The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five

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	"The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five" {{#if: \| {{#if: \|; (')}} {{#if:\|; ""}}}}
Publisher	IDW Publishing}}
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First published	August 28, 2019}}
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Cover date	August 2019}}
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Written by	Brian Ruckley}}
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Art by	Angel Hernandez (pg. 8-17), Anna Malkova (pages 1-7, 18-20)}}
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Colors by	Joana Lafuente and Josh Burcham}}
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Letters by	Tom B. Long}}
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Editor	David Mariotte and Tom Waltz}}
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{{#if: TF2019 11 cvrB.jpg | {{#if: IDW Publishing | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: August 28, 2019 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: August 2019 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Brian Ruckley | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Angel Hernandez (pg. 8-17), Anna Malkova (pages 1-7, 18-20) | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Joana Lafuente and Josh Burcham | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Tom B. Long | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: David Mariotte and Tom Waltz | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: 2019 IDW continuity | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: |

{{#switch:{{#sub:xx|2|14}}|dark cybertron=}}

Bumblebee finds his loyalties tested when Barricade becomes the prize in a struggle between The Rise and Security Operations.

Synopsis

In the halls of the Cybertronian Senate, First Senator Sentinel Prime and Orion Pax gravely listen to Chromia's report on the current crisis unfolding at Ascenticon Headquarters: rogue Security Operations officer Barricade has sought refuge with the Ascenticons... and Ascenticon Guard member Soundwave has denied the 'bots of Security Operations access to the building. Straightforward as ever, Sentinel orders Chromia to break down the doors and bring in their target by force, but Orion advocates a more restrained approach. Perhaps, he suggests, he should speak to Megatron first... the recent destruction of the Memorial Crater has further divided Cybertron's already polarized society, and those who hold Ascenticon sympathies are already blaming the security operatives who carried out the raid. Sentinel grumbles that Orion has until sunset to get what he wants... and if he doesn't, then he'll order Chromia to get proactive about the situation.

Ignoring Head of Intelligence Starscream's snide remarks, Chromia passes an object to Orion: the salvaged contents of the data-jack that she and her team uncovered at the Rise base in the crater. Forty names are on the list of every 'bot who used the facility's energon stations–including, she reasons, the Risers responsible for killing Brainstorm and Rubble.

Elsewhere, Megatron himself is furious with Soundwave's handling of the recent crisis–under Soundwave's authorization, Barricade passed information directly to Shockwave regarding the location of the Voin witness... and Shockwave sought to tie up that loose end by sending the notoriously unstable Quake to finish the job. With security cordons at their doorstep and a suspected Riser taking shelter in their headquarters, the political legitimacy of the Ascenticons is crumbling, and fast. As he vents his fury, the Ascenticon leader smashes one piece of furniture after the next, until an attendant timidly pokes her head around the door to inform Megatron that Orion wishes to speak to him. With his carefully prepared plan collapsing around him, the Ascenticon leader sighs, and agrees that Security Operations cannot be allowed to speak to Barricade now. Instead, Megatron puts through a call to Shockwave on one of Soundwave's secure drones, informing his co-conspirator that someone needs to come get Barricade... and that the extraction effort needs to look good.

Unaware of Megatron's scheme, Bumblebee has just finished paying Windblade's stasis locked body a visit–but that's not why he's at the medical center today, as he's arrived to have a tête-à-tête with Orion Pax. Orion is the one who put him up to joining the Ascenticon Guard, a way of keeping an eye on the organization after the suspiciously incompetent attack on Megatron's Ascenticon rally–but now, with Ascenticon headquarters in turmoil, Orion asks Bumblebee not to return. The yellow Ascenticon refuses: Rubble died because nobody was there to protect him. Bumblebee was in debt to Orion already, but now he's even deeper in debt to Rubble's memory... and he won't stop until that debt is paid, and Cybertron protected.

Some time later, back at Ascenticon headquarters, the members of the Ascenticon Guard prepare for the inevitable confrontation with Prowl and his men. One by one, the various Ascenticons head off to their posts, intent on maintaining a united front in the face of Security... but Bumblebee lags behind, and wonders aloud just what Barricade did to get on their radar. Soundwave is quick to order Bumblebee to his station, but–the moment Soundwave's back turns–Bumblebee slips off after Barricade as the ex-cop heads down a side hallway, and bumps into Skytread on the way, who firmly encourages his fellow guardsman to find somewhere else to be busy.

Up above, Sixshot and his compatriots Visper and Storm Cloud scope out the situation below. As per Shockwave's orders, they've been sent to retrieve Barricade, and make it look convincing... and their "attack" begins with a blast that announces their presence. While the two smaller Transformers grab Barricade, Skytread is seemingly dropped with a staged jolt from an electric stun baton, Bumblebee goes up against Visper before Sixshot intervenes and momentarily stuns the yellow 'bot. As they turn to leave, however, the Six Changer finds himself blindsided when Bumblebee recovers and fights back, wielding a chunk of debris as an improvised weapon! Though 'Bee fights hard, the fight is as short-lived as it is lopsided: Sixshot contemptuously snatches Bumblebee's weapon from his hands... and Bumblebee himself is electrocuted by none other than Skytread! The deed done, the Risers scatter... and Barricade goes with them.

That night, Megatron surveys the ruins of the damaged Ascenticon building; with Soundwave in tow, the Ascenticon leader broadcasts a new speech. Cybertron is but a shadow of its former glory, Megatron opines, and the rise of violence across the planet–a violence exemplified by The Rise, and abetted by the incompetence of Security Operations–are but symptoms of the underlying cause: and that cause is the the reign of the Autobots, and their slavish adherence to the Nominus Edict.

On cue, Megatron's fellow Ascenticons step forward–senators, members of the Ascenticon Guard alike, and even Bumblebee. Though they are beset by chaos and disorder on all sides, Megatron announces that progress must be made, their ascension aided by determination, purpose, and, if need be, anger... and, as he hoists the tattered Ascenticon flag, the first step on this new path begins with a new insignia for the Ascenticons. Using a blowtorch, Megatron burns a new pattern over the old symbol, turns it upside down, and reveals his handiwork to the people of Cybertron...

...the sign of the future.

Featured characters

{{#if:* Sentinel Prime (1)

Orion Pax (4)|

Autobots }}{{#if:{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"

Megatron (5)
Soundwave (6)
Bumblebee (9)
Refraktor (10)
Elita-1 (11)
Skytread (13)
Acid Storm (17)
Strika (18)

Ratbat (19)
Jhiaxus (20)

The Rise

Barricade (12)
Storm Cloud (14)
Sixshot (15)
Visper (16)

|

!! style="background:#ededff" | Ascenticons }}{{#if:| !! style="background:#fbefde;" | Humans }}{{#if:* Starscream (2)

Chromia (3)
Nautica (7)
Windblade (8)|

!! style="background:#ffeeb8;" | Others }}{{#if:| !! style="background:#d5e6d5;" | Misc }}{{#if:| !! style="background:#fedeb5;" | Misc }} |- {{#if:* Sentinel Prime (1)

Orion Pax (4)|| style="background:#ffdddd;" valign="top" |
Sentinel Prime (1)
Orion Pax (4) }}{{#if:{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"

|- |style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"|

Megatron (5)
Soundwave (6)
Bumblebee (9)
Refraktor (10)
Elita-1 (11)
Skytread (13)
Acid Storm (17)
Strika (18)

|style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"|

Ratbat (19)
Jhiaxus (20)

The Rise

Barricade (12)
Storm Cloud (14)
Sixshot (15)
Visper (16)

|}| | style="background:#ededff;" valign="top" |

Megatron (5)
Soundwave (6)
Bumblebee (9)
Refraktor (10)
Elita-1 (11)
Skytread (13)
Acid Storm (17)
Strika (18)

Ratbat (19)
Jhiaxus (20)

The Rise

Barricade (12)
Storm Cloud (14)
Sixshot (15)
Visper (16)

}}{{#if:|

| style="background:#fbefde;" valign="top" |

}}{{#if:* Starscream (2)

Chromia (3)
Nautica (7)
Windblade (8)|

| style="background:#ffeeb8;" valign="top" |

Starscream (2)
Chromia (3)
Nautica (7)
Windblade (8) }}{{#if:|

| style="background:#d5e6d5;" valign="top" |

}}{{#if:|

| style="background:#fedeb5;" valign="top" |

}}

|}

Quotes

"I stay until I've cleared my debts and made anyone else that needs to pay theirs. Because if I don't, I will break. I will break."

—Bumblebee

"We'll do the elevated approach anyway. Shockwave wanted something dramatic. Some damage. He also said not to kill anyone if possible, so I suppose we try that."

—Sixshot

"We must not ascend slowly now, on the soft current of reason and debate, but on a surging tide of purpose and determination! And yes, anger too if that is what it takes to sweep away the obstacles and delays and distractions the Autobots set in our path. This is the new face of Ascenticons. And it is the face of the future."

—Megatron ends on a CLIFFHANGER, dun dun DUNNNNNN

Notes

Continuity notes

Barricade officially joined the Ascenticon Guard during issue #9, and sought shelter in their HQ in the previous issue; it wasn't entirely laid out in the comic beforehand, but we correctly theorized that Barricade was the 'bot responsible for passing on information regarding the Voin scavenger to The Rise, beforehand, and that Quake was deliberately sent to silence it.
Chromia and her team salvaged data on The Rise in issue #9 and inadvertently ran into Sixshot and his skeleton crew while there. The ensuing conflict saw the Memorial Crater destroyed, as mentioned by Orion in this issue, and the fallout from the battle has further inflamed tensions in Cybertronian society.
Windblade was wounded in issue #9 and subsequently taken to the medical center in issue #10, though her condition was left unclear. This issue reveals that she will recover.
Bumblebee is revealed to be a deep-cover operative for Orion Pax; this explains the real reason why he expressed an interest in joining the Ascenticon Guard in issue #5; and may also clarify his semi-regular disappearances in issues #3 and #4.
Additionally, Bumblebee notes that he's been in Orion's debt for a "long time;" presumably, this has something to do with Bumblebee's still-mysterious expulsion from Security Operations, as revealed in issue #5, though the precise circumstances behind this incident have yet to be revealed.
Orion mentions the botched attack on Megatron's rally, which took place in issue #2; several characters since then have occasionally touched on the suspiciously incompetent nature of the attack.
Sixshot retains the battle damage he sustained at the hands of Windblade in issue #9, and warns Visper and Storm Cloud not to end up on the same list he's placed Flamewar and Shadow Striker on, referencing his rather poor treatment of the duo in the same issue.

Transformers references

Stained glass windows on the walls of the Senate depict Alpha Trion, Solus Prime, Nexus Prime, Solomus, and Quintus Prime. These were not a script mandate, and were added by artist Anna Malkova; according to her, they are meant to represent various branches of the government: legislative, judicial, executive, social services, and education.<ref>{{#if: @Brian_Ruckley Hehe, windows from front to back: Alpha Trion, Solus, Nexus, Solomus and Quintus. I was going for a sort of governmental symbolism there with figures who could symbolize various branches of the state - Legislative, Judical, Executive, as well as Social services and education :) |"@Brian_Ruckley Hehe, windows from front to back: Alpha Trion, Solus, Nexus, Solomus and Quintus. I was going for a sort of governmental symbolism there with figures who could symbolize various branches of the state - Legislative, Judical, Executive, as well as Social services and education :)"—|}}{{#if: https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233149664124929 |Anna Malkova|Anna Malkova}}{{#if: Twitter |, Twitter|}}{{#if: |, ""|}}{{#if: 2019 |, 2019{{#if: 09 |/{{#switch:{{#len:09}}|1=009|09}}{{#if: 04|/{{#switch:{{#len:04}}|1=004|04}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233149664124929 ||}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233149664124929%7C7%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233149664124929%7C8%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233149664124929%7C7%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233149664124929%7C8%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}</ref> Other statues in the hall are based off a stylized version of Sentinel Prime's live-action film series counterpart.<ref>{{#if: @Brian_Ruckley As for the statues by the doors - well, those are a tongue-in-cheek stylized Movie Sentinel look alikes :) |"@Brian_Ruckley As for the statues by the doors - well, those are a tongue-in-cheek stylized Movie Sentinel look alikes :)"—|}}{{#if: https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233913732128768 |Anna Malkova|Anna Malkova}}{{#if: Twitter |, Twitter|}}{{#if: |, ""|}}{{#if: 2019 |, 2019{{#if: 09 |/{{#switch:{{#len:09}}|1=009|09}}{{#if: 04|/{{#switch:{{#len:04}}|1=004|04}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233913732128768 ||}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233913732128768%7C7%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233913732128768%7C8%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233913732128768%7C7%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1169233913732128768%7C8%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}</ref>
Chromia name-drops Glyph as the 'bot responsible for unscrambling the garbled data recovered from the Rise base, referencing the character’s history as an accomplished linguist.
Characters mentioned on the datapad include some well-known future Decepticons—Frenzy and Rumble—and some more obscure characters, including Treadshot and Blackjack.
The critically wounded Windblade is interred within a clear tank of liquid, kept on life support via a series of tubes wired into her body; a similar fate befell the original IDW incarnation of Sideswipe, though in that case he didn’t recover and was, ultimately, euthanized.
Sixshot swears by the Void.
The final group shot of the Ascenticons features most of the Ascenticons who've appeared in the series, with some new faces thrown in: Jhiaxus appears, using the orange-and-grey jet form based on his 2014 Generations toy; behind him is Strika, sporting a body that's close to her appearance in Till All Are One, and Ratbat in characteristic purple bat mode.

Errors

After last issue’s gaffe, Soundwave is back to using his distinctive speech bubbles... however, in this issue, they're coloured yellow, rather than blue.

Covers (3)

Cover A: Elita-1, by James Raiz and Josh Burcham
Cover B: Security Operations, by George Caltsoudas
Retailer incentive cover: Quake's on the loose, by Guido Guidi

Reprints

Transformers Volume 1: The World In Your Eyes (January 22, 2020) ISBN 1684055318 / ISBN 978-1684055319
- Collects Transformers (2019) issues #1–12.
- Bonus material includes alternate covers.
- Hardcover format.

Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 99: The Cracks Beneath Your Feet (October 21, 2020)
- Collects Transformers (2019) issues #8–14.
- Bonus material includes a cover gallery, and an intro by Simon Furman.
- Hardcover format.

Volume 1: The World In Your Eyes – cover art by Cryssy Cheung
The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 99: The Cracks Beneath Your Feet – cover art by Dreamwave (Cyclonus) and Angel Hernandez

References

External links

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The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five

Contents

Synopsis

Featured characters

Quotes

Notes

Continuity notes

Transformers references

Errors

Covers (3)

Advertisements

Reprints

References

External links