The Autobots stood in a massive hanger in the desert, one of about six, waiting for who knows what team that would join them as an alliance. Ironhide had protested this the loudest of all, pointing out the human's inept abilities when it came to realizing Starscream was an enemy and the injury of Bumblebee had resulted from that disaster. Bee had retaliated by pointing out that Sam and Mikaela were humans. Ironhide had said they were the exception. Secretary of Defense John Keller waited for them, glancing at his watch as if the expected humans were late. That was when the hanger door slid open a bit and a few figures stepped into the room.
"You weren't kiddin'," a voice said, sounding shocked. "Those are some freaking big robots." Then whoever it was started rambling on in another language.
The other figures let him talk for a couple minutes before saying, "English dude, English." There was some laughter as the Hispanic man rolled his eyes.
"Autobots may I present the team that has agreed to start the build up of this program," Keller said with a grin. "I believe there was no time for formal introductions last time you met so we might as well get around to that now." Now the Autobots recognized the team that had assisted them in Mission City, and done well despite Ironhide's complaints.
The man in the lead grinned at that. "No time for introductions in a war zone," he said.
"You guys have all the fun," the Hispanic man they didn't recognize said, shaking his head. "I get taken out by a metal scorpion and you guys get to go wreck part of California." They all laughed, shaking their heads.
"Let's get this show on the road then," Keller said. "Before you make me late for my meeting, not that I'd mind."
"I'll start then," said with a shrug.
"You do that," the black man said with a grin. "That's why they pay you the big bucks."
"I'm Major William Lennox of the United States Rangers," he said with a grin. "I have a wife named Sarah and a baby girl named Annabelle back at home and I'm stuck with these crazies."
The black man took over next. "I'm Chief Master Sergeant Robert Epps of the United States Air Force. I have a wife named Monique and I have five kids at home, four of which are girls."
"Poor thing," the figure on the other side of Lennox crooned teasingly. "I'm Lieutenant Briley Andrews of the United States Army. I have an older sister at home and a brother-in-law and three nieces, the oldest of which is two."
"I'm Jose Figueroa but as the others say it's easier to call me Fig," the Hispanic man said with a grin. "Unfortunately I missed out on all the fun at Mission City because I was stuck in a hospital and I'm not married."
The next man in line was a red head with an easy grin. "I'm Carter Jackson and Briley is, unfortunately, my crazy cousin. I'm the techie for this group so if something technology oriented goes wrong the object somehow gets replaced with my name."
The last man in line was a massive figure who hulked over the rest of them. "I'm Antonio Burke but call me Burke. I'm not Hispanic before you ask and I have no idea why my parents thought it'd be a good idea to name and white guy Antonio." There was some laughter after that and Keller shook his head.
"The rest the team will arrive in the next couple days once they're approved," he informed Major Lennox. "I have to leave now. Good luck and I'll see you in a few hours if you've managed not to kill each other." Then he was gone before Optimus could point out that the statement might be closer to the truth with Ironhide than the man had expected.
"I suppose we should probably introduce ourselves then," Optimus said. "Since we now know all of you." He was surprised Jazz hadn't spoken but his first lieutenant seemed distracted. "I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots but you may shorten it to Optimus. My full title isn't used very often. This is Ironhide, my weapons specialist."
Ironhide looked over the humans with some scorn and rumbled, "You feeling lucky punks?"
"Out of all the things you could have said you misquote Dirty Harry?" Briley Andrews asked, rolling her eyes. Fig snickered next to her and Major Lennox sighed. Ironhide himself simply looked stunned.
"My First Lieutenant Jazz," Optimus continued, trying to erase some of his weapon specialist's irritation.
"Sup?" Jazz drawled, still seeming distracted. None of the humans seemed to notice however, simply nodding slightly.
"And Ratchet, the Chief Medical Officer here," Optimus continued, motioning to the grumpy medic. "Our final member is Bumblebee. He is staying with Sam Witwicky."
"The boy who defeated Megatron?" Major Lennox asked and Optimus nodded.
"I've had enough talk," Ironhide rumbled suddenly and stomped out of the hanger as the humans exchanged glances. This was certainly going to be an interesting partnership.
Author's Note: And now for part one of the second part of Briley's story. Phew...that's sort of confusing. Hope you enjoyed and I own nothing but Briley and Carter.