Nefarious issue 3

« Transformers: Nefarious#3 »
Publisher	IDW Publishing
First published	May 5,2010
Written by	Simon Furman
Art by	Carlos Magno
Colors by	Kris Carter
Letters by	Chris Mowry
Editor	Andy Schmidt
Assistant editor	Carlos Guzman
Continuity	Movie continuity

The Decepticons stage a jailbreak, while the Initiative's plans kick into high gear.

Contents 1Synopsis 2Featured Characters 3Quotes 4Notes 4.1Transformers references 4.2Errors 4.3Covers (3) 4.4Advertisements

Synopsis

InUtah,Bumblebee is reflecting on the type of soldier he is; he doesn't waiver, doesn't compromise and NEVER disobeys an order from Optimus Prime. Bee considers that the same applies to his trio of cadets: Jolt, Knock Out and Dune Runner. However, that kind of uncompromising, unquestioning attitude is precisely what gotBreakawaykilled.

The yellow Autobot's reverie is broken by a communique from Optimus Prime. Prime informs Bumblebee that the Autobots are ready and that 'Bee should bring Soundwave in at Bumblebee's discretion. Bumblebee acknowledges the order, but it's apparent, at least to Jolt, that the yellow Autobot thinks that Prime is underestimating the danger posed by Soundwave, even in his current, imprisoned and restrained, predicament.

As he is being transported in aNESTcargo plane, Soundwave smugly intones that the Autobot patrol have a mere twenty-two minutes left to live. Knock Out dismisses it as head games, but Jolt and Dune Runner are less sure, a view reinforced by Buzzsaw tailing the plane.

In a disused nuclear shelter inOdessa,Texas,Optimus Prime is asking Ironhide for confirmation that they'll be ready for Soundwave's impending arrival. Ironhide assures the Autobot commander that things will be ready "if and when" Soundwave makes it to them. Optimus questions Ironhide's use of "if," but Ironhide sticks to his guns. Further, Ironhide tells his senior officer that he should be there overseeing the transfer, as Soundwave is tricky to contain. Prime agrees but he claims to need Ironhide's expertise at their base more so than in the field. Ironhide pointedly asks Optimus why he's at the base instead of trying to patch things up with NEST. Prime confesses that he's not in the mood to deal with Lennox right now.

Back on Soundwave's prisoner transfer flight, the Autobot field team is in trouble. Buzzsaw destroys both of the cargo plane's starboard engines, leading to the inevitable fiery crash.

Over atNellis Air Force Base,Nevada,Theodore Galloway boards a helicopter and tells its crew to disregard any order they might have received barring them from conducting any reconnaissance overSector Seven's old stomping grounds. The flight personnel acquiesce to Director Galloway and two helicopters are soon en route to theHoover Dam.

Inside the Dam, someInitiativepersonnel are beginning a drilling operation that will lead them to reach an unspecified payload within thirty-six minutes.

Somewhere in the region ofInyokern,California,Initiative-1 AKACarter Newell,is bemoaning the amount of time it's taking to drill through the reinforced concrete, while talking to another of the Initiative's 'cardinals,' Mr. Kirkpatrick. Mr. Newell assures Kirkpatrick that he will deal with Galloway. Newell immediately contacts Woolf in the "Deep-Freeze". Carter asks Woolf for a fast thaw, specifying that it must be an airborne unit.

At the NEST plane's crash site inNew Mexico,the joint human/Autobot unit are checking their wounds. Bumblebee is a little unsteady after using his body to shield much of the human crew, as well as their 'cargo' from the worst of the impact. The Autobots are unable to send out a request for medical aid as Soundwave has comprehensively taken over the regional airwaves. Bumblebee realizes that leaves them as sitting ducks, so Bumblebee and his patrol race away, dragging the still-restrained Soundwave along for the ride. Bumblebee is seriously questioning the wisdom of transporting Soundwave to Odessa Base at all costs — something that becomes even trickier when Buzzsaw, Beastbox, Rumble, Dirt Boss, Ratbat and Ravage show up to make their acquaintance.

At Odessa Base, Prime is dealing with Lennox, and agrees that they are unilaterally out on a limb. The operation is a risk and a subterfuge that will be entirely meaningless if Soundwave is lost.

Back in New Mexico, Bumblebee and his patrol are trying to deal with Soundwave's militia so that they can bring Soundwave to Odessa. Things start off well with Bumblebee taking on Rumble directly. Unfortunately, the Autobots are unable to deal with the Decepticon air support. Realizing that they can't win the combat, Bumblebee decides he has to take decisive action.

During the melee, Soundwave orders Ravage to free him from his restraints. Ravage goes to obey, but before he can do so, he is once more under the control of the Initiative. Soundwave expresses his disgust at this development. Meanwhile, Bumblebee decides that this team isn't fighting to the death — not his own, nor that of his cadets. Surmising it's Soundwave's freedom or more Autobot casualties, Bumblebee blasts the Decepticon prisoner's restraining sled and abandons him to the desert. Knowing that he'll face consequences for his decision, but also knowing that such a decision meant life for himself, Knock Out, Dune Runner and Jolt, Bumblebee gets his cadets together.

In the airspace above the Hoover Dam, the other helicopter radios Captain Cox that there's an unknown aircraft on an intercept course, right before the other 'copter explodes. Cox's helicopter takes evasive actions but is still hit by the unknown assailant. Soon Galloway makes visual contact with the attacker - a WWI-era biplane with clearly hostile intent...

Featured Characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

"Eh, relax, Jolt! He's just playing head games with you. I mean, what's he going to do? Overwhelm us with his smoldering reticence?"

—Knock Outon Soundwave.

"Yes, But I find that right now, I'd rather face a dozenMegatronsthan one Major William Lennox "

—Optimus Primeis lubricating himself at the thought of talking to a mere human.

Notes

• The Hoover Dam was last seen in theThe Reign of Starscream,now repaired after nearly bursting during Starscream'ssecond visit.

Transformers references

• Even imprisoned Soundwave still operates his own agenda.That sounds like a certain someone, yessss

Errors

• Optimus calls Lennox "Captain" on page 14. Maybe he just forgot about Lennox's promotion?
• Dune Runneris still drawn as theLandmine/Armorhidedesign. But at least in this issue someone uses his name, so we know itishim!

Covers (3)

• Cover A:Renders of Bumblebee, Lennox, two soldiers and Ravage byBrian Rood
• Cover B:Bumblebee under attack from Soundwave's minions, art byCarlos Magnoand colors byKris Carter
• Cover RI:Text-free version of Cover A

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