Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4
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Starscream is a capable leader for once.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
2003, Nevada: An F-22 pilot out of Nellis Air Force Base detects an intruder. On investigating, he is promptly shot down by Starscream, who assumes the jet's form. Blackout and Barricade also report successful planetfall; they plan to rendezvous and begin their hunt for the All Spark.
In New Mexico, Sector 7 has prepared a decoy All Spark, using an isotope derived from it. Agent Simmons mentions that the last time anyone tried this, the result was Three Mile Island. They hope to lure N.B.E.-2 into a trap.
In Louisiana, Bumblebee finds that the Psychopathic Institute for the Long-Term Insane is long abandoned and in ruins. He heads onward.
In the Nevada desert, Sector 7 has been waiting for two days, as their quarry draws closer through sightings in Louisiana, Missouri and Colorado. Simmons explains to another agent that the original founder of Sector 7 was his great grandfather, and the whole tracking-aliens thing runs in his blood.
In Colorado, a smoking and damaged Bumblebee takes a rest by the roadside, before gathering his fortitude and continuing the hunt.
In Tranquility, Nevada, Sam Witwicky consults with his buddy Miles about the value of his "legacy". Miles advises him that an online auction is about his only hope for wringing any cash from the artifacts.
Sector 7 sights Bumblebee incoming, but as they prepare their trap, a mysterious police car intrudes on their turf. They soon recognize it as another alien invader. A helicopter and a jet soon arrive as well, attacking Sector 7's bunker. Blackout and Starscream easily handle the humans' military craft; Blackout remotely hacks their computers. Simmons cuts the hard lines before Blackout can acquire more than the name of Sector 7 and America's department of defense. Barricade has been sparring with Bumblebee, but lets him go so they can track him.
Simmons and his troops are left amid smoking wreckage, as the various pieces begin to come together...
[edit] Credits
Story: Chris Ryall
Script: Simon Furman and Chris Ryall
Art: Don Figueroa
Colors: Josh Burcham
Color assist: Mark Bristow
Letters: Robbie Robbins
Editor: Dan Taylor
Publisher: IDW Publishing
- Originally published: May 2, 2007
[edit] Major characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
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[edit] Errors
- Considering how thoroughly Blackout later wipes out SOCCENT, it's a bit unclear why the Decepticons don't bother to finish off their Sector 7 opponents.
- The time frame of this story is quite wonky. The early events of this issue are set in 2003, a timeframe featuring a 12-year-old Sam. The end of the story, however, leads directly into the live-action movie, with a driving-age Sam. What the heck did Bumblebee (and the Decepticons, and Sector 7) do for the intervening four years?
[edit] Items of note
- The events of Interlude occur part-way through this story, beginning after Bumblebee scans the abandoned Psychopathic Institute. That story ends with an attack by Barricade that (presumably) leaves Bumblebee smoking and damaged, as seen when he stops by the roadside in Colorado.
- Songs referenced by the lyrics coming from Bumblebee's radio include:
- "Ghost in this House", originally by Shenandoah
- "No One Said It Would Be Easy" by Sheryl Crow
- Chumbawumba's "Tubthumping"
[edit] Covers (3)
 This article is in need of images. |
—all by Don Figueroa
- Cover A: Wraparound battle
- Cover B: Uncolored sketch of left portion of cover A
- Cover RI: Uncolored sketch of cover A, full wraparound
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