It is the year 2001, and the Autobots are evacuating their remaining forces from the Decepticon-held Cybertron. On the relatively safe haven of Earth, a dejected Hot Rod laments to Spike Witwicky that while every other Autobot is fighting to protect the escapees, he is stuck on guard duty over a construction site. The human tries to cheer him up, assuring the young Autobot that his time is coming, and for now, just to enjoy the view of the future Autobot City. Hot Rod thinks his duty is a waste of time, as there's nothing there that anyone would want to steal.