EDIT: Having seen the newest Transformers I quickly realized that, yes, I still love this series, and yes, I should go back and edit / finish my own stories. So here I am, editing. This is a repost of a story I wrote in 2007 after the first Transformers film came out and initially, it was located in the Transformers/Beast Wars section of . Now that they have this new section, I felt it was time for a move. This story is COMPLETE! So expect regular updates, twice a week at least, maybe more! Enjoy!

AN: Hey all, thanks for giving this story a chance. This is something I have been thinking up since I first saw the movie a week after it came out. It has taken me months to work out the story and to actually begin writing, so, let's see how it goes. P.S: In regards to the title and any future use of the hacker lifestyle and activities: I myself am not a hacker, and know little to nothing about the actual process of hacking. I am a writer, however, and have decided to make crap up simply because I can. So please, no flames about that particular part of the story. I know what I'm writing is most probably wrong, and I don't need someone to get upset and tell me about it. So, if I have offended any true hackers out there, I am sorry, but please don't let that stop you from reading the story. Give it a chance!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my two OC's and any additions to the plot of the movie that you don't recognize. The end. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Of First Meetings

Andrea Hammond sighed irritably as she glanced at the clock on the wall to her right only to see that it was nearing 10:30 P.M. The small computer repair shop that she worked at had long since closed, but she had stayed late working on debugging a particularly messed up computer, only to make very little progress. Now, if she didn't start cleaning up and head home she would definitely miss the last bus.

Turning back to the piece of crap computer in front of her, she scowled at it. Normally she had very little trouble repairing the many computers brought in because of viruses, messed up programming, or software problems. Then again, most people were smart enough to bring in their computers before the problem was so severe that they could no longer even turn the thing on. She started working on this particular computer as soon as she had arrived that afternoon around 3:30; and now, a whole seven hours later, she had managed to get the thing running and run a diagnostic, but very little else. On top of everything the data she received from the diagnostic was disheartening at best. The computer was so riddled with viruses and other software issues that she would have to give it a complete overhaul, and then start from scratch with the software. The client will be lucky if she is able to salvage any of their personal files. But at this point in time, she couldn't seem to muster up a single ounce of sympathy.

Quickly shutting down the computer and then writing a note to herself as a reminder for what still needed to be done, Andrea grabbed her backpack and her purse and left the crowded back room of the small shop. Entering into the front of the store, she flicked the switch that turned off the lights in the back and proceeded to check the register before heading out and locking the front door. Glancing at the watch on her right hand she cursed furiously when she saw the time. She was going to miss the bus.

Taking off down the street Andrea ran for all she was worth, attempting to catch her ride home. Turning a corner she gave a wordless cry of frustration as she saw the brake lights of the bus go off as it lurched forward. Putting on a final burst of speed she ran forward in an attempt to catch up with the steadily accelerating bus.

"Hey! Stop! Stop the bus! Please stop!" Only when the bus turned a corner onto one of the main streets, slightly more congested than the one she was currently on, did she stop running. "Damn!" She gasped for breath as she leaned over, resting her hands on her knees. "This day…just keeps…getting…better and better."

Standing up, she ran a hand through her straight, chin length, disheveled brown hair. Hiking her backpack up more securely onto her shoulders she then went about straightening her clothes and brushing nonexistent dirt off of her figure. All the while mumbling to herself.

"Ok, Andi. What are you going to do now? Can't call the parental units, seeing as they're out of town and won't be back till tomorrow. In that case, try Tori."

Pulling out her cell, she dialed her friend's number and waited as it rang. "C'mon, c'mon, pick up!" Several rings later, Tori's voice came through the line as her voicemail picked up. Disconnecting, she sighed in frustration. "Ok, plan B: walk home with trusty mace in hand."

Twenty minutes later, Andi found herself entering a well-lit community park. The park itself was known for being a safe area, with park security patrolling it 24/7. Andi knew the park like the back of her hand, her own home within walking distance of it. However, this fact alone did nothing to alleviate the uneasy feeling which settled in her stomach as she proceeded forward.

"Ok, whoever thought up Plan B is an idiot."

Gripping the small can of mace in her hand as a reassurance, she continued further into the park, leaving the concrete path to cut through one of the many open field areas. In an attempt to fill the silence and dismiss the uneasy feeling which had taken residence in her stomach, Andrea began mumbling to herself.

"Well, this is fun…right. Why don't I just make a sign and put it on my back. Attention would be rapists and muggers: Have at it." Chuckling ruefully she continued onward, periodically checking her surroundings.

"Note to self: buy a car…" she snorted. "With what money? Get a job they tell me. It'll be fun they tell me. A good way to make some extra cash…what cash? Where the hell is all this cash I'm supposed to have been making? Almost three fricken years I've been working there and I have absolutely nothing to show for it!"

An odd sound, similar to a plane flying past, caused Andrea to pause in her rant. Stopping where she was she glanced around trying to locate the origin of the noise which was steadily getting louder, now more like a dull roar. She stood now in the center of the barren field. Not finding anything at ground level that could possibly be making the noise she glanced upward, only to have her breath catch in her throat.

There, hundreds of feet above her, was a giant ball of flame hurtling through the sky and heading straight for her. For a split second, Andrea's mind went blank. Her eyes were focused solely on the flaming ball of death heading towards her. In that split second, which seemed to last for eternity, a single thought crossed her mind. "Oh shit."

The moment passed quickly enough and the next second Andi was aware of her body diving to the side. In a seemingly gut reaction she had thrown herself out of the way and curled into a ball on the ground, in a last ditch effort to save her own life. Covering her head with her arms and shutting her eyes tightly, Andi couldn't stop the fearful cry that passed from her lips. No sooner had she dived for cover than did the flying ball of fire impact the earth, causing the ground she was lying on to shake violently. The initial crash and shaking of the ground was accompanied by a violent wave of wind rushing over her and a cloud of dirt and dust falling upon her. Then, everything was quiet.

She remained still for several seconds, listening to her own heart beating furiously within her ears. Her breath came in erratic, shaky huffs. Her whole body was shaking as she breathed deeply, trying to calm her frantic pulse. As her pulse and breathing returned to normal, she uncurled herself from the ball she had been lying in. Pushing herself upwards onto her hands and knees, she slowly stood. As she did so a layer of dirt fell off of her onto the ground. Brushing herself off she turned and studied the large crater some twenty feet from where she stood.

Cautiously walking closer to the edge of the crater she stopped and stared when she reached the edge. The former flaming ball of death now, upon closer inspection, appeared to be a large metal sphere. Through the steam and still rising dust she was able to make out what seemed to be etchings of some sort covering the outside of the sphere.

Wanting a closer look, Andrea carefully lowered herself into the crater and approached the strange object. Standing inches from the sphere, she was surprised to find that there was actually very little heat radiating out from the metal. The strange etchings she had seen through the dust now took on definite shapes and patterns, none of which she recognized. Biting her lip, she cautiously raised her left hand and gently touched one of the etchings on the metal with the tips of her fingers. When nothing happened she rested her palm on the pleasantly warm metal. Running her hand over the metal she frowned when her fingers met a deeper and more defined line than on any of the other etched characters. Poking at the line in an attempt to examine it, she jumped when the line cracked open and the sphere began to expand and change shape.

Moving away quickly Andrea watched wide-eyed as a figure unfolded itself from the sphere. The sound of metal sliding against metal, and the turning of gears and hydraulics filled her ears. With morbid fascination she watched as a robotic figure slowly unfolded itself. She watched as pieces of shiny silver metal formed two arms and legs, a torso and finally a head. With surprising fluidity and grace the giant robot shifted itself out of it's sphere form and stood; then in a surprisingly human gesture, stretched.

Andi stared at the giant robot which now stood about three times her own height, around 17 feet tall, maybe taller. He, at least she assumed it was a male, took a step forward and she was forced to take a step back to avoid getting stepped on.

In the process of moving out of the way she tripped and fell back onto her butt, grunting as she hit the ground. Her sudden movement and noise caught the attention of the robot who had up until that moment seemed to not even realize she was there. Startled, he looked down at her and caught and held her wide-eyed gaze. Russet eyes and bright blue optics met and held as the robot crouched down to get a closer look at her.

Andi's heart beat furiously in her chest as the being knelt before her. The closer he moved, the farther away she tried to scoot. However, soon the wall of the crater stopped any further movement on her part. Unsure of what was to happen next, she held her breath as the robot placed his arms on either side of her body and leaned in close until their heads were mere inches apart. His bright blue optics scanned her face, and then moved down the rest of her body. Returning to catch her gaze, Andi nearly laughed despite herself when his head cocked to the side in an expressly curious and innocent fashion.

It was that one strange, yet completely human action that compelled Andi into action more than anything else. While most of her mind was yelling at her to run, she could not bring herself to move. That action, more than anything else, made her believe that this being meant her no harm; and seemed just as curious about her as she was about it. Opening her mouth to speak she was cut off before she could get the first syllable out.

"Do not be afraid. I mean you no harm," the robot said.

Andi was shocked into silence.

First and foremost because not only had this strange being spoken, but he had spoken in English. Secondly, because of his voice; it had been deep with a metallic hint to it but also soft and gentle.

Pushing herself up slightly, Andi mirrored his former position and tilted her head slightly her brows furrowing in confusion. "You speak English?" She whispered softly. He nodded his head but did not reply verbally.

Gathering her courage, she spoke again. "W-who are you? What are you?"

He stared at her for several moments before opening his mouth to give a reply. "I…" he stopped suddenly when a siren was heard from nearby. Up until that moment, Andi herself had been unaware of anything but the being in front of her. Now she could hear the steadily approaching emergency sirens.

"I must go."

Andi jumped slightly when her new friend made to stand up. Scrambling to her own feet she watched as he prepared to leave the crater and she presumed run off into the night. Too curious for her own good and desperately wanting the answers to her questions she had no time to think about the next words that exited her mouth.

"Wait! Don't go!" Her sudden shout caused her new friend to pause in his ascent out of the crater, and to glance back at her. He shook his head in the negative.

"I must."

"Then take me with you! Please!"

Pausing once again he turned to her and studied her for a moment, seemingly looking for any sign that she was wavering in her request. Another loud siren broke his gaze and before Andi could register what was happening, he knelt in front of her and gently picked her up in his two hands. One metal hand wrapped gently around her waist, the other formed a seat for her to sit on. Lifting her off the ground he held her securely to his chest before stepping out of the crater and taking off into the night.

Andi could do nothing but hold on and enjoy the ride.

AN: So, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed it. Please review and let me know what you think. Constructive criticisms only please, no flames. Flames will be used to make cookies for my other reviewers. - Thanks for reading!