Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars XII, Prologue

PROLOGUE

Crosswise's Log. Entry #611. Cycle 9815

    I'm not one to usually call for help. Not my style, you know? If I can't handle something on my own, then I should've never been chosen for the mission. And I'm sure as hell not gonna question someone like Prowl, or any of the higher-ups.

    But these past few days have taken a turn for the strange, needless to say. I'm not saying I need help per se... I just need a second opinion on assessing the situation.

    Let's backtrack a bit, shall we? A little over two months ago, Prowl sent me to Earth to dig into the Machination fiasco. Didn't find much other than some weird fiber experiments. Beyond that, nothing crazy.

    A month later, this whole Secret Order stuff went down. Prowl kept me out for most of it; all I know is that Megatron's suddenly alive again and is now on our side or something. Also, Starscream's on our new High Council. 'Course, you probably already knew that....

    So Prime comes back to Cybertron, tells us Shockwave has got things afoot as well as some ancient dudes apparently, so we've got that going on. But it doesn't stop there, no. Next thing I know, Sector Seven's opened up about knowing us Autobots and all of a sudden we've gone public. Luckily, most of the humans seem pretty chill with us... so long as we keep our presence on the down low.

    As of a few weeks ago, we've established a base of operations -- Autobot City, Prime calls it -- in response to reports of rogue Transformers. Decepticons, Machination experiments... and beasts. Yeah, beasts. Don't know where that came from, but now I'm hunting for them.

    Yeah. It's been crazy.

    Now as for why I'm calling... look, Evac, you and I go way back, yeah? Remember Centaris Seven, Cycle 9203? I pulled you out of Corroder's chamber? Well, now I need you to return the favor.

    I'm lost without ya, pal. I hate saying it, but it's true. I'm surrounded by bots who are either too formal to express themselves or too relaxed to get bothered by things. I need someone with their head properly screwed on.

    So, yeah, whenever you get the chance. Crosswise out.

    Postscript: By the way, are you aware of another bot running around with your name? Some M.T.O., I think. Blue armored car. Same spelling and everything. I mean, I know good names can be hard to come by, but at least some bots try to change it up to make themselves stand out. Like Blackout and Black-Out. And Black Out.

    Okay, bad example.

HELLO CRUEL WORLD

Part I: Ordinary World