Chapter 1
The NEST Headquarters was alive with activity as Autobots and humans began to rebuild what was nearly destroyed last month. Because of the attack on Chicago the American government reactivated their involvement with the Autobots. Though Megatron, Starscream and Shockwave were all dead there were plenty of Decepticons still out there to hunt down. Come next month NEST patrols will began in several major cities in the hopes to prevent another attack like the one that had happened in Chicago.
"Prime, you should be taking it easy. Your wounds have not yet healed."
Optimus Prime shook his head at Ratchet. "Do not worry, old friend my arm is doing much better." He flexed his fingers to show that the circuits were well connected and working. "You do amazing work, Ratchet."
"But I'm not a magician!" Ratchet shook his head. "At least wear the sling for another week. I still need to run more tests to make sure the arm is fully functional before you go off on patrol."
"Very well." Optimus gingerly moved his stiff shoulder until he had his arm inside a large, nano-sling. "How is Bumblebee?"
Ratchet let out a deep sigh as he crossed his arms. "The young bot fought very bravely in Chicago, but it has now hit him at what he saw there." He looked up at Optimus, his eyes showing his concern. "He blames himself for Que's death."
"It is I that should be blamed for what had happened..."
"But you had no idea that Sentinel would betray us like that."
"Just wish I was there to save Ironhide..." Optimus Prime's voice faded off as his mind went to a friend he will never see again.
Ratchet reached up and gently patted Optimus on the shoulder. "There was nothing you could have done."
"Well, look whose up and moving." Said Lennox as he approached the two Autobots with a huge smile on his face. "Optimus, it appears we are ahead of schedule."
"That is very good news indeed." Optimus gave his human friend a huge smile. "And how are the people of Chicago?"
Lennox took a deep breath before shaking his head. "Many still wish you had died in the Xanthium explosion even though that would have meant the end to this planet." He put his hands inside the pockets of a coat as he walked with the Autobots. "Do you think there are any more of you good guys out there?"
Optimus shrugged. "Only time will tell, but hopefully some were able to escape Cybertron before it was destroyed."
Missouri
The morning sun shone into Jeremy Barnheart's room waking him from a restless night of sleep. At first he didn't know where he was but then everything came rushing back to him. He was staying at his parents' farmhouse in order to clean it out before the wrecking crew came to tear it down.
He took a deep breath, swung his legs out from under the covers then stood up. Frankie, a boxer/beagle mix came tottering over to him with a wag of his tail.
"Hey, boy." Jeremy petted the dog's large head before making his way into the restroom. "Where's Phoenix?" The dog just cocked his head to the side before plodding away.
Once Jeremy was finished with his shower he made his way downstairs to see that Phoenix had already made breakfast. Some cold bacon, toast and eggs were waiting on the dining room table with a note that read, "Out mucking the barn."
Jeremy sat down at the table to eat and read the latest newspaper that had a section dedicated to those killed in Chicago. He flipped through it until he found his parents' names and pictures. They had been killed while fleeing, their bodies so far gone it took their clothes and other belongings to indentify them. Now, it was just him, Phoenix and an older brother to carry on the Barnheart name.
He finished the cold breakfast, put on his John Deer hat then made his way out to the barn. It was a shame the farm was to be bulldozed but there was no way he or his brother could keep the place running. In fact their father had already begun to sale off some of the property leaving only twenty acres out of two hundred to help pay for their RV trip around the United States.
By the time Jeremy made his way to the barn he saw that Phoenix had already cleaned out three of the ten stalls. All the horses were sold off last week with the money being split between the brothers.
Jeremy found his younger brother in the far stall with a wheelbarrow full of horse manure and hay. The smell was comforting to Jeremy and he took it all in knowing he might not experience it again.
Phoenix leaned against his shovel with a huge small on his face. "Bout time you woke up." He signed with his hands.
"Sorry, I had forgotten what farm life was really like." Jeremy signed even though he knew his brother could read lips. "You ready to tackle that old well at the back of the property?"
"Not really." Phoenix laughed, a strange sound to those not use to it. "But I guess it has to be done."
While Phoenix finished with the stall Jeremy went to start up the bulldozer. As he drove it through what remained of the property his mind began to go back to happier days. He had grown up on the farm and had explored every inch of it with his brothers. The well was actually part of an old homestead, possibly the original one to the farm. In fact, old foundations could still be found if one knew where to look.
Jeremy turned off the bulldozer before jumping down to check on the crumbling wall of the well. It's been years since he's seen it and was surprised it was relatively intact.
"Sorry old friend, but having an open well is not good for business."
Chicago
Most of the streets have been cleared of cars but several military personal were still shifting through what remained of the humans caught up in the attack. It was a grissly task but it had to be done in order to get the remains back to families who could bury what was left of them.
Sergeant Thomas Barnheart made his way down the street with his M16 cradled in his arms. After the attack he was sworn in as an official NEST team member, an honor he carried more for his parents than for himself. Hopefully his brothers will understand and not hate him for joining the Autobot's side.
Dino, a red Autobot who chose a Ferrari as an alt mode walked along side him with his blades out. Why would a robot, built for fighting choose such a high end vehicle to transform into?
"Sergeant Barnheart, you've been patrolling for hours. I believe it is time for you to take a rest."
"Nah, Dino I'm good." Thomas stepped up onto car to get a good look at his sorroundings. "It's going to take years for this city to rebuild."
Dino knelt down with a shake of his head. "I am sorry we brought this war to your world."
"The Autobots had no choice, it was meant to be this way." Thomas could see his parents RV parked near the end of the street. "Come, I need to check something out."
"Here, let me at least give you a ride." Dino transformed into his vehicle mode and opened the passenger door. "Hop in."
It was nice to be sitting down but it didn't take long for them to reach the RV. Thomas slowly got out, took a deep breath then made his way inside the vehicle. Windows have been shattered letting in debris, rain and even wildlife. As he took a look around he noticed looters have come and gone leaving only more destruction in their wake.
Dino knelt on both knees in order to get a better look inside. "What is this?"
"My parent's home while they were traveling." He went into the bedroom and saw pictures still tacked up on the walls. "They arrived in Chicago just before the first wave of Decepticons did." He pulled a thumbtack out of a picture to get a better look at it. "They never stood a chance."
Thomas found a small bag to put in the few personal belongings that survived the looting then went back out to the street. Dino gently gave Thomas' back a gentle pat before he shifted into car mode.
"I think it's time you took a break." Said Dino. "Lets head back to NEST and replenish ourselves."
Missouri
The bulldozer dug through the thick mud with ease making the task of filling in the old well rather simple. But by doing so, Jeremy was making a new hole that would need some leveling out. He moved several levers till the bucket was over the well and here he dumped the load. Phoenix took his shovel, leveled out the dirt then motioned for Jeremy to continue.
Jeremy dug through the earth again, however this time the teeth scrapped against something metallic. Curious, he stopped the machine, got out then jumped into the small pit. Phoenix followed suit, his heavy work boots making a dull thud as he landed on the object.
"What do you think it might be?" Signed Phoenix before kneeling to brush away some dirt in order to get a better view. "Do you think it's one of them?"
"I'm not sure." Jeremy kneeled beside his brother to get a better look at a pattern all too familiar to him. "It's a Decepticon!" He quickly got out his cell phone and dialed a number he has seen numerous times on television. "Yes, I would like to report that we found a robot."
Washington D.C.
When the report came to Lennox he knew they had to get moving fast before the Decepticon awoke from it's long slumber. As he gathered his gear he heard familiar heavy footsteps behind him.
"I thought Ratchet told you to take it easy." Lennox turned around to see Optimus Prime's red and blue armor causing a smile to cross his face. "I didn't think you could transform yet."
Optimus knelt to one knee in order to see Lennox much better. "I cannot let you face this unknown foe by yourselves."
"Optimus, you suffered severe injuries by Sentinel." Lennox shook his head as he swung a backpack over one shoulder. "Besides, we have the Wreckers now. They'll be able to give us the support we need while Dino, Sideswipe and Jolt are up in Chicago."
A concerned look crossed the metallic plates of Optiums' face. "Very well."
Lennox's eyes fell upon the Autobot leader's right arm which had been severed beyond the shoulder. It took all of Ratchet's skill to attach the arm back on, unfortunately without Que's help he was rather limited to what he could do. Because of this Optimus still had many more treatments before he had complete full use of the arm.
"Listen, I will call when we have seen this Decepticon." He gave Optimus' leg a pat as he walked past. "Don't worry, you'll be back to your old self in no time."
He made his way through the large building until he came upon Bumblebee sitting all alone at Que's old station. It would be good for the young Autobot to go on a mission in order to get his mind off of Que.
"Bumblebee, you're coming with us."
Bumblebee shook his head. "I'm not ready."
"It'll be good for you to get out." Lennox gave Bumblebee a gentle pat on the arm as he leaned against his leg. "Should be a quick recovery mission."
"Guess then I will go." Bumblebee got up, transformed into vehicle mode then opened the passenger door. "Get in before I change my mind."
Somewhere in Kansas
His system was near shutting down, but Trace couldn't move to get more energon. He was about to attempt to again when a gentle hand stopped him.
"Don't move, you are badly injured." Came First Aid's voice. "Don't you worry though it appears our ship should be functional enough to run the repair bay."
"What had happened to us?"
"Mirror Blade and his minions attacked us, unfortunately he had taken out Echo and now we do not know where he is."
Trace felt as First Aid attached a tube to his side. "And the others?"
"Sonicblaze is in stasis and Beltline is gravely injured."
"How about those in the pods?"
"We lost a few when we crashed but the others are doing well."
Trace nodded. "Very well. Let me know when Sonicblaze awakens."
Missouri- Three Hours Later
Night was now upon them but with help of several spotlights they were able to light the work area so the Wreckers could finish their job. From what they uncovered the Decepticon was about the size of Starscream and appeared to still be in a rather strange comet form.
"Optimus, have you seen anything like this before?" Lennox asked to a video camera that was set up so Optimus could see the discovery.
"I have not. Ratchet, can you read any of the Cybertronian?"
Ratchet knelt down to point to one in particular. "I have seen this tattoo on many who were prisoners of Shockwave's."
Lennox moved aside as the Wreckers began to lift the large robot from the Earth. As the form came into view Lennox couldn't help but to be impressed at what he saw. The robot was like no other he has ever seen before, it's armor so dull not even light reflected off of it.
"Okay, get it into the bird right away!" Lennox turned to the owners of the farmland and gave them a smile. "Thanks for letting us know and now we should be on our way."
The youngest brother signed something to the other, the latter translating for him. "Phoenix is wondering about our brother, Thomas Barnheart. He's stationed in Chicago right now."
"Ah yes, he's a new recruit of ours." Lennox nodded at Ratchet who quickly came forward. "Get hold of Dino. Tell him Sergeant Barnheart's brothers are wanting to speak to him."
Chicago
The barracks for NEST was inside an old high school just outside downtown and it was here that Thomas found himself sitting with men who had similar stories like his own. He sat with a group of six soldiers, all of whom had lost somebody in the attacks at Chicago.
A young man named Victor took a sip of beer before giving Thomas a smile. "So, I see you and that Dino bot have become good friends."
Thomas gave Victor a shrug then a shake of the head. "Though Dino may be a little hot headed, he's a good bot to have on your side."
"Did I hear someone mention my name?" Dino came striding into the camp with a huge smile on his face. "Barnheart, you got a call."
Thomas quickly got up and followed Dino towards the command center hoping his brothers were well. Upon entering the large tent Thomas could see that a video link has been set up.
Dino gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. "You're brothers want to talk to you. This should help clear your head, so take your time."
