Note: Transformers Prime fans will recognise the dialoge here from the episode 'Darkness Rising, Part 2'

Chapter Four

Who We Are

In a large silo, large enough to accommodate two jumbo jets, the red, orange, and white robot was standing at a huge control centre with computer screens with a raised platform behind it.

He had been studying and watching the screens in silence when a distress call alerted him and the image of Optimus appeared on it.

"Ratchet! Come in Ratchet!" his voice was heard.

"Optimus?" Ratchet called "Is everything alright?"

It seemed a silly question given how Optimus's voice sounded, and he also heard some gunfire in the background.

"Send a ground bridge to my co-ordinates!" Optimus requested; his voice rather panicked.

"Right away!" Ratchet said and he quickly pressed a few buttons and pulled a lever and before long a blue and green vortex appeared behind him.

Ratchet turned around and he saw his leader run through it with his servos against his chest.

"Optimus!?" Ratchet asked "What in the name of Primus happened? You never run from a fight!"

"I had no choice." Optimus replied.

Ratchet cocked an eyebrow ridge.

"Too many to handle?" he asked then he saw how Optimus was holding his servos "Or...something else?" he asked suspiciously before walking over to his leader and Optimus opened his servos to reveal Pandora and Kemeko who were hugging each other, and their faces were buried in each other's shoulders in fear.

Ratchet's eyes widened as he looked down at them.

"Humans!?" he exclaimed "How did...?"

Optimus then started to explain what happened.

As he was doing that, Pandora and Kemeko as soon as they felt fresh air whoosh around them as well as light invade their eyes after being cupped in Optimus's huge servos, they looked up to see Optimus and Ratchet in conversation in a language they didn't know.

"What are they saying?" Kemeko whimpered.

"I don't know." Pandora squeaked "I'm not sure I even want to know!"

"...and so, I scooped them up before Starscream and his associates hurt them." Optimus concluded.

"If the Decepticons are targeting us, anyone perceived as our ally will be at grave risk."

"Those girls saw you?" Ratchet asked then he saw Pandora and he frowned in curiosity before reaching down and taking her tail between finger and thumb and picked her up!

"What's this one? I never thought humans looked like this!"

Pandora screamed in fear, but Ratchet lifted her up in front of him before speaking in his robotic language.

"Hey! Put me down!" Pandora shouted as she looked at him upside down as he held her by the tail and she cried out in pain from how he was holding her.

"Let her go!" Kemeko shouted as she reached out to try and grab Pandora, but she screamed as she fell out of Optimus's palm but luckily the giant robot caught her with his other hand before she was to fall to the ground below.

"Careful!" he said in English to which Kemeko squeaked again in shock and looked at him.

"You...you speak English?" she asked.

Pandora also stopped struggling in Ratchet's grip and looked at Optimus in surprise.

"Well, if he understands English, may I ask him to ask his other half to PUT ME DOWN!" she shouted the last part.

As she said that she felt herself get placed back in Optimus's palm.

"I understood what you said!" Ratchet said casually in English then scoffed at Pandora's attitude.

Pandora glared at him then looked up at Optimus.

"What do you want with us?" she asked putting her arms around Kemeko.

"I apologise for the sudden grab and go action." Optimus said as he walked over to the platform and gently placed the girls on it "But I had to save you from my enemies."

The girls blinked and stared at Optimus.

"Saved us!?" they asked together to which Optimus nodded.

"You have no need to fear earthlings." He said, "I can assure you that we mean no harm to you."

"We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron...Also known as Autobots."

"Whoa!" said Pandora her eyes widening in awe.

"I am Optimus Prime." The large robot introduced then gestured to Ratchet "And this is Ratchet."

"Hi!" the two girls said together though Pandora frowned at Ratchet still feeling sore at the fact he had picked her up by the tail.

Just then, a few revving noises were heard from the other side of the room and the girls, Optimus and Ratchet looked over to see four vehicles appear.

There was a yellow car, a large green army truck, a large red and black van and a small blue motorcycle with some pink detail.

"Ah! They're back!" Ratchet said, "just as I hoped they would once I sent the call out for them to return."

The vehicles then transformed back into their robot forms to the shock and fascination of Kemeko and Pandora and the red one stepped forward.

"What in tarnation Ratchet? What was so important you recalled us back from scouting?"

It was then he saw Pandora and Kemeko.

"Well stone me!" he said then looked at Prime, "You got yourself a couple of pets there Prime?"

The yellow one also saw and began to bleep and whirr as he pointed at the two girls.

"Don't point Bumblebee." The small blue female said placing her small servo on his hand to push it down "But like you I'm curious."

"You were seen by a human girl and a...a..." the green one said looking at Pandora "Whatever that is?"

Pandora frowned and crossed her arms.

"I'm not a that!" she said to which Kemeko nudged her to be quiet.

"Shut up Pandora!" she said, "You've really done it this time!"

"Me?" Pandora asked, "What did I do?"

"You were the one who decided to check out those blue crystals and that giant robot in his truck form and look where it got us!" Kemeko snapped "Almost shot to death then kidnapped and now we're on a mothership in space!"

"Hey!" Pandora protested "I didn't mean for this to happen! How was I supposed to know there were giant robot aliens in the woods?"

"Girls."

Pandora and Kemeko looked back at Optimus who looked over them with a look on his face that reminded them of Master Splinter before he was to begin a lecture and they both went quiet.

"Perhaps after we've done some explaining then we can discuss your situation."

The girls looked at each other then up at Optimus and they nodded.

Optimus then looked at his team who walked up to the platform.

"As I said before." Optimus began "We are Autobots, you know me and Ratchet, but these are the rest of our team."

He then gestured to everyone.

"Bulkhead," The large green robot waved his servo in hello.

"Bumblebee," The yellow robot bleeped in response.

"Ironhide." The tall red and black robot bowed his head.

"And Arcee," ended Optimus gesturing to the female robot who also bowed her head.

The girls smiled nervously and bowed to them.

"Can you tell us your names?" Optimus asked in that same deep, yet rather calm voice.

"I'm Pandora." Pandora said, bowing to the robot politely.

"And I'm Kemeko." said Kemeko also bowing.

"Pleased to meet you." Optimus said with a small smile.

"Why are you here?" asked Kemeko curiously looking at Optimus and the other Autobots.

"To protect your planet," Optimus replied, "From the Decepticons."

Kemeko and Pandora looked confused.

"Those robots that attacked me and you back in those woods were Decepticons." Optimus explained.

"I see." Kemeko said "And why are they here?"

"A fair question Kemeko." replied Optimus "In part; they are here because our planet is uninhabitable, ravaged by centuries of civil war."

"A war?" Pandora questioned "Why were you fighting?"

"For most, over control of our world's supply of Energon," Optimus explained "The fuel and life blood of all Autobots and Decepticons alike."

Pandora and Kemeko's jaws dropped.

"The combat was fierce," Optimus continued "And endured for centuries, in the beginning, I fought alongside whom I considered a brother, but in war, ideals can be corrupted, and it was thus that Megatron had lost his way."

"Megatron?" Kemeko and Pandora said together "Who's Megatron."

The other Autobots shivered slightly in disgust.

"The ruthless and merciless leader of the Decepticons." said Ironhide "The spawn of Unicron who started the conflict."

"We've lost friends and comrades because of him!" snarled Bulkhead.

Arcee lowered her head sadly at Bulkhead's words.

"Peace!" Optimus spoke before anyone else could, "Becoming angry will not solve anything."

Pandora and Kemeko looked at the Autobots and sighed.

"That's really sad." Pandora said "Not being able to return home..."

Arcee looked sorrowful again and Bumblebee put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"It was hard to leave our planet and our fellow Autobots." She said, "But if we wish to see it again, we have to continue fighting our enemies and harvest whatever Energon we can find."

"So that's why you were fighting those Decepticons!" said Kemeko looking at Optimus "You were trying to get the crystals Pandora and I found!"

"We crash landed here years ago." Ratchet added "And since then we've been trying to harvest as much Energon we can find, as well as stay hidden from the humans."

"We take forms of human vehicles to disguise ourselves." Ironhide explained, he then transformed to show his vehicle form which was a red and black van.

"Cool!" said Kemeko as Ironhide transformed back.

"Some of us have taken forms of cars." Arcee explained "Me though, I have a motorcycle form, Optimus is a truck and as you saw just now, Ironhide's a van."

"So what other forms can you take?" Pandora asked intrigued, she turned to Bulkhead "You look like you could be a big monster truck!"

"Well erm..." Bulkhead stopped to think but Optimus spoke before Bulkhead could continue.

"Since the girls have seen us, and the Decepticons know of their existence, they must remain under our watch." Optimus paused "At least until we can determine our enemies' intentions."

"What?" Kemeko and Pandora said in shock.

"If the Decepticons see you," Optimus continued "I don't know they'll do, Starscream looked ready to terminate you two on the spot, but he may have had more sinister intentions."

"Like what?" asked Kemeko.

Pandora gulped.

"Sometimes, if Decepticons don't kill their prisoners..." said Arcee "They use them for experiments...painful ones... among other things..."

Bumblebee shivered and bleeped as well as touched his throat to which the girls wondered if he had been a subject of what was said.

"Optimus!" Ratchet piped up "With all due respect, the girls are in just as much danger here, they have no protective shell! If they get under foot, they'll go...squish!" and he tapped his foot on the ground to demonstrate.

Optimus turned to Ratchet.

"Then for the time being Ratchet." he said casually gesturing to the girls "We must watch where we step."

Just then an alarm went off along with a flashing green light making everyone look to the computers and the two girls almost jumped out of their skins.

"What's that?" Pandora asked.

"Proximity sensor." Arcee explained.

"It's Agent Fowler." Ratchet reported.

"Who?" Kemeko asked.

"Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world." Optimus told the girls "He tends to visit when there are issues."

"You mean?" Pandora asked, "We're not on an Alien Mothership?"

Rachet rolled his optics.

"Pul-lease!" he scoffed "We're in a hidden silo in the middle of the Nevada Desert!"

"Nevada!?" Pandora shrieked "We're still on Earth!?"

"And in a different state!" Kemeko added.

"Girls!" Optimus then opted a serious tone "I insist you hide! If Fowler see's you, he won't be best pleased!"

Kemeko nodded then grabbed Pandora's arm and the girls ran off to hide.

As they did, a man appeared from a lift in the middle of the platform.

He was a tall and slightly overweight black man in a grey suit, and he had a deep frown on his face.

No sooner did he enter the room than he strode over to the edge of the platform and over to Optimus Prime.

"Seven wrecks! Thirty-seven fender benders, a three-hour traffic jam!" he exploded "And on a particular note! Numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make and black and yellow custom muscle car!" he leaned on the railings and glared up at Optimus.

"So, anything you want to get off your tin chest Prime?" he demanded.

Optimus looked down at the furious looking man before him.

"We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler." He replied.

"They're back, aren't they?" Fowler replied seriously.

"If you're referring to the Decepticons, I have doubts that they ever left." Optimus stated, "Your planet is much too valuable."

"Then it's time to wake up the pentagon!" Fowler stated.

"Hear me, Agent Fowler." Optimus implored "We are your best, possibly your only defence against the Decepticon threat!"

"Says you!" Fowler snapped.

"Hey Fleshy!" Bulkhead cut in making Fowler look at him "Did anyone get splattered on that freeway?" he asked.

"Team Prime knows when to use force!" as he spoke, he broke off a mechanical claw from next to the computers.

"And how much to use!" he ended as he crushed it for emphasis.

"Bulkhead I needed that!" Ratchet cried in despair.

"Enough!" Optimus said to the two arguing autoboots making them quieten down then turned back to Fowler.

"Military involvement will only result in catastrophe." He continued "Perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties Agent Fowler. I however, cannot."

Fowler glared then started to walk back to the lift to go back topside.

"Then do us both a favour and handle this Prime." He said, "Under the Radar!" he then paused as the lift doors closed "Or I will!" he threatened before he left the building.

As he disappeared and the lift whirred. Bulkhead stood next to Optimus.

"Pretty Big Bearings, for a human." He said.

"Agent Fowler is concerned for his world Bulkhead," Optimus said, "As he should be."

He then looked around for Pandora and Kemeko.

"Girls?" he called out "You can come out now!"

He looked to where the girls had disappeared, but he didn't see them emerge.

"Pandora? Kemeko?" he asked as he looked around.

Ratchet and the rest of the Autobots frowned and looked around them to see where the girls had vanished.

"Where did they go?" Arcee asked.

Bumblebee shrugged and whirred and Bulkhead scratched the top of his head puzzled.

"Over here!"

The Autobots then turned to see the girls appear from behind the pillar where the lift was.

"How did you get up there so quick?" Bulkhead asked surprised.

"And silently..." Ironhide added.

Pandora smirked.

"We're trained ninja that's what!" she said to which Kemeko nodded "We stick to the Shadows, and we're pretty quick on our feet!"

The Autobots blinked and stared at the two girls.

"In fact..." said Pandora getting an idea "The way you talk about hiding from humans, we're the same, I mean look at me, I spend a lot of my time hiding from humans,"

"And how exactly are you less vulnerable?" Optimus asked intrigued.

Pandora looked at Kemeko and the Asian Girl nodded before looking back at the Autobots.

"Well, you guys better get comfortable..." Pandora said, "It's a long story!"

So Optimus brought Pandora and Kemeko back to the Autobot Base in Nevada and they have met Team Prime! And Agent Fowler has paid a visit!

Now it looks like the girls are going to educate the Autobots on who they are.

But I'm sure a lot of you are wondering, have the Hamato Clan noticed the girls are missing?

Also, a fun fact, Originally, Ironhide was to star in the Transformers Prime Show instead of Bulkhead, but after the writers realised his portrayal would be better suited for Bulkhead from Transformers Animated, they replaced the character, thus I added Ironhide to Team Prime in my fanfic here!