Medusa and Stormcrow waste no time in returning to the Daughters' complex, and heading down into the Red Hall where the Transmetallization devices are kept. Medusa fits the TII Driver into its device, and Stormcrow helps her in and pulls the switch.
The Maximals discuss their situation, putting their scanty information together at a meeting at Rhinox's greenhouse. Optimus states that the sloppy security and unorthodox procedure for the transfer means that it was most likely destined to fail. As Darkwave had been kind to him before the operation took place, he assumes the defection of his unit was a setup: a plan organized by Magnaboss himself. He also says that he has a suspicion a Decepticon is the Magnaboss in question. This arouses various emotions from the collected veterans and soldiers, ranging from Rattrap's extreme displeasure to Otternaut's casual acceptance. Optimus also reveals something he is displeased about: his orders from Elita One are to form a unit and stand against Megatron wherever he strikes. Rhinox checks the memory banks of Otternaut and Starfire, and is able to piece together some information about the briefing at the Council Citadel.
Megatron, meanwhile, is giving his new troops a rundown on the situation. He tells the ex-Maximal troops it is time for a test of their mettle. They are going to be invading the Tripredicus Towers in Polyhex. Megatron doubts that Tripredicus themselves hold office there, but they probably store information that would be valuable to Megatron's goals. Megatron also reveals plans to take over the Predacon Pit in the site of the old Smelting Pools, making him solely in charge of the newly produced Predacons of the planet. He dismisses the troops while he and Darkwave discuss a complete strategy.
When Medusa steps out of the TII device, Stormcrow is no longer with her. She heads out into the hall, where the Maximal troops are in a minor panic: one of the Red Preistesses still being held here for safekeeping has suddenly been murdered. When Medusa returns to the Transmetallization room, she sees a DoT insignia burned with black acid into one of the tables there. As the burn mark is new, she raises the alarm, alerting the Maximals that cloaked assassins are back in the area. Daybreak is called in to reactivate the anti-cloak device. The young commander radios Optimus to tell him about Stormcrow's disappearance, interrupting the Maximals during their discussion session. They leave for the complex at once, leaving only Waspinator behind.
As Megatron and Darkwave converse, Darkwave is visited by Laserbeak, on a mission to deliver his current location and plans back to Shockwave. Darkwave sends Laserbeak to scout out the two towers and report the best routes.
Meanwhile, Stahldrache asks Upgrade and Oblivion for assisstance in scanning his memory banks. He is certain his mind has been tampered with, and wants to know what is missing. Upgrade can get nothing from his memory banks, but has better luck with Swiftsting's. He is able to retreive an ominous image; a giant shillouete of a 'bot with a bird on his shoulder. The computers give him a match for Laserbeak right away; he has more difficulty in pegging the other image. While he works, he suggests to Stahldrache that the pair leave Swiftsting in stasis lock for a while, as he is. Upgrade has little confidence in the commander's current decision-making skills.
Stahldrache sends Oblivion to retrieve Megatron. Not knowing that the information shouldn't be shared with Darkwave, Oblivion tells the two large 'bots to follow him back to Upgrade's computer. Meanwhile, GuardianClaw approaches, interested in finding out more information about his new allies. Upgrade immediately gives the ex-Maximals the boot, stating he has Megatron-only information. Darkwave adjourns, leaving the lab to await Laserbeak's arrival.
Stahldrache shows Megatron the image on Upgrade's screen, and Megatron's past spark recgonizes Shockwave instantly. The young Megatron seems impressed; the old Megatron concerned, but as a unit, Megatron is ultimately unsure what seeing the Decepticon general alive could mean for his current mission.
When Armageddon sees the story of the Maximals' defection has made the world news, he is pleased by his sudden fame. This also impresses Hardhead, and the two share a bonding experience when the turtle tries to use the rolled-up rabbit/armadillo as a new bouncy ball.
Not interested in waiting for the other Maximals, Medusa has already headed into the unexplored parts of the DoT labyrinth to find where the assassins have taken her beloved. In the darkness she is questioned by the last remaining Green telepath. The telepath states that the Greens are willing to give up Stormcrow with no hassle, if their Mistress is returned to their hands. Medusa says she will take them up on the offer, though getting Destine away from the church won't be terribly easy. However, the other Maximals are not so willing to negotiate. Thundercat cuts his way through the maze of webbing, interrupting Medusa's internal dialogue. He finds the entrance to the Green Hall. The Maximals find the door is too small for Optimus or even Rhinox to enter, but Starfire and Thundercat can squeeze through in their beast modes. Starfire tries to get ahold of the Green using his own telepathic skills; the spider repeats her demands, telling the Maximals to turn back or forfeit Stormcrow's life. Starfire says that he will not allow the Greens to take Destine, and pushes forward into the darkness, teleporting to where he belives the telepath is standing. Rattrap, seeing her in the darkness with his infrared, gets a clean shot that knocks her out cold, but not before she gives the order to her sisters to kill the black knight. One of the Green Daughters begins to use her psychic powers to drain the energy from Stormcrow's spark, and Medusa spots him dangling from their webbing as he gives a bird-like cry of pain. Medusa tries to rush to him, but another Green stands in her way. She uses her now-enhanced venom to strike her down. Thundercat bolts into the room, and shifts to robot mode as the hall widens out. He attacks the psychic who is draining Stormcrow, but the captured Maximal slumps over in a dead posture. Otternaut immediately rushes in to aid, using her medical equipment to transfer energy to Stormcrow's near-dead spark from her own. Starfire detects another Daughter in the maze, but she is outside of the range of the anti-cloak. To his horror he feels she is standing right at his side. She claims she will not harm him if he allows her to escape, but he says that if she decloaks and surrenders she will have a better chance at survival. The Daughter decloaks, but immediately plunges her own blade into her spark, as she would rather die with dignity then surrender to Maximals. Starfire attempts to stop the suicide, but Medusa is more than willing to help it along. She then helps Stormcrow down from the webs that bind him, and the Maximals head home.