Chapter Text
The ship that had slowly been making its way through the earth's air space was resistant to all efforts to stop it. Tiny, smaller ships were constantly darting in and out, gathering things that made no sense.
CCTV footage from stores were found of the odd squid bots gathering supplies. Medical, food, clothing and bedding. Everything people may need, and it was confusing as hell because the ship was not designed for human beings.
And then it left US air space and began heading towards the African Continent. Ships and planes and soldiers scrambled, terrified. The United Nations was in uproar, demanding answers as to why they had been left in the dark. The public was screaming for blood, the knowledge of betrayal and manipulation causing riots and fighting.
Arrests were made and people vanished. A few were found dead, having ended it themselves rather than face the consequences.
The ship moved and eventually ended up above Jordan, and whispers began circulating that someone was going to send a nuke. But it was then that the entire earth defense system seemed to go into flux. The connection that allowed those bombs to fly were destroyed, and the world found itself unable to do a thing except watch as the ship chose a part of the Desert to land in.
TRID TRID TRID TRID TRID
"You could have taken over so easily." Lennox said as he sat on the edge of the wall. IronHide sat beside him, watching the base as people scrambled, day or night the place was always bustling, but no it was insane.
IronHide sighed and looked down at him, "We don't do that. Destroying your planet's sense of safety and self wasn't going to help anyone in the long run, so we kept our mouths closed and we did as Prime said. We worked with you. And it was supposed to be a peaceful integration."
Lennox looked up at him and tilted his head, "Why integrate. Why not go off and find another world, one better suited to you."
"I wish we had." Ironhide stared up at the sky, "But it's lonely out there. After all the fighting. I doubt any of our people want to have to go through the arduous task of building from scratch. We just want somewhere to settle where life exists. Where the people just live their lives. We are a Dying race Lennox. We don't have the capability of reproducing anymore. We don't have the capability of creating the energon we need to survive. As much as I enjoy a good fight I was hoping that this could be somewhere I could simply exist until the maker took me.”
Lennox hadn't expected IronHide to get so emotional about it but he also understood that it was the truth. The government could demand that the Autobots leave the Earth and take all this trouble with them. Or they could demand that they hand over the weapons needed to fight whatever thing was invading. Then left the main hangar after the news that their nukes had effectively become big fancy ornaments had come in. He'd never been one for the use of nuclear weapons but the knowledge that their final resort was on usable to them and they hadn't been able to do a damn thing to stop it had left him with a sour taste in his mouth. So he had managed to find himself a quiet place to think.
“What do you think will happen next?”
“I honestly don't know. This planet has just had its eyes forced open and it is not seeing anything good. Most likely it will fight whatever the hell is this and with luck on our side will win. Or will adapt. Our species have that in common. We’re both very good at adapting to any situation that life may throw at us.”
Lennox took a deep breath and then got off the wall so he could sit on the floor instead. Comfort of the solid brick behind him was small but helpful for easing his mind. He got the occasional funny look from people who were passing. Or it could be because he was sitting next to IronHide as though it was the most normal thing in the world to hang out with an alien robot.
They just watched for a little while until eventually IronHide looked up and off towards the South.
Heading back towards the base was Optimus, Ratchet and the other bumblebee. Lennox still couldn't wrap his head around the idea that they were time travelers but hell if aliens existed maybe time travel could as well. Hey maybe they'd get real lucky and a Dude in a big blue box would show up and save them all.
“Do you think these guys are for real? Or do you think this is some Decepticon trick.”
IronHide Shrugged. “No clue. But I'll say this if they are trying to trick us they're doing a damn good job of it. That portal they came through was throwing off so much tachyon radiation that I'm surprised it didn't fry our circuits. You can't fake that kind of radiation. Not to mention that he seemed to have a lot of information that he could only have been given by me or Prime himself. I have the greatest respect for the scout but he is not High Enough on the food chain to know that stuff.”
“Considering what we're learning I’m kind of glad they showed up.”
IronHide watched them head towards the main Hangar and waited for the ping that may come to ask for his attendance. He hoped it wouldn’t come. Sitting here where Lennox, he could pretend they were just hanging out after a mission. The day had been too much for him. Nearly losing Optimus, the return of Mega and now Time travel. He needed a break.”
TRID TRID TRID TRID TRID
Nemesis had spent years waiting for this moment.
Samual Witwicky was safe, safe and would not leave his sensor range again. He knew the next few hours were going to be a struggle, and he had to play the part as best he could. He'd scrambled the comms system just enough that they wouldn't be contacted at the wrong moment.Every message was being redirected to avoid his deception being discovered before he can get to the Matrix.
"So what do we know, Optimus?"
That name made him rile, but he would abide for now. "We should have been more careful when checking for allspark remnant Sam. But I have a feeling that even without the second piece, something like this would have happened. There are things that even I was not privy too until recently. Things that bind you ancestors to us in ways we should not have known." Nemesis explained, "You're emitting a signal that your body shouldn't be able to create. You're suffering because the human body was not designed for this. You felt me earlier, didn't you? In your mind."
“Yeah. What the heck was that?”
“Your body is trying to forge connections as though it is one of us. It attempted to connect to the only Prime it could find. But you need not worry, we have a way to fix the issue.”
Relief flooded Sam the, and he sank into the seat, “Thank god. I feel like my brain is coming apart.”
“We will fix it. But first we must find out who is at the Museum. They could be a useful ally to us.”
“Yeah. Speaking of ally’s, what's the situation with NEST?”
“Unknown at this time. I know that your government is arguing about shutting it down until this crisis is over.”
“That seems counterproductive.”
“They are afraid. And I do not blame them.” Nemesis said, "There are conspiracies at work that have shaken them. They thought themselves safe and they are not. It would make anyone fearful."
They slowed down as they hit normal traffic.
"Sam, would you mind moving to the passenger seat and buckle up."
Sam did and once buckled in, there was a shimmering in the air beside him. A man was sitting there, middle aged and oddly normal
"That's not the holoform Lennox showed us." Same said.
"No. That one was designed to look like your average American trucker. We're supposed to blend in. I have been told that this form does not look like a regular Truck driver."
"No. You look like you teach 10th grade history."
This got him a laugh, and Sam watched the 'man’ next to him pretend to drive.
"This form is more natural. to personality and archetype."
Same watched him as they drove. This man was 40 ish, brown hair graying at the temples and pale skin. He was good looking, but in an everyday way. A definite 7/8 out of ten.
"I thought Holoforms were for emergencies only?"
"This is a circumstance where I think it can be allowed. The less attention we draw to ourselves the better. I will be going into the Museum with you."
"Is that safe?"
"Yes."
TRID TRID TRID TRID TRID
Lennox arrived at the private barracks and was shocked to see he wouldn't need to make a phone call, because Sara was there. She held Isabelle's hand and gave him a look that said she loved him, but oh boy was he in it deep.
"Sarah, what are you doing her-"
"Is flat top one of the aliens? The autobots?"
Erm, honey, I-"
She marched up to him and handed over her daughter, who smiled and hugged him.
"I'm gonna look like a moron if I'm talking to a car, but if you aren't, you better show yourself because he brought you to my home and I have a damned right to know who was in my garage."
IronHide seemed to think of it, then transformed. Sara stood her ground , but the fear was in her eyes, and Issabells gave a little gasp and William Lennox felt his heart melt when she said 'magic' in his ear.
IronHide stood there, looking sheepish and trying not to seem intimidating. Lennox prayed he didn't show off his canons.
"Hello Mrs Lennox." he said.
There was a moment of awkward silence. until Sara spoke. "Oh wow. Oh wow wow you are really...holy hell." she said, and ran a hand over her head, "I am really sorry I used you to get groceries that time."
Iron Hide laughed, "Don't worry. You didn't know who I was so...call it even?"
"Oh god no." she said, "But it's a start."
Issabelle wiggled, wanting down so he placed his daughter on the ground and she went to her mother.
IronHide knelt, trying to seem harmless. "Hello."
Issablee giggled and hid behind her mothers legs, and let out a tiny, "Hi." and waved. "You big."
IronHide nodded, "And you're tiny."
She ran back to Willam and Epps showed up, grin on his face. "Heya Sara. Are you doing okay?"
No. But I'll have to since I've no clue how long we'll be here. How's your wife settling in?"
Epps stared at her, "Moniqes here? I was told she wouldn't be here till morning, Where is she?"
"Four barracks down. With 5 jetlagged kids and a dog."
"General Peice wants you bye." Epps rushed off, hoping he wouldn't be lambasted by his wife.
IronHide bid them goodbye as well, and that left Lennox with his wife.
She walked into his Barrack without saying a word, but the order to follow was obvious.
General Peice would have to wait.
There were several bags and a fish tank on the kitchen table. Lennox knew that they'd bring everything, but he didn't think that meant the fish as well. He wondered just how long they would be expected to remain on the Nest Base.
"I knew there would be a lot you couldn't tell me. I came to terms with that. I even knew we may have to upsticks and run. But this?" Sara folded her arms, "I think this is a little beyond the pale Will. I thought IronHide was a call sign. Not an actual name or designation or whatever ALIENS have."
"I get that you're angry. I would be too."
"I could forgive it all, but you brought him home. An alien soldier. I went to the store with him and Issabelle in the car seat. He was at home. Not only could he be a risk, but I treated him like a thing. And whether or not he was okay with that is besides the point because I am not going to treat a sentient being like a random thing. I could have at least offered him the spare tv or put the radio on or something Will."
Will had to fight the smile that wanted to come to his lips. Out of all the things his wife was worried about, it was IronHides comfort. His feelings. God he had married the best woman.
"It was necessary Sarah. It's difficult enough keeping the world in the dark when it was secret. Doing so when our 3 year old could makeup stories or our phone lines could be tapped would be worse."
She looked away from him. “ I get that. But Jesus christ this is the biggest event in history Will. Aliens. Aliens at war. Did you not think for a moment that maybe, just maybe this might be too dangerous a job for a man with a family?”