Hey everyone! Wow, this took longer to post than I thought. Sorry 'bout that. To make up for it, you all get to meet Wash! And his picture is up on my profile. Also, the horror movie poll is now up! Please take a moment to cast your vote. You all decide what movie I use! Hope you all enjoy! Please review and tell me what you think!
As always, I own nothing!
~Mel

The ride to the clearing where their air transportation was waiting for them had only taken a little more than 2 and a half hours, and Alise had no idea where they were. By the time their short journey was coming to a close, they were traveling on a large dirt road, surrounded by nothing but sand. When she asked Lennox where in the world they were, all he said was that they were in one of the government inhabited deserts near the Mexican border. Not that that made it any more specific. There were probably dozens of those.

The ride over had been smooth enough. Even though she didn't show any outward signs of being distressed, Alise was able to calm down after a half an hour into the ride. Listening to the sounds of 'Hide's grunts and Epps and Lennox's laughter was enough to give her ease and chase away the feelings of sorrow from leaving her family and Bee. But even though her brother-like soldiers were able to keep most the hollow feeling in the heart whole, there was still a little ache there that wouldn't go away. She knew there was only one person could fill it.

When they arrived at their destination, Alise's eyes widened and her mouth hung open a little as they pulled into the clearing. Appearing to the right out her window, hidden from her view earlier by a high sand dune, were three massive aircraft waiting in the middle of the desert. Gray in color and at least a few hundred meters long, the three planes themselves were very similar in shape and size, but they were different from any other aircraft she had ever seen before. Their wings had a certain curve to them that was unfamiliar to her and the body of the plane looked inflated in a way, as if made to hold inhumanly large objects.

The form and sheer enormousness of the crafts was truly astonishing and Alise was lost in their craftsmanship. As her eyes memorized the aircraft, she noticed that beneath them was a large, paved, long road, undeniably a runway, colored to look the color of the sand from a distance, but dark enough that you could still tell the difference from close up.

Epps looked over to see her mesmerized state and let out an amused laugh.

"Beauties aren't they?" he asked her. She nodded in response without looking at him, the shocked look still on her face. This made him give out another chuckle. "They're gonna be our rides to Diego Garcia. They're the Liberty, the Unity, and the Tyger Pax."

"We had to get them especially made so they could support the Autobots' weight," Lennox said, sticking his head up from the back seat. "They'd be in the running for the largest cargo planes in the world. If they existed, of course," he added with a smirk.

Epps nodded in agreement. "They're certainly one of a kind. They were designed to be cargo craft though, so it will basically be pitch black in them. Flight'll be pretty long, too. We'll be riding in Unity to the base with our men and the new recruits. Optimus and Ratchet'll be in Pax, and you, 'Hide, and Jolt will be in Liberty."

Alise finally turned to face them.

"Jolt?" she asked, confused. She didn't recognize the name.

'Hide answered this question. "He is one of our fellow Autobot soldiers. He answered Prime's message to our presence on Earth and arrived a few weeks ago."

"Oh," Alise answered. She hadn't realized that there were more Autobots in out somewhere in the universe, and yet it made sense. Cybertron was an entire planet. Why wouldn't there be other survivors? "What's he like?"

"He's a good soldier," 'Hide responded. "Doesn't say much, but he obeys orders and is useful in battle. He's an electrics specialist."

"Okay," Alise said. "Is there anyone else arriving?"

"Yes. We received messages from three of our comrades. Their names are Sideswipe, Mudflap, and Skids. There was also a possible communication link with a femme named Arcee, but the connection was very poor. We hope to hear from any other survivors. Sideswipe should be coming into Earth's orbit in a matter of days. The twins, however, will be a week or so at the least."

"Twins?"

"Yes. The two are brothers."

Taking in all this new information, Alise sat back and looked back to the aircraft. A soft smile came to her face. The thought of meeting new Autobots was exciting.

"So how about them?" she continued. "What are they like?"

'Hide didn't say anything. Instead, he gave a rough, short grunt. Alise's face scrunched in confusion. She turned to Epps and Lennox.

"Am I missing something?"

Lennox chuckled. "Apparently Mudflap and Skids aren't exactly the most... intelligent of beings in the universe."

"How so?"

Epps laughed. "The human term that would fit them best would be 'wannabe gangsters.' When we first heard about them, that's what Ratch called them. Well, actually, the first term he used was 'slagged in the brain,' but then he called them that. We thought they were exaggerating until we listened to the message they sent to the Autobots and, well," Epps stopped for a moment and hung his head, chuckling to himself. "Frankly, I'm a little worried about having them on base."

"And Sideswipe apparently has a talent for pranks," Lennox finished. Ironhide rumbled beneath them.

"I was one of his favorite targets on Cybertron," 'Hide grumbled to the group. "I doubt that will change." All three humans laughed at the bot's expense.

"Soldiers are soldiers, 'Hide," Lennox said after a moment. He only grunted in response.

All of the vehicles drove over to where the aircraft were parked, lining up in a straight row a couple hundred yards away from them. Then simultaneously, the backs of the large planes were let down, creating ramps for the vehicles. Lennox and Epps started to stand up, and one of 'Hide's doors opened for them.

"That's our cue to go," Lennox said. He reached over and gave Alise a tight hug. "We'll see you in a few hours, okay?" Alise nodded against his shoulder and he released her, giving her a smile before exiting the Topkick. Then Epps wrapped her in an embrace also.

"Will you be okay?" he asked her, looking her in the eyes. "I could always stay here if you want me, too." He wanted to make sure she would be okay. He knew having 'Hide with her would make her feel better, but it was still a long flight to be in the dark without other people.

She gave him a smile and nodded sincerely. "No, Epps. Go with Lennox and the men. 'Hide and I will have a little bonding time, won't we rust bucket?" She smirked at the rearview window.

'Hide grunted. "Don't get used to calling me that, girly."

Alise turned back to Epps and smiled widely. "Yeah, I think I'll be good."

Epps nodded. "Okay. See you in a bit." He then followed after Lennox and exited.

Alise watched out 'Hide's window as Lennox and Epps walked over to one of the black vans that trailed behind the Autobots. The doors immediately opened at their arrival and they were greeted with open hands and exclamations and yells of joy and amusement that she could barely hear. The looks on their faces upon seeing their men changed from cool and collected to elated and humored. They were pulled into the opened van with all their comrades and the door was quickly pulled closed behind them. Alise smiled.

The leader of the row, Optimus, started to drive his Peterbilt form into one of the awaiting aircraft and he was followed closely by Ratchet. The two made their way up the ramp and into the back of the plane. When they were both fully inside, the ramp lifted up, sealing the two in.

Next were Alise and 'Hide. The Topkick form drove to the middle plane between the two others and speed up a little when they reached the ramp. There was a slight bump when they drove up it and Alise jumped a little in her seat, but afterwards it was smooth ride into the plane.

When they first entered, Alise noticed that they weren't the only living things in the craft. There were a few soldiers walking around in the middle of the plane. All of them seem to have a purpose, either carrying supplies over to a certain location or strapping crates to the walls for the flight. As they entered, a few of the soldiers looked up to watch the Topkick park in the middle of the massive airship, but most of them carried on with their work, unfazed by the Autobot appearance.

Alise looked up at the inside of the plane. It was still enormous in size, but it looked slightly smaller from the inside. She noticed that it was large enough that maybe Bee or Ironhide would be able to stand in it, but most definitely not Optimus. It was very wide in size, also, probably about the size of a little less than half of a football field. The plane was dark inside, the only main light source coming in from the opening they just came from.

A short moment after they pulled in, the blue car Alise now knew as Jolt drove in also, parking next to them. He didn't say anything as he did this, but he blinked his headlights at Ironhide, making him grunt in response. Besides that, he didn't make any other contact. The ramp behind them then started to close and after a moment, they were sealed in, the light source disappearing. The place was pitch black in front of them.

Alise automatically leaned back into 'Hide's seating, the surrounding darkness making her feel uncomfortable, but then she heard a command of "Hit the lights!" by one of the soldiers. There was the sound of a breaker of some sorts, and then a faint glow illuminated the inside of the plane. It was light enough that you would be able to see about a foot or so in front of you, but that was about it. Alise couldn't see across the plane. She wondered for a moment how the soldiers who were still on the floor when the lights went out would make it to a safe location for takeoff, but then she noticed that on the floor in front of where the walls would be were short neon blue lines, glowing to mark the way. 'Hide and Jolt then backed up close to one of the walls of the plane so that they wouldn't be thrown back during takeoff.

"What time will it be when we get there?" Alise asked, curious to know the answer.

"The flight will durate for about 22 hours," 'Hide answered, "and the time different is about 11 hours compared to that of California. It should be around 10 at night over there when we arrive."

Alise nodded her head in thanks and stayed quiet.

There was no movement or sound for about 10 minutes or so, when suddenly a voice came over the speaker system.

"All personnel are to report to the designated safe zones in the aircraft for takeoff. Liberty will launch in t minus 2 minutes. I repeat, t minus 2. Instructions will be given when personnel are authorized to walk about the aircraft."

The voice then cut off. Alise shifted a little in her seat. She felt like she should be going something like the soldiers were, but she knew that the safest place for her was right where she was sitting, in 'Hide. As if proving her current thought, the seatbelt slide over her and wrapped tightly around her. There would be no moving for her.

"Better hang on tight, girly," 'Hide told her, and she nodded in response in the rearview window. She also gripped the seats a little. She swallowed thickly.

"'Hide?" He grunted in reply. "Is it alright if I'm a little nervous?"

"About what exactly?" he asked her.

"Everything."

'Hide let out a short chuckle.

"Everything is going to be fine, Alise," he told her assuringly. "You are skilled in your profession and will be an excellent addition to NEST. And I promised Bumblebee that I would look after you myself. You have nothing to fear."

Alise let out a soft sigh that she didn't know she was holding in. "Thanks, 'Hide."

"Of course."

The voice on the intercom came back then and started to say a countdown. When it got down to the last five numbers, the plane started to shake with anticipation.

"5...4...3...2...1-"

The last number was barely spoken before the plane took off and Alise was jolted into 'Hide's seating. She could feel the plane racing on the runway below them and she knew that the speed in which they were going was not the normal speed of a flight takeoff. Of course she had to remember that this wasn't a normal plane. After a moment or so of this, she felt the plane tip upwards and rise into the sky. They stayed in the position of being tilted upwards for a few minutes, the plane soaring higher and higher into the sky before they leveled out. Then the speed she was feeling prior seemed to stop. They were still moving, but there was more of a coasting feeling now. It was calmer. They had left California behind.

Suddenly the voice on the intercom came back.

"We are currently maintaining a normal cursing speed. All personnel are now authorized to walk about the aircraft. All will be notified if this should change."

After the announcement, Alise started to see vague outlines of movement in the dim light of the aircraft which informed her that the soldiers were up and about. Watching the soldiers moving around and knowing that all she could do for the next 22 hours was sit, she suddenly felt very sleepy. It had been a long morning, and Alise's eyelids were in danger of closing on her, the events of the day finally taking their toll on her. Positioning herself into the nook between the seat and the door, she put her feet on the seat and rested her head on the seatbelt.

"Might as well get some sleep, 'Hide," she mumbled to him, burying her head in the seat.

"Agreed," he responded. He suddenly sounded very tired also.

She quickly peaked over at the time on the dash. It read 11:42. She then placed her forehead back on the seat, but she didn't close her eyes right away. Her thoughts were starting to turn to Bee. While lying in Ironhide certainly surrounded her with the feeling of safety, it wasn't the same. Bee let off a gentle and caring feel while 'Hide was all rough and tough. And though she loved her gruff Autobot brother, she longed for her Bee. With that in mind, her heart started to sink a little, a sharp ache there. What she would give at that moment to be sitting on his shoulder or lying on his chest... She then closed her eyes, sleep overtaking her as a single tear ran down her cheek.

Alise's eyes started to slowly open a little a few hours later. Woken by nothing but an ended dream, she blinked a few times to waken herself a little before she turned her head to the side slightly. Remembering she was in the Topkick, she looked over at the dashboard to see that everything was turned off. She automatically knew that this meant 'Hide was asleep. Trying her best not to move, she closed her eyes again, planning on going back to sleep. However, as she began to drift off, there was a sharp bang on the side of the door she was lying on.

Multiple things happened then at once. Alise let out a startled yell, completely surprised at the sudden noise. 'Hide awoke with a start, also letting out a surprised noise; however he also started to charge up his weapons, his military instinct taking over. Jolt, who was resting next to them, did the same. And outside where the two Autobots were was the sound of a startled man yelling.

"Hey, hey!" he called out. "Cool it, 'Hide! It's just me!"

It was silent for a moment. Then 'Hide let out a low growl.

"You're really pushing it, Wash," he all, but snarled at the unseen man. Then there was a laugh from the outside. Alise, her hand over her beating heart, looked out the window.

Standing below the window but a few feet any from the seething Autobot was a twenty-something dark-skinned man. He was about six feet tall more or less and physically fit, sporting accented muscles. He was wearing the familiar military grab that Alise was used to seeing on Lennox and Epps, only it was missing a few medals that she had noticed on theirs. The young man was wearing a humored smile on his face, and she noticed he had white, near perfect teeth. When she looked through the window, she was noticed by the man, and he flashed this gleaming smile towards her.

"Hello!" he called up to her. "I was wondering if I could have a moment."

Alise was confused by the request, but nodded. Ironhide opened the door for her to exit and she carefully stepped down from the Topkick with the help of a hand from the man.

"Thanks," she said as she exited. "Can I help you?"

The man chuckled. "Actually, I wanted to introduce myself. You're Alise, right?" She nodded. "My name is Corporal Nathan Wash. Most people around here just call me Wash, though." He chuckled and held out his hand which Alise took. They withdrew as he continued. "Epps and Lennox told me that you'd be one of the interpreters I'd be working with. I heard you were traveling with 'Hide so I decided to see if could talk to you for a moment. Sorry if I scared you."

Alise laughed. "I don't think I'm the one you'd have to worry about," she said. "I thought 'Hide here was gonna bring out the big guns." 'Hide grunted in agreement. "Let sleeping Autobots lie I guess."

Wash laughed, also. "Yeah, I think that's a good idea."

"Well, in any case, it's nice to meet you. Did you meet any of the other interpreters yet?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I did. There's five of us all together. I met two, Parker Cliff, who speaks Iranian and Turkish, and Latif. God bless 'em he's the nicest guy, but I'm not going to try and pronounce his last name. He speaks Swahili."

"And the last one?"

"Not sure about him. Haven't met him yet or know his name. I heard he speaks Japanese, Chinese, and something else, though." He laughed. "That's our Motley Crue."

Alise laughed. "Yeah, we sound like a typical Brady Bunch." She smirked and gestured to the Topkick next to her. "I say 'Hide here's Alice."

Wash burst out in laughter, gripping his stomach. 'Hide growled next to them.

"Though I do not understand your pop culture references that you use to belittle me, judging by his reaction it can't be good."

Alise chuckled. "Don't worry about it, 'Hide. All in good fun." He grunted.

When his laughing silenced, Wash turned to Alise and smiled again.

"It was good meeting you, Alise," he said earnestly. "Oh, and this is for you." He bent over and picked up a small package near his feet that she didn't notice was there before. Handing it to her, she noticed it was warm and that there was a faint, delicious smell surrounding it. Her stomach suddenly growled loudly, causing her to blush a little in embarrassment. Wash laughed. "Didn't think we'd let you starve, did you? It's not half bad. Luckily you got on the plane where the chef is being transported. Everyone else is probably getting some brown mush concoction, but we got Chief with us."

"Chief?"

"Yeah, that's what we call him." She nodded in understanding. "Oh, and if you need to use the little girl's room, follow the green lights." He pointed over to the corner of one of the walls, and Alise saw the location he was talking about. She nodded gratefully.

"Thank you," she told him. He nodded.

"Well, I'll let you get to your dinner. Shout if you need anything."

"Will do. Thanks again!"

"No problem." With that he walked away, giving her a parting wave. The door to the Topkick opened back up behind her. Alise tossed up in the package first and then started to climb up his large form, struggling on the way up. When she finally made it, the door closed behind her.

"So how do you know him?" she asked him as she sat down and started to open her package. She opened the small box and saw that it contained a hot, delicious looking sandwich. Her mouth watered as she picked it up and bit into it. It tasted wonderful.

"I got to know him when we were stationed with Lennox and Epps's men after Mission City," he responded. Alise nodded.

She ate her sandwich quickly, careful not to get any crumbs on 'Hide's seating. When she finished, she once again felt the waves of exhaustion hit her. She looked over and saw that it was 4:22. They still had a long way to go.

"I'm going back to sleep, 'Hide," she told him. "Promise you won't threatened to blow up the next Good Samaritan that comes by."

He huffed. "No guarantees. Sedate now. "

"Yeah, yeah," she responded with a chuckled. "Night."

"Goodnight."