Resolve
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| "Resolve" 決意
(Ketsui) | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | e-HOBBY, TakaraTomy Mall | ||||||||||||
| First published | December 20, 2013 | ||||||||||||
| Story by | Makoto Wakabayashi | ||||||||||||
| Illustrated by | Hidetsugu Yoshioka | ||||||||||||
The Autobots are forced to deal with the Decepticons' theft of SARA.
Synopsis
SARA first came to Cloud World as a spherical "core" containing her essence. Her true form has since been hidden away, and she has been performing her duties as via a "Sparkbot" avatar.
Optimus Prime is still reeling from Ratchet's news; the shock of learning that SARA has been taken by the Decepticons has sent him into shock. Megatron takes the opportunity to contact his agent handling SARA's abduction, Shockwave, making sure to speak loud enough for Optimus to hear. Shockwave confirms that his mission has been completed, and Megatron sounds a retreat, his objective having been met. Starscream tries to convince Megatron to stay behind and "settle old scores," but Megatron is wise to Starscream's scheme. The Decepticon leader has previously learned that Starscream planned to take control of SARA for himself, and is now trying to eliminate the Decepticon leader before SARA is in his grasp. Both Megatron and Starscream take flight, leaving Optimus utterly broken by his defeat. Eventually finding his senses, Optimus contacts Ratchet and orders the Autobots to meet back at their headquarters.
Back at the Directorate of Operations, Ratchet goes over the events that led to SARA's abduction. He explains that Decepticons had lain in waiting, and seized the opportunity to infiltrate the city's center when Optimus dispatched troops to each district. Though garrisons attempted to fend the invaders back, the Decepticons overpowered them. One of the guards, Skids, steps forth to personally apologize for his failure. But Optimus takes the blame onto himself, admitting that he should have analyzed the situation more fully before formulating a strategy. Hot Rodimus pitches in as well, bemoaning the fact that none of them even suspected that the large-scale destruction was merely a diversion on the Decepticons' part. The Autobots begin to panic, with Bumblebee exclaiming that the balance of their world is now in immediate danger. Optimus calms them down, explaining that while their power reserves hold, they have a few days to retrieve SARA. Jazz, bewildered that getting SARA back could even be a possibility, asks Optimus how he plans to retrieve her. The answer is simple: Optimus plans a counter-invasion on the Underground. But the Autobots' skepticism isn't dispelled by their leader's announcement. Brawn points out that the Underground is a dangerous and unmapped area. Optimus assures him that they will be able to track SARA's energy signature to her location, but the Autobots remain jittery. Only after Optimus suggests he goes alone into the Underground that first Hot Rodimus, then the rest of the Autobots find their courage, unwilling to abandon their beloved leader to a terrible fate.
Brawn then approaches Optimus, demanding to be allowed to join the rescue operation. Optimus at first declines, seeing as Brawn was among the Autobots who suffered severe damage during the attack. But Brawn insists, and Optimus can't find it himself to bar Brawn from the mission, so great is the minibot's fervor and determination. The Autobots now prepared for the dangers to come, Optimus issues the order... ROLL OUT!
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
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