It has been well over twelve hours since our cabin was decimated, we were nearly splattered by rockets and then rescued by those alien robots we were searching for only hours ago. The sun was now rising on the horizon, and I could feel sleep slipping away as I watch the ocean wave good morning at me. We are still on the road, miles away from my home. My eyes shift to the side mirrors that reveal the same eighteen-wheeler behind us still.

I carefully look to make sure Sam and Raph are still asleep. Both are snoozing away, drooling like babies. Normally, that would make me laugh, but my heart was heavy. I nearly got Raph and Sam killed by refusing to let go of my past. Sure, I finally got what I wanted, but nearly at the cost of not just my life, but the lives of those around me.

Better make the most of this chance.

"Hey, Bee?"

I hear the radio beep. I assume that was it-him- replying.

"It's okay to call you Bee, right?"

I get another beep, followed by a deep male voice saying 'yes'. Must have been a movie clip. I turn to gaze out the window, chin on my arm and my arm on the edge where the window would normally be. Mine had been all the way down for the past few hours, Sam's was cracked to make sure no ears popped. The smell of the sea was relaxing, but I couldn't skip the opportunity.

"How long have you been here, Bee?"

There are a few beeps, then silence. I sigh, but another voice pipes in. "A long, long time." It was another movie clip, but it wasn't the answer I had been hoping for. So instead, I just ask the next question.

"You were in Mission City, weren't you?"

The silence is confirmation enough, but a deep voice suddenly emits from the radio.

"Yes."

It's only a single word, but I can tell it is not from any movie clip or radio talk show. It was definitely not Bumblebee's, as the authority it held in tone alone didn't fit right with this Camaro. I turn in my seat, gazing out the back window to eye the semi-truck. Something told me that voice belonged to the bot that was following us.

"Bee?"

The car buzzes, but I stay looking back towards the semi.

"Stop the car, please."

He buzzes again, and I turn to glare at the radio.

"Either you stop the car, or I will jump out."

I hear sporadic buzzing, but I start to open the door before he can lock it. His wheels screech as he slams on the breaks. I keep my posture ridged so I don't lose my grip on the door and get stuck in the car. Despite hearing Raph tumble off the back seat and Sam grunt as his seatbelt tightens, I quickly step out as the car finally stops. I can hear the radio buzzing rapidly, but I ignore it and continue toward the semi-truck. It seems like he anticipated the sudden stop, as he was slowly rolling to a halt as well. I stand waiting as the truck slowly rolls to a stop before me. The driver's side door opens, and I carefully make my way inside. I clasp the seatbelt on and sit quietly on the driver's side.

Ahead of us, Bee starts moving forward again and the semi-truck slowly follows behind. For a while, there is silence. My heart is pounding in my chest, but I keep my breathing as steady as possible.

"Do I scare you?"

That deep voice from before softly speaks through the radio, and I can't help but slightly jump. I feel the seatbelt slightly tighten as if it was trying to hug me?

"I apologize. I did not mean to startle you."

I slightly chuckle and relax as much as possible. "I-It's okay. I just wasn't expecting you to notice my... unease." I guess I should learn to expect the unexpected from alien robots, but I find myself at a loss of words. Just the other day I had seen this specific bot throw down with another mech, and now I was sitting inside the cab of his alternate form.

How are you supposed to be calm with that knowledge?

I have so many questions, but all seem moot beneath the one that stands out in my mind.

"Who are you?"

I surprise myself at the steadiness in my voice, but thankfully the mech-truck replies evenly. "My name is Optimus Prime." I nod my head, turning to look out the window in an attempt to sort my thoughts. I see an island in the distance, and I realize I may be running out of time. One of the few things I had found out while hacking into the N.E.S.T. database was a map of an island that was hidden. No matter how many tries I made to get a better idea of the exact location, I was never able to find where it was hidden.

But I think I will finally find it by stepping foot on it.

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Prime." The engine slightly rumbles, and I can only translate it as a slight chuckle? I look back to the radio in confusion.

"You may call me Optimus, Rachel."

I shouldn't be surprised, but I feel my eyes widen. Softly, I smirk and shake my head. "Alright, nice to meet you Optimus." I pause again, trying to make sure I don't say something that might upset or offend this massive creature.

"If you don't mind me asking... what are you exactly?"

"I do not mind. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron."

I nod my head once again, the smirk still on my face. Sounds like that is something he has had to say many times. I figure he's expecting the next question.

"I guess you know what I'm going to ask next?"

The engine rumbles again as we near what looks like a simple pier. Minus the slightly excessive amount of strong, strapping men and odd-looking boats.

Military.

"We originally arrived on your planet in search of the Allspark. However, the Allspark was lost after the battle in Mission City. Since then, we have stayed to help protect your planet from the threat of Decepticons." I nod my head, trying to hide the skip in my heart at the mention of Mission City. I feel like Optimus noticed this, but he doesn't say anything.

I'm grateful for that.

We pull up to a gate, and the man in the guardhouse looks through the window and locks eyes with me. He makes no obvious change in emotion, but simply opens the gate and allows Optimus through. Bee was already on a large ship before us, and Optimus Prime carefully pulls up behind him. The ocean waves calmly, as if everything is as it was.

And not as though there weren't any massive alien robots currently hiding on an island base in the middle of it.

I shake my head slightly and sigh. I need to stay focused and not let my thoughts wander. This may be my only chance to get the answers I have been searching for. Who knows? They may try to 'Men In Black' me the moment I finally get everything I have been searching for.

"I'm assuming the Decepticons are the ones with red eyes... optics?" I feel movement before he answers. "Correct. They wish to enslave humanity and rebuild Cybertron, no matter the cost." I feel a shiver run down my back, remembering the sheer evil that I could feel when I was facing that police car robot. The gaze it held at that moment was cold and calculating. It was ready to kill.

But, I couldn't feel that from these two mechs.

Suddenly, I feel the seatbelt unclip and slowly retract.

"If you would like, we are now far enough from shore to allow movement on deck." I nod, starting to feel the pain in my legs from lack of movement. As I cautiously slip out of the cab, I feel the seaspray gently cover my skin and the breeze lifts the hair off my shoulders. I stretch, feeling my bones pop as they are finally allowed to shift again. However, I nearly jump out of my skin as air is released from behind and I hear metal grinding against metal. Spinning around, I watch as the semi-truck detaches from the trailer and begins to transform into the tall mech I had seen before. As he finishes and towers over my head, I watch as he gazes down at me. It wasn't in a way that was demeaning, but curious. He kneels down, placing one hand- servo?- to the side to hold himself steady as he leans to almost my level.

"I am sorry. I should have warned you."

I smile and move closer. "That's alright. I'm not hurt, just startled." I trace his facial features with my eyes. His whole face was made up of different plates, and each move to create facial expressions that are almost human-like. Before I can stop myself, I'm already reaching up to touch what I think would be his cheek. I do catch myself just before I make contact. I look towards his eyes - optics? - and he only nods. Slowly, I continue stretching out my arm until my palm brushes the metal plates. They were cool to the touch, but I could feel the drum of something akin to a heartbeat beneath. They shift as he ever so slightly turns to look at me.

"You do not seem afraid."

I remove my hand and look at his optics once again. "I'm... intrigued. I have already seen you once before, but it was... a different time." The sorrow in my voice must have been extremely obvious as his whole body shifts and his face becomes crestfallen. I try to smile, but it fails.

"I am sorry you had to experience the battle."

His tone is sincere. I can only offer a small smile before lowering my gaze. "I know you are. You seem kind, caring. You wouldn't harm someone without proper cause or in self-defense." I suddenly realize my wording insinuates the truth I am trying so desperately to keep hidden for now, and I pray Optimus doesn't notice.

He does.

"I am sorry for your loss. I hope I am able to make up for any part I happened to have in it."

I gaze up, unable to keep my eyes from watering. I can't help but slightly chuckle as I wipe away a stray tear. "You're good at reading between the lines, aren't you?" I sigh, turning and walking towards the railing. I stay silent even as I hear movement behind me. Perhaps he was standing up, maybe moving away?

Well, he was moving, but not away. He was now standing next to me. I struggle to understand how the ship wasn't tipping over, but it was most likely built for situations like this.

I look down at the water, spotting a few dolphins popping up out of the water. I want to ignore him, but something inside me trusts him. I shake my head and huff.

"It was my father. He... was crushed as a building fell and he pushed me out of the way." I feel the tears threaten to return, but I push them down. I was finally fulfilling my dream after that day, this was not a time to be sad. I was getting my answers...

And closure.

I hear Optimus let out some air, as if sighing.

"So many lives were lost. I am sorry that you had to go through such sorrow." I lift my gaze, meeting his optics. He was genuine in his apology, and his optics held sincerity in them. For an alien robot, he was more human than most. I can't help but offer a small smile.

"Thank you, Optimus."

He nods, then looks out towards the open sea. I hear metal shifting again, and turn to see Sam and Raph stretching in front of a large yellow and black bot. The doors stick out from his back like wings, and I understand the name now. His gaze meets mine, and he waves. I wave back while making my way over to their little testosterone group.

"Good morning, sleeping beauties." I joke, and Raph glares at me. I see his forehead is slightly red, and suddenly I remember him tumbling off the back seat. "Rough time sleeping?" I joke, only to earn a punch to the arm.

"More like 'break check' alarm!"

I see Sam nod his head, and I turn to him. He rubs his neck, stretching a bit more as well. "He's not wrong. I feel like I've gotten whiplash." I shake my head and shrug. "Sorry. I... needed some answers. Anyways, this is your guardian?" I gaze up at Bumblebee again. He was watching us the whole time I think, as his gaze still meets my own. Something was covering his mouth, but it looks like he was smiling. Sam looks up as well, his face lighting up in joy. "Yes. My first car, my friend. It's been a long time." Bee buzzes then beeps.

"He agrees."

Raph steps forward, intrigued. Bee kneels down, and the two boys move closer. I let them be and turn back to see Optimus near the center of the ship. He was looking out towards wherever we were heading. I move closer, my imagination getting the better of me. As I near his leg, I gaze up. The strain was hurting my neck, so I gently tap on his foot... ped?

I'm never going to get used to these different names.

I see him gaze down, and he quickly lowers himself by dropping one knee. Once he's close enough, I clasp my hands in front of me, finding the courage to ask this simple easy question.

"If you don't mind... can I uh... can you-" I let out a nervous laugh, not realizing how ridiculous this was going to sound. When I look away, I hear Optimus moving. Before I know it, his servo is in front of me, and I look up at his faceplates. "Of course. Please, hold on so you don't fall." I feel glee start to fill me, and I cautiously step onto his hand. I grip his thumb as he lifts me up. When I think he's about to stop, he keeps going until his hand is next to his shoulder. I look over to his helm and he nods. I carefully step off onto his shoulder plate and turn around. The sight from so high up was breathtaking. The sun was above the horizon now, but still close enough to reflect perfectly on the blue waters.

Carefully, I hold one of the massive exhaust pipes that extend from his shoulders while watching the boat slowly move closer to a landmass that I can only assume is the island I have been searching for. It feels like forever before we finally pull into port. The island was much larger than I had anticipated. It was a very sophisticated base, and I only hope I get a chance to explore it. As the ship begins to come to a stop, I watch a Corvette Stingray pull up to the dock. I turn to Optimus, and he flicks his optics to me.

"That is Sideswipe. He was your guardian when we first discovered you in our systems." My ego crashes. So much for thinking we had been undetected the entire time. I knew that salesperson was shifty, but my joy of getting a Corvette was clouding my judgment. Optimus seems to sense my crashing sense of pride and suddenly expands on to what he said.

"It wasn't immediate. In fact, Colonel Lennox wished to bring you in the moment we discovered how long you went unattended in our systems. Your government denied his request, but demanded we keep an eye on your future advances."

A colonel was interested in me? My abilities? I feel my pride rise again, but not too much. I can't help but let a smile appear on my face, however, knowing someone with such a high standing had wanted to recruit me.

"I hope Sideswipe did not cause you harm."

I laugh at that and shake my head. "Pretty sure I did most of the driving. Never felt like something else was in control... or someone else, for that matter." Optimus nods, and I see his servo lift to where I was standing. I carefully jump on it and he lowers me back to the ground. I step off, and he straightens up while I quickly make my way to the connecting bridge. Once it finally hooks up to the ship, I race across and stand in front of the car.

"Alright, Swipes! Time to show yourself."

The car revs before transforming into a smaller silver mech. He rubs the back of his head and lets out a nervous laugh. "Guess I don't have to hide anymore, huh?" He looks down at me and smirks before giving me a thumbs up. "Nice driving back there. I didn't even have to do a thing and you escaped those 'cons."

My blood runs cold.

"Those SUVs weren't your people?"

Sideswipe shakes his helm.

"Nah, those were some Decepticons that caught on to your signal." His face suddenly changes to sorrow and he looks away. "Sorry I wasn't there when Barricade blew up your cabin. They created a distraction that called me away..."

Despite the anger I felt for these people waiting until the last minute and risking Raph's life, I can't help but feel the anger and regret that was pooling from the mech before me. I move forward and rest a hand on his ped. He swiftly looks down at me in shock, and I smile up at him. He kneels, getting closer to me.

"It's okay. We survived. I'm not mad at you if that's what you're worried about."

His face actually lights up, and he nods.

"Whatever you say, speedster." He straightens up as I turn away, gazing around at the massive amount of vehicles that have suddenly arrived. A yellow ambulance slowly pulls up, a red heartbeat line on the side. The lights were on, and before I could say anything it transforms into a tall bot. A voice booms from its helm. "I can already tell they need medical attention. The gi-"

Our gazes meet, and I hold a strong glare as if daring him to call me 'girl'.

"The woman has a broken arm and cracked ribs. Sam and his friend each have cracked bones along their arms. Usual singes from close proximity to flash fires."

I blink in confusion. My arm didn't feel broken. Then again, I have always had a high pain tolerance. I move both arms to test it and immediately feel the pain starting to rise from my left. A hiss escapes me, and that gains the attention of the yellow bot before.

"Just because you can't feel it doesn't mean it's there. I'd stop moving it so much if you ever want it to heal properly."

His bedside manner could be worked on, but it sounds like he has years of experience with bothersome humans. I only shrug before walking towards what looked like a medical team rushing towards all three of us. I'm not sure when the two boys joined me, but I wasn't questioning it.

Three motorcycles pull up, each with a woman wearing biker armor on the back. As I start to feel joy at the sight of other women around, they fizzle away as the bikes transform into triplet female-looking bots. One is blue, one is pink, and the other is purple. All three look towards me, and I wave with my right hand.

Thankfully, they all return the wave with smiles on their faces. Just as they begin walking away towards a large hanger, the medical team meets us. The one leading the charge is a middle-aged man with brown hair and dark brown eyes. He's taller than me and screams authority.

"Rachel Darby, Raphael Esquivel, Sam." He nods to the last, then turns back to us. "I'm Major Lennox. Welcome to Diego Garcia, the island you two have been searching for for the past two and a half years." I slightly pout at that, and the Major smiles. "Don't worry, we didn't actually catch you for almost two months. That's about the time you bought your car, right?"

I turn to look at Sideswipe, who turns away as if not listening...

Despite standing right behind us.

I glare at him, then sigh.

"I guess it was naive of me to believe I could sneak by for so long without getting caught." The doctors are already checking us over while we talk, and one of them brings a stretcher over to where I was. I look at it and shake my head rapidly. "Uh, no. I can still walk." I hear Major Lennox starting to speak, but I hold up a hand. "With all due respect, sir, I'd rather use my own two legs and trust my body to tell me when it's time to stop. Now is not the time, and I have many questions that cannot wait to be answered."

His gaze meets mine, and it's hard. I return the gaze evenly, refusing to back down. "Uh, Rache? M-Maybe he's right..." Raph says, but I ignore him. I wasn't about to lose this pissing contest. My arm might be broken, but my resolve isn't.

Finally, he sighs and turns towards the hangar. "Fine, follow me into the main hangar. We'll get your check-up done there, then debrief you on everything you need - and want- to know." I huff in slight victory before hissing as pressure is applied to my arm. I turn to Raph, and he shakes his head.

"Why do you always fight the bigger opponents?"

"We have a right to stand our ground. Our lives were on the line, and we deserve the truth."

I hear footsteps behind us, and I turn to see Optimus carefully making his way toward us. He looks down, giving me a slight nod, then continues towards the same hangar we were heading to. I look at Raph again, then to Sam.

Finally, we all walk towards the hangar together, the doctors following us every step of the way.