Transformers: Infiltration #5

Credits

Writer - Simon Furman / Art - E.J. Su / Letters - Tom B. Long / Colors - John Rauch

Story

As Skywarp and Blitzwing continue bombing the Nebraska bunker, Bumblebee helps Ratchet get back on his feet. Underground, while Jimmy and Hunter head for the exit, a shell-shocked Verity gapes at Megatron -- who disregards her without a word. Only when the ceiling begins to collapse does Megatron take notice, while Verity runs screaming for the exit. Meanwhile, at the Decepticons' Oregon command bunker, Starscream eagerly awaits as Astrotrain prepares the first batch of refined "ore-13 resin" for his consumption...

Outside the Nebraska bunker entrance, Jimmy and Hunter meet up with Ratchet and Bumblebee, but Verity is still at the bottom of the shaft. As the bunker collapses for the last time, Hunter and Bumblebee pull her out, and the humans and Autobots quickly race off. Overhead, Skywarp and Blitzwing make one last pass; Skywarp admires their handiwork, while Blitzwing is just relieved at burying the bunker's contents.

Suddenly, there's a thunderous roar as Megatron bursts from the ground! Skywarp stammers an explaination, but Megatron coldly blasts him out of the air with a single shot! As the Autobots stop to watch in horror, Blitzwing lands in his tank mode and opens fire, but Megatron steps forth and demolishes him with one arm. While Bumblebee and Ratchet consider their options, Megatron walks off, preparing to confront Starscream...

Later, Ratchet communicates with Prowl and Ironhide at the Autobots' submerged base. Ratchet explains that the bunker had some modified refining apparatus and traces of a hitherto-unknown variation of energon. He theorizes that the Decepticons were in Nebraska mining a new and potent energon ore; when the seam was exhausted, they moved to Oregon, entering "siege mode" to protect their discovery. The Autobots are now caught in a Decepticon civil war, between Starscream's enhanced forces and Megatron himself...

Notes and Comments

• The text of the inside front cover reads:
  

  INFILTRATION:

  Having astertained that, for reasons unknown, the Decepticon infiltration unit on Earth has switched the location of its underground Command Bunker, Ratchet and Bumblebee -- aided and abetted by the human trio of Verity, Hunter, and Jimmy -- investigate the now-abandoned bunker in Nebraska. But, with the three humans gathering vital data underground, Decepticons Skywarp and Blitzwing attack, meaning to bury the bunker forever...

  Phase One continues...