James McCullen Destro XXIV runs M.A.R.S. Industries, an empire specializing in the sale of high-tech weapons to powers around the world. The emergence of Energon, however, disrupts the balance of the arms market and opens the door to a new generation of weaponry that Destro intends to control. But Tomax and Xamot Paoli, the formidable Crimson Twins, have ambitions of their own and ignite a full-scale war between arms dealers. Amid fragile alliances, sabotage, and struggles for influence, Destro seeks to establish his dominance while drawing the attention of Cobra Commander, who begins to see his potential partner as a dangerous rival.