*With Team Alpha prior to their disappearance*

Ratchet leads the way. His orb finder out in front of him as he sweeps it back and forth. Optimus and the rest follow closely behind. Lennox holding out a GPS leading them to the location of when the orb was last seen. After the Osprey landed a few miles out, they drove most of the way until they were about half a mile out.

"We are reaching the coordinates." Lennox said, not slowing down his walk.

"Any readings, Ratchet?" Optimus asked the medic, taking larger steps to close in on him.

"A faint one. It's growing stronger the closer we get." Ratchet answered without looking up from the device.

They pass through a deserted town. Buildings decaying, windows broken with only darkness within. Overgrown vines climb up the sides of some of the desolate structures. Weeds have taken over the sidewalks, leaking into the streets. They found any crack and broke through, claiming the land for their own. Trash and other litter cake the street. Cars and trucks stay parked along the curb. Rust creeping along their bodies.

"The whole town seems deserted." Lennox wondered out loud, taking in the scene unfolding around them.

They continued walking until an open field came into view. The small town behind them and houses coming into view after the empty space.

"I'm getting a spike." Ratchet said picking up the pace towards the abandoned lot.

"These are the coordinates. There's nothing here." Lennox sighs and starts looking around.

Dirt filled pottery with rotting plants sit off to the side. Washed out cards lay unreadable next to them. Sunstreaker glances over them. He zooms in with his optics hoping to get an idea of what they may say. He can only assume they are some forms of memorial for the couple that disappeared there. His brother's side of their bond filled up with sadness. It makes him think of the ghost he left behind at base. Sideswipe and he haven't yet discussed what happened before they left. Every time he tried; Sideswipe would shut him down.

"Let's move forward." Optimus urged.

"Optimus, it's right in front of us." Ratchet stated, gesturing with his servo to the open space in front of them.

"There is nothing here, but dirt." Sunstreaker snapped.

"There used to be a house here. It looks like it was never here." Lennox said confused, his hand rubbing his chin as he looked over the area.

"So, why are we still standing here? Maybe there is a trap door or something." Sideswipe starts walking forward.

"Wait, Sideswipe!" Sunstreaker yelled as Sideswipe stepped across the property line and vanished from sight. "SIDESWIPE!"

"He's gone." Lennox gasped.

Sunstreaker didn't hesitate and raced in after his twin.

"Sunstreaker, no!" Optimus shouted as Sunstreaker too, vanished.

"They both just vanished." Mirage said surprised, his jaw dropped to the floor.

"Optimus, what do we do?" Ratchet asked, in shock like everyone else.

Optimus held his servo up, telling them all to stop. He put a digit to his audio receptor and pressed his comm link.

"Optimus to Sideswipe, to Sunstreaker. Do either of you read?" He called out, "Sideswipe, Sunstreaker."

He stopped, brought his servo down and his optics gazed over the area. They all wait and see if the twins will reappear. Seconds turn into minutes and still nothing.

"They haven't come out yet. Let's go in. Proceed with caution." Optimus said after another moment passed.

"You heard Prime. Everyone on high alert." Lennox ordered while he turned to address his troops.

They all slowly begin to walk in. One right after the other.

"This seems like a very bad idea." Mirage said questionable before going over the perimeter.

As they walk through the invisible bubble, a house appears. A picture-perfect two-story home with stairs leading up to a covered porch. The sun shines down, brightening up the area. Freshly mowed green grass surrounds the property. A large oak tree stands tall and still. The leaves are full of green even with the outside showing signs of autumn. There is no sound other than the footsteps of the Autobots and soldiers. All staring in aue of the area that seems frozen in time. As they continued to stare, shouting was heard from the side of the house. Then Sunstreaker stormed into view, a scowl encrusted upon his face.

"Oh look. Everyone else decided to join too. We were just about to come back out, couldn't wait for us." He growled out, taking in the sight of the team.

"You guys took forever to come back. We assumed the worse." Ratchet snapped.

"You didn't give us a chance too. I just got done yelling at him." Sunstreaker scoffed and points to his twin who is now joining the group.

"We waited at least thirty minutes before coming in." Lennox stated, looking at his watch.

"It's only been five minutes, maybe." Sideswipe said looking confused.

"Time must be different here." Optimus stated as he walked back to where they came in.

He tried to walk back out, but got pushed back, causing him to almost lose his footing. Mirage and Ratchet run over to help, but Optimus tells them he's fine. Mirage pushed lightly against the barrier. It doesn't budge. Others slowly walk over, wanting to inspect it for themselves. Nothing about this makes sense to them.

"We are trapped." Lennon stated, looking over the team.

"We need to search the area. Ratchet is the orb here?" Optimus looked at the medical officer.

Ratchet looked down at the device still in his hand. "Yes."

He turned around and made his way towards the house. "I think it's inside the house."

"That's our cue. Keep an eye out here." Lennox brought his weapon up and the other soldiers followed.

They slowly make their way up the steps to the front door. Each sweeping the area. Lennox knocked on the door and made his presence known to anybody that could be inside. When he got no answer, he brought his foot up and kicked the door down. Wood splintered around them; glass shattered to the ground. They stayed stealthy, weapons pointed in front of them, they headed inside. They pass through the kitchen, lights on and the table set for what could be dinner. The silence giving them an ere feeling. A few soldiers head up the staircase just after the kitchen and the rest head into the living room. Lennox stopped in his tracks. The others all question the sight that has unfolded in front of them.

The tv is on, but frozen on a scene. The table lamp along with a corner lamp are on, that have the room lit up. A floral couch is leaned back against the wall with a man and women sitting with frozen looks of shock on their faces. A glowing orb floating over the hands of the gentleman. Both their eyes are open wide, jaws dropped as they stare at the orb. Lennox slowly walks over. One of his men lean in to grab the floating spectacle.

"No! Don't touch." Lennox warned, the soldier instantly stopped.

"We have no clue as to why this is happening." He said as he waves his hand over the woman's face. "It's as if time has stopped for them."

"They look the same as they did in the article. Have they been frozen this whole time?" One of the soldiers asked as he leaned in and looked closer.

"I have no idea, but your guess is as good as mine. We need to get Optimus in here." Lennox said, "Do not touch it."

Lennox rushes out of the home, jumping off the porch, stumbling a bit as he landed. He raced off the way they came in. Optimus stood tall, a digit to his audio receptor, trying to contact base. The other Autobots are spread out searching the area for a way out.

"Optimus!" Lennox shouted as he got closer.

The leader snapped his optics to the human running towards him.

"You have to see this." Lennex huffed out and pointed behind him as he slowed down.

Within seconds, Optimus is transformed and his holoform is jumping out of the driver's side. The 6-foot 7 broad shouldered man hits the ground. He wore an army uniform, fitting snuggly to his athletic build. His energon blue eyes scanned the area quickly before landing on the house and drew his eyebrows together. His combat boots carried him forward, his hands clenched into fists as he stalked toward the porch. The steps creaked as he climbed up. Lennox not too far behind him.

"In the living room." He told the powerful leader.

The other soldiers make a path. Not that the holoform was slowing down, but they need to make more room. Compared to Prime the house was tiny. He paused for a moment, taking in the scene. The orb was still floating, glowing in its suspended air. Optimus took slow calculated steps towards the orb. Making sure not to make the ground shake. He, himself, knows he is bigger than most humans. He stops in front of the orb and kneeled, raising his hands slightly over it. Without ever touching it, he moved his hands around it. Feeling for something only he can feel. All the soldiers watched in suspense, waiting for something to happen. After another moment in silence, Optimus spoke.

"I need my real form. Open the window." He ordered just before he vanished.

No one moved right away. "You heard him. Let's get the window open." Lennox grunted moving towards the far wall. The one window that looked like it could open.

"Wouldn't this one be easier for him to use?" One of the soldiers asked pointing to the large bay window behind the tv.

"I was hoping to keep as much intact as possible, but your right." Lennox agreed.

He doesn't have to voice the orders and his men pick up the tv stand and moved it off to the side. Optimus was already rolling up to the window as Lennox took the butt of his rifle and slammed it into the window. It doesn't budge and he tries again, grunting as he puts all his weight into the hit. Glass shattered around them and scattered into the flower bed below. Optimus transformed and kneeled in front of the now open window.

"Everyone stand back." He warned as he reached his servo through.

Lennox and the other soldiers step back and watch as Optimus encases the orb in his servo. A few strands of light sneak through, but after a few minutes it stopped glowing all together. The light in the room flickered for a moment, then shut off. A breath is heaved from the man and woman sitting on the couch. Their hands fall to their laps, and they blink a few times. Optimus held the orb gently in his servo as he pulled his arm back through the window. No one spoke, the soldiers let the couple gain their bearing first.

"What is going on? Who are you? Why are you in my house?" The man's eyes go from surprised to angry. He stood up quickly, but stumbled as dizziness took over.

"Sir, please sit down. You have been stuck for a long time. I wouldn't move too quickly." Lennox said stepping forward, his arms out ready to catch the man.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" This time the woman spoke.

"Sir, Ma'am, I'm major William Lennox with N.E.S.T. We came looking for the orb you found. Do you know where you are and the date?" Lennox asked kneeling on one leg in front of the couple.

"We are at our home in Pittsville, California. It's July 29th, 1990." The woman answered after a moment.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this but it's October 18th, 2010. You both have been frozen in time by the orb for 20 years. Also missing during that time." Lennox carefully explained.

"That's not possible. Just a few days ago we were talking to the paper about our find. Scientists were planning on meeting with us tomorrow. There is no way we have been gone for 20 years." The man scowled, sending daggers to the Major.

Meanwhile, outside the house, the scene slowly changed around them. As if a bubble had popped. The slight fall breeze whipped through the once guarded area. The green grass and tree leaves look fake against the browning landscape around them. The Autobots looked around in awe, like a spell had been broken. Optimus stood off near the house, cradling the orb in his palm.

"We're free!" Sideswipe shouted skating quickly to the road. Sunstreaker not far behind him.

Static filled their audio receptors and the soldier's radio, "N.E.S.T. to Team Alpha. Can you read?"

"Loud and clear." Lennox answered as he walked out of the house.

The Autobots gather with the soldiers in front of the house. The couple comes out a few moments after. Their eyes grew wide as they took in the sight around them. Lennox explained to them who the Autobots were, and that Optimus was the one who saved them. They stare in bewilderment at how much has changed. Lennox reassures them they will get help to readjust and contact their families. It was a lot to take in.

"Base...How long have we been missing?" Lennox asked a question they were all dying to know.

"Four days, sir." The answer they got back shocked them all.

Sunstreaker looked at his brother, bot wondering the same thing. Is Hart still there? Now that they both know the truth, four days was way too long to be away from her. Sunstreaker fears the worst as they high tail it back to the pick-up point.