Matrix Succession

Though Optimus Prime doesn't plan on going anywhere anytime soon, he's had enough brushes with mortality to know that his time as Autobot leader isn't infinite. Learning from previous mistakes (mainly not having a definitive, go-to second-in-command on Cybertron during the fated Ark mission), Optimus has spent the past 25 or so years mentoring a select few Autobots to ready them to receive the Matrix of leadership should he perish. Though he hasn't officially deemed any certain one as the next Autobot leader, most in his inner circle know Ultra Magnus and Elita One are considered to be "next in line" to receive the Matrix, followed closely by trusted Earthbound officers Jazz and Prowl.

Although the circumstances may change, the current candidates to inherit the Matrix include the following:
 * Aegis (Field Commander)
 * Crosscut (Autobot Ambassador)
 * Elita One (Cybertron Commander)
 * Jazz (Special Operations Commander)
 * Jetfire (Air Commander)
 * Prowl (Chief Strategist)
 * Ratchet (Chief Medical Officer)
 * Sky Lynx (Lt. Commander)
 * Ultra Magnus (City Commander)
 * Wheeljack (Chief Engineer)
 * Xaaron (Civilian leader)