The Peterbilt stepped forward and looked down at Will and I. "My name is Optimus Prime. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron. Your fellow officer has already mentioned the deadly threat to your world: the Decepticons. They too are from Cybertron, but their intention here is not the same as ours. Their leader, Megatron, plans to destroy this world and claim it as his own. Those that stand before you are Autobots. We are here to protect this world from Megatron's wrath. The NEST operation allows for an alliance between us and your human government."

I blinked slowly, taking in this Optimus Prime's appearance. He was massive, towering over me even on this landing. His color scheme was blue and red, and his eyes were a bright, burning blue. As I gazed into those eyes, I realized how much intelligence they held, the wisdom, and the pain. I forced myself to look away from him and glance at the rest of the Autobots. "I am...quite honoured, Optimus Prime, to be officially working here at NEST and with your team of Autobots." I looked back up at him. "My name is Captain Maria Roskowick. Like William, I am a member of the United States Special Forces Army. I am also a psychological operations officer, meaning I deal with psychological matters with members of our own army, or interrogations with terrorists." I smiled slightly and glanced at Will. "I have to say, this is pretty amazing, Major Lennox,"

He smiled at me. "I thought you might say that."

"Miss Roskowick," Optimus said, getting my attention. "My Autobots and I have been watching your progress with your training, and we are all quite sure that you will be an excellent addition to this operation. Let me introduce you to the rest of my Autobots." He turned his body and gestured to the previous GMC topkick. "My weapons specialist, Ironhide."

Ironhide stepped forward and grunted, loading a large cannon on his arm as he did. "Welcome to the team, squishy,"

I laughed at his word choice, then turned back to Optimus. "My apologies, please, continue Sir,"

He gestured to the previous ambulance. "Our medical officer, Ratchet," The Autobot nodded once, but said nothing. Optimus then turned to the Chevrolet Sparks. "The twins, Skids and Mudflap." The twins jumped and whistled at me, obviously looking for some type of attention. I waved to them, and that seemed to be enough. A silver Autobot stepped to the side. "This is Sideswipe, my combat instructor," He gestured to what looked like three identical Autobots, the only difference being their coloring. "And these are the Arcee sisters," Optimus Prime looked down at me once again. "There is one more member of our team by the name of Bumblebee, but he is not with us."

Curious, I asked: "Where is he?"

"He is where he belongs at the moment, being a guardian to Sam Witwicky." Optimus replied.

I looked at Will. "Witwicky. I've heard that name before."

"He was one of the first humans to discover the Autobots. He was the one that destroyed a power source before the Decepticons could take it. And by doing that, the kid also killed the Decepticon leader, Megatron."

"So Megatron is dead?" I clarified.

"Affirmative." Optimus replied. "However the Decepticons are still a threat, even without their leader."

I nodded sharply. "Understood, Sir."

"Major Lennox!" Someone called suddenly. I watched as a younger officer approached Will. "We've detected a Decepticon signal, Sir. In Shanghai,"

"You're positive?" Will asked seriously.

"Yes, Sir. We've checked, then double checked,"

Will turned to Optimus. "Alright big guy, you know what to do. Looks like we're going to Shanghai China."

I watched Optimus as he turned to his team of Autobots and addressed them with the game plan. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that this was real. An alien race, here, on Earth. And they were so complicated; just looking at them I realized how much there was to each individual.

"Captain!" Someone yelled.

I shook myself out of my thoughts, and faced whoever shouted. Lennox, of course. "Roskowick, we need to get your gear! Come on, if this Decepticon starts harming people, it's on our hands, let's go!"

I mentally slapped myself. This was serious. I'm a Captain, I need to start acting like one.

Lennox led me out of the Autobot part of the base, and into a room with many different types of gear for each level of officer. Will remained silent as he passed me the gear I would need for this trip. Once I had it all, I was quick to get it on, Will doing the same with his own equipment. After we were both ready, Will led me towards an area where the majority of the soldiers stood in uniform, waiting to be commanded. We came to a stop before General Morshower, and he acknowledged us with a nod.

"Captain Roskowick, since this is your first mission with NEST, you'll be with Major Lennox and his team," The general told me.

"Yes, Sir, understood,"

At that point, everyone was split up into different "teams", and we were all boarding different planes to get over to Shanghai. The Autobots had split up, Optimus Prime being on a his own plane with a few human soldiers. Ironhide was with Will's team, while the twins and Sideswipe were on another plane together.

The plane ride to China was uneventful. Mostly consisting of Will giving orders for when we arrived in Shanghai to the younger soldiers with us. I couldn't help but think back to the first time I was apart of a mission with William, and how before I left I made sure I talked to every close family member of mine, since I was so scared that I might not come back home to the States. Now, of course, I was much more confident in my abilities, and that fear had eventually diminished to nothing over time. Just seeing the Autobots gave me the reassurance that they would protect me and every soldier on this mission. I mean, they were these massive beings!

Once we arrived, we quickly landed. I had to pop my ears several times. We unloaded the plane, Ironhide included, and Will made sure that the other planes had arrived safely without trouble. At that point, we had to wait for confirmation that everything was safe for bystanders and normal citizens before we engaged.

"Alright, listen up. China's cover story on this one is "toxic spill"." Major Lennox told us. "They had to evac the area for search and rescue. This makes six enemy contacts in eight months. We gotta make sure that this one does not get out in the public eye, so keep it tight."

Will gave the signal, and we all got in position, the different teams setting up a wide perimeter around what appeared to be a warehouse. I loaded my gun and followed behind the Major, as per my previous instructions before we all left. Will and I met up with Ironhide as he drove up to our location.

"All right, Ironhide." Will greeted, patting the hood. "We got echoes. They're close." Ironhide proceeded to transform as the Major continued. "Steel stacks at 2 o'clock."

I couldn't help but watch in awe as the weapon's specialist transformed right in front of me. It was absolutely incredible. As his final face plating shifted into place he spoke. "He's here. I smell him."

Will motioned for us to engage, and we jogged to the steel stacks that he had mentioned to Ironhide. Robert Epps had the echo machine to locate the Decepticon at close range. As we neared, he pulled it out. "Oh, no."

"What have you got?" Will asked, peering over his shoulder. I pointed my gun away and looked as well.

"Thermal ripple," Epps told him.

Using the communications link in our helmets, Will spoke to the whole team. "Right, everybody, be steady. We're right on top of it."

It was mere moments after William spoke that a high pitched grinding sound was heard, and a large machine transformed, punching the ground with it's giant fists. This thing was massive, much larger than even Optimus Prime himself. When the Decepticon punched the ground, the steel stacks went flying into the air, hitting soldiers when they landed.

"Eagle niner!" Will shouted into the communications link. I ducked out of sight of the monster, and peered around the stack that Will and I were behind. A lot of people were hurt, or dead. Others were running for their lives, completely unsure of what else to do. "I need an energy proton!"

I began shooting at the Decepticon, but to no avail. He shot back, sending old vehicles flying, and explosions. It eventually transformed further, and turned away from us, making it's escape. I could only watch as helicopters flew after it, firing missiles in an attempt to take it down. The Decepticon merely batted them out of the air, sending them crashing to the ground. I ground my teeth in frustration. This was not going well at all. Where were the Autobots?

"Arcee twins! Target coming your way!" Lennox informed them. He ordered us to move positions, in order to get a better positioning on a new Decepticon threat. "Bring in Sideswipe!"

Sideswipe came cruising from around a corner, speeding by us to engage the new threat. "Clear a path!" I watched in complete amazement as Sideswipe jumped into the air, shooting a dagger at the Decepticon, hitting it right in the hood of the vehicle mode. Sideswipe landed and grabbed hold of the protruding dagger, speeding beside the Decepticon. He slowed, and the dagger tugged straight through the vehicle mode of the Decepticon. Sideswipe spun in a circle and smirked. "Damn, I'm good."

It was then that our attention needed to focus on the other Decepticon, which was now in view of citizens on a highway. Will and his team loaded onto military vehicles that were in pursuit of the Decepticon. Robert contacted air support as we drove. "Air support, we need the big Buddha to deliver the drop now!"

A military jet flew by us and slowed as the back hatch opened. I watched as none other than Optimus Prime drove out of the hatch and into the sky in his vehicle mode. The Decepticon was approaching quickly, and I hoped that someone would be able to get to him in time. The Prime transformed in mid air, and turned as he came plummeting to the ground. My eyes widened at how graceful this massive robot was, tumbling in the air. Optimus activated his parachutes to slow his decent, and cut them loose when he needed.

"Autobots, I'm in pursuit!" he informed the team. As he neared the ground, he transformed back into his vehicle mode, and drove to meet up with the Decepticon threat. He drove along a bridge, where the Decepticon was about to crash into, then transformed, jumping on top of the Decepticon. The military vehicles veered out of the way as the Decepticon crashed through the bridge like it was nothing. Ironhide drove past us towards Optimus and the Decepticon, prepared to support his leader if need be. I could not see what else happened with Optimus, and could only wait to see who prevailed in the fight. I heard explosions, many at that, and prayed to whatever was up in the sky that no one else was harmed or killed.

The military vehicles managed a way around the rubble of the bridge, and drove to the location of the Decepticon and Optimus. When we arrived, I saw Optimus and Ironhide standing over the nearly dead Decepticon.

"Punk-ass Decepticon!" Ironhide cursed.

"Any last words?" Optimus asked, his voice rumbling.

"This is not your planet to rule! The Fallen shall rise again." It said.

"That doesn't sound good." Robert said, shaking his head.

I sighed. "What does that even mean?"

"Not today." Optimus replied. He loaded his gun and pointed it at the Decepticon, shooting it in the head, killing the threat instantly.