"All right," Optimus Prime demands, "how do I stop that Destruction Beam from hitting Center City?"

Megatron nods slightly toward the radar screen on the opposite side of the lab. "Press the red button," he instructs Optimus Prime.

Optimus Prime reaches out his hand but stops just before he hits the button. He's noticed the faintest smile on Megatron's face. "Forget it. That button is probably connected to a self-destruct mechanism."

"Too bad my trick didn't work," Megatron growls. "You'll never get me to tell you how to stop the Destruction Beam. Never!"

But Optimus Prime is watching megatron and he sees that his enemy's gaze is resting on a metal lever on the wall across the room. "Hit that lever—fast!" he calls to Beachcomber.

In an instant, Beachcomber has flipped the switch to off. A blip on the radar screen halts in its path toward the bull's-eye.

"Victory!" cries Optimus Prime.

Actually, true victory doesn't come until a few hours later, when the Autobots defeat and deactivate all the Decepticons. They find Jessie tied up in a closet, dazed but unharmed.

The Autobots celebrate on their way back to headquarters by guzzling a few quarts of fine-grade oil. Buster and Jessie have super-fudge ice cream sundaes instead.

The End
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