Transformers #15 (Image Comics, 2024)

The Decepticons, under Soundwave's leadership, destroy Tacoma, Washington. After being scattered when a piece of Cybertron fell into the ocean in Transformers #14, they are on their "back foot" once again, according to Soundwave. Thundercracker starts to show regret about slaughtering the humans as a means to draw the Autobots back into the battle.

Cliffjumper wakes up back on Cybertron after being thrown from Optimus Prime in Transformers #13. He runs into Bluestreak, Warpath, and Blurr.

Beachcomber, Carly, and a wounded Spike show up at the Ark. Optimus, Arcee, and Wheeljack hear radio chatter coming from the south and race to discover Tacoma in flames. They begin a rescue operation. The military and police, unable to differentiate Autobot from Decepticon, open fire on them and hit Optimus Prime. Prime, still suffering from strange flashbacks, has a gut reaction to grab a tank but then thinks better of it.

The Decepticons watch from a distance. Soundwave sends Ravage on a mission.

Back on Cybertron, the Autobots need to get past a Decepticon. Cliffjumper watches in horror as Bluestream assassinates him from behind with a knife and takes his Energon, showing Cliffjumper the brutality of the Cybertronian war.

Optimus Prime, Wheeljack, and the rest of the Autobots use some of their recovered Energon to bring back Trailbreaker, but then Astrotrain and the Decepticons attack.... the other Decepticons!

Starscream immediately goes after Soundwave and drives right past Optimus Prime. The Combaticons form Bruticus, and a Decepticon civil war is underway.