scourge quickly take down Springer and realise he doesn't have the trigger device, at which point the other Wreckers arrive and force him to flee.Broadside notes that in the confusion Galvatron has disappeared and possibly transformed. Springer is forced to concede defeat, vowing to return to Cybertron and plan anew.

Errors

 * Why are Cyclonus and Scourge, two of Scorponok's command, seeking sanctuary from Shockwave?Have they turned deserter?
 * In the reprint at least, a footnote explaining the absence of Ultra Magnus seems to have been removed.

Items of note

 * Galvatron's trigger jump device was dismantled by Wreck-Gar in "Fire on High".
 * Neither Galvatron nor the Wreckers seem to be familiar with the concept of Targetmasters.
 * The Wreckers would keep their promise to return for Galvatron in "Time Wars"(and sort of succeed, albeit with a lot of help).
 * This story, along with "Dry Run", was reprinted in Collected Comics #16.The stories apparently replaced a planned reprint of "Target: 2006".Given that the cover depicts Galvatron and Unicron(who isn't seen or mentioned in either story)it seems likely it was unchanged.