Authors note: Hello everyone. Sorry this chapter took so long, but I've been sick have been injured I've had deal with work, and well life has just not been kind. However I have recently in using the fanfiction app. I'm actually liking it. It is still a bit buggy, but I find it much easier to keep up and comment on my favorite stories. If you haven't downloaded it onto your phone I would suggest trying it out. Anyway I hope you enjoy the chapter, and thank you for all your support.

Chapter 7 : Life's Curve-balls

Clouds canvassed the sky blocking the moon and stars creating pitch black night. Optimus Prime watched as the dust began to settle around him. Several Vehicon's lay no longer functional; looking around his optics came to rest on what was left of the now crumbling overpass. As he let out an exasperated vent, he felt a servo on his shoulder. Turning he saw one of his oldest friend and trusted medic, "don't let it get to you Optimus."

"Ratchet if any humans had came by..."

"But none did."

"True."

"And in this darkness I doubt they would have seen anything."

Before Optimus could speak he heard the roar of an engine. Whipping around he saw a car speeding down the freeway and headed towards the overpass. "Optimus at that speed-" Optimus took off like a shot. The car was about to run out of road and the driver was going too fast to stop. "OPTIMUS!" Ratchet called as brakes squealed and the car flew off the edge.

Optimus dove his servo outstretched, as soon as he felt the car land instantly twisted and turned bouncing the car from his servo the adjacent hang of the overpass. Optimus transformed as he flew through the air landing in his semi-mode on his side. It only took a few moments a shaky human was looking over the edge. He looked around soon pulled out his phone and sat back his car turning the emergency lights on.

Optimus rolled back onto his tires quickly and silently drove towards an ambulance that was parked in the distance. As soon as he passed it, it began to follow behind. "Optimus that was too close," Ratchet's voice came from the ambulance.

"I agree old friend.

"He could've seeing you!"

"I could not let an innocent die because of our negligence."

"Optimus we may avoid the humans the Deceptacon's however will not."

"Yes. It does seem that they have been appearing closer and more frequently around human cities and towns. If this trend continues it will grow increasingly harder keep ourselves hidden from them."

"And if... No, when a human does see us what will we do? They will most likely see us as no different than the Deceptacon's."

Optimus fell silent and rolled to a slow stop, "I do not know Ratchet but I hope that in the future we may call them allies." Ratchet let out a small vent as he rolled next to Optimus, "Ratchet I would like you to join Bumblebee and Bulkhead for now."

"Optimus I do not believe it wise to be without back."

"Ratchet this is not a request."

Ratchet let out a small vent, "understood." He began to roll away, "Optimus, stay safe."

Optimus remained still for a few moments soon he turned around and returned to the overpass. He had manage to find a good vantage point where he could see. There are several patrol cars parked blocking both the entrance and exits, he could make out some of the officers directing any cars that happen to come by way of other officers researching the debris, he assumed they were most likely looking for anyone who could have been hurt and perhaps evidence that could explain why the overpass had collapsed. Optimus froze as he was hit with a sudden realization he and Ratchet had been in such a hurry to avoid the human that they had not disposed of the vehicon's bodies. One of which lay under the rubble of the overpass, and is dangerously close to being discovered by the human.

As if to answer Optimus prays several large black vehicles pulled up. Humans in dark suits stepped out; they appeared to call the other officers over. Optimus vented in relief as he saw the officer move away from the vehicon. However he began to notice something odd, these new humans had brought a large semi with a trailer attach, it also appeared that the highway patrol men who had initially responded were leaving. It did not take long for Optimus to spot one speaking into a shortwave radio. Thou spying was not his expertise, he had picked up a few tricks from Prowl. Tuning his audio receptors he managed to catch what he assumed was their frequency.

"- We will continue investigating Sir."

"I don't care if you have to turn over every rock or go through the area with a fine tooth comb, I want every last piece found."

"yes sir."

"We still haven't determine what these metal fragments are made of, let alone what kind of machine or weapon these terrorists have been using."

"Sir what is the cover story encase more people pass by."

"... An experimental whether balloon crashed. You said there were scorch marks, yes?"

"Yes sir."

"Then we add that it exploded on impact."

"Understand sir."

"Admiral Hackett, OUT!"

Optimus felt his spark drop has he never once thought of himself or Ratchet as Terrorists, but to these small fragile creatures that is exactly what they had become. He watched as they began picking up bits and pieces of metal that had been knocked free during the earlier fight. "This is not good... It'll only be a matter of time before they find the vehicon." Optimus quickly moved until he was close enough to the semi, scanning it his colours changed from red and blue to black and silver. "Oh if the others could see me know," he smirked "I doubt I would hear the end of it."

The humans were loading the bits that they found into small crates, and then they loaded them into the semi-trailer. Optimus waited biding his time, soon he got his chance. They had found the vehicon; the humans all turned or run over to check it out. Quickly Optimus unlatched the semi from the trailer; silently he lifted it and sat it down where he was hiding. Transforming he quickly hooked on to the trail with only a moments to spare. A man ran up to the driver side door and hopped in. Optimus pretended to be an ordinary semi.

Reversing they pulled up close to the vehicon. The humans lowered a ramp from the trailer. It took them a while but piece by piece they managed to collect the vehicon in the trailer. After they secured the trailers door, one would have assumed Optimus would take off with the trailer and leave the humans behind but he did not. Instead he maintained his cover.

After a few hours of driving, Optimus was beginning to regret his decision. He knew full well that the Decepticons would track down off-lined comrade and Optimus did not want that to happen while still being around humans. However soon he could see a human air base off in the distance, after driving up the front gate his human driver showed security officer an ID card. Security officers raise the gate the driver drove through. There are many soldiers around some appeared to be doing some sort of drill, while others seem too busy with assigned tasks. Optimus however noticed one of the humans, was in much older gentleman with thick grey hair that curled around hiscap, his uniform was vastly different it had number of metals, stripes and stars. The Human driver pulled up close stopped, getting out of Optimus's cabin and greet the man, "Gen. Hackett, Sir I – "

"So this is their leader," Optimus let out a small vent, "I'm out of time." Optimus's headlights turned on as he started his engine. Scanned Gen. Hackett who was looking more than a little surprised, the human driver was in just as much shock. They both stared at an empty truck that started of its own volition. Both stood frozen as the truck began to drive forward. With great skill Optimus steered around the humans and headed back towards the gate, picking up as much speed as he could, he heard the general order the men to shoot out the tires. However Optimus's tires are not truthfully made of rubber it is a sort of thin Cybertronian metal made to simulate the tires, so the bullets had no real effect. The general called out for the security officers to activate their defences. As Optimus approached the gate set of large blades and spikes shot up out of the ground, they lined the entrance and exit points. "It appears I have no choice," with no time to turn Optimus continued at full speed towards the spikes. As the absolute last second Optimus did the unthinkable, he transformed. One hand he gripped the trailer as he leapt over the spikes and the gate, as he landed he transformed again, trailer reattaching. He drove down the road leaving the humans frozen and speechless.

Once Optimus thought he was far enough away, he emptied the trailer. Did not take long befor he heard the sound of plane engines, "seekers." Quickly he did his best to hide the trailer in a nearby rocky area. He pulled larger rocks over himself just as two planes flew overhead. Keeping a careful watch he saw them transform in midair and land next to the VIA cons remains he watched with bated breath, Optimus knew being spot alone would bring the whole fleet upon himself. However a oon the two seekers flew off carrying the remains of their comrade, Optimus let out vent in relief. Looking over at the trailer next to him, "it appears my decision has been made for me..."

Earlier Optimus had scanned General Hackett, he was able to pick up his personal cell number. (And yes cell phones were around in this time period) it was simple for Optimus to patch his com-link into the cell network. Soon he heard the receiver pick up, "General Hackett speaking."

"Hello general."

"What! Who is this? How did you get this number?"

"My apologies for the suddenness of this call." Optimus vented, "this line of communication is not secured so I apologize again I cannot give you my name at this time." Optimus could hear the general grown, obviously unhappy with his response "however I will be bringing your trailer back."

"You! I demand answers, who are you people and why have you been destroying bridges and –"

"I will explain in person general. Tell your men to allow of red and blue truck through your gates, have someone lead it into one of your hangers. I will see you soon." With that Optimus hung up. Glancing down he watched as his original written blue colours returned. "That is better," Optimus returned to his old mode as he sped back to the road.

It was not long before Optimus could see the air base yet again and as he approached sure enough there were a lot of soldiers manning the gate he slowed as he approached the gates, unsure if they were willing to allow him in. Soon the gate slowly opened and there was an armed escort waiting. Optimus slowly rolled through the gates and followed the escort into a hangar at the far end of the compound. He knew he was taking a big risk approaching these humans, they could easily perceive him as a threat and turn on him this would destroy their cover. There would also be the possibility of the Deceptacon's finding out. Optimus was lost in his concerns when the hanger doors rattled and creaked open. Slowly rolling in the doors were shut behind him. His lights were on and his windows were tinted this prevented anyone from seeing inside there are quite a few humans around their weapons drawn, Gen. Hackett stood among them without a weapon he was about to speak in Optimus cut them off. "Gen. Hackett it is an honour to meet you."

"I can't say the same get out of the truck."

"... I promised you an explanation, however what I am about to say. No show you, will place not only those in this room in grave danger but all of humanity. I must have your assurances that what happens here is never repeated or recorded on any devices if it is I fear a great many will suffer."

Gen. Hackett was not sure if this was a threat or genuine concern, soon he ordered many of his men to leave and ordered them to shoot anyone who try to approach the hanger.

"Alright I have done as you've asked, now show yourself."

Transforming Optimus knelt on one need to try and lower himself into a nonthreatening stance, "I am Optimus prime. I am not from your world." Optimus could see the general was about to speak but continued before he could, "I am a Cybertronian, we are sentient robotic life forms, perhaps more correctly we are techno-organic machines." Gen. Hackett's expression gave Optimus all he needed to know that this would be a very long night.

Optimus spoke to general Hackett answering many questions soon the sun had risen. Gen. Hackett looked to the man next to him, by this time not one human was aiming the gun at Optimus. "Go to the canteen grab alot of coffee and enough sandwiches for everyone here. Radio us when you're on your way back to no one..." He looked at Optimus with a quizzical expression on his face, "do you erm.. Drink coffee or well. Do you eat?"

Optimus could not help to find himself chuckling, "I do, however unlike you my choices are limited. I can in truth only ingest energon or substances that can be internally converted into energon." With a nod Gen. Hackett sent the man on his way. Optimus had come to see Gen. Hackett as a reasonable man, with warranted suspicions and it open mind. At some point during their discussions he had learned general Hackett's first name was Samuel. That being said Optimus could tell the general was no fool just as Optimus was studying him, he was studying Optimus.

"So that's um robot is it safe to say he was one of yours."

Optimus felt is spark lurch he had yet to speak of the war, he wished to show these humans their better side before speaking of the grim reality that they now face. Needless to say Gen. Hackett noticed his hesitation but waited for Optimus's response. "Yes he was a Cybertronian, and no he was not one of my."

Humans murmur quietly to each other, grown thick with tension what do you mean Optimus?" Hackett's voice was calm yet brisk, every human form silent.

"He was a Deceptacon people have been divided and at war with each other for a very long time. A war that has found its way to your planet. I am the leader of the Autobot's it is our belief in freedom is the right of all sentient beings. Whereas the Deceptacon's believe it is only for the strong."

"If your people are at war why should I believe you can be trusted." By this time the man who had been sent and return, general was now sitting back sipping on his coffee.

Optimus let out a low vent, "Deceptacon's are –"

Optimus's emergency flying kicked on her prowls voice, "Optimus he was speak. Meeting point G – 87."

"Optimus is something wrong?" Gen. Hackett is looking at Optimus with concern as he set his coffee down.

"It appears there is a situation that needs my attention," Optimus transformed. "My apologies Gen. but my men need me, I will explain more at a later date. Please think carefully what I have said thus far." With that Optimus left

Optimus had quite a drive before reaching the meeting point. Humans called his place the Grand Canyon, the meeting point of course is an area humans do not travel. Transforming he found himself staring out at you. Despite all of the many sites he is seen long lifetime still found himself surprise at the beauty of this small planet. It was in these brief moments that he felt the most a piece to him these moments meant more than any Intel or weapon.

Soon his audio receptors heard the hum of an engine quickly approaching. Gripping his optics from the view he saw Highway Patrol car speeding towards him. Transforming he approached Optimus, "hello prowl what is happened to Mark"

"Sir there are a few problems. However the first one is Lexus."

"Something happened? Is she hurt?"

Prowl shook his helm, "no she has not sustained a knee injury." Optimus vented in relief, "however it appears last night in an attempt to evade some vehicon's she hid in a used car lot..."

"That is some quick thinking."

"Well hiding in to recharge. I was unaware of it's and sigh was in the process of leading the Deceptacon's out of the residential areas to... Deal with them."

"I see..." Optimus took in prowl's words giving each one careful thought. "Wait if she was in recharge!"

Prowl vented in frustration, "by the time I had gone back humans were already on the streets..."

Optimus felt stomach, "and Lexus?"

"Out cold..." Prowl groaned, "she ended up being purchased by a young male..."

Optimus rested his servo against his face, "by the all-spark you do have timing. Have you informed her on her new responsibilities."

"Yes, however it was after she tried to make a run for it. I believe it is best if I keep a watch for now least until she is used to her new... Position." Prowl seemed to shake off his thoughts, "on a more serious note sir there have been drastic increases in Con activity so is growing increasingly harder to track of them all."

Optimus remain silent for a while, "understood. However I have a different job for you Prowl." Prowl stiffened, normally Optimus would follow his advice unless it was too drastic. But to outright change his current mission that was abnormal. "I will contact bulkhead to keep an eye on Lexus, he has been watching Gaia long enough he can offer Lexus helpful advice. I want... I need you to find everything you can on a human name Gen. Samuel Hackett, he seems to the station at a vase three hours west of here. I will have Ratchet and Bumblebee watch the cons in the South."

"A human! ... May I ask why Sir?"

"In time Prowl, but for now please do as I ask."

Prowl nodding his helm transformed and sped off. Optimus shook his helm letting out a small vent and soon activating his com-link contacted the others, excluding Lexus and Gaia. "Change of plans. Ratchet and Bumblebee you will take over Prowls watching of Crawfish County. Bulkhead you are to watch advice Lexus she is now in a similar situation as her friend."

Ratchet spoke crisply, "understood Optimus."

Bulkhead almost seemed to be chuckling as he spoke, " got it boss!"

Bumblebee with his bleeps, "yes sir!"

Optimus new had to be careful what he said on the com-link channels since the Deception's were constantly monitoring and looking for them. They had come up with nicknames for many things, like Crawfish County was how he referred to the southern area of the United States. He had to say as much as possible with as few words as possible.

Two weeks later –

In a sleepy suburb Gen. Hackett was just stepping outside of his home reaching down to pick up his newspaper. He froze however he saw a red and blue Semi parked outside his home. Picking up his newspaper slowly sauntered down the walk, stopping next to the passenger door the semi. "Optimus somehow I do not think ambushing me at my home is the best way to earn my trust," his voice was flat.

"My apologies Gen. Hackett. I have been attempting keep below her profile."

Gen. Hackett was tapping his four head with his newspaper when he notices neighbors coming out of their houses. "Somehow I think knowing he was going to cause more problems than it," Gen. Hackett stop opening the passenger door and crawled in to Optimus's cabin. "If I am seen outside talking to a random vehicle I don't even want to think of the possible repercussions that could have."

"Believed this was the best way for us to speak privately."

Gen. Hackett sighed heavily, "then shall we get to the point."

"Yes. I wish to form an alliance doing the Autobot and the humans of earth."