Transformers: Autocracy #9

Issue Details

Synopsis

At the Trion Square in Iacon, Megatron announces to the populace that Zeta Prime's oppression has come to an end, and the Decepticons will now rule Cybertron. He invites any Autobots who wish to rebuild their society to join him, but of course they don't trust him after his previous betrayal and instead choose to go into hiding. Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus, and Ironhide are discussing strategies in the city of Ultrix when Hot Rod joins them to pitch in that factions don't matter anymore: the violence will never end anyway. In the Undergrid far beneath Iacon, Orion Pax lies barely alive where Megatron has disposed of him. In spite of his injuries, he is drawn to move towards a nearby energy source, and ends up in an ancient vault containing the Matrix of Leadership. In his head, he hears a voice much like his own, but older and wiser, urging him to reach out for the artifact. When he does, he is overcome by pain, fear and loneliness—the current emotions of Cybertronians everywhere. As Orion's consciousness expands across Cybertron and beyond, he takes in the few but bright sparks that still burn with courage and hope, and realizes that the Matrix does not only represent leadership or creation, but the sparks of all Cybertronians. As the Autobots consider rallying the people in a resistance movement against Megatron, their safe-house is compromised by the Decepticons and they're all arrested. While the Autobots are led away, Starscream takes special interest in Hot Rod and invites him to join the Decepticons. Meanwhile, the Matrix courses throughout Orion Pax, repairing his body and imbuing his mind with clarity and wisdom. He realizes that despite what the Decepticons think, the Cybertronians are not a divided race and that unity is a matter of perception rather than some event that has to be brought about. The Autobots are not supposed to fight to uphold the laws of a broken system, but to protect the freedom of all sentient beings. It's time for a change... a change that begins with Orion Pax's transformation into Optimus Prime!