


Ultimately, Megatron manipulates the Autobots into destroying the project when he discovers Predaking is intelligent, and therefore a potential power rival. The Autobots learn of Project Predacon and race the Decepticons for the location of Predacon fossils, to prevent Shockwave from cloning more of the beasts. The Autobots regroup following Ultra Magnus's arrival, while Smokescreen restores Optimus with the Forge of Solus Prime.Īfter destroying Darkmount, the status quo is restored, with the Autobots based at a Unit:E facility, while the Decepticons retreat to orbit Earth in the Nemesis once more. From his newly-erected fortress Darkmount, Megatron reestablishes contact with Shockwave, learning the scientist has cloned a Predacon for the intent of hunting down the Autobots. Megatron responds by destroying the Autobot base, and Optimus is mortally wounded staying behind to ensure everyone else escapes through the GroundBridge. Though the keys are successfully gathered, Megatron gains possession of them and attempts to use the Omega Lock to cyberform Earth, forcing Optimus to destroy the Lock to save Earth. Trion also orders them to find the Omega Keys, which will activate the Omega Lock and restore Cybertron. The Autobots and Decepticons' struggle becomes a competition for Cybertronian artifacts strewn across the planet, which turn out to have been placed there by Alpha Trion, who foresaw the Autobots coming to Earth. With this new body, Silas destroys his own organization and attempts to join the Decepticons, only to become Knock Out's new dissection study. In the ensuing confrontation, Silas is fatally injured, forcing MECH to graft him into Breakdown. The Autobots also contend with the human terrorist organization, MECH, headed by former military operative Leland Bishop, aka Silas, who targets the Cybertronians for their technology, capturing Breakdown, Bumblebee, and Starscream for parts, and building a doppelgänger controlled by Silas. By using information from Vector Sigma downloaded to the Key, Jack restores Optimus's memory. Optimus Prime unleashes the Matrix of Leadership, but at the cost of losing his memory, thereby allowing Megatron to manipulate him into joining the Decepticons' ranks. The Autobots and Decepticons eventually make the startling discovery that Earth is in fact the body of Unicron, forcing them to ally and prevent his consciousness from reasserting control over the planet. After Megatron's revival, Starscream flees after repeatedly showing he is unable to prove his loyalty to the Decepticon leader. Megatron returns, having discovered Dark Energon, which grants him the power to resurrect the dead, but is injured, with Starscream taking command in his absence. When the Decepticons resurface, the Autobots take three teenage witnesses, Jack Darby, Miko Nakadai, and Raf Esquivel under their protection. However, the presence of Transformers on Earth is not generally known among the civilian population. Autobot Central Command is located in a converted missile silo in Nevada provided by the United States government, with Special Agent William Fowler acting as their liaison. Team Prime lives on Earth, three years after their last confrontation with Decepticons.
