Last Stand of the Wreckers 1

Template:Comicstory
**When Overlord turns Garrus-9 into his personal playground, it's time to call in the suicide mission specialists.**

## Synopsis

 File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-newrecruits.jpg
Three years ago, at Garrus-9 penitentiary, Fortress Maximus and his subordinate Kick-Off deal with a massive Decepticon assault on the prison. Kick-Off smells an inside job, while Fortress Maximus replies that only he has the codes to the Garrus-9 doors—good thing, too.

Decepticon general Scrash intends to take the facility for Megatron, but is interrupted by the arrival of Overlord. All the Decepticons are in awe of him, terrified as well. Refusing Overlord's request for him to relinquish command, Scrash is shot in the back; Overlord then leads the Decepticons in storming the prison and slaughtering its defenders. He offers the freed prisoners the entire planet as a source of entertainment, free from the narrow whims of Megatron. As a game, Overlord throws the battered body of Fortress Maximus to the mob, saying all they have to do is try not to kill him.

Eight months ago, Ironfist, Guzzle, Rotorstorm, and Pyro are scolded by annoying local reconstruction manager, Dipstick, for blowing up the fuel depot with their new guns. Guzzle says that's what Wreckers do. Ultra Magnus's ship arrives. Only Pyro farewells the manager Dipstick in a civil manner, but is blown off by Dipstick. The bots leave on Ultra Magnus's ship, becoming the newest Wreckers.

On board, they are greeted by Verity Carlo, one of the humans who made first contact with the Autobots on Earth. They're dubious as to her being a Wrecker, but Springer walks in (with Twin Twist, Kup, Perceptor, and Topspin) and informs them that none of them are, yet. The situation on Garrus-9 is explained; it's been overrun by the Decepticons, but any attempt by other Decepticons to get in has been blown out of orbit with extreme prejudice. The new Wreckers are there to investigate. Springer explains to the new guys the dangers of Wreckership: Being a Wrecker means your first day could be your last.

Two years ago, the Garrus-9 Decepticons start hunting Autobots as sport. A purple Decepticon subdues the Autobot being hunted, but his cockiness catches him off guard and the Autobot leaps at his throat. Overlord kills the Autobot and then the purple Decepticon, explaining to the others that any bot that careless is wasting his life and therefore wasting Overlord's time.

In the present day, Ironfist suffers a mysterious blackout on Ultra Magnus's ship. It's revealed he was a journalist who wrote the extensive *Wreckers: Declassified* datalogs on the Wreckers, under the alias Fisitron—to the amazement of Twin Twist and Topspin. Wreckers old and new talk, while Springer notices Ironfist may be hiding something. Springer himself seems burdened by the danger of Wreckership, wondering if there's any point to forming these teams for the Wreckers, only to have them blown apart at a moment's notice. Kup remarks that Springer can't stop thinking about Impactor. Springer replies that it's hard but not impossible, walking off scowling. They're then interrupted by a call to the bridge.

One month earlier, Overlord watches as Kick-Off battles the Decepticon Borehole in gladiatorial combat; the Autobot viciously beats his opponent, kicking him down. Borehole pleads with Kick-Off reminding him he's an Autobot. Kick-Off replies that being an Autobot means nothing on Garrus-9. With that, he rips Borehole's head off. Overlord is pleased and invites Kick-Off into his quarters, where he says Kick-Off may choose his reward.

On Ultra Magnus's ship in the present, the Wreckers discover the battered hull of a Decepticon dropship, which detonates even as they watch. They prepare to fire as a single form flies from the explosion towards them, but Kup stops them as they recognize the damaged Cybertronian before them. To their shock and amazement, they realize it is... Impactor. He asks permission to come aboard...

## Notes

* The Action Master Kick-Off declares that "alt modes are for wimps!" In-universe, this could mean he's a Monoformer.
* Ironfist brings up the "Siege of T'Muk", a reference to Transmasters UK (TMUK for short, get it?), the fan club and circle of authors and artists that Roberts and Roche are longtime members of, and in which they originally rose to prominence.
* While attempting to hail a Decepticon ship, Verity makes a reference to Uhura from *Star Trek*.
* Verity calls Rotorstorm "Hitman", a reference to professional wrestler Bret "Hitman" Hart, who is known for pink wrap-around sunglasses.
	+ Rotorstorm is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
* Verity references an album title from the British band The Darkness with the words, "One way ticket to hell... and back".