Choices

	"Choices"
Publisher	IDW Publishing
First published	April 11, 2012
Story by	Chris Metzen &; Flint Dille
Art by	Livio Ramondelli
Letters by	Robbie Robbins
Editor	John Barber &; Carlos Guzman
Continuity	2005 IDW continuity
Chronology	Before the war

Betrayed by Zeta Prime, Orion Pax only has one person to turn to... Megatron.

Synopsis

Just as Zeta Prime is about to execute Orion Pax, he is interrupted by Megatron and his Decepticons. Seeing a chance to kill two birds with one stone, Zeta tries to kill Megatron with his vamparc ribbon, but the weapon sucks up too much energon and overloads due to the Decepticon leader shielding himself with several unlucky civilians. Unwilling to face Megatron unarmed, Zeta makes his escape, and the Decepticons take Orion Pax and his unit back to Kaon.

At Kolkular, Orion Pax is repaired by Shockwave and admits to Megatron that he was right about Zeta Prime's crimes. Megatron again offers that they work together against Zeta's rule, telling Orion he has no other choice but to trust him. Ironhide and Thundercracker are squabbling in another room when Shockwave enters and announces that everything has been decided.

Meanwhile, Orion Pax is reassuring Hot Rod, who is in deep regret after destroying Nyon, telling him that making difficult decisions and carrying the burden afterwards is a big part of being a leader. He then makes a difficult decision of his own as he meets with Megatron and shakes hands with him in front of the other Autobots...

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots

Decepticons

Others

Zeta Prime (1)
Orion Pax (2)
Bumblebee (16)
Prowl (18)
Ironhide (20)
Hound (21)

? (3)
? (4)
Thrust (5)
Buzzsaw (6)
Megatron (7)
? (8)
? (9)
Laserbeak (10)

Dirge (11)
Ramjet (12)
Thundercracker (13)
Skywarp (14)
Astrotrain (15)
Shockwave (17)
Starscream (19)
Soundwave (23)

Hot Rod (22)

Notes

Orion expresses disbelief at finding himself in a situation where Shockwave's repairs save his life. This is an odd sentiment, considering past events. Orion and Megatron then immediately discuss the cavity in Orion's chest, with Shockwave right there in the room, and nobody mentions the cavity's origins. In the real world, obviously, the mystery Senator's identity hadn't been revealed yet. But in-fiction, it makes for a weirdly awkward moment.