Ch 1 -Panama-
The target moved in my sights, a well-known drug cartel and underground terrorist leader. My breathing was slow and even as I lay concealed on the ground, my spotter next to me.
"You're clear, take him out." my spotter said. I followed my target in the crosshairs when he started walking, letting out a breath, I squeezed the trigger on my sniper rifle. The cartel's head whipped back, blood spattering briefly as he instantly fell to the ground. I looked up from my scope, glancing over at my spotter, who was getting up out of the muck where we'd been camouflaged. He patted my back as I silently packed up my gun and slung it over my back.
"Nice job, Twiggy. Come on, let's get the heck out of here." I didn't care about my nickname, I was the smallest one on the team, and set aside the fact I was a girl. My spotter, nicknamed Hawkeye, motioned me to follow and I stayed close on his tail as we made our exfil.
...
-Washington D.C. 1300 hrs.-
I de-boarded the plane that had taken me and the rest of my team back home, my camo uniform looking out of place on the tarmac instead of in the jungle. We were the ones you would never hear about, the ones who got called when the shit really hit the fan. The pleasant sun beamed down on my tan skin, and I briefly stopped to pull my hair in a loose ponytail before going to find my car in the airport parking lot. Hawkeye came up behind me, punching me lightly in the shoulder.
"Hey, Morgan, where are you going?" he said. I shrugged.
"Ah, you know. Gonna relax at home, maybe go out for dinner. Maybe I'll just sleep for a few days, I'm so tired." I said. Hawkeye, whose real name was Jordan, nodded and waved goodbye. I waved back, turning and scanning the parking lot for my car. I found it, a black Pontiac G6, unlocked it, and slid into the driver's seat. I plopped my army duffel bag on the passenger seat, all it contained was a few of my uniforms and my gun. Relaxing already, I started my car and made my way to my apartment in town.
...
I shut the door behind me, sighing and dropping my duffel bag on the counter.
"Home sweet home." I muttered to myself, unzipping my bag and laying my gun on the counter. I dumped my uniforms into a laundry basket, including the one I had been wearing, and changed into a T-shirt and jeans. I flopped on the couch in my apartment, flicking on the T.V. to a news channel just in time to hear a report.
"Breaking news from Panamanian officials, a well known drug trafficker and alleged terrorist was killed yesterday. Reports inform us that a single sniper bullet had taken down the subject. No country has yet to step forward as to who carried out the mission." A female anchor said. I smiled to myself, my team and I were never named, the only time you'd ever hear about us was if and when we were ever disbanded. I channel surfed for a few hours before deciding to go out to eat.
I got off the couch, going to the laundry room where I'd pretty much dumped everything. I picked up my wallet, out of habit making sure I had cash and my driver's license, though I wouldn't need my license because I was planning on walking to a restaurant just a few blocks away. My license read: Morgan A. Greene, active military. Age: 24 Height: 5' 6", Weight: 130 lbs, Eyes: Green, Hair: Brown. I shut my wallet, shoving it in my pocket. I pulled on a pair of sneakers and headed out the door, shutting it behind me.
...
It was already dark when I left, and I was using the light from the street lamps to guide me. A man stepped out of an alley into my path, and I was going to simply walk around him, but he blocked me. This was going somewhere I didn't want it to, and I stood my ground. I now regretted that I hadn't brought my handgun...
The man approached me, I could tell he was about in his late twenties, Hispanic, and he had a tattoo on the side of his face that resembled a spider. He gave a sort of smirk, circling me easily.
"Well, what's a pretty chica like you doin' out after dark? It's not safe you know." the man said, reaching to touch me. I edged away, and he frowned. Giving a shrill whistle, the man appeared to be calling someone, and I was right. About five guys stepped out of the shadows and surrounded me.
I may have been in the military, but I couldn't fight off six guys when I was unarmed. The leader motioned to his gang and they shoved me into the alley, out of sight from the street. Their leader stepped in, grabbing my throat and smashing me into the wall.
"Hey baby, why don't you come back to my place and we can have some fun?" he hissed into my face. I glared, even though panic was rising in my chest.
"In your perverted dreams." I said, bringing up my knee and smashing it with all I had into right where it counts. The gang banger doubled over, and I was instantly set upon by the rest of the guys. I held my own for a short while, but there was just too many. A smashing blow hit me square in the eye and I staggered back. Someone swung a piece of pipe into my shin, causing me to cry out and stumble.
I tried to rally myself, taking a hard swing and catching one thug in the throat. He staggered back, coughing, and I roundhouse kicked another that came at me. Another blow hit my face and I felt my head whip back, and I blindly struck out at the assailant. Right as I did, a deep pain ripped into my side and I yelped. I stumbled again, looking down to see a switchblade embedded in my side. The gang were dusting themselves off, ready for round two. I on the other hand wasn't feeling so hot.
The leader swaggered over to where I was barely standing, stopping in front of me briefly.
"Princesa, you have gone too far." The leader said, drawing back and backhanding me so hard that I went sprawling. My arm and shoulder dragged along a bed of broken glass, adding to my list of injuries. I tried to pull myself away, but was quickly surrounded. The gang started kicking me mercilessly, and I pulled into a ball like I was trained to if I was ever in this situation. I had no idea how long they pounded me, but through my clenched eyelids, I could tell the alley was suddenly illuminated by a bright light.
I cracked open my eye that wasn't swollen shut to see a pair of headlights at one end of the alley. A throaty engine roared, and the vehicle lurched forward a few feet, almost threateningly. The gang stopped beating me for a moment to look up at the disturbance. I dragged myself a few feet through the broken glass, but the leader put his foot between my shoulders and pinned me down. The engine roared again, and the vehicle that I could now identify as a large black truck rolled forward before stopping again.
The gang seemed a little uneasy now, starting to back away. The leader kept pinning me though, and the truck suddenly sped forward, chasing the gang except for the leader out the other side of the alley. At the end the truck, a jacked-up black GMC with twin stacks and blue visor lights, did a U-turn and roared back down the alley. It turned just slightly to avoid running me over and the passenger door flew open, catching the leader and sending him flying. He hit the ground hard, got up, and turned back to me on the ground.
The truck sped forward again, going after the leader, and he didn't think twice about getting out of there. After he left, the truck shifted into reverse and stopped by me. A voice, deep and slightly coarse in tone spoke to me from what I assumed was inside of the vehicle.
"Don't worry, I'm going to help you. What's your name?" the voice said. I hauled myself off the ground, rolling over into a half-sitting position.
"I'm Morgan. Thank you, um, what's your name?" I said. I was sore and woozy from blood loss already. The switchblade was still lodged in my side and my arm had some nasty glass cuts with a few shards still wedged in my skin. The voice was silent a moment and I muttered to myself.
"Sheesh, two tours of Afghanistan and countless Black Ops missions without more than a scratch...just to come home and get mugged." I said. The owner of the voice must have heard me because it replied back.
"You're in the military? I thought females weren't allowed in combat..." the voice asked. I nodded.
"They made an exception for me, and I'm not supposed to say this, but have you heard of that assassination of a drug cartel in Panama?" I asked.
"Yes, it was on the news."
"That was me that took the shot." I said, struggling to get up. Whoever it was must have noticed what I was doing.
"Easy, let me help you. Just...don't freak out or tell anybody." the voice said. The passenger door swung open, but now I could see the odd thing. The truck had no driver.
"Uh...how can a truck talk, or drive itself for that matter?" I asked.
"It's a long story, for now, you just need to know that I'm an Autobot. I'm going to take you back to our base, you're hurt badly. My name is Ironhide by the way." Ironhide said. I thought back to a small bit of intel my team had received, though it was tossed out as too far-fetched. We had received word that our government had allied themselves with non-biological extraterrestrials, but we all laughed and shrugged it off.
"Well, thanks for saving me Ironhide. I think my team and I have caught intel on you guys, but we shrugged it off as a hoax. Now I see we're wrong." I said. Ironhide revved his engine a bit before speaking.
"Come on, can you get in?" he asked. I nodded, using the open door to haul myself to my feet. I favored my bruised shin, but I was just overall in pain. I hesitated before clambering into the passenger seat.
"Are you sure it's okay? I don't want to get blood on your interior." I said. Ironhide chuckled a bit.
"You're fine, it's protected. Hurry, you aren't looking too well." Ironhide said. I hauled myself painfully into the seat and Ironhide shut the door behind me. I took my hand off my side where I'd been covering the knife and Ironhide instantly crossed the seatbelt over me and latched it.
"I didn't see you were stabbed... Hold on tight." Ironhide said. I saw the gas pedal go down by itself and the steering wheel spun on its own at the end of the alley. Ironhide drove fast down back streets and through the alleys until he emerged on the highway close to a large, fenced in building. He whipped in to a sort of toll area where there were armed guards and a gate blocking the only way into the sort of compound. Ironhide jerked to a stop and rolled down the driver's window so the guard could see inside. Ironhide spoke quickly as they opened the gate for him.
"She's hurt badly, call Lennox and Optimus." Ironhide said. The guard nodded and Ironhide rolled up the window as he took off.
A large cargo door opened and Ironhide drove in to the building. It was pristine and mostly white, and could instantly see it was a type of military base, obviously a secret one. Through my hazy vision and Ironhide's tinted windows, I could see a few men in army camo come running up. Ironhide released the seatbelt from me and opened the door.
A man in probably his late twenties like me leaned into the cab, seeing how injured I was. I saw his name on his uniform, it read 'Lennox.'
"Jesus, what happened to her 'Hide?" Lennox said, carefully examining my battered face and taking my arm that was shredded by the glass.
"A gang had her in an alley, they were going to kill her. Will she be okay?" Ironhide asked. Lennox paused over the switchblade in my side, looking up at me.
"We need to get you some medical attention, now. Who are you?" Lennox asked. I weakly pulled my wallet from my back pocket, shakily handing it to him even though I spoke.
"I'm U.S. Navy Captain Morgan Greene, Special Forces and Black Ops sniper." I said. Lennox saluted me briefly before gently reaching up and lifting me from the seat, carrying me back a few feet.
"U.S. Army Captain Lennox at your service. Let's get you some help." Lennox said. I was surprised we were the same rank, and as Lennox stepped away Ironhide did something I wouldn't have expected.
With a hydraulic hiss, parts on the truck started to shift and rotate quickly. Before I knew it, a robot about twenty five feet or taller was standing where the truck had been. I'm sure I would've had a stronger reaction if I hadn't been almost blacking out from pain and blood loss.
"Ironhide?" I asked. He nodded in answer, motioning Lennox to go as he turned away. Lennox carried me quickly back to a group of people in camo and spoke to an African-American soldier whose name read 'Epps.'
"Yo Epps, find a medic, she's pretty rough." Lennox said. Epps nodded and jogged off, and Lennox took me to an enclosed room inside the base. There was a single table like something you'd see at a doctor's office, and he laid me on it carefully. Before the medic arrived, Lennox looked at my face and examined my arm again, shaking his head.
"You're lucky Ironhide found you. You got a family at home?" Lennox said. I shook my head, my voice strained. I could tell he was trying to keep me conscious until the medic got there and I did my best to answer back.
"No, it's just me. How about you?" I asked. Lennox answered me.
"I've got a wife and a baby girl. Is there anything else besides your arm and that knife in your side that got seriously hurt?" Lennox asked. I shook my head.
"I don't think so... One of them swung a pipe into my shin, it's sore but I don't think it's broken." I answered. Lennox nodded, stepping back as Epps came in with another soldier wearing camo.
"I found a medic, let's go dude." Epps said, following Lennox out. The medic leaned over me, but my vision was fading and I couldn't read his name. I finally blacked out from blood loss and the world went dark.
Ch 2 -Washington D.C. 2144 hrs.-
I woke seemingly instantly, but I had the sensation that a length of time had gone by. My mouth was incredibly dry and I hurt everywhere, my arm was wrapped in a bandage and in a sling, and I could tell I had gauze taped to my shoulder where it had been cut as well.
I cracked open my eyes, the lights in the room had been dimmed so as not to be too harsh. I groaned and tried to sit up, but someone stepped up and held me down. I looked up to see Epps.
"Easy Captain, you need to be restin'." Epps said. I eased back, aware of an I.V. in the back of my hand. I followed the line over my head to see a bag of clear liquid and another of dark blood.
"Thanks you guys, for everything. Could you tell Ironhide thanks again for me?" I said. Epps grinned.
"I'm sure he knows, and you're welcome. The medic got the glass outta your arm and that knife from your side. It was a long one, he said it was resting against an artery, you're lucky it didn't cut it or 'Hide wouldn't have been able to do anything." Epps said.
"When can I get out of here? I really should file a police report..." I said, struggling to get up again. Epps kept me down, shaking his head.
"Lennox already did, don't worry about it." Epps said. Right as he did, Lennox walked in, carrying my army duffel bag.
"Did I hear my name? Here, I picked up some things for you, I thought you might want something to wear besides that bloody T-shirt and jeans." Lennox said, unzipping the bag and pulling out one of my camo uniforms. I also saw my formal suit and cap were in there as well, along with something I was actually happy to see.
"Yes, thanks a ton. You brought my gun too? How'd you even get in my apartment, let alone know where it was?" I asked. Lennox grinned a bit, setting my bag on the floor.
"Ironhide and I followed the address on your license and you forgot to lock the door, so... And by the way, you wouldn't happen to be a sniper would you? That gun isn't exactly standard military issue." Lennox said. I nodded.
"I took that shot in Panama." I said. Lennox seemed surprised.
"Well, congrats. Too bad this is the welcome home that you got. On the bright side, you got to find out about something classified above top secret and you're being considered to be added to our N.E.S.T. team." Lennox said. I made a confused face.
"What's N.E.S.T.?" I asked. Epps spoke up.
"It's the organization that allows us to work with the Autobots, we take out the bad guys and their crew helps.
"Oh... wait, what about my Black Ops team? I'm still active duty..." I said. Lennox smirked.
"Not right now you are. As of a half hour ago, you're on medical leave for a while." Lennox said. I grimaced, sitting up despite their protests.
"Thanks, but I think I'm alright. My team..." I was saying before Lennox stopped me.
"I don't think so. Besides, now that you've seen Ironhide, you might as well be part of our team now. I'm not saying you can't rejoin the Black Ops when you're better, but we'd all feel more comfortable if you hung around the compound for a while." Lennox said.
"Hey, when she's up to it she could meet the big man and the rest of the crew. Oh, and what about Sam too?" Epps spoke up. I must have looked as confused as I felt, because Lennox explained quickly.
"By big man he means Optimus, he's the leader of the Autobots. And yes, I do think you should meet them all. Sam is sort of a civilian soldier in our minds, though the big cats up top don't really think so. Bumblebee is his guardian; you'll meet him eventually." Lennox said. I nodded in confirmation, starting to painfully get off the table where I was. Lennox tried to stop me but I waved him off.
"It's okay, I'm not going anywhere, but if you don't mind I'd like to get out of my nasty shredded clothes now." I said. Lennox nodded, nudging Epps out and shutting the door behind him. I stood slowly, my side aching and my shin throbbing. Contemplating how I would be able to get my uniform on if I still had an I.V., I simply pulled the needle out. I'd had a small bit of medical training, I'd be able to get it back in once I'd changed.
I pulled my arm carefully out of the sling, tossing it on the table for now. My entire arm from my wrist to just below my shoulder was wrapped in a white bandage, in a few places I could see where blood had seeped through the stitches and stained it. Carefully, I worked my shirt off, noting the large bloodstain on the side where I'd been stabbed and where my gashed arm had stained it as well.
I leaned down, unzipping my duffel and rummaging around for my standard camo uniform that had my name on it. I pulled it out, along with the cargo pants and white shirt that went under it. I also took out my boots, but left them sitting at the side of the bed. I glanced down at the wound in my side, the small slit was stitched, I could tell, and it was covered in a gauze pad that was taped to my skin.
I pulled on the white shirt, then my uniform, cautious of my sore arm. I then changed pants, not as painful because I just had a bruised shin, and straightened the wrinkles habitually before picking up my I.V. needle again. I located the pinprick and small bruise where it had been and quickly shoved it back in the vein without so much as a grimace. I then returned the sling around my body and carefully laid my arm back in it.
I zipped up my duffel again, tucking it by the bed, and folded my bloodstained clothes with my free hand and set them on top of my bag. Just as I was arranging my things, someone knocked on the door.
"You can come in." I said, straightening as the door opened and Lennox walked back in. He took in my appearance, nodding.
"That looks much better. How are you feeling?" Lennox said. I shrugged.
"Sore, really tired, grateful to be alive." I said shortly. Lennox smirked.
"Let's find you a better bed to sleep in, I'm pretty sure we have more bunks. Bring that with you, I've got your bag." Lennox said, pointing at the I.V. stand that still had things that were draining into my system. He picked up my bag, tucking my ruined clothes under his arm before motioning me to follow him. Thankfully, the I.V. had wheels, so I pulled it along next to me as I followed Lennox out.
"You've obviously already met Ironhide, and the rest of the guys have been really curious to meet you." Lennox said, continuing. "Bumblebee isn't here, he's with Sam, but they were both supposed to be coming here tomorrow. If you want we can swing by the hangar so you can meet the team." Lennox finished.
"Sure, I'm game." I said. Lennox talked as we went, somewhat just trying to make conversation.
"I'm surprised you're up and about so soon." he said. I shrugged with a small grin.
"I'm Army strong." I said. He chuckled a bit.
"I suppose so... any reason why the system made an exception for you to go into combat situations?" Lennox asked.
"I dunno, my guess would be because I was too good of a sniper to keep behind the lines. The Navy shrink said I had a mind like a steel trap too, he couldn't confuse me to save his life." I said. Lennox said we were at the hangar, suddenly stopping and motioning me to the large open area.
I could only stare amazed as ten beings the same type as Ironhide approached me. The tallest, I assumed the leader, knelt in front of me to be more on my level but I still paled in comparison. The paint from his vehicle mode was red and blue, with painted flames visible on what I assumed was his armor.
"Morgan Green, is it?" he asked in a deep, low voice. I nodded, trying to keep my mouth from falling open.
"My name is Optimus Prime." Optimus said. I feebly waved hello and he stood back to his full height.
"The rest of the Autobots you see here are all that's left of us, we've suffered many losses in our time on Earth." Optimus said. He introduced each in turn, and I could guess what their vehicle modes were from their body types. He pointed to Ironhide first.
"I know you've already met my weapons specialist, Ironhide." he said. Ironhide nodded in my direction, acknowledging that I was okay. Optimus pointed next to a yellow-green Autobot.
"This is our medical officer, Ratchet."
"From what I hear you were damaged extensively, someone who doesn't give up easily is needed in our ranks." Ratchet said. I nodded my thanks and Optimus moved on. He gestured to a blue 'bot that looked curiously like Albert Einstein.
"Our inventor, Que." he said. He pointed next to a red Autobot and a silver one. I could tell the red one was a Ferrari and the silver one was a custom Corvette.
"These are Dino and Sideswipe, and over there are the Wreckers." Optimus said, pointing at three similarly put together 'bots that all looked like their vehicle modes were from NASCAR. They all had Irish accents, which I was curious about but didn't ask.
"It looks like the li'ile bugger got 'urt bad, is she a'right?" the one who had Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s number said. I told him I'd be okay, and he simply nodded. Optimus was about to introduce another pair of 'bots, but they decided to themselves.
Two small blue bots, much smaller than me, shoved past Optimus' foot and stood in front of me, looking up. One was a bit taller than the other, and slimmer, and the shorter one appeared to have a small limp.
"The name's Wheelie, and that's Brains." the taller one said in a high pitched voice. I waved my hello to them as well, and Optimus got my attention.
"Morgan, if it is your wish, Ironhide has requested to be your guardian. Do you consent?" Optimus said. I paused, wondering why Ironhide would want to waste his time on a regular civilian like me.
"I- I don't know, it seems like a bother to Ironhide..." I was saying when he cut in.
"Not at all, I'd be more than willing to. It's entirely your decision though." Ironhide said. I hesitated, then shrugged.
"Alright, I'm up to it." I said.