"And I didn't think anyone would want workers dead-"

He didn't know who yelled first, but Optimus wasn't able to get out anything further as the entire group around him surged; some back in horror, others jerking forward to protect their Prime from the monstrosity that leapt for him.

And monstrosity it was.

A corroded, unnatural frame, bent and twisted and malformed, made worse by the cave-in damage to it. The Matrix surged in his chest, anger and power thrumming through him from it, as he caught the glow of sparks in varying shades of decay shining through the bestial shell. All of that, taken in within an instant.

But it was still leaping for him, jaw unnaturally wide, claws spread and aimed for his spark.

With a cry more startled than he would later admit to, Optimus batted it aside with the barrel of a rifle he didn't realize he was holding.