Summary: Ashlynn Moore lives near the battle zone and sneaks in to understand the unknown. She's discovered by an unexpected Autobot, sparking tension and drama, which slowly evolves into a unique bond between two unlikely beings—especially when hidden truths come to light. (OP/OC)

Between Black and White
Chapter 1

I stood within the fields where the crop was ripe and ready for harvest a gentle breeze blowing across making it look like waves. I stood in a plain tank top and plaid overshirt and cut-off jean shorts. My long dark wavy hair blew as I held strands of it back. I watched in the distance as smoke rose echoing back the battle that took place.

Five years ago, Autobots and Decepticons landed on Earth and began a great battle over natural resources and among a few other things no one seemed to understand. We humans understood the difference between evil and good, but with the aliens that invaded Earth, there was a gray line.

Small skirmishes were not unheard of. Most took place within wide open spaces away from populated areas. If one happened near a city or any place where humans gathered, the military got involved, evacuating and moving humans around like herds of sheep. Today was no different except for the location.

I lived five miles east of Clearwater, a small town that once housed around 5,000 people but became vacant just last year when the military decided to occupy just south of the city. Battles were becoming quite often within the area designating a good location for the government to get involved along with the military.

The sound of planes with engines from out of this world dash to the sky and flew overhead causing me to turn, my hair blowing over my shoulder as I raise a hand to give my eyes some shade. The small battle was over. The Autobots and the military once again succeeded in stopping the enemy.

I turn to a side to glance back at the town where smoke still rose in dark clouds. Even five miles away from the town, I could hear the noises of transformation and of mumbled voices that indicated that orders were being told, removal of anything destroyed was taking place before the town became once again a ghost town, the military and the Autobots returning to their base on the south side of town.

Turning from the town, I walked back to the old two-story farmhouse, the old red barn sitting in the distance where the horses next to it grazed while the few chickens and goats roamed around. My Jeep was parked beside the old garage that sat to the side of the farmhouse. Usually when a skirmish is finished, I like to venture into the town just to see what I could find and possibly learn.

Since the Autobots and Decepticons had made their home on Earth, not much was said about them. Five years ago, when the first major battle happened in Mission City, there wasn't much said, mostly conspiracy stories about what happened while the truth stayed hidden. Most didn't even think about the aliens returning to their normal days of checking Wall Street or finding something else more interesting.

I did, though.

I lost my parents when they went to visit my older brother. Luckily, my brother was spared, and he told me about the whole event that took place. He even joined the military which started to work with the Autobots. Now, I know I have no reason to hold any judgement towards the strange metal aliens. I wouldn't be living five miles away from the town and the military base they occupied if I did.

I just… I just don't know what I wish for. Did I wish they never arrived? Maybe. Am I excited to know we are not alone in the wide universe? Yes. I studied the unexplained, sometimes going on great expeditions just to learn why something happened. My latest discovery was giant bones found in South America. Up in Washington DC, a museum houses my discovery along with all the notes and documentation I did on the project. Does that make me someone famous? Maybe to some. Do I wish I could learn more about the Autobots and possibly figure out something unexplained? Yes, of course, I would love to do that.

I just don't know how I would feel after learning it.

Taking the three steps up onto the wrap-around porch, I walked over to my previously vacated seat. I grabbed my keys, crossbody bag, and phone before jumping over the rail and walking towards the Jeep. I threw my bag into the back and climbed into the driver's seat, starting up the old vehicle before putting it into reverse and then driving.

I took the east road around my farm towards the north before heading west towards Clearwater. The small town was next to a rapid-flowing river known as Clearwater, too. Just west of the town where the river widened and sandy beaches appeared, the water was deep enough for people to swim and even enjoy the warm summer days camping beside it. Clearwater might have been a small town, but it was a town with one of the most beautiful highlights and the reason for its name: Clearwater River.

I turned and began driving south before driving over the bridge that crossed above the river and followed it as it snaked towards the town. The river flowed down the middle of Clearwater before exiting out on the west side. I crossed over the second bridge before the speed limit started to drop mentioning that I was approaching the north side of Clearwater.

Smoke from the battle started to lighten from the dark gray to the shades of clouds. I drove in from the north where a few larger buildings were emptied, industrial buildings with some remaining semi-trucks and loading vehicles. Just from one year of neglect, rust decorated most of the metal that sat outside.

Further up, houses started to fill the streets along with the small schools. Play equipment with swings that have the seats hanging from them moved against the breeze. A squeaky teeter-tauter moved up and down. My jeep's reflection appeared in the windows that were not smashed. If you stopped, you could see desks sitting in straight lines or pushed to the side where some remaining paper or books litter the floor.

One street on the east side held the banks along with other important buildings like the courthouse. Those buildings were actually in pieces with the vault of the bank only remaining. The street that I was about to cross held a grocery store, a couple of fast-food restaurants, and a gas station. The parking lot for the grocery store had a few vehicles that were left. A shopping cart sat where no vehicles stood. Going close to the grocery store would give an ominous feeling for everything inside became rotten, spoiled, and eventually covered in thick fungi.

One single yellow flashing light sat in the middle of Clearwater where the major highway that went east and west crossed. The town was a stopping ground for travelers, not just because of the river, but because it was an almost two-hour drive from Clearwater to the biggest city. Two hotels sat at opposite ends along with a small museum on how the town was founded.

I turned right at the light, surprised it was still working, but then again the military still had access to the power that ran the city. If any of the homes were in livable condition, electricity, plumbing, and water all worked. I just don't know why some of the important buildings like the grocery store lost power.

I followed the four-lane highway to the east side of town. The hotel that stood at this end had half of the building missing. Beds and other furniture were once seen hanging. Now after a year and multiple little shakes from the aliens, the building looked like a skeleton with nothing inside.

I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, driving towards the north side of it. I parked my jeep and jumped out, grabbing my crossbody bag. Just across the street, I watched as fire licked the wood of a burning house. Behind it, I watched as stones fell crashing through the wooden floors of another house.

I ran towards the burning house, staying far enough not to be affected as I looked for signs where the skirmish took place. Long claw marks dragged through the asphalt. Dark star shapes showed where blasters fired and missed the target. I walked out onto the street and turned in a circle. The jets were the enemy. Fire licked within the small park where either that was the location the jets first landed or where they took off.

I looked down the street. The military came from the South, but they would have come last. Instead, whoever led the Autobots would have arrived on the scene. I started walking down the street seeing different elements of the battle.

I gasped when a cat ran out from under a smashed vehicle, disappearing towards the park. Wild animals had already started to make Clearwater their home. If I found any tamed dogs or cats, I tried to take them home with me and then rehouse the animals if possible. The cat that ran was feral.

I noticed in the asphalt where multiple claw marks took place. A struggle within the battle, three against one from the number of claw marks. Three different blaster marks singed the sidewalk. Clearly, whoever fought against the jets was stronger. One long jagged line proved that a weapon such as a sword was used instead of a blaster. I tried to recall what my brother said about the Autobots and Decepticons. Only a few Autobots used swords if I remember right.

My eyes widen quickly as I look down at the jagged line.

The Autobot commander. He used swords, two swords according to my brother.

I shook my head as I sat down on the curb. I don't know how my brother survived the first battle. My parents were in the wrong place at the wrong time when a building broke and fell on their vehicle. Instant death. My brother recalled seeing it happen when a huge silver alien crashed through an old church. He eventually ran to find a better hiding place when an alien of multi color raced by. This alien was mostly red and blue and when he battled, he used swords, glowing orange swords.

I brought my hand under my chin and rested my elbow on my knee as I looked south down the road. When my brother joined the military, he was moved to the base just south of town. I left him no note of where I was located only that I was alive, well, and completely safe.

Noises to my left caused me to drop my arm and stand quickly. I reached into my crossbody bag and pulled out a small handgun, placing my finger on the safety if I needed to remove it. I took a side step to the left, my head tipping to the side to look around at where I thought the noise came from.

Wood tumbled from a building as movement shook the ground. I continued to move sideways, the gun pointing towards the direction of the building. I watched carefully as the sun played hide and seek with the clouds, shadows drifting over the area. It was a large field behind the houses, but a concrete barrier separated the field from the houses with a dyke.

I narrowed my eyes trying to see through the shadow when something large moved, something silver. Curiosity took place in my mind forcing me to step onto the street and then towards the separation of the buildings. Carefully, I walked over wooden boards with nails sticking out while keeping the gun pointed to the shadows.

Eventually, I arrived behind the broken building. My eyes followed the large silver which happened to be a foot. Multi colored except for dust from the recent battle, just as my brother said formed both legs. Two arms, one at the side and the other resting across what I assumed was either the waist or abdomen. I followed up what I assumed was the chest before landing upon the face.

Two bright blue eyes blinked before one leg dragged across the ground. I gasped and turned before tripping on a wooden board and falling flat onto my back. I rolled onto my knees reaching for the gun before I sat back and pointed it at the dirt covered alien.

"Human?" The voice was a deep baritone and completely masculine. "But you are not dressed as a soldier. Who are you?"

"Who… who are you?" I asked in a shaky voice. "The… the town… should be empty… the jets are… gone."

I watched as the alien tipped his head to the side before he glanced up to look at the sky. I watched with a raised eyebrow before gasping as he looked straight at me. "The Decepticon Seekers are always looking for something. I remained to see if they would return especially since I fought them off."

I swallowed hard and nodded, finally getting a better grip on my voice, "Okay. So, you fought the jets. Still, why stay when you could return to the base?"

"Because," he stated with a sharp tone as he leaned forward, his hand curling into a fist. "I am usually the one they seek. To save human lives I use the town as a target. Now, explain yourself."

My breath hitched as I listened to his sharp tone, my eyes widening. "I'm not important. I'll leave and forget I saw you," I quickly state.

The dusty metallic alien leaned forward and moved his leg blocking my exit. I jumped as I glanced back at him. "No human is supposed to be around the town according to the military. You have most likely been seen. Alone you are not safe."

I shook my head as I raised the gun higher. "No. No. I am not staying with you. I live far enough away from the town. No one even knows I live there."

I watched as the dusty metallic alien removed his leg before moving to kneel, his one hand still remaining in a fist. "All life is precious including human life. Where do you live? I rather see you protected than in an unprepared situation."

I didn't even stay around to answer his question. Once he moved his leg, I bolted down the small alley back onto the street where the battle took place. I kept looking over my shoulder expecting to see the dusty multi colored alien as I ran across the street to the hotel and towards my jeep that I left parked behind.

Throwing my bag in the back and the gun into my passenger seat, I turned the vehicle on and quickly spun out of the parking lot just as I watched the red and blue metallic alien stand to his full height. He had to be close to 30 feet tall as he stepped over the houses and onto the street. He watched me as I pressed the pedal of the vehicle, increasing speed and quickly turning down the street to take me out of town on the north side.

I watched in the rearview mirror as the Autobot watched me drive away before slowly, he turned and began walking south towards the exit of Clearwater. Once I crossed the two bridges on the north side of town and began driving east, I finally allowed myself to relax. I just came face to face with one of the Autobot aliens, and from what I remember from my brother, the one I ran across was the Autobot commander himself.

RR.