Massacre

« The Transformers: Monstrosity#8 »
"Massacre"
Publisher	IDW Publishing
First published	June 5,2013
Story by	Chris Metzen& Flint Dille
Art by	Livio Ramondelli
Letters by	Tom B. Long
Editor	John Barber
Assistant editor	Mariel Romero
Continuity	2005 IDW continuity
Chronology	Early in the war

The Autobots try to assist with the growing tensions caused by the ongoing exodus, but the Decepticons have other ideas.

Contents 1Synopsis 2Featured characters 3Quotes 4Notes 4.1Reprints

Synopsis

Prowl's security team try to keep the exodus running smoothly atStarsreach Spaceport,but tensions are on the rise as many Cybertronians have been stranded there for days without being able to afford a transport. On witnessing some of the civilians voice their outrage in interviews withBlaster,Scorponokis disgusted by their cowardice, butStarscreamadmits the evacuees have a point: after all, what's the point of staying to fight a war over a planet devoid of energy? Scorponok, however, is looking forward to seeingCybertronget engulfed by war, considering it the ultimate opportunity for the strong to destroy the weak.

Meanwhile,Dai Atlasannounces to theGrand Convocationthat he is resigning and leaving Cybertron with his Circle of Light,having dismissed the potential of the subterraneanenergonpool on the grounds that it's "tainted". He invites the other politicians to join him butBulkheadrejects the offer, unwilling to abandon the many Cybertronians who just can't afford to evacuate. The Convocation is then interrupted by a report from Prowl that the civilians at Starsreach Spaceport have begun rioting, causingOptimus Primeto set out and put a stop to it against Atlas' protests that showing up with armed soldiers will only make things worse. Among theAutobotssent to Starsreach areKupandSky Lynx,who are busy transporting theDynobotsto headquarters and have no choice but to bring them along.

Optimus Prime arrives at the spaceport, but his arrival only makes the rioters angrier as they see him as a symbol of their hated police state, and his attempts to calm them down are drowned out by their protests. The rioters' rage turns to panic after one of them hurls an object at Prime's head, causing them to fear that the Autobots will retaliate with lethal force, but Prime responds peacefully, assuring the rioters they have the freedom to leave without his interference, all he wants is for them to remain calm throughout the security checks so nobody gets hurt by their outbursts. Dai Atlas commends him for letting his citizens go, but to Prime's dismay he still refuses to stay and help him lead those who remain behind. The two leaders separate on bad terms when Atlas boards his ship to leave Cybertron, with Optimus calling him a hypocrite who is trying to hide from reality while Atlas in turn expresses regret that theMatrixchosehimto bePrime.

When Kup arrives with the Dynobots,Grimlocktells Optimus Prime that they're ready to turn themselves in for the deaths they've caused... starting with their old friend,Skar.He explains that back when they were first turned into monsters, he lost control and ended up killing Skar personally, something which he has always regretted. Prime promises to help rid them of their cursedalt-modes,only for both of them to be caught in an explosion when Scorponok'sDecepticonssuddenly attack the evacuating transports. WhenSoundwaveandShockwavestride through the spaceport, voicing their disapproval of this inefficient and unnecessary operation, they're met with a vicious monster that rips through their troops like they were paper: it's none other than Grimlock, who has lost control and transformed thanks to the shock of the explosion, and now not even the Autobots can stop his murderous rampage.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

"Fine, then.Go.Build yourglass utopia,Atlas. Maybethere,hidden away fromreality,you can live with yourhypocrisy!"
"Hypocrisy?You know, Optimus, the ancients believed the Matrix grantedgreat wisdomto those who proved themselvesworthyenough to carry it.Primus help us allthat it choseyou."
"You can leave my spaceport now."

—Optimus PrimeandDai Atlassay their goodbyes

Notes

• The recap page refers to Dai Atlas as aSenator,a title he was first shown to have inRobots in Disguise#17.

• This issue details the departure of Dai Atlas and the Circle of Light from Cybertron, an event introduced in theDriftminiseries.

Reprints

Other thancollections of the full series.

• N/A