Flashback: On Cybertron, before the Great War, Megatron and Impactor are sitting in Maccadam's New Oil House, discussing Megatron's treatise that calls for non-violent direct action to bring about a revolution. A bar fight involving Rung soon attracts Impactor's violent attention, despite Megatron's protests.

Present: Aboard Omega Supreme's rocket, Perceptor and Ratchet scan the captured Megatron for weapons. A paranoid Ratchet worries about a rumor that Megatron can siphon antimatter from a black hole and release it through his eyes. Perceptor finds his paranoia ridiculous and turns the Decepticon over to Optimus Prime. While Megatron is being investigated by the scientists, Optimus watches with Ironhide and Xaaron, who came from Kimia to see Megatron for himself and offer Wheeljack a position at Kimia. Optimus Prime questions Megatron's motives, wondering if his nemesis wants the war to be over as much as he does. Ironhide offers to handle the interrogation, but Prime considers Megatron as his responsibility and as his greatest failure.

In a police cell, Springarm, a police officer, checks Megatron's information and asks for his name and where he was created. Megatron asks of Impactor's whereabouts, learning that he is in a medical facility. However, the cadets he beat up are in a much poorer condition. Whirl enters with a Communicube to relieve Springarm and warns Megatron that things for him will not turn out well if the cadets expire.

Optimus Prime, alone and blocking out any prying eyes, engages Megatron in a "civilized conversation". After being released of his restraints and taking a seat, Megatron enquires about his troops back on Earth, but Prime tells him to focus on the current topic. Megatron elaborates on the constants of his millions of years of war and conquering: hate, created in his stay in prison thanks to an Autobot, and Optimus Prime. Megatron does not hate Prime himself, just what he represents and the barriers he creates for Megatron's ambition. Megatron asks Optimus if he hates him; the question is first answered with a yes, but Optimus takes it back. "Hate" is too simple a word—it may sustain Megatron, but he is lessened by it. Megatron mocks Prime's rhetoric and claims to know the Autobot leader all too well. Optimus tires of the conversation, but Megatron points out that the war has changed; things are speeding up. Optimus asks him what victory is to him. It is dominion over the lesser species, the Autobots vanquished, and a new Golden Age—peace through tyranny. Optimus attempts to compare the two's desires for peace, but Megatron refuses to accept the parallel. Optimus has done nothing for his goal, while Megatron fought to address the injustice in their society. Optimus asks when the two first met, leading into the two recalling their battles over the years. Optimus wishes for Megatron's help in ending the war, but he refuses.

The Autobot High Command convenes to discuss the situation with Megatron. Xaaron wants to make sure that there is a proper public and independent trial. Prowl agrees and Ultra Magnus suggests Chief Justice Tyrest, seen as neutral by the Galactic Council. The conversation turns to the death sentence, but Bumblebee fears making Megatron a martyr and turning away from the Autobots' principles. The ultimate decision, however, rests with Optimus Prime. Rodimus doubts whether Optimus can make the right decision and points out that, although there was no visual showing of the conversation between Optimus and Megatron, the audio feed was not shut down and everyone heard the cozy recall of memories. Prime is livid, and soon sits alone in despair.

Flashback: In a police cell, Whirl savagely beats Megatron for supposedly crippling his cadet friends and threatens to kill the prisoner, planning to claim self-defense. He notes his death will mean nothing. Before Whirl can carry out the threat, Springarm stops him, horrified at what Whirl has done. The pri

---