After confirming their respective missions, everyone took three tubes of Serum from Merlin and left the Osborn Industrial Building.
Merlin, meanwhile, held the computer he had taken from the lab, put on his Headset, and began hacking into surveillance systems across every district.
The places where the towers had been set up were all relatively tall buildings, famous landmarks in their respective areas. Surveillance cameras were definitely indispensable.
As for Optimus Prime and Arcee, they sat at the edge of the building, gazing out over the devastated city.
"Humans are truly insane. But there are also those among them who share our ideals." Thinking back on the chaos they had just experienced, Optimus Prime spoke with lingering alarm.
"Yes. If Merlin hadn't modified Bumblebee and me, and if not for this chaos, the AllSpark might really have fallen into Megatron's hands." Arcee glanced at Merlin, who was intently planning routes, and sighed as well.
Optimus Prime suddenly rose slowly to his feet. Beneath the full moon, he paused before speaking softly. "I want to stay."
"What!?" Arcee looked at him in surprise.
"You want to stay? Are you sure?"
"Then what about our home planet, Cybertron?"
Optimus Prime looked up at the stars, as if gazing toward Cybertron beyond countless light-years.
He shook his head. "Actually, both of us know that after centuries of war, the wounds Cybertron has suffered can no longer be healed."
"Even if we bring back the AllSpark, endless war will still await us. Cybertron, already ravaged beyond recognition, can no longer endure."
He paused and glanced at Merlin.
"We need a new home..."
Arcee fell silent, but she did not feel much resistance in her heart.
...!
"Corner one, three seconds!"
"...Bang!" As soon as the time was up, Punisher fired beneath the corner.
"Roar!"