** Alex pov **       0730 hours

Today I am getting moved to N.E.S.T. And if that isn’t secret enough I am being moved to a secret sector of it called S.T.I.N.G or Strategic, Tactical, Intelligence, National, Guardians. Apparently a handful of others were chosen as well. This should be fun. At the moment I am going to Loring air base to meet half of my team and then taking a C-17 to the island base we will be staying at. We we’re told to wear civilian clothes because no one but the higher ups know why we’re their. People are being told that we are under the witness protection program from terrorists or something of the sort. I was able to hitch a ride with some soldiers that are staying in town with their families. We pull into the large air force base. I’ve only served through the National Guard so this is different for me. I nod my thanks to the soldiers and get out of the truck grabbing my duffle bag from the back. My weapons were sent ahead to the Mission Base as it’s called. I was told it’s named after some large battle held in Mission City, CA back in 07. I see the man I’m supposed to meet and walk over to him. He looks up from his clipboard when I approach.

“And who might you be?” His voice is gruff which isn’t uncommon for commanding officers. “Alexandra Parks.” A flash of recognition through his eyes is all I get besides a nod. He writes something on his clipboard. “The C-17 to Mission City base is leaving at 0800 hours. You're new team is waiting in conference room 3. Private Johnson!” The man yells and a blonde girl about my age walks over saluting. “Yes sir?” The man motions to me “Please show Private Parks to conference room 3.” She nods saluting again “Sir, yes, sir!” She turns on her heel and starts walking towards one of the buildings. I easily keep up with her long strides. We walk into the building and through the white halls. People look up when we pass by before looking back down. Private Johnson stops in front of a door. “Good luck.” She stands at attention saluting me. I shift my body into the familiar stance returning the gesture. Private Johnson goes back down the hallway we came from flashing me a smile over her shoulder. I mentally prepare myself to meet the strangers I’m going to trust with my life. “Screw it.” I mutter pushing open the door and stepping inside.

The room goes silent as everyone turns to look at me. A man with black hair and warm brown eyes steps towards me. “Alright now that everyones here lets introduce ourselves.” We all shift so we’re sitting in the chairs that are in a circle I’m next to two people who look like siblings on my right and the man from before. “Can I start?” The only other girl asks raising her hand like we’re in elementary school. He nods and she smiles “Well my name is Laurel Branson and I’m 20 years old. I am here for special tactics and I am a technology specialist.” She has curly brown hair and bright brown eyes. The man next to her goes next. “My name is Louis Branson I’m also 20. I’m Laurels twin brother. I am here for special tactics and I’m also the medic.” He has shaggy blonde hair and his brown eyes match his sisters but seem more guarded. The next guy is smirking at Laurel. “My name is Danford Stevens. Awesome name right? You can call me Danny. I am 23 years old and am here as a spy, negotiator and the SIC.” Danny has shaggy black hair and hazel eyes that seem to be full of life. The last guy has military cut blonde hair and hard steel grey eyes. He looks up grunting. “Joseph ‘Joe’ McLaggan. 27 years old. Weapons specialist.” his voice has the gruffness in it of a battle hardy person. The last person before me is the first guy who talked to me. “My name is Shane Reese. I am 26 years old and am air support. I am also appointed by General Morshower as the leader of S.T.I.N.G.” Everyone turns to me. I gulp my throat is kinda dry but I push that to the back of my mind. “My name is Alexandra ‘Alex’ Parks. I am 21 years old. I am a sniper, have multiple training in hand to hand combat and am a exotic weapons specialist.” I finish getting smiles from the twins. “What’s your favorite weapon?” Joe asks leaning forward in his chair. I barely have to think before I have my answer. “Well for close combat my twin katanas and for long distance I like using my AS50 sniper.” Joseph nods and I hope that means I started to earn his respect.

“Alright it’s 7:50 now so lets start heading to the tarmac because the plane takes off in 10 minutes.” Shane orders and we all walk over grabbing our bags. I sling my my duffle bag over my shoulder in fall into step beside Danny. “Nice to meet you Alex.” He looks over his hazel eyes shining. “Same Danny.” He grins winking flirtatiously at a passing handful of women one of which flips him the bird. I laugh and behind us the twins burst into unrelenting laughter. “Shut up.” Danny whines crossing his arms and pouting. I laugh turning to the twins and over exaggeratedly copying his wink. They burst out laughing and Louis’s face turns red from lack of air. Joe looks over his shoulder before rolling his eyes at the sight of us. “Thats enough.” at Shane's voice the twins and I stifle our laughter. I pat Danny on the shoulder “Sorry Danny.” He sighs looking over at me “It’s fine Alex, not the first time it’s happened.”

We walk out onto the tarmac towards the C-17. “Alright guys. Our ETA to Mission Base is 1000 hours. So at 0945 hours I’ll open the debrief packet which has our orders. Also while we are flying to Mission Base we have to maintain radio silence.” Shane turns to us resting his hands at his sides. Even when we’re at rest he still acts like we could be attacked at any time, what is N.E.S.T anyway? How come we weren’t debriefed before departure? I’m worried but my survival instincts say to trust Shane so I am. We climb into the back of the C-17 putting our bags in the cargo bay before strapping ourselves in. The plane takes off and I get the bubbles in my ears. Never get used to that. “Why don’t we play 20 questions?” Laurel asks after a moment of silence. Joe looks over raising an eyebrow “What is this primary school?” Laurel frowns looking down which makes Louis glare at Joe.

“I loved primary school!” Danny cheers which makes me facepalm. “You are one special child Danny.” Danny grins at me “I am special!!..... wait a second..” I chuckle turning my upper body to face Laurel. “You wanna ask first?” Louis asks his twin who nods narrowing her eyes in concentration. “Hmm.. What's you're favorite color?” I lean back in my seat as my new team talks and drift into a light sleep the talking becoming nothing but white noise as I fall into unconsciousness.

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Someones hand is on my shoulder shaking me awake “Wake up Alex.” I open my eyes yawning to see Danny shaking me awake. “Time for debriefing.” Danny goes back to his seat and I can see the others are all ready. Shane grabs a folder marked CLASSIFIED from his bag sitting back down and opening it. “Theres a letter in here for each of us.” Shane pulls out envelopes passing the twins theres. He passes me mine next which I open pulling out the paper and leaning back as I read it.

   Alexandra Parks,

You may be wondering what N.E.S.T is and why you a National Guard soldier was chosen for it. Well it’s quite simple. We fight against aliens called Decepticons who want to take over Earth. Their is more about them in the rest of the packet. You along with your team-mates have been partnered with one of the good cybatronions aka Autobots. They await your arrival at Mission Base as you read this. You cannot tell anyone anything you see or learn while serving at S.T.I.N.G because it will put our whole operation back 2 years. More will be explained later.

Signed,

Major William Lennox

                            N.E.S.T

“I’m not the only one who got stuff about aliens am I?” Danny asks while I fold my letter slipping it in my boot. “No Danny we all did.” Shane replies opening the folder pulling out a pile of packets. “This one’s labeled Decepticons.” Shane passes them out again and Joe growls “Why couldn’t they put it all in one packet.” I murmur my agreement as I begin to read again.

The Decepticons are part of a race of automatic robotic organisms from a planet named Cybertronian. For a long time the cybatronions lived in peace but Megatron wanted the Allspark aka the Cube which had the power to create planets and fill them with life as his own. The Autobots sent it into the stars though Megatron followed where he landed on Earth after the Cube being frozen in ice. Megatron was found accidentally by Captain Archibald Witwicky who was mapping the Arctic Circle. A government group named S7 was tasked with keeping Megatron frozen and learning where he and the Cube came from. President Hoover had Hoover Dam built around the Cube to hide it’s energy from anyone, or anything who wished to find it. The Autobot scout Bumblebee was sent to Earth in 2007 to hunt for the Cube, the location of which was imprinted on Captain Witwicky's glasses which now were with his descendant Sam Witwicky. Through a course of events Sam and the Autobots brought the Cube to Mission City to keep it from Decepticon hands. A battle ensued in which the life of the Autobot Lieutenant and saboteur Jazz was lost at the hands of Megatron defending Army soldiers who were their after their Qatar base was attacked by a deceptacon. Optimus killed Megatron. The battle was won and N.E.S.T was formed to defend Earth.

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Two years after the battle at Mission City N.E.S.T is chasing decepticons in Shanghai with several Autobot recruits when a disturbing message is said by the last deceptacon before the Autobot Commander Optimus Prime killed him. The message was “The fallen shall rise again”. Megatron was brought back to life by a stolen shard. A few days later Sam Witwicky was kidnaped from his collage by decepticons because an unknown Allspark shard had imprinted the location of an energon (the fuel and lifeblood of cybatronions) in his brain. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Sams guardian were able to rescue him before any damage was done. Optimus was chased by Megatron who ended up stabbing Optimus through his spark (heart). With the help of ex-S7 agent Seymour Simmons, Sam was able to track down the deceptacon seeker Jetfire. Jetfire space bridged them to Egypt telling them of the Matrix of Leadership which could bring Optimus back to life and of The Fallen. The Fallen was one of the original Primes who turned evil and became the first deceptacon. Simmons contacted N.E.S.T who ignoring orders loaded the Autobots onto a C-17 and the body of Optimus onto another and began the flight to Egypt. A battle ensued where the lives of the Autobot femmes Arecee, Chromia and Elita-1 were lost. Optimus was revived and killed the Fallen. Megatron retreated before he could be killed again and still hides waiting.

I shiver putting the packet down “That is creepy.” I mutter wrapping my arms around myself. “Well at least we’re going to have Autobots helping us right?” Danny asks putting his packet next to mine. “We’ll find out won’t we?” Shane mutters right before the Pilot's voice comes over a speaker.  “Please prepare to land we are landing in 2 minutes.” I quickly strap back in holding the buckle so tight my fists turn white. “Don’t like flying?” Laurel asks looking up from strapping herself in. “Not my cup of tea.” I close my eyes as the plane begins its descent to Mission Base where are new partners await.