As they walked into the blistering sun-filled school yard, Torryn caught sight of her Range Rover. Pulling her keys from the inside of her backpack, Torryn turned toward the Range Rover, intending to follow Jack and Arcee toward the base.

   That was until Jack grabbed her upper arm, stopping Torryn. The vibrant-haired girl squealed in surprise, looking to Jack with confusion.

   "It, uh, might be better if you ride with Miko," Torryn and Jack both looked to Miko who was leaning against the passenger side of the huge monster truck.

   From behind Miko, Raf waved as he got into Bumblebee, the muscle car quickly pulling off. Miko smiled brightly, jumping up and down while motioning for Torryn to join her. Slowly, Torryn began putting the Range Rover keys back in her bag, Jack catching sight of the Rover ensemble imprinted on the set of keys.

   "Wait," Jack's eyes were wide as he finally took note that Torryn had driven a completely different car that was equally as nice as the Benz to school. "You have a Range Rover too?! How rich are you?"

   Jack did not mean to sound so blunt, but he was surprised. He knew Torryn drove a nice car, sure, but he did not realize how deep her wealth had gone. He had never seen her house, and he did not realize that the Mercedes Benz was not the only sweet ride Torryn had. But seeing the Range Rover and thinking back to all the expensive clothing Torryn generally wore (other than today), Jack was beginning to understand just how well off his friend truly was. Of course, he also had no clue that she was alone all the time, nor the fact that one of her parents was dead.

   Smirking, Torryn winked at Jack. "I don't mean to brag," Torryn was teasing the boy. "But, I'm pretty rich."

   Jack was left with his mouth drawn open as Torryn walked away from Jack with purpose, her gaze set on Miko. No member of the trio could understand how despite the fact that Torryn was wearing pajamas, she still managed to look promiscuous. Her hair was not even done and she still walked as if she owned the place.

   "Hello, Ms. Richie," Miko teased, excitedly climbing in the backseat of Bulkhead so she could sit next to Torryn.

   Torryn paused, glancing at the interior of Bulkhead from the outside. It was hard to imagine this monster truck turned into a huge transforming robot thing. Miko could see Torryn's hesitance, smiling in a trusting manner.

   "It's okay, Bulkhead's harmless," Miko patted the empty seat next to her. "Unless, of course, you happen to be a Decepticon, in that case, he's brutal!" Miko yelled, Torryn nodding while climbing in next to Miko.

   Before she could shut the door, the door closed on its accord causing Torryn to jump in surprise.

   "Hey, Bulkhead!" Miko exclaimed, happiness evident in her tone.

   "Hey, Miko, how was school today?" Torryn was wide-eyed, watching the huge car drive itself, the wheel turning with no driver.

   There was an odd symbol printed on the front of the steering wheel, where the horn should have been. It was a square-like robot, the symbol lighting up each time Bulkhead's deep voice reverberated around the car.

   It was odd, watching someone who could not be seen but was speaking.

   "Oh, you know, the same old boring stuff..." Miko sighed before her eyes brightened up. "What about you, any missions?" A rumble ran through Bulkhead, Torryn watching in fascination, her eyes occasionally glancing to the scenery outside.

   It was strange in Torryn's mind because she could see Bulkhead drove fast, it was obvious. But, at the same time, it was safe. Though the speed limit was sixty-five, and Bulhead was pushing ninety, it was clear Bulkhead was in control and could easily stop if he so wanted with no damage. Usually, when Torryn herself drove that fast, it was unstable and seemed as if she were about to lose control and crash.

   But perhaps that was just because Torryn was not the best driver.

   Turning around, Torryn could see Jack riding Arcee behind them out of the rear window. Knowing now that Arcee was alive, Torryn was able to pick up on the illusion that though it looked like Jack was driving her, Arcee was actually in control. Despite his helmet, Jack and Torryn met eyes, Jack waving, trying to keep Torryn from going into panic mode for a second time.

   Waving back, Torryn turned around, her heart thudding. It was as Bulkhead passed an almost invisible turn in the dirt road, that Torryn recognized that small pathway as the one that leads to her house. Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized the base was so far past the city limits that even her house was closer to Jasper.

   "Oh, sorry, Bulkhead, this is Torryn Wilde. Torryn, this is Bulkhead, my guardian." Torryn's head snapped toward Miko, her eyes widening when she saw the rearview mirror up front turn itself until Torryn was reflected through it.

   "Hi..." The deep voice greeted her. "Sorry, about scaring you Saturday and bringing you into all this. Smokescreen is new, he isn't very familiar with the ways of this planet," Torryn's breath caught in her throat.

   'This planet,' Bulkhead's words rang through her mind. Did that mean? No, it couldn't. That would mean that these robots were from a different planet altogether. An alien species!

   "It's, uhm..." Torryn's voice cracked, forcing her to clear her throat. "It's fine, it was kind of my fault for being noisy anyway. I just saw you guys and my curiosity got the better." Torryn sheepishly said, tossing Miko an apologetic look.

   Miko shrugged, leaning back against the seat while throwing her legs one over the other. "Nah, it's cool. I don't blame you, I would be curious too. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't demand to know the truth or follow us one day."

   Torryn nodded, her mind suddenly jumping to a whole other topic entirely. Sitting up straighter, a smile ate at Torryn's lips as she turned to Miko who raised a brow at her friend's sudden excitement.

   "Okay, I know you hate Vince and all, but did you see what he kept doing today?" Torryn asked, Miko suddenly perking up, a smile bursting across her face as she sniggered with Torryn.

   "Yeah, blowing up condoms and leaving them everywhere, priceless!" Miko laughed, Torryn joining her, both their laughs filling Bulkhead.

   Bulkhead could not help but be curious over what was rousing the laughter. He had seen Miko, Jack, and Raf laugh and joke on multiple occasions, but never had he seen Miko laugh quite this hysterically with anyone other than himself or Wheeljack. In fact, other than Nurse Darby, he had never really seen Miko talk to any other human female. It was nice seeing his charge act so carefree with this girl whom he had heard so much about, but until just now never had the pleasure of meeting.

   However, their laughter did make him curious over what this 'condom incident' was. What even was a condom?

And he was pretty sure Vince was the school bully Miko had asked Bulkhead to beat on more than one occasion. Of course, he never would, as harming another human, no matter how despicable they were, was out of the equation.

    "Wait, what happened?" Bulkhead's curiosity got the better of him, Torryn and Miko looking into the rearview mirror focused on them.

   Grinning, Miko pulled up a picture she had taken earlier of five condoms blown up and taped to the whiteboard. They were as big as balloons, clear with a small nub at the front of each. The teacher was also in the picture, her face horrified as she saw all the condoms.

   Flashing her phone into the rearview mirror, Bulkhead was confused at seeing it.

   "They look like, what are those things that get blown up? Balloons, isn't it? That is what they look like." Torryn and Miko looked to each other before bursting out laughing.

   "Bulkhead," Torryn giggled. "Do you know what a condom is?" Her question sounded innocent enough, but it was anything but.

   "No?"

   Miko roared, tears of happiness spilling from her eyes as she desperately wiped them away. You could say Miko was extremely delighted to finally have her closest female friend in on the secret, the foreign exchange student knew that in a matter of days, the two would be tearing up trouble at the base.

   Usually, Jack and Raf calmed Miko down and stopped her from doing anything too brash, but with Torryn around now, Miko knew trouble was just around the corner. If she was lucky, Miko thought that maybe Optimus would assign Bulkhead to be Torryn's guardian as well, then the two could stir up some real mischief.

   However, Miko knew there was a very low chance of this happening as there were three Autobots without human companions. Optimus himself, Ratchet, and Smokescreen.

   Miko doubted Ratchet would want a human companion, especially one as reckless as Torryn. It was not that Ratchet disliked humans, as, despite his unwillingness to show it, Ratchet was the one who cared the most, always fretting over the children's safety. But, Ratchet was the team medic and scientist, he would not have the proper amount of time to truly act as an Autobot guardian should.

   Optimus was in a similar boat. He was Optimus Prime, the last of the Primes and the Autobot leader, he was always busy with one thing or another. While he may be able to pull it off, he would not want his human feeling dejected because he was too busy.

    That left Smokescreen. But there was a major issue with him as well. He just joined team Prime last week, he was new, inexperienced, and young. Even younger than Bumblebee, and Bumblebee himself was young. Smokescreen did not understand the human ways quite yet, and that could easily put Torryn in danger. However, at the same time, in an odd sense, the best way for Smokescreen to learn about the human world was from a human themselves.

   Yeah, there was always, Miko, Jack, and Raf to teach him, but at the same time, they had their own guardians. Torryn was a completely new slate, both Smokescreen and her could learn together.

   Miko truly did not know who Optimus would choose as Torryn's guardian. Whether it be Ratchet, himself, Smokescreen, or even assigning an Autobot a second charge.

   Perhaps Wheeljack? No, Wheeljack was not around nearly enough to have his own human companion.

   Though, Miko would not be surprised if Optimus ended up choosing Smokescreen. Knowing Smokescreen, he was extremely eager to please his leader, and he did seem particularly curious about Torryn, especially after she tricked him into that ditch. She would not be shocked if Smokescreen actually begged Optimus to trust him with his own companion.

   Then again, if Optimus did end up picking Smokescreen, all of team Prime would need to keep a close eye on him and Torryn for the first few months, as they did not want any accidents.

   "Wait," Torryn's voice cut through the air, Torryn looking around in confusion when Bulkhead suddenly left the road, driving through the desert. "WOAH!" Torryn yelled in fright when she saw them on the path for a huge plateau.

   Torryn screwed her eyes shut, waiting for the impact of the rock. Thankfully it never came, instead, the rock opened up revealing metal doors which also opened. Bulkhead sped through the large opening with Arcee on his tail, the grand entrance quickly closing behind them.

   Torryn gasped in amazement at the huge tunnel now surrounding them, her eyes drinking in everything. Lights lit up the interior of the tunnel, causing both Bulkhead and Arcee's paint to gleam.

   Miko watched Torryn's emotions with a smile, recalling her own amazement when she first saw the base a few months ago.

   Bulkhead and Arcee both slowed as they came to an opening at the end of the tunnel, Torryn's mouth falling agape when she was met with a spectacular sight. On the other side of the tunnel was a huge military base, most likely used for flight control at one point in time. Except instead of soldiers or jeeps or jets, the base was filled with something else entirely. A family.

   Right away, Torryn saw a huge version of the same symbol that was on Bulkhead's steering wheel installed onto the ground. In the corner was a series of different computers and other gadgets Torryn had no clue on.

   Looking to the front of her, Torryn could see Raf sitting on the railing of a deck, his body in line with Bumblebee and Smokescreen's optics. The two young mechs stood in front of Raf, all of them chatting ideally about Torryn coming to the base.

   That conversation came to a quick standstill at the sight of Bulkhead and Arcee entering the base in their alt forms. Smokescreen perked up, albeit clumsily, his optics trained on Bulkhead intently. He had spent all night practicing exactly what to tell Optimus in order to convince him to be allowed as Torryn's guardian.

   Smokescreen may have only been on Earth for a week, but in that short week, meeting all the humans and seeing how much fun the others had with their charges made Smokescreen want his own. Never would he have expected to actually get an opportunity such as this, but Smokescreen did not intend to pass or mess it up.

   He not only wanted to prove himself to Optimus and the others but he also genuinely wanted his own human. And from the small race he had with Torryn, she seemed like a pretty cool gal. Not to mention, in his optics, she was still the prettiest organic he'd ever seen. But that was beside the point.

   ':Don't scare the new human if you want any chance of Optimus letting you be her guardian:' Bumblebee buzzed a warning to Smokescreen who nodded.

   The only ones able to understand Bumblebee were the other Autobots and Raf. Everyone else only heard a series of clicks, chirps, and whirs from the yellow mech.

   "Got it," Smokescreen nodded to himself. "Don't scare her," He mumbled to no one in particular, determined to get Torryn as his human charge.

   As they entered the base, Torryn was gaping at the orange and white mech who turned his crystal blue optics to the sight of Bulkhead and Arcee. Torryn doubted she would ever get over their gargantuan size. Ratchet turned away from his lab work, gazing curiously at Bulkhead, waiting for Miko and the one named Torryn to get out.

   Ratchet heard a lot about Torryn from the others, but while the others had already seen her, the medic along with Optimus had not. From Bulkhead's backseat, Torryn looked away from Ratchet, her eyes immediately landing on Optimus's towering form in pure shock. Her theory on there being nothing bigger than the Autobots she had previously seen was proven wrong, for this one staring at Bulkhead patiently was the biggest of them all.

   He had to be over thirty-feet!

   There was a gentleness about his aura, his look kind, and patient as he stood still, intending to try and not scare the human. Slowly, Torryn turned her gaze away from the red and blue Autobot, her gaze landing on the familiar sight of Bumblebee and Smokescreen.

   Torryn remembered them, knowing Bumblebee was Raf's guardian. Just next to the yellow Autobot standing at a taller height was the familiar white and red race car robot with door wings holding screaming 38s'. Oh yes, Torryn definitely remembered him, he was the one who chased her and almost caught her.

   She was pretty sure Miko had said his name was Smokescreen, the Autobot who was apparently curious about her. Torryn had to admit that for a robot, the mech was cute. There was an innocent look in his ocean optics, innocent but not naive, a youthful glow radiating around him.

   In Torryn's opinion, he seemed almost like a huge teddy bear. That excited look in his optics and seemingly contagious smile only made him appear all the more approachable. His natural charm called to Torryn in an inexplicable manner. She was eager to meet this one, there was simply something about him, something Torryn favored over the others she had seen.

   From behind them, Jack quickly hopped off Arcee, Arcee transforming in a whirlwind of mechanical gears. Stretching, Arcee sauntered over to stand next to Bumblebee and Smokescreen, waving at Raf who smiled back at the femme.

   Surprisingly, Arcee was not that much older than Bumblebee or Smokescreen, but she had been tainted by the war from a young age. Arcee lost many friends and has been exposed to too much pain to ever hold the same youthful glow that Bumblebee and Smokescreen radiated.

   Torryn noticed that all the robot's optics were on her, her eyes lingering on Smokescreen for a second longer than the others before she was looking to the side at Miko. Miko smiled encouragingly.

   "Are you ready?" She asked Torryn, nerves beginning to prick at Torryn's form, causing her fingers to twitch.

   "Don't worry," Bulkhead rumbled. "No one is upset or anything, in fact, they're all pretty excited to meet you with Jack, Raf, and Miko always talking about you."

   "You guys talk about me?" Torryn was surprised, Miko nodding.

   "Of course we do. You are our fourth musketeer after all." Miko held up her fist, Torryn smiling gently, fist-bumping the girl whom she considered her best friend.

   "C'mon slowpokes," Jack knocked on Bulkhead's back window, both girls looking to the blue-eyed Darby boy with raised brows. "You are as slow as Torryn is getting out of bed," Jack teased, trying to make Torryn less nervous.

   His tactic worked as Torryn's mouth fell agape, her eyes narrowing. Grabbing her bag, Bulkhead opened his back doors allowing Miko and Torryn to jump out. Sticking her tongue out at the slightly older boy, Torryn decided to poke back at him.

   "Not as slow as you are when you try to talk to Sierra," Jack's cheeks flushed as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

   "It's not my fault... SHE'S THE CAPTAIN OF THE CHEERLEADERS! How do you talk to a girl like that?" He attempted to defend himself, Bulkhead transforming from behind the humans, joining Arcee, Smokescreen, and Bee.

   Miko snorted, as Torryn patted his back sympathetically. "Yeah, okay, Mr. Clean," Torryn snickered at Miko's newest nickname for Jack, Jack rolling his eyes.

   "Listen, just because I am organized, unlike you, doesn't mean you get to call me Mr. Clean."

   The Autobots watched from their spots as their human friends bickered and laughed with each other, no one wanting to spoil the scene. This was what they all loved about humans, this show of pure friendship that reminded the Autobots of what they were fighting for.

   For this. For them.

   Smokescreen could not find it in himself to tear his optics away from the red-haired girl wearing pajamas. Yes, he wanted her as his charge.

   Ratchet sighed from where he stood, shaking his helm. "Isn't having three humans here enough?" His words were mumbled and went unheard by everyone in the room.

   Under all that sourness; however, was pure fear. Because now, they involved another human, another innocent in this war. And Ratchet did not want to be the reason this tiny fox-haired human got hurt, he didn't want any of them to get hurt. They already had a close-enough call with Rafael.

   Clearing his throat, Optimus took what was a small step for him, but a huge step for any human, forward. Jack and Miko stood on either side of Torryn, intending to stand by her so she would remain calm. After all, when they first met the Autobots, the three had each other to learn with, Torryn was all alone.

   In a slow motion, trying to make Torryn feel as at ease as possible, Optimus got to one knee, his optics examining the girl with interest. Fair skin, many freckles, vibrant auburn locks, swirling caramel eyes. She was a healthy-looking organic, that much Optimus was able to admit.

   From the side, Ratchet unconsciously scanned Torryn, looking for anything out of the normal for a human. After the incident where Raf nearly died, Ratchet had taken it upon himself to study human anatomy, physiology, and medicine. Nurse Darby, Jack's mom who was also in on the secret of the Autobots, was more than happy to help Ratchet.

   However, he did not need her help for more than a day, as with his enhanced skills, Ratchet was now more than a profound human doctor. The children thought this was cool at first until it was that Ratchet constantly began giving them check-ups and scanning them to make sure they were healthy. Along as the physician to his fellow Autobots, Ratchet had taken it upon himself to become the doctor of the children as well. They were never able to go more than two weeks without Ratchet giving them at least one checkup. No one at the base was, and Ratchet had no intention of allowing Torryn to slip past this unsaid rule.

   Humming to himself, Ratchet was happy with what he found. Torryn was more than healthy, from what he could tell on his mini-scan, she was in-shape physically and more than pristine health wise. The only thing was that her vocal cords appeared almost larger than average but other than giving her a slightly louder voice and more varieties intones, it was perfectly fine. But Ratchet had no clue just how far Torryn's mind and vocal cords went.

    If he had, perhaps he would have made it his job to become her personal therapist as well.

   "Torryn, meet the boss-bot, Optimus Prime!" Miko introduced, leaning and whispering light-heartedly. "And also, here comes the speech."

   "Hello," Torryn jumped slightly at the baritone lowness of his voice. "I am Optimus Prime, designated leader of the Autobots."

   To Torryn, Optimus Prime sounded like the name of a wrestler.

   The girl found that she was having trouble moving, her lips feeling as if they were glued shut. Snapping herself out of it, Torryn handed Optimus a weak smile.

   "I'm Torryn," There was a moment of silence, Torryn realizing that Optimus was waiting for her last name. "Torryn Wilde."

    Nodding his head, Optimus quickly dived into an explanation on his homeworld. "We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet; Cybertron."

   "But you can call us Autobots for short," Ratchet added, Torryn glancing at Ratchet, her heart pounding in shock.

   "Autobots," Torryn repeated the name in astonishment, waiting for herself to wake up and be disappointed that this was all a dream.

   "I'm sure you are familiar with some us here. Arcee; Jack's guardian, Bumblebee; Rafael's guardian, and Bulkhead; Miko's guardian." Optimus motioned to the three, Torryn waving sheepishly, all of the Autobots waving back.

   "This is our medical officer, Ratchet." Torryn once again looked to the red and orange Autobot, nodding in greetings toward Ratchet.

   Ratchet frowned, looking to his scanner placed on his arm, rereading the information he had picked up on Torryn. "Mmm, the girl's vocal cords suggest she is quite the screamer," Ratchet noted, Torryn's cheek going pink while Miko sniggered.

   Jack slapped his hand to his face, Raf simply looking to the three in confusion. In their teenage brains, almost anything and everything got turned into an innuendo. The Autobots and Raf did not understand why the three teens became flustered at the fact that Ratchet called Torryn a 'screamer', and hopefully, they never would.

   "And finally, the newest Autobot to the team, Smokescreen," Torryn was looking at Smokescreen once more, her eyes clashing with his optics in a melodic symphony.

   Smokescreen seemed to be frozen alike to Torryn, both of them simply entranced in studying the other. Turquoise vs. caramel, who would win? Smokescreen did not understand it, he truly did not. What was so special about this particular organic that just the sight of her knocked the wind out of him?

   Smokescreen spent the majority of his life training for Cybertron's Elite guard. He had never had any time for romance, the most excitement he ever got in that aspect was usually only a simple glance to a passing femme. Smokescreen had never interfaced before, something he was not ashamed to admit. After all, he was still young.

   "He is the one who first revealed himself, correct?" Optimus's voice broke through whatever dreamy daze Smokescreen and Torryn fell into.

   Torryn cursed herself for that, knowing getting too attached to anyone was never a good idea. Not with her nature. For a split second, Torryn contemplated coming clean about her banshee nature to everyone but quickly shot that idea down. She did not know the Autobots well enough to tell how they would react, and with her three friends, she did not want them fretting over her.

   Torryn felt bad, as now she was the one keeping secrets, but Torryn swore that if any of them got suspicious and asked about it, rather than lying she would simply come clean.

    "Yeah..." Torryn said, her gaze staying locked onto Smokescreen who gave an almost shy smile her way.

   "Oh yeah, sorry about that, didn't mean to scare you." Smokescreen sheepishly said, Torryn smiling back.

    Looking back to Optimus's kneeling form, Torryn suddenly became hyper-aware of the heat radiating off the large mech. Due to the size difference, the heat Cybertronians gave off from their energy field was much more easily felt by humans as their skin was far more dainty. In all, the nerves laced through the human system were extremely receptive in response to a Cybertronian.

   "Now..." Optimus started, his gaze resting firmly on Torryn. "It is time for you to learn the exact reason as to why we are here."