Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers, except my (hopefully) OC Decepticons.

Bit of a longer one. This is something I dreamed about a couple of nights ago, and decided would fit into this collection as it's to do with Sam's job after DOTM.

:: Approaching drop zone. Sam, are you ready?::

Sam glanced left and right before bringing a hand up to his ear, to better hear Optimus Prime's voice emitting from the tiny speaker hidden in his ear canal.

:: Copy that Optimus. Standing by to proceed:: Sam spoke under his breath, the throat mic he wore picking up the vibrations.

Checking again that no one was near his little corner of the Operational Command Centre, he brought out his modified tablet, hooking it up to his main screen. His secondary screen was set up for his "official" job. Being an Engineering Major, since joining NEST he'd been working with the science teams, but his task during missions was to monitor the video for potential hazards the combat teams might encounter, such as unstable buildings and electric cables. His screen was dark at the moment, but would light up with multiple feeds once the teams reached the target zone.

What was going to be displayed on his tablet and main screen however was something special, something that mattered. As he waited for the mission start, Sam thought back to how he ended up in this position.

"Sam, we need to talk" Optimus said, approaching the young man where he stood one of Diego Garcia's many beaches.

"Yeah we need to talk Big Guy." Sam replied waspishly. "Mearing told me you asked for me to be put to work in the nice, safe command centre. Do you not want me out in the field with you and the rest of the Autobots?" he continued rather bitterly, guessing the mechs didn't think he was good enough to join them on missions when they could have tough army guys.

"No Sam, we don't" Optimus replied calmly, "but not for the reasons you believe. The events of two months ago have shown us that we cannot fully trust your government. In fact, the only current members of NEST we feel we can trust to that level are Colonel Lennox and yourself. Part of the reason we want you stationed in Command is that we wish you to be safe, but you will also be playing a key role in helping us."

"How?" Sam asked, frustration fading away. Optimus paused briefly before explaining.

"We cannot trust the mission operatives to give us everything we need to know during combat, nor the full extent of our abilities, which has decreased our efficiency significantly. Having Lennox in the field with us helps, but having someone with access to all the data from the different sectors would greatly help."

"Can't you do that yourselves?" Sam interjected, "You can process the data much easier and much more quickly than a human can."

"That may be so," Optimus replied, "but combat protocols take much of our processing ability and we can work much more cohesively if one person is dedicated to monitoring the incoming data and directing us in battle."

"But why haven't you been doing that here on Earth?"

"Unfortunately we are so few here that removing one warrior from combat could mean the difference between life and death." Optimus answered sadly. "Furthermore, we have come to rely far too much on my second-in-command Prowl for tactical command, who is now lost. His role was to remain behind the lines and formulate battle plans as data can in from across the battlefield."

"And you think I can measure up to this Prowl?" Sam asked, highly doubting it.

"We believe you have the ability to be a great tactician Sam. You have demonstrated many times your ability to compile various pieces of data to gain a correct conclusion. You can also use this to work your way out of difficult situations. Bumblebee has reported your hobby of strategy games, and has said that you often beat him at online chess. These are all hallmarks of a budding tactician."

"Are you sure Optimus? I don't exactly have the best track record for clever plans."

"We are sure Sam. We believe in you" Optimus looked down at the young man who had risked his life for them so many times.

"Well, ok then, don't quite know how this will work, given that they aren't exactly gonna just give me access to all their data" Sam wondered, half to himself.

"Do not worry Sam, we will give you all the help you need..."

Sam came back from his thoughts of the conversation nearly a year ago at the soft beep emitted by his tablet. Looking around he could see the activity in the main part of the command centre picking up speed as the screens depicted the combat teams about to arrive in the target zone.

The beep indicated the first incoming streams of data to his tablet, which had been specially modified by the Autobots to hack into the NEST feeds and to convert it to a display Sam could understand and manipulate; and to translate the volumes of data transmitted continuously by the Autobots and incorporate it into the display. Sam half-expected the thing to just up and transform on him.

:: We have touchdown. Starting search pattern:: Optimus's voice sounded in his ear.

:: Acknowledged. Sensor readings combined with satellite data indicate higher energon concentrations to the north-east, bearing 037 from your position:: Sam reported.

:: Gotcha. Will send Team Alpha in that direction:: That was Lennox, speaking through his own hidden com system. :: Team Bravo will approach from an alternate angle. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker remain here as fast response back-up::

Sam looked back down at his screen, watching as the multi-coloured dots indicating the various Autobots and the smaller dots of the humans dispersing. As they moved the location of the energon signal narrowed down as the data from the 'bots triangulated it. A message popped up on the bottom of the screen from one of the new mechs, one called Hoist, highlighting some of the hazards that Sam was supposed to be spotting, and he quickly reported them. The Autobots helpfully did his official job for him so he could concentrate on the battle plans.

The next few minutes were quiet as the teams moved into position. Sam spent it studying the satellite imagery, trying to spot possible suspects for Decepticons. Through Sam the Autobots had subtly guided the NEST R&D team into satellite technology that bypasses 'Con shielding, although that doesn't stop them from using transcanning and holograms to disguise themselves.

:: Picking up electromagnetic spikes from bearing 086:: Bumblebee reported, his soft British accent familiar to Sam's ear. :: Estimated distance 300 to 500m::

:: Copy that:: Sam immediately zoomed in to the area Bumblebee indicated :: Five possible suspects:: He highlighted the vehicles and transmitted the data.

:: Targets 200m distance:: Optimus replied. :: Sending Bumblebee and Hound to confirm targets::

Sam acknowledged, and then turned back to his display, studying the surroundings. The suspects located around a square where three roads met, two of which the teams were currently heading along. A few seconds later his comm. came to life again.

:: Three targets confirmed:: the unfamiliar voice of Hound came through. :: Specs indicate Decepticons Longshot, Corkscrew and Black Hole:: Three of the vehicles were indicated on his display, one of which was incongruously parked on the roof of a building.

:: Copy that:: Sam checked through the database the Autobots had compiled on all 'Cons encountered. :: Longshot's recorded as an elite sniper, while Black Hole's got some nasty smoke bombs::

:: Ok, well they've gotta know we're in the area with the racket we made coming in:: Lennox stated. :: So they must have so sort of ambush set up; probably with the sniper covering the entrances. So, the sniper's gotta be taken out first::

:: There's a road coming up on your left that'll bring you round to the third road exiting the square:: Sam advised. :: Send a third team along there to cover their escape route, as well as an excuse for Mirage to take out Longshot:: Mirage, codenamed "Dino" to prevent alerting Decepticons to his presence, had been upgraded with technology that allowed him to become almost invisible.

:: Copy that:: Lennox replied :: Team Charlie moving into position. Alpha and Bravo stand by for their mark to act as distraction::

There was a few minutes of silence as the dots on Sam's screen moved into position and then...

:: Ready:: came Mirage's Italian-accented words, and from the video feeds displayed in the main area of the command centre came the sounds of gunfire and rapid orders as the varied pieces of artillery were mobilised. Sam could see on his screen the deep purple dot of Mirage flickering this way and that, seeming to dance with the red dot of Longshot before it disappeared. :: Fragger is dealt with::

The teams continued into the square, aiming fire at the two cars that had been sheltering under the building the other had been parked on top of. As the Autobots added plasma fire to the mix, the 'Cons transformed and returned fire. As more 'Bots took up firing positions, they started to look nervously toward the exit. At an unspoken agreement thick, black smoke billowed through the square and the two 'Cons sped off up the road.

:: Team Charlie, you've got two incoming, contact in T-minus 5 seconds:: Sam transmitted, then watched the red dots of the 'Cons as they collided with the yellow of Bumblebee and blue of Tracks. They swirled for a long couple of minutes in what must have been a furious fight before one 'Cons light winked out of existence. The other broke away, darting with surprising speed and agility into the narrow streets to the west of the main road.

:: Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, go now!:: Optimus almost shouted over the comm. :: Sam, they need an intercept quickly::

Sam rushed to comply. He didn't know where the 'Con was heading as he weaved erratically through the streets and alleys (guess Corkscrew was well named then), but the only exit out of the area to the north and west was a bridge along the western curve of a meander. He quickly plotted an intercept, taking into account the extraordinary speeds of the Twins, which would get them to act as a pincer to cut off the 'Cons escape.

Sam endured a tense few minutes as the dots raced each other, before they collided exactly where he had predicted. A few seconds later...

:: Another 'Con to the Pit! Autobot's rule!:: Sideswipe declared proudly, and the all clear was echoed through the entire command centre::

:: Well done:: Optimus interjected over the conversation now passing between the Autobots. :: We couldn't have done it without you::

Hearty agreement from all the 'Bots rang in Sam's ear. He was finally doing something that mattered.

Hope you all enjoyed that, despite my newly discovered lack of talent in the field of battle choreography. Please R&R.