The document below is a faithful translation of the text story included with this issue

Translators: Creature SH

TRANSFORMERS fighting for peace: A big day for POWERMASTER OPTIMUS PRIME

by Robert Mann

The raid occurs - as always - without prior warning: Suddenly, the DECEPTICONS are there. Everywhere. Mercilessly, they use the element of surprise to their advantage. A totally tangled situation! Just one keeps a cool head in the decisive moments: POWERMASTER OPTIMUS PRIME... "Nothing is like it seems at first glance! In every second you spend here on Earth, you should take heed in these aeons-old AUTOBOT words of wisdom! Your life could depend on it...!"

POWERMASTER OPTIMUS PRIME looks sternly at his teammates. He has assembled them inside the Ark, the command central lying hidden within Mount St. Hilary. For a rather sad occasion...

"Friends" continues OPTIMUS PRIME "have you ever seriously pondered why the DECEPTICONS have taken power of almost all the provinces of our beloved home CYBERTRON? The answer is logical as devastating: Because they are more brutal. More ruthless. More evil. More treacherous. Meaner. More power-hungry."

"So what?" SMALL TARGETMASTER QUICKMIX demonstrates his dismay by revving up his turbines. "Is that supposed to mean that we have to become like the DECEPTICONS?"

"Nonsense! In that case, we wouldn't have had to drift through space for half an eternity and then endure another for million years of deep sleep on this strange world!" BUMBLEBEE is once again looking at the practical side of things.

And SPARKABOT SIZZLE adds: "If we could be as cruel as the DECEPTICONS... Maybe I would be governor in the CYBERTRONIAN province of POLYHEX! Me - and not this monster, this insufferable STRAXUS!"

Resounding laughter fills the room. All the present AUTOBOTS look down at the tiny SPARKLER MINIBOT. But with a firm hand gesture, OPTIMUS PRIME commands silence once again. "SIZZLE isn't all that wrong", he points out. "Even if we were to strive for power over a planet or even for rulership of the entire galaxy.... we just COULDN'T work with such dirty tricks. Because we - although we are all TRANSFORMERS and presumably had the same robot-ancestors - have entirely different personalities from the DECEPTICONS. We NEED PEACE - they, however, know only one thing: Envy, spite, intrigues, hate. And violence".

"What can we gain if we are the good guys - and then are defeated, after all?" JOYRIDE brings the subject of the meeting to a point. "When the DECEPTICONS want to reach a goal, they commit to it unconditionally. We, however, have our limits. For example, no AUTOBOT would ever get the idea to attack weaker beings - like the people of planet earth. Before we act, we always check whether it is the right thing to do." "...and often lose precious time" interrupts POWERMASTER GETAWAY his friend. "We are loners, after all. Each of us works with the other AUTOBOTS, and proves valuable in a team - but the commitment is not as unconditional as it is with the DECEPTICONS!"

"Team spirit does it - sure!" POWERMASTER SLAPDASH enters another argument into the discussion: "Each minibot these days knows that a lone AUTOBOT is in a losing position! Why have the AUTOBOTS always been forced back, back on CYBERTRON? I'm telling you: Because they didn't have a functional network of individual defense teams at their disposal.

Everybody tried in his own way, maybe even wants to be the leader of the team - and while one only thinks of himself and spends his time talking, the DECEPTICONS might already have conquered another province. No, my friends, I'm telling you: We need an AUTOBOT WORLD GOVERNMENT! However, it has to be fundamentally different from the world government that the DECEPTICONS have in mind! A lust for power must not exist. Likewise, no violence against weaker ones. And no abuse of power. If we could - for instance, here on earth - erect such a world government, it would be enormous progress! The fate of this planet could be directed centrally. And finally, what the people of this world, too, have yearned for for millennia would be achieved: Peace! ENDURING PEACE!"

Everybody is staring at SLAPDASH. He, who had barely ever said a word at similar gatherings, just laid out in a few words, what all AUTOBOTS are thinking at the bottom of their chips! And then, applause wells up spontaneously.

POWERMASTER OPTIMUS PRIME eventually takes the word again: "On CYBERTRON, it's about the power over a planet! Here, on earth, we have to defend something else - a foul-smelling, easily-flammable fluid which the earthlings call oil. From it, not only the DECEPTICONs, but also we refine the ENERGON which we so urgently need to keep our systems functional. Therefore, the battle for this substance of vital important will be lead by the DECEPTICONS with full force and the cruelty which we have come to expect from them. Whether we like it or not - we have to deal with it! If we ever want to reach the goal which SLAPDASH just described so impressively, no DECEPTICON unit must succeed in gathering large ENERGON reserves. Otherwise, the planetary government will be as unreachable here as it is on CYBERTRON. So be wary! And never forget, what I told you at the start of this AUTOBOT conference: Nothing is like it seems at first glance. Any object could be a transformed DECEPTICON! They will never give up. NEVER! They can't. Because they need the ENERGON - to ensure their rulership of CYBERTRON for all times! The strategical goals are known. They will keep attacking. Again and again and again...!"

The AUTOBOT leader's voice sounds sad as he says this. "History repeats itself. On earth, they will beset us just like they did in our home. Thus, my friends: Even if we abhor violence and despise their attack systems... we must face them. For the sake of the earthlings. They have a right for freedom. For.... justice!"

Ponderously and in no way cheery, the AUTOBOTS return to their assigned positions shortly thereafter. And only a few hours later, the concerns of their leader seem to be confirmed: In an airplane shipyard in the Nevada desert, which the DECEPTICONS had used before as a cover and secret base of operations, SPARKLER MINIBOT FIZZLE reports suspicious things: Three of the jets parked here are of a more recent date. And, with a little imagination, one could take them for transformed DECEPTICONS.

Correct! Suddenly, the desert shakes under the howling of the starting jet engines. TARGETMASTER NEEDLENOSE, DARKWING and DREADWIND reveal their liquid crystal badges and with that, themselves as DECEPTICONS. And then, they lift off...!

"To all Autobots! The enemy units are taking course for the oil fields of Venezuela!" The excitement can clearly be heard in FIZZLE's warning, which is reaching the other AUTOBOTS via internal Autobot radio.

"Thanks, comrade", confirms POWERMASTER OPTIMUS PRIME the reception of the alert signal. "To all available units! Prepare defense measures immediately! The sea-ready AUTOBOTS are asked to please remain at the ready! It is not yet clear whether MEGATRON and his energon bandits are planning a raid on the oil fields of this region or just... mean to distract."

It does not take long for them to gain certainty: Several DECEPTICONS fly over the oil fields and a neighboring refinery, some are initiating the landing - and it truly doesn't look like a break on the way!"

"They are planning a raid on one of the tankers near the coast! Presumably, their sensors have alerted them to the fact that it contains massive amounts of the ENERGON base substance raw oil!" informs POWERMASTER OPTIMUS PRIME his companions. "Sure" comments BUMBLEBEE the news "That way, they spare themselves the work of extracting the sticky black stuff from the inside of this planet!" "Stay at it!" orders OPTIMUS PRIME. "MEGA-PRETENDER CROSSBLADES... you are taking command of this defense mission!"

"Thanks, OPTIMUS!" resounds the reply on internal Autobot radio. Shortly thereafter, the MEGA- and CLASSIC-PRETENDERS are organizing at the beach for a short tactical briefing. The result surprises even OPTIMUS PRIME, who has meanwhile taken to monitoring the information streams, satellite sensors and other early warning systems in his truck mode. CROSSBLADES' Plan: In accordance with the motto "Nothing is like it seems!", all PRETENDERS teams will fly a distraction attack on the tanker, which has by now been seized by the DECEPTICONS. The AUTOBOT-PRETENDERS conceiled by the outer, relatively immobile shell will meanwhile approach the tanker on an entirely different route...

CROSSBLADES explains his plan to the coast guard. This is the only way to ensure that fire won't be open on AUTOBOTS by accident. Then, the time has come: While MEGATRON, SHOCKWAVE and all other DECEPTICONS on board try to ward off the PRETENDERS by all means, a submarine begins its dive at nearby pier at the coast. On board: PRETENDERS. OPTIMUS PRIME, who is parked as a truck on plateau near the beach, observes the critical phase of the action intently via transceiver. As the submarine's radio tower surfaces next to the giant ship hull, OPTIMUS hastily gives some precise orders - And already, some PRETENDERS shells are attracting the attention of the DECEPTICONS posted near the submarine. One a rope ladder, several PRETENDERS climb up, make it under deck unnoticed. And shortly thereafter, CROSSBLADE is the first to enter the dining area where the tanker crew had been tied up and locked by MEGATRON's men.

GETAWAY, SLAPDASH and JOYRIDE - experienced POWERMASTERS like their team leader OPTIMUS PRIME - wince as the air is suddenly filled by the howl of jet engines. DREADWIND and DARKWING, two POWERMASTER DECEPTICONS, as well as SMALL TARGETMASTER NEEDLENOSE fly over the tanker one last time, then change their course and rush out over the open seas at supersonic speed. Towards Texas, like OPTIMUS PRIME establishes within seconds by a computer analysis of their flight paths. GETAWAY is bewildered.

"What are they planning?" inquires SLAPDASH.

Optimus Prime: "I had suspected it. Within the past quarter of an hour, the satellite sensors reported suspicious DECEPTICON movements near different, highly-interesting-to-the-DECEPTICONS targets. All those points are reachable within short moments for NEEDLENOSE and his villainous friends. Apparently, the plan was to start a series of raids on oil fields and refineries along the coast after the supertanker coup."

"OPTIMUS PRIME! What shall we do?" SCOOP's face is marked with fear and outrage. "We protect the humans" hear the AUTOBOTS the voice of their POWERMASTER say. "But we can't be everywhere! And it would be too dangerous to face the DECEPTICONS individually. Fortunately, MEGATRON's plans of conquest are easy to see through! I have, upon analysis of all sensorial values, posted MICRONAUT patrols at all coordinates where a DECEPTICON attack is possible. They won't like that at all....!"

"A guard unit remains here" orders OPTIMUS PRIME. "The others come with me!"

For the AUTOBOTS, it is - once again - going to be a long night. Over several states, the AUTOBOTS around OPTIMUS PRIME pursue the fast, agile DECEPTICON units, whose superiority in the air once again turns out to be a decisive risk factor for the peace-loving AUTOBOTS. On the other hand - OPTIMUS PRIME and his AUTOBOTS have long ago agreed that the transformation ability to flight mode provokes demonstrations of power and superiority and is thus not desirable for AUTOBOTS.

In this night, however, the flight capability seems to be drop that tips the scales: In several places - scattered across the entire American continent - the MICRONAUTS were able to successfully prevent the take takeover of refineries, chemical laboratories and entire oil fields. But, like even their team leader, to his chagrin, had to realize: AUTOBOTS cannot avert danger everywhere at once, or even guess the targets of blitz attacks in advance. With time, the nocturnal hunt is straining the "nerves": Some AUTOBOTS' chips are overtaxed at a barely-tenable level. High alert! If there won't be a turning point in this nocturnal wrestling for control soon,.... OPTIMUS PRIME doesn't finish that thought. Because MEGATRON and his robot-gang won't be in any other state. This comforts the AUTOBOT leader. And filled with optimism, he keeps issuing orders to his units, coordinates, encourages his friends when they think there is nothing left that they could do against this large-scale offense of the DECEPTICONS.

What OPTIMUS PRIME won't divulge to anyone: He's got a final ace up his sleeve. Long after midnight, he puts it into play: "Attention, all AUTOBOT units! Everyone not busy with defensive action, report to me immediately!"

No explanation. No comment. OPTIMUS answers questions laconically: "Highest level of secrecy. I recommend everyone to follow this order!" And while the MICRONAUTS, PRETENDERS, SPARKLER MINIBOTS, TARGETMASTERS and POWERMASTERS - as far as available - set out to OPTIMUS' position, it becomes clear: The DECEPTICONS, too, did not make it through this night without a mark. The first near-crashes indicate that their systems, too, are overtaxed. Or is it due to the ENERGON deprivation?

A lack of fuel is something that the AUTOBOTS can't complain about: Barely having arrived with OPTIMUS PRIME, the truck's hatch opens. Energon! Enough for everyone! Enough to gather new strength and, come dawn, decide the confrontation for earth's treasures in favor of the AUTOBOTS once again...