Drift issue 4

	; "'Don't raise sword during lightning storm.' I wonder whEEEEEEEIIIIII!"
Publisher	IDW Publishing
First published	October 20, 2010
Cover date	October 2010
Written by	Shane McCarthy
Art by	Alex Milne
Colors by	Josh Perez
Letters by	Chris Mowry
Edits by	Denton J. Tipton
Editorial consultant	Andy Schmidt
Continuity	2005 IDW continuity
Chronology	Unknown

Drift finally makes his choice...

Synopsis

As the small contingent of willing Cybertronians wait for the slaver army to attack, Wing explains to Drift the significance of the Great Swords that they carry. The battle is joined and Axe notes that none of the slavers will attack Drift. He tells him that now would be a great time to betray his newfound allies. Drift responds by decapitating the nearest slaver.

Back at the city, Dai Atlas wrestles with his conscience and then turns on a viewer to watch the battle remotely.

As the battle continues, Braid singles Wing out as a particular nuisance and challenges him to one-on-one combat. Drift turns to help and is challenged by Lockdown. They grapple but are separated by a random explosion. Wounded and bleeding energon, Drift rises just in time to see Braid impale Wing through his spark.

The loss shocks both Dai Atlas and Drift. The latter engages Braid in combat, but Drift's wounds slow him down and he's soon at Braid's mercy. Before the leader of the slavers can lay the final blow, the ground shakes and the new Crystal City rises into the air, shocking Braid and his troops. Dai Atlas appears at the lead of an army of Cybertronians and the former pacifist leads them into combat.

Taking up Wing's great sword, Drift slices Braid in half and then glares at Lockdown. The bounty hunter leaves the field without another word.

The remaining Cybertronians gather around Wing's body and Dai Atlas pledges that they will no longer be hidden. He invites Drift to stay, but Drift refuses, saying he intends to complete Wing's mission to free the slaves and then he might join the Autobots. Dai Atlas gives him Wing's sword as a reminder of his experiences and declares him to be a knight.

In the current day, we see a car racing through the countryside. Drift transforms and admires a rising sun as cherry blossom petals float on the wind around him.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Decepticons	Others
Drift (3) Lockdown (6)	Axe (1) Wing (2) Dai Atlas (4) Braid (5)

Quotes

"How many?! How many more do I need to lose?!"

—Dai Atlas finally decides to fight upon seeing Wing's death

Notes

Covers (3)

Cover A: Drift and the Knights; art by Alex Milne, colors by Josh Perez.
Cover RI: Drift with alien slavers in the background; art by Guido Guidi, colors by Josh Perez.
Central Canada Comic Con exclusive cover: 2-page cover spread of Drift with the C4 logo in the snow; art by Alex Milne, colors by Josh Perez.

Fabulous secret powers were revealed to me the day I held aloft my magic sword and said...
No, you don't understand! My red and white represents Canada... yeah that's it!