AN: This was an idea I got thinking about how would a Transformer story go if the human kids meet the Autobots by being kidnapped by them. I know it sounds iffy and weird but I went along with this story. So here is the story, I'll have more details at the end, enjoy.

Legend:

"Roll Out!"- Talk

What did you say?- Thought

"*Can you read me now?*"- Comm-link and radio

The Key

"Hey! Darby!" called Vince from below. "I want this place spotless when I get back in the morning!"

"Yes, sir."

The dark haired teen just watched the red head march out the hanger door, scoffed moments after the door closed and resumed mopping the platform. He dragged the mop with hard strokes as he muttered to himself.

"'I'm head of Junior Division, Silas himself gave this position, so you gotta do what I say. It's 'have to do as I say', sir. 'Like I care what you think, Darby, just do your work! Clean up this place for tomorrow, it's all you're good for. Pfft! Like I want your job."

He walks around the platform back to his mop bucket to ring out the wet tool. He paused here and looked over the side down at the laid down figure of metal. The giant robot humanoid was shut off for the night, placed back on its charging berth, and cleaned (That was part the Junior Divisions work, but Jack was forced to do all the cleaning.) for tomorrows next combat session. He had seen it in action after the first week Silas had brought it from some sort of skirmish of an unknown faction. He said it was a new trophy that M.E.C.H would use for their goals. Immediately they began their combat tests for their remote control systems. Jack wasn't allowed on site, but he had a perfect view from his work station on base and he was in awe at how such a great lumbering machine could move with such precision, power, and fluid movement that made him wish Silas had never found the thing. Heck, he even witnessed the discovery that it can transform its hands into swords that could cut through titanium!

Despite the full control the scientists 'say' they had on it, Jack never understood why they had to strap it down with heavy duty strappings.

Putting the mop handle against the railing, he folded his arms to lean on the rail, and looked at the shielded face of the robot. Its knight like helmeted head gleamed under the lights, he admired the blue shine that seemed interwoven with the red armored torso and the lithe strong legs and blue peds. A true masterpiece of robotic engineering, too bad it would be used for a horrific purpose under Silas.

On one bright side, whenever Jack got the night shift in the hanger, he'd would find himself talking to it in the long nights. He didn't quite understand why he did so, but anyone working in a silent environment always liked having talk to someone, especially when who or what you're talking to doesn't mind your venting.

"Well, big guy, you were quite a mess earlier. I had to get the special cleaner to get all that dirt out of you, like it'll matter; one left over speck and I'm up to my hair in 'punishment detail'. 'Why flip burgers for a living when you could get high pay from M.E.C.H', flipping burgers don't require all that expectation, and I could deal with pushy customers to Vince's cawing," the boy laid his head on this arms. "But you, some kind of alien tech for us greedy humans to use for God knows what, you have the capabilities they want. Did you know they're building a copy of you in the other hanger? I thought one of you was enough, but not when it comes with Director Bishop. But you know, maybe you weren't made for combat, you could probably be something like an automated gardener or librarian on whatever planet you came from. Do you even have plants on your planet, well we could use a giant gardener."

The boy stopped for a few moments then hung his forehead on the folded arms and sighed harshly.

"I am a loser… I'm talking to an inanimate alien robot. Sigh, I think I'm going to quit and get therapy," he put a hand through his hair and looked back at his silent audience. "…but it won't help mom, she's got enough problems, 'just have to keep pushing forward' she always says. And if I work hard enough, maybe I'll find my perfect place out there. Not a deal for you, buddy, you've got your fate already laid out. Wish I could do something, hate to see something great like you get tarnished."

Jack straightened up and grabbed the mop. "Well back to work."

He picks up the mop bucket and carries it down the ramp to the main floor and began mopping. Here he kept silent, he made a sweep around the berth then spotted something shining on the floor in the dim hanger lights.

Putting the handle against the berth and squatted down the take a closer look.

At first he thought it was a jumbled mess of leftover wire. Yet, as he looked at it the more it looked to be bent in a form that looked like a masterly crafted metal key.

"Huh," he picked it up, stood up, and turned it over in his hand. Silver and blue seemed to twinkle in the lights that gave it a more… alien look. Jack looked up at the figure. "Guess that last field test finally knocked something off."

At first he hesitates, he should really call in and inform the scientists about the piece, but they'll probably blame him for the damage instead and cut his pay. Anyway, the base was so fortified they never bothered to put cameras in the hanger so, what the heck. He took off his shoes, so not to leave shoe prints, jumped onto the berth, tenderly grabbed the red armor of the closest arm and began climbing up. He made sure his hands gripped where he wouldn't cut himself, and reached the chest area and sat up on his knees and looked around for some…

There.

An opening in the windshield-like chest plates revealed a spot that had the same outline as the key-like object. Casting one last look at the strange key, he places it within the area, there were some kind of locks on the outline, and clicked the key in accordingly. He paused to see if something would happen but nothing happened.

"Now you're back with all your pieces."

Feeling a little satisfied with himself Jack climbed back down, however he never noticed the key in its slot glow blue along with the opened two optics from the robot's head that followed the boy.

Putting his shoes back on Jack continued his mopping, kicking the mop bucket to the next area; it's squeaking wheels echoed in the hanger, making the teen cringe at the noise. After ringing out the dirty water from the mop head, he paused at a sudden metal groan echoing in the building. He shrugged after a second, having been used to the groans of the metal hanger that would echo in the night from the heat of Nevada hot sun of the day, and began mopping again when…

Thump…

He stopped, feeling the sudden vibration from the floor. He blinked, Was there a night combat training scheduled tonight, and Vince didn't tell me? He is 'head of the Junior Division' after all. He shook his head and went back to his mopping.

Thump… Whirl… Clang…

Jack stopped and straightened his back. That…didn't sound like a tank bomb aftershock.

Thump-klink… Thump-klink…

No tank bomb would go off in a pattern that sounded like foot-

Jack slowly looked into his mop bucket to see the ripples of the water with each vibration, and he shook at the crescendo-ing sound.

Thump-klink, Thump-clang... THUMP!

His grip on the mop handle tightened, the hairs on the back of his neck bristled when he noticed the new shadow on the floor and the looming presence over him.

Don't turn, just run, don't turn, just run, don't turn, JUST…

Sadly for Jack, his body didn't listen as he slowly turned around and all the air stopped in his throat as he saw the pillar-like legs before him; behind them, an empty berth with loose strappings. He tilted his head up, and up until his wide blue-gray eyes connect with the bright blue optics looking down at him.

The two beings stared at each other for a moment that felt like an eternity, until Jack finally took a soft shaky breath when the giant blue helmeted head tilted slightly.

White knuckled with his grip on the mop handle Jack slowly moved backwards toward the hanger doors; more toward the direction of the alarm button right next to the door controls. When the blue eyes narrowed (in amusement, maybe?) at this action and moved a large hand toward him, Jack finally turned around and scrabbled into a sprint, the mop clattered noisily on the floor when he dropped it, and reached for the button.

He cried out in dismay when he got a sudden vertigo from being scooped up and held in a sturdy, and surprising gentle, grip of the metal hand around his body. He tried to force the fingers to release him and struggled as he tried to call out to the outside.

"HELP! Someone help! The robot is-"

"I'm afraid whatever help is available is being withheld and distracted at the moment."

The human stopped at the sound of a low baritone voice of a deity. He turned his head to the robot head and his jaw dropped when the mask shield suddenly retracted to reveal its true face. A silver face that bore a small gentle smile at the boy's reactions.

"But you need not fear me Jackson Darby, for I have no intention to harm you, or anyone of this base," then it frowned with brow plates, Jack finally noticed, over the optics that glanced at a certain direction. "Though there are some I'm reconsidering."

Jack's mind just locked up at this dream, or was it really a dream? The alien robot, no this intelligent being, did not just…

"… You can talk, and you know my name…" the teen spoke softly with a staccato at the end.

The blue optics looked back at him, making him flinch, and then the metal being spoke in a serious tone.

"I know more than you believe Mr. Darby, and though I would enjoy to finally have a decent conversation, we haven't much time and I have a more pressing question to ask you."

"Me?" the boy pointed to himself in shock.

"Where is the facility that holds the copy of my frame?"

"Uh… Oh yeah, that thing," Jack stammered as he pointed to the doors. "Just out this hanger and to the one down a few on the left."

Jack suddenly had to hold onto the metal thumb as the giant moved with surprising grace. The being then moved his free hand toward the door controls and Jack was amazed to see a shock coming from a finger and the controls activated the doors to fully open. They walked out onto the main tarmac, where he noticed that the whole base was quiet, except for some commotion at a far distance; not even a perimeter guard was seen from his elevated height. Wasn't this supposed to be the most fortified base in the country? If Jack was uneasy before, his was internally panicked now. He looked back up nervously at the blank face of his captor as he moved left to his next destination.

"Uh, will you let me go now?" the boy tried to plead. "I promise not to tell anyone what happened, I'll probably get fired anyway at the end of all this."

"The moment I release you will be when my mission is done," came the cryptic replay that had Jack groan silently. Moving down the tarmac they reached another hanger, Jack knew there should be guards here but again no one was around. "Is this the facility?"

"Yeah, but the place is locked and full of alarms. I doubt you'll even-" he stopped when the being lift the hanger door with ease. "…open the door… how?"

They walked into the hanger, the lights were on and consoles of computers circled another berth with a near perfect copy of the being. But it looked to be made of metal from a junkyard that the scientists put together, the head had optics as well but unlike the bright optics of his captor, the copy's optics didn't look or feel alive; a control seat with monitors was connected next to it, for Silas to control no doubt. Jack was glad he was never assigned to clean this hanger, the copy made him more uneasy, knowing full well he was in the warm metal hand of the original. Speaking of which….

"Whoa, uh, great likeness, but totally not perfect of course," Jack commented, when the being hummed in disapproval at the sight. He looked back at the copy, not seeing the secret smirk on the silver face. The teen then cried out when he was suddenly moved to the beings shoulder, was let go and forced to hold on to the shoulder armor as the now free hand opened a compartment in its other forearm and took out what looked like a black propane tube tank and placed it on the torso of the copy. He kept his silence, letting the being place more of the tank-like bombs around the hanger, once done Jack found himself in the hand again and was carried out of the hanger, the being pulled the door closed and walked down the tarmac to the main gate.

Feeling that the giant's mission was done he turned to the silent face. "Uh, now that that's taken care of, will you let me go now? ... Please, sir-"

Jack suddenly became blinded as a pillar of light hits the beings body, he turned to the source and strained his eyes to see clearly. When his eyes adjusted, he paled and his stomach dropped. "…Crud."

Blocking the gate was an array of armored cars, tanks, and machine guns pointed directly at them. Search lights directed at them lit up the night and infantry soldiers baring the M.E.C.H logo on their uniforms aimed their guns. Jack tried to make himself into a smaller target at the sight, then he wanted to disappear when he saw that his top boss, Director Silas Bishop, stand tall on top of one of the cars. The chiseled, barrel chested gray haired man stood like a statue in his cameos, and a bullhorn in his hand was brought up to address the stoic and unsurprised metal being.

"NBE X, desist and return to hanger M7 immediately!" the graveled command called out, then his tone turned into a smug sneer. "Wonderful distraction you had for us, but we saw right through it before you've made your escape. You are surrounded and outgunned, so let's save ourselves from having to damage you and obey my commands!" The man then noticed that the robot was holding something, and had Vince, who was the car's driver, point the light at it, illuminating the nervous face a black haired teen from his youth corps. He was surprised at this, Vince made a sound of disbelief and recognition. Silas himself always memorized all those employed to him to have every advantage to control them, so he too recognized the teen as well. His face formed into an enraged snarl that amplified with the bullhorn. "Darby! Get down from there now!

Jack's heart pounded at the how the situation escalated. He tried to desperately call out to explain, but the metal hand gripped tighter around him as the being responded, making the soldiers, except Silas, flinch. Did he knew the robot alien was alive before this moment?

"He will do no such thing. While this has been an interesting venture for me to be in your care, Director Silas Bishop, I am needed elsewhere." He paused to address the now distraught teen. "I'm sorry for this Jackson, but I may have to kidnap you now."

Jack's brain stopped. "Huh?" Then the hanger exploded into a great fireball.

The shockwave disrupted the M.E.C.H defense enough for the being to jump, and, shocking everyone present especially Jack, transformed its whole body. Pieces of the metal frame twisted and turned, maneuvering the screaming boy into a cushioned seat within a formed cab, a seatbelt came around him and held him in place. The soldiers were in awe that the robot was now a red and blue Peterbelt semi-truck cab going over their heads and toward the gate, landing on the other side, its engine roared as it sped down the road.

On Silas's furious order the soldiers were snapped out of their shock and started firing at the escaping truck, the cars drove wide out of their firing range, but proceeded on the chase after the truck.

Jack desperately tries to unbuckle himself, but when he hears the gunshots, he leans to look out the driver side mirror and sees the persuading cars. He flies back when a bullet whizzed a bit too close to the window. "Oh great! I'm being kidnapped by a giant robot alien, getting fired at in both sense of the term by my boss, and my mom is going to freak that my boss is firing at me while I'm being kidnapped by a giant robot alien!"

"There is no real need to panic Jackson," the teen jumped at the sudden voice of his captor through the dash speakers. The dash board looked more high tech than any normal semi-trucks, the windshield was displaying a see-though map layout of the base's surrounding area and their location on the road, and the wide steering wheel moved by itself to avoid the lines of shots; Jack then saw some symbol in the center of the wheel, a bold red face that stared back at him. Jack didn't know how long he stared at it when he was jolted in his seat as the road got bumpier.

"Ratchet, do you read me?" his captor's voice called out, at first Jack wanted to ask why he needed a ratchet tool when the being continued. "This is Optimus, objective achieved, what of your goal?"

The teen jumped when a new voice replied in the speakers.

"*M.E.C.H may have the most advanced defense networks on this planet, but it wasn't anything our scout and little genius couldn't handle.*" A cheery beep and whistle was heard. "*Yes, yes, you both did a superb job. All files have been deleted from their database, it was as if Silas never found you.*"

"Well done," the truck turned a slight skid to avoid an electric missile, going off road. "Have the others returned safely? Is the ground bridge ready at the rendezvous?"

"*Their distraction worked perfectly and returned with no real damage, less work for me thank Primus. Coordinates set and prepped, but you'll have to accelerate, they are closing in fast, did you pick up any extra cargo?*"

"Well done old friend, and yes in a way?"

"Wait, what's going on?! Who's that?!" Jack couldn't keep quiet anymore, he just wanted this dream to end. He wanted out! "Your mission was over when you blew up the hanger, right?! I thought you were going to let me go!"

"*… Who was that? ... Optimus… Please tell me you didn't-*"

"Approaching rendezvous point," announced Optimus, Jack's eyes widened at the sight of an approaching deep canyon rim. "Activate the bridge."

"*Optimus Prime! We've had this discussion! You can't just-*"

"Ratchet…" More shots from their pursuers echoed in the dawning sky as they were closing in, the truck's belt tightened around Jack who screamed in panic and tried to hit the brakes by habit, but the cliff edge got closer.

"*We already have to deal with-!*"

"WE'RE GONNA DIE!"

"NOW, RACTHET!"

Silas looked on enraged as a swirling light of a portal appeared out of nowhere at the canyons rim, the truck drove into it, and the portal disappeared without a trace. The cars stop near the cliff edge, Vince cringed when Silas slammed the car door as he got out and frowned at the empty space of the canyon. He rounded on the surrounding soldiers, their fear of his anger had them back up. "Useless, all of you! You let them get away!" whipped his wrist out yell to his comm watch. "Please tell me there's something we can salvage!"

"*Sorry sir*," came the nervous reply from the blast site of the hanger. "*The robot used some kind acid compound in the explosives, everything inside and perimeter of the warehouse is obliterated.*"

"Grr… at least melt down any metal you can find, we'll just rebuild."

"*Um… about that sir. All files and schematics of the alien robot and prototype were hacked and deleted from the database… it's been wiped clean, and all hard copies were burned.*"

The M.E.C.H soldiers got further back at the redden rage blooming on their boss's face. Morning birds in the canyon trees flew away at the roaring shout.

"WHAT?!"

AN: Well, what did you think? I'm still in the process of my other story 'Sigma Dagger', but I just had to write this down before I forget it. Anyone wonder what was the key Jack found, Hint hint? Anyway, this was really fun to write, and I'm just thinking about a follow up chapter to really set the story, but like I said before it needs time and plenty of edits to get it right. So hope your summer is going well. Later.