Darkwave, under heavy guard, is interviewed by the Maximal government agents. The agent in charge, Scanner, becomes more and more surprised by the ex-Predacon's frank answers, particularly regarding matters of the Great War and his reincarnation from a previous life as Soundwave. When the interview ends, the agents gesture Darkwave into a separate room. Here, Darkwave has a conversation with the Maximals' head general, the true leader of the Maximal government, and an old personal friend. As the general is very pleased with Darkwave's work so far and by the answers he has given the agents, he offers to give Darkwave a direct line to him should he need any assistance. He also asks Darkwave for his opinion on the matter of declaring war against Tripredicus. Darkwave makes a counter-offer: he'll tell the Predacons the truth about their leaders, and they will be wiped out in the wake of the infighting. The general agrees that he can cover up the information about Tripredicus...for now.
Meanwhile, underground in the Daughters' complex, Stalker sits by the side of a stasis pod, waiting. The scanners spring to life at last, picking up the signature of a spider which has been placed there merely for this purpose. Tarantulas emerges at last, in a new, silver and black Transmetal body. He thanks Stalker personally for all the help she has given him: by kissing her in full view of the gaping cult. He then demands that he be given his own space, and a computer to work with.
Optimus has been waiting for Darkwave to emerge from interview, and he is surprised to see that the bat who was formerly unhappy with the state of his situation is now very much on the side of the Maximal government. The group of Maximals plans to take advantage of the council's continued hospitality that evening, then head out to the military sector first thing in the morning.
The Predacons, meanwhile, have a mission to run. They are going to take over Beetalion's sector by any means necessary. The Revolutionaries hit the complex, taking out the automatic weaponry and dispatching a squadron of guards. However, as they are distracted by the forces Stahldrache was sure he already sent out of the base, Beetalion's starship lands. The commander is furious to see his rivals in his home sector, and he and his elite guard almost wipe the Revolutionaries off the map. However, Upgrade sets off an energon bomb; his usual tactic for getting rid of organics he dislikes. Though the Revolutionaries take a hit from the explosion, it's enough to turn the tide of the battle. Beetalion, 'Hacker, and Blackflag, head of the elite guard, are turned away from the compound, and Swiftsting begins setting up base.
At midnight, Darkwave gets a call from general "Magnaboss," who is testing his frequency to make sure it functions. Magnaboss informs his ally that he's taken care of the misfit group Darkwave was originally tending; they are in "a safe hand," and are leverage in case the deal between the partners suddenly falls apart. Darkwave agrees with the deal, but states that he is going to need a little more of an edge if he is going to make the Maximal vision complete...
Meanwhile, Starfire has a night terror that shocks him: a dream of two dim figures and a deal made with a dark god. One of the figures in particular scares him to the core... In the same building Guardianwing has a dream of being a soldier, an echo from a past he can't remember. The next morning, Optimus, Daybreak, Darkwave, Guardianwing, Miriam, and Starfire head out for Sector Crystala and the military compound. Optimus explains to the clerk that Daybreak is here to report for command training, and Darkwave steps forward, stating that he is here to be trained as well. Optimus is certain there is a mistake, as Darkwave has not even officially enlisted, but the computer information on the clerk's screen clears Darkwave for command training immediately. As the Maximals debate, they meet up with Rawhide's unit, on their way to report for guard duty across the Chromia border where a Predacon invasion has been rumored. Rawhide is somewhat surprised to see Optimus back on Cybertron, and frankly furious when he hears that the Decepticon descendant Darkwave is going to become a Maximal commander. He feels a little better when the new recruits, Miriam and Guardianwing, are added to his own unit. The Maximal soldiers head for the border, where they are to stand guard against Predacon invasion. Optimus, meanwhile, takes Starfire with him to visit the recovering Rhinox.
When Stalker awakens that morning, Tarantulas is not by her side. He returns to the room, stating that he let her sleep while he took conference with his immediate family. He knows about Mindrazor's plan to use seven sacrifices as a rite to summon Unicron, but believes it has no basis in fact. Tarantulas knows of a tested plan to revive the dark god, but needs more information. He asks Stalker to seek out for him the only still-living Cybertron who has attempted the rite: Air Commander Starscream.
At the complex in Tetsu City, the Revolutionaries are cleaning out the manor. Upgrade locates Snitch, whom he identifies as the one who tipped the elite guard off to their incoming invasion. He demands to know if there are secret agents in the city, whom and how many. Snitch knows there are no Maximal "Counterpunches" living in Tetsu City, but he can't guarantee anything regarding Predacon Secret Police. Upgrade radios Stalker, hoping to get a hold of Tarantulas who would be able to recognize a fellow agent. Stalker tells the subcommander that Tarantulas is no longer available at her frequency. Swiftsting speaks with her briefly, telling her that her slow response time has earned her a demotion, and orders her to meet up with the Revolutionaries at their new base. He then orders Upgrade and Stahldrache to clean out the complex, ensuring that any agents who might be in the city are held back by Beetalion's security grid.
Stalker arrives at the base, but can't speak with the commander who is in a "do not disturb" session with his second spark. She speaks instead with Epitaph. Epitaph congratulates her on the work she did bringing Tarantulas to the Daughters' complex: the original plan was to bring his files there for them so that they could provide the Revolutionaries with information they had regarding the current whereabouts of Megatron. He also points out to Stalker an interesting aspect of the gem she gave him, which once belonged to Octane. Though it has a Maximal symbol when seen at a glance, a Decepticon symbol shines through the crystal when it is held up to a bright light.
Beetalion reaches the Maximal border, but has to travel past the guards stationed there. He orders his two allies to switch to Maximal activation codes to be allowed to pass, which they grudgingly do. On a good word from Miriam, who is glad to see the honored Predacon again, he is allowed to pass through. From there, he visits with Thundercat, regretfully informing him there is going to be a delay on the starship he has promised. As Thundercat is now the one with the resources again, he offers to allow Beetalion repair and rest at his manor.
The border guards are getting restless as they are now being heckled by the demolitions crew, some of whom have not left their posts from the day before. Chill, who unknowingly caused a lot of the trouble, now stirs it up. He is insulted by Rawhide's new second, a rabbit/armadillo named Armageddon, and told to move back. Instead, he moves in on Miriam, but gets on her bad side very quickly. When, as a prank, he decides to throw a dudded grenade into Rawhide's rank and file, Miriam, and one of Rawhide's soldiers, Tusk, take him down immediately. His pieces (as Miriam has neatly severed both his arms) are gathered up for a quick repair at earliest convenience.