(As always I appreciate the reviews and yes, they do help.)
Inside the massive main hanger, Lennox nervously waited as Director of National Intelligence Charlotte Mearing arrived and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Morshower was waiting via telecom. Having a new leader among the Autobots created quite a stir among the higher echelon of the US Government. Hours before, Lennox was pressed on any information he had on Sentinel but he could only give them what little he was told by the Autobots. The higher ups were always nervous when someone new was assuming power in another country so a new leader for the Autobots probably made them pull their hair out.
All of the Autobots assembled inside, except for the three flyers that were still doing stunts at thirty thousand feet above the base. Hopefully the base commander wouldn't go completely ballistic over that. Optimus and Magnus were standing next to each and not killing each other so that's a start.
"Before we begin, there is something I must do," said Optimus. His chest piece opened up and he pulled out the Matrix of Leadership. "Whoever leads us must wield the Matrix. That was the custom of the Primes that preceded us and now that it has been found here on Earth, we will continue that tradition," he continued before handing it over to Sentinel. All the new Autobots stared at the object in complete awe.
"I do not know what to say Optimus, only that this is the greatest honor one has ever bestowed upon me," said Sentinel, as opened his chest plates and placed the Matrix inside.
"Yes yes, this is all really nice and all but we have pressing matters here," said Mearing.
"General Morshower, Director Manning, I want to introduce you to the new leader of the Autobots Sentinel Prime," said Lennox. Sentinel looked down at Manning and didn't seem the gentle type that Optimus did. He did give off an aura of strength and someone not to be messed with.
"I've had time to go over our treaty. I understand you have been using Autobots in covert missions against your own people?" asked Sentinel, though it was more of an accusation then a question.
Lennox groaned and turned to Bumblebee who shrugged as if to say sorry. "Covert ops? The Autobots engage only Decepticons and do not get involved in conflicts…" Mearing tried to say.
"Your people may lie to you but my Autobots do not lie to me," said Sentinel.
Mearing turned to the view screen where General Morshower looked very uncomfortable. "The decision to carry out those operations was done by the Autobots. They planned and coordinated the missions themselves. It was their choice to do so," said Morshower.
"Funny how I'm just now finding this out," said Mearing, glaring at Lennox.
"Sir, permission to speak freely?" asked Sideswipe. Sentinel nodded his head. "The humans brought these matters to our attention and we volunteered to solve them. We were never forced to do anything against our will," he continued.
Sentinel turned back to the humans. "We are refugees, survivors of a war that claimed almost our entire race. And yet, you would have us detained on military bases where we need permission to leave and carry out missions that benefit you," accused Sentinel.
"What's he doing?" Ratchet whispered to Jolt. The blue Autobot shrugged, just as confused as the rest of the Autobots.
"What's his problem?" Lennox asked Epps.
"I don't know but that guy really rubs me the wrong way," replied Epps.
"That's not true. The Autobots come and go all the time, we just need to know where they're going," said Morshower.
"I did not fight for freedom from the Decepticons only to become slaves to someone else," said Sentinel, starting to get angry. The situation was getting tense with most of the NEST soldiers near the Autobot leader starting to back away. Optimus stepped forward and touched Sentinel's shoulder.
"Sentinel please calm down, this is no way to treat the humans. They are allies and we are their guests," said Optimus.
"Yes, you're here with the permission of our government. And you want to say here, you've got to follow the rules," said Mearing.
"I will overlook your tone only if you listen closely. The Autobots will never solve one of your human conflicts again. We are not machines for you to use, we are sentient beings and we will no longer be your garbage collectors," said Sentinel.
"But sir…" Arcee started to protest.
"I did not give you permission to speak." said Sentinel, silencing her. The Autobots were stunned and so was Lennox. He had never seen any Autobot act like this. "I also understand that Optimus has agreed to help you develop weaponry with Cybertronian technology," said Sentinel.
"Yes sir, I've been working to create weapons the humans can use against the Decepticons. Other then explosive weaponry, all infantry based weapons are essentially useless against the 'Cons," explained Wheeljack.
"I'm rescinding that agreement." said Sentinel.
"What?" yelled Mearing. The other humans were just as outraged as she was.
"Sentinel, I've had mixed feelings about this before but I trust these humans. I could not just let them go into battle with the Decepticons unprepared," said Optimus.
"They could use these weapons against us. I won't allow that," said Sentinel.
"We had an agreement. You can't just back out whenever you feel like," said Mearing. Sentinel ignored her comments.
"I'm adding a new request to our treaty. I'm demanding a section of land whether it is an island or anything where we may claim as our own. It will be sovereign territory for us and free from any of your so called obligations," said Sentinel.
"That is outrageous!" yelled Mearing. The Autobots began to whisper among themselves.
"We're finished here," said Sentinel who turned and walked away.
"Hey, we're not done here!" shouted Mearing. Sentinel transformed into a Cybertronian vehicle and remained stationary. "Do you hear me? I said we're not done!" Mearing continued to shout as she approached Sentinel. The Autobot leader remained still and silent, not reacting to her at all. Lennox supposed that was the Autobot version of the cold shoulder.
"You're not going to get anything else from him. He's made up his mind," said Ultra Magnus, indifferent to the whole situation.
"Well you better tell him to unchanged his mind," said Mearing. Magnus leaned down and glared at the human.
"I don't take orders from you human," spat Magnus.
"Easy Magnus," said Optimus, calming him down.
Manning was shouting at Optimus while Lennox approached Sideswipe and Mirage. "What the hell was that?" he asked.
"I don't know. I've never seen him like this before," said Sideswipe.
"I've seen Sentinel angry before but nothing like this," agreed Mirage.
"You better talk to him!" yelled Mearing to Optimus before storming out.
The next morning, the newly arrived Autobots began finding vehicles to scan and imitate. Prowl: Carbon E7 police car, Cliffjumper: Saleen S281 Ford Mustang, Warpath: M1128 Mobile Gun System, and Ultra Magnus: 2009 Peterbilt 587 Semi-Truck. The Aerialbots kept their F-35s forms and Sentinel chose a Rosenbauer Panther Fire Truck.
Things were tense between the Autobots and the humans. Sentinel's demands created a political hailstorm with the Pentagon and White House being furious. Optimus told Lennox to let him talk to Sentinel and hopefully calm him down before any further communication with their government.
"Sentinel, can you come with me? I want to show you something," said Optimus.
"Of course Prime, lead the way," replied Sentinel. The two transformed into their vehicle modes and left the base. Optimus led his mentor along the highways and through several nearby to see how the humans live. The two stopped in the desert outside Las Vegas.
"The humans are most ingenious," said Sentinel.
"They are more like us then you think," said Optimus.
"And that is what worries me," commented Sentinel, looking out among the horizon.
"You can't judge them all based on the actions of others, anymore then anyone then someone should judge every Cybertronian just because of the actions of Megatron and his follower," said Optimus.
"Regardless of their actions, their priorities can no longer be ours. Without the AllSpark our race cannot continue and for all we know, we may be the last surviving Autobots. Everyone of us now is too invaluable to lose. We cannot risk anyone for the humans' problems," said Sentinel.
"I understand that. But this planet is our home and it is our duty to protect it from both the Decepticons and humans who are a threat to others," said Optimus.
"That is noble but the humans of this single government are exploiting us Optimus. I want refuge from all human conflicts and problems. A place where the Autobots will safe from that and hopefully, a chance to try and rebuild our race," said Sentinel.
"The humans can help us accomplish that by working with them. Demanding things like you did won't get you anything," said Optimus.
"I will try in the future to be more considerate of their feelings but my decision is final. I will not permit any further military aide against their own conflicts and no exchange of weapons technology," said Sentinel.
"If that is your decision then I will stand by it. We should return," said Optimus.
"You go on ahead, I want to see this world a little more. I'm placing you in charge until I get back," said Sentinel.
"Yes sir," said Optimus before transforming into his vehicle mode and driving off.
Megatron waited on his throne with only the small Brains working on his face. The Decepticons were all waiting for his signal before doing anything else, despite their reservations. He was about to make the biggest gamble he's ever done. The others wouldn't understand if they knew. He was doing this not just for the greater good of the Decepticons but for Cybertron. That is, if this works.
"You said this would be finished by now," grunted Megatron.
"Hey, your face takes a little longer then your memories. I'm a computer programmer, not an architect," complained Brains. Megatron flicked him off. "Hey! That hurt!" yelled Brains.
Then the Decepticon leader picked up the transmission, the signal he's been waiting for. He transformed into his jet form and flew off, his mind set on what had to be done.
Sentinel waited in the open field before his optics caught something flying towards him. It was about time he showed up. Megatron transformed mid-air and landed on his feet. "Well it has certainly been a long time," said Megatron.
"Indeed. You were supposed to safeguard the AllSpark until I arrived," said Sentinel.
"Things did not go as planned," said Megatron.
"So I gathered. The Fallen and I were supposed to bring the AllSpark back to Cybertron together," said Sentinel.
"Optimus foiled all of that," said Megatron.
"Did you expect any less from him? This war has gone on long enough," replied Sentinel.
"I agree. Does our original agreement still stand?" asked Megatron.
"Obviously it will need to change. Without the AllSpark, we have no means of continuing our race. I've tried to recreate it but my efforts are pointless," said Sentinel.
Megatron reached into his shell and pulled something out, a small metallic fragment. "Will a fragment of the AllSpark help?" the Decepticon asked.
Sentinel took it out of Megatron's hand. He studied the small designs, his hope realized once again. "Yes. If I merge this fragment with my own design to jump start its energy, use the Matrix of Leadership to power it, then it just might work," said the Prime.
"Then we can recreate our race and our world. Together," said Megatron. He held out his hand. "Do we have a deal?" he asked.
Sentinel didn't even hesitate to shake the Decepticon's hand. "The Autobots and Decepticons will be shall one again," said Sentinel.
(The ending is why I called the fic The Alliance. It refers to the alliance between Sentinel Prime and Megatron. But I hated that in the movie Sentinel just shot Ironhide in the back and defected to the Decepticons and that the 'Cons just accepted his leadership. I half expected them all to shoot Sentinel when he took over in the film. This Sentinel is much craftier as you'll see. I'm going to fix some things on the old chapters before I post Chapter 5.)