Editing New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets

{{Comicstory
|series=op|issueno=6
|prev=New Cybertron Part 5: Future Glories Lost
|next=
|caption=
|image=OP6 regcvr.jpg
|title="New Cybertron<br>End: Feel Safe Without Regrets"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 26]], 2017
|coverdate=April 2017
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Kei Zama]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''Millennia ago, Orion Pax was forced to choose between the open hand and the closed fist. Today, Optimus Prime faces that same decision... but will his answer have changed?'''

==Synopsis==
Within the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]s' [[Quintesson Cruiser|space cruiser]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] are certain they are about to meet their end in the jaws of the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] when suddenly, the monstrous robots all lose interest and shamble off. The two confused [[Decepticon]]s go on to make their way through the ship's corridors and soon come upon [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]], who is attempting to force [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] to hand over the [[positron core]] she needs to save [[Sideswipe (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sidswipe]], but the pair elect to watch the fight rather than get involved.

Outside, the Junkion ship remains held fast in the grip of [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]]. [[Aileron]] evacuates the [[President of the United States]] to the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] camp on the [[Matterhorn]] below, there to await the arrival of Joe reinforcements, as all around the world, the Sharkticons break off their attacks to gather above the mountain and help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and his [[Autobot]]s in battling the Junkion horde. In Italy, [[Marissa Faireborn]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] watch them leave; Thundercracker is surprised that Marissa doesn't want to go with her [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|her father]] to help, but Marissa isn't interested in fighting any more.

''Four million years ago, Orion Pax and [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] burst in on the arms deal Decepticons [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], [[Horri-Bull]], and their two enforcers are conducting with Pax and Prowl's mole, [[Jetfire (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jetfire]]. When one of the enforcers pull his gun, Pax shoots him dead on the spot. Pax and Prowl take off after the fleeing Needlenose and Horri-Bull, and when the second enforcer tries to shoot them, Jetfire is the one to take up arms and kill him before he can get off a shot. Jetfire does not have long to let his actions sink in: suddenly, the Decepticons' entire cache of weapons explodes in the Autobots' faces, courtesy of a remote detonator planted by [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] for just such an emergency. Soundwave is repulsed by Starscream's violent and duplicitous tactics, but Starscream assures him that [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] believes the ends justify such means.''

The Sharkticons flood into the Junkion ship, right into the middle of Arcee and Wreck-Gar's battle, with Prime and the rest of the Autobots right behind them. Colonist soldier [[Slide]] is particularly hungry for vengeance for the death of her partner [[Oiler]], and her bloodthirstiness gives Optimus pause. Then, amid the fighting, a stray shot hits the positron core, which explodes dramatically, reducing Wreck-Gar to a disembodied (but still-living) head. The blast takes the remaining fight out of [[Rum-Maj]], who cradles Wreck-Gar's head and laments their failure to build a new future for their race.

''Orion and Pax cordon off the crime scene, and are soon joined by [[Outback (G1)|Outback]], the officer who kicked off their investigation when he killed [[Hefter]]. The traumatized Jetfire renounces his Decepticon allegiance, but is still ready to throw a punch at the callous Outback until Orion stops him. Orion invites Jetfire to continue working with him to stop the threat of the Decepticons; Jetfire observes that not ''everything'' the Decepticons are attempting to do ''should'' be stopped, but Orion has been convinced by the days events that violence is the only way to deal with them.''

''A safe distance away, Needlenose and Horri-Bull emerge from the sewers and are met by Soundwave, who Needlenose immediately rails against for the detonation of the weapons cache. After a moment's pause, Soundwave quietly accepts the truth of Starscream's words, and lies to the pair, telling them that the explosion was the work of the Autobots, meant to foment distrust among the Decepticons, and that they must fight back.''

Optimus Prime has Soundwave order the Sharkticons to stand down, then lays down his own weapon. [[Victorion]] believes he is surrendering, but Optimus, [[Matrix of Leadership]] glowing brightly for all to see, explains that he is choosing the path that will save the most lives. He hopes the Cybertronians, Sharkticons, and Junkions can all find some way to live peacefully, and Rum-Maj, moved by the display, agrees to help find that way. As Aileron, Jetfire, and the President watch Metrotitan set the Junkion ship down, Marissa flies in aboard Thundercracker, and announces to the President that she believes she has the solution they all need...

In [[Mexico City]], in the wake of [[Jazz (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jazz]]'s defense of the city against the Sharkticons, the human woman he has been following approaches him. She explains that she works in television, and that Jazz's actions have convinced her to comply with her bosses' requests: she invites Jazz to tell his story on television!

A week later, the Autobots, Decepticons, Sharkticons, Junkions, and humans are working together on Marissa's plan: the construction of a refugee camp on the site of the [[Earth Defense Command]]'s old [[Bikini Atoll]] facility. Most of them seem to be getting along okay, except for Slide; she still seeks justice for Oiler's death, and [[Pyra Magna]] exploits her anger to sow the seeds of dissent. As Jetfire and Aileron oversee things, Jetfire smiles, happy to know that Optimus has made the opposite choice to the one Jetfire saw him make so long ago, finding a new way forward in peace, instead of meeting violence with violence. Still, one life still remains in danger: the means to save Sideswipe have been lost...

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.<br>
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] (5)
*[[Aileron]] (7)
*[[Victorion]] (9)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime/''Orion Pax'']] (11)
*[[Gimlet]] (12)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (13)
*[[Slide]] (14)
*[[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (15)
*[[Oiler]] (16)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Jetfire (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jetfire]] (25)
*''[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]'' (26)
*[[Bump]] (29)
*''[[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (30)
*[[Jazz (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jazz]] (31)
*[[Pyra Magna]] (33)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sideswipe]] (34)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (1)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (2)
*''[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]]'' (23)
*''[[Horri-Bull]]'' (24)
*''[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (27)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (28)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (9)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (18)
*[[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]] (19)

|c4=
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (3)
*[[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (6)
*[[President of the United States]] (8)
*Various [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] (10)
*[[Rum-Maj]] (17)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (20)
*[[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] (21)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] (22)
*Conspicuously Unnamed Mexican Woman (32)
*[[D.0.C.]] (35)
}}

==Quotes==
"This is '''it''', bro—'''no regrets!'''"<br>
"Well, I kinda wish we'd '''killed''' more '''Autobots.'''"
:—'''Frenzy''' and '''Rumble'''


"You're like a [[manifold-tick]]. '''Nothing''' kills you."<br>
"I had a manifold-tick once—'''nervous''' guy."
:—'''Arcee''' and '''Wreck-Gar'''


'''Slide:''' "Do like the '''Prime''' did to '''Galvatron!''' End this '''hard''' and '''permanent!'''"<br>
'''Wreck-Gar''' "Should I ask who '''Galvatron''' is or what the Prime '''did?'''"<br>
'''Frenzy:''' "Bad guy. Not like us."<br>
'''Rumble:''' "Optimus '''shot him''' and '''ripped off''' his '''head.'''"<br>
'''Wreck-Gar:''' "Oh thank '''goodness,''' I thought you were going to say something '''serious.'''"


"I have been complicit in the destruction of my world. My enemies have done wrong. As have I. We must not be shackled by the past. Sometimes we have to '''stand up''' and '''protect life.''' But other times, we must '''stand down''' to do the same. It the role of a '''Prime''' to know the '''difference.'''"
:—'''Optimus Prime'''


"The Junkions killed '''Oiler.''' They got away with '''murder'''. That's not '''justice.'''"<br>
"You must ask yourself... what does a Prime '''stand for''', if not justice?"<br>
:—'''Slide''' and '''Pyra Magna'''


"In the end, it doesn't matter '''who''' shoots first. It doesn't matter who shoots '''last.''' It's the '''bullets''' that matter. The bullets... and what's in their '''path.'''"
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Rumble quips that Cosmos is as "dead as Chic Chips," referring to the old "fashion trend" started by Needlenose, as seen in [[The Transgressors|''The Transformers'' #44]].
*Talon reports that [[Scarlett]] is planning to send reinforcements to help in the battle; presumably, as the Joes themselves aren't likely to be able to accomplish much, this refers to [[Skywarp (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Skywarp]], who has joined G.I. Joe and is a regular character appearing over in [[G.I. Joe vol. 5|their own comic]]. He never actually shows up to help, though.
*Rumble provides a short but detailed account of Optimus Prime's execution of Galvatron, which occurred in [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|''The Transformers'' #55]].
*Outback's an asshole but [[Spotlight: Kup|he's gonna die]] so don't feel bad.
*Jazz remembers being "thrown in a pit with some liquid-carbon thinamajig" the last time he got too close to humans, which took place in [[Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|''The Transformers'' #46]].
*The Earth Defense Command's Bikini Atoll facility was a fixture throughout the second "season" of ''The Transformers''. It was inherited by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] when they took over the EDC's job, but was shuttered following the events of [[D.T.A.|the ''G.I. Joe: Revolution'' one-shot]], in which it had to be liberated from [[Dire Wraith]] control.

===Transformers references===
*Needlenose uses the swear "leaking lubricants," a phrase originally coined in [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s original [[bio]] to refer to "excessive talking," but which was most famously used by the character in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" as a generic expression of frustration, which is how it is used here.

===Real-life references===
*As with all chapters of "New Cybertron," this issue's subtitle is taken from the lyrics to the {{w|Covenant (band)|Covenant}} song, "Babel."

===Errors===
*On page 9, in Wreck-Gar's line (quoted above) "thought" is misspelled "though."

===Covers (4)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Optimus Prime rides [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] into action with Metrotitan, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Subscription cover A:''' Optimus versus Rum-Maj, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
*'''Subscription cover B:''' A pillar of Sharkticons, by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Prime, Jetfire, Arcee, and Aileron, by [[Jin Kim]]; part of a series of incentive covers by Kim for April's ''Transformers'' titles.

<gallery>
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File:OP6 subcvrA.jpg|
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File:OP6 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Optimus Prime'' #7
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting April's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including this issue, [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 5|''G.I. Joe'' #5]], ''Revolutionaries'' #5, [[Dissolution Part 5|''Lost Light'' #5]], and ''Till All Are One'' #9.
*''[[Jem|Jem and the Holograms]]'' #26
*''[[Micronauts]]: Wrath of Karza''
*[[Free Comic Book Day]] 2017
*IDW ''Funko Universe'' one-shots

==External links==
*[http://www.cbr.com/optimus-prime-6/ Preview]

[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]