Driving groups:

Optimus-Luffy/Zoro

Ironhide-Will/Franky

Sideswipe-Nami/Robin

Sunstreaker-None (refused to transport any humans)

Military Van-4 Soldiers/Kidd/Killer/Chopper/Brook

Military Van-6 Soldiers/Usopp/Sanji

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

*Open Comm speech*

~*Private Comm speech*~

~Spark-Bond~

On their way to the airport, the group compared the differences between their two worlds; using an open, but secure comm-line to connect them.

*So you're saying you don't have ANY vehicles more complicated than a ship?* a soldier asked.

*Well, there are wavers, bubble-bikes, and the sea-train. But they can only be found in Skypia, Sabaody, and Water 7 respectively. I've also seen submarines, but the're really rare.* Nami replied.

*Ow, you're forgetting my Super creations!* Franky cut in. "They can beat out anything those marines can throw at us!" As Franky told the intrigued soldiers how he'd designed the soldier-dock system, Ironhide sent Optimus a private hail.

~*This human must never be allowed to meet Wheeljack. They would get along far too well.*~ Optimus tried to imagine what would happen, and agreed. If the inventors were ever to meet, the autobots would not survive to regret it.

Later, the conversation split, with everyone speaking with those they travelled with. The military vans were mostly quiet, as Kidd intimidated those he was with, and half the people on the other were asleep, including Usopp.

Nami and Robin were trading theories on how they had gotten there, while the twins spoke over their bond.

Will watched with amusement as Franky and Ironhide debated the use of cola as a fuel source.

However, in the peterbilt truck.

Zoro had fallen asleep a while ago, and now Luffy was bored. He sighed as he rested his head against the window. After a few moments, Optimus broke the silence.

"You know, you don't seem like any kind of pirate I have heard of. I was under the impression that pirates were criminals, but you do not seem to be bad people." He didn't want to offend the young man, but the thought had been nagging at him for a while.

"I don't see anything wrong with being a pirate. Sailing the seas, searching the world, and putting your life on the line for your treasures. There's nothing better than being completely free!" Luffy grinned, looking at the hat in his hands.

"I do not understand why you would risk your life, just for some treasure." Optimus rumbled with concern.

"Eh? Oh, don't you know? Not all treasures are gold and jewels. My treasures are my friends,and the promise made on my hat. Shishishi."

"I see." Optimus said thoughtfully. "That still doesn't explain why you're wanted by your government."

Luffy shrugged "Stupid marines hate anyone with a pirate flag. They tried to take Robin and Franky away, so we went and took them back. Might have accidentally gotten the island destroyed a little too."

"Basically, if you fly a pirate flag, or even have a pirate for a close relative, the marines will hunt you forever. Most don't even understand what it means to be a pirate anymore." Zoro put in, not opening his eyes.

"And what does it mean to be a pirate?" Optimus was really curious now.

Luffy grinned so widely his face looked like it would split "Why don't you find out for yourself? Join my pirate crew!"

Immediately, protests came over the still active comm-line.

*What are you thinking, moron?* -N

"Not this again." -Z

*Are you mentally deficient, human?* -IH

*What the frag?* -SuSt/SiSw

*Dammit rubber-brain, I knew this was coming.* -S

*Yohoho, Luffy-san has a terrible habit. Ah but if he didn't, I wouldn't be here. * -B

Luffy just laughed. "So how about it? Join my crew. It'll be so much fun."

Optimus was rather taken aback, surprised that he had asked without really knowing anything about him. "While I am honoured you want me on your crew, I am afraid I cannot abandon my current life; nor do I have any desire to become a pirate. Besides, I would not fit on your ship in any case." He said calmly.

Luffy sighed in disappointment "Fine, I guess you have you own crew already." Then he brightened "But that doesn't mean we can't have a party anyway! After all, we're still friends, even if we're on different crews."

The other strawhats were both relieved and annoyed. He hadn't given any of them much choice about joining. And yet, none of them could bring themselves to regret coming aboard.

*Does he do this a lot?* Kidd asked. He was surprised by how fast strawhat chose to invite a complete stranger, one that wasn't even from their world.

*How do you think we all joined the crew? When he asks you to join, it's less a request, and more like your first order as a crew-mate.* Zoro explained. *He almost never takes no for an answer.*

Later

It didn't take long after that to arrive at the airport. They loaded into the carrier plane, and took off. Everyone was pleasantly surprised to find that Sanji had packed bentos for everyone. Even the soldiers got boxes of their own.

"Wow, these are amazing! How did you make these?" Tyler, one of the soldiers, asked.

Sanji grinned "It's a recipe I came up with myself, it's a seasoned fried rice with a mango-pineapple sauce."

"Tyler's right, it's delicious. Where did you learn to cook?" Asked Will.

Sanji's expression turned wistful. "I grew up on a seafaring restaurant. It was called the Baratie, home of the fighting chefs of the sea. Any customer or pirate who tried to skip out on paying, of damage the restaurant was quickly tossed out on their ass. To be honest, some customers came mostly to see the cooks face off against pirates."

Everyone laughed at that. "Sounds like a fun place." Tyler said.

"So what made you choose to become pirates?" Sideswipe wanted to know.

This time Nami answered "We all had different reasons for joining Luffy, but we all wanted to fullfil our own dreams. For me it was a chance to travel, and complete a map of the whole world." She laughed "Most people would think our dreams are foolish, but the only way you'll truly fail is if you're too afraid to try."

All the pirates called agreement.

Nami turned to the others "So what about you? What are your dreams?"

Ironhide shrugged, why not? "My dream is to be reunited with my sparkmate, Chromia. We've been separated for almost 7 vorns now."

As everyone awwed, and teased Ironhide, Will spoke up "I know how you feel 'Hide. Sarah's one of the lights of my life, along with Annabelle. My dream is to see my darling daughter live her life to the fullest, and be as happy as she can be."

This, of course just got him included in the mocking, though he knew they weren't serious.

This started a chain reaction, with everybody stating their dreams. Everything from moving to the tropics, to seeing family, to finally retiring. The autobots joined in too. Sideswipe wanted to go back to being a merchant, like before the war. Sunstreaker wanted to 'leave Earth, and never have to deal with humans again.' "We love you to Sunny!" (Will). And Optimus simply wanted to see an end to the war, and help rebuild a peaceful, prosperous Cybertron.

Everyone was laughing, as the plane came in for a landing.

They had arrived.

Yay, chapter 7! For those who don't know, a vorn is about 83 human years. As always, please review with any thoughts you want to share.