I sat with my back against the cliff wall watching the sunset.  I was admiring its beauty and was contemplating the events of the last month.

It started with me driving home from work at the air base.  I was a Security Forces member at one of the the guard bases in Michigan and had been put on active duty because of the 9/11 attacks. The radio was informing the public that some transformers had been spotted in the vicinity and to report any sightings.  The Autobots used to have an alliance with the United States for years but for reasons unknown to the public the U.S. Severed ties with the Autobots and were trying to curtail their movements.  My mind was wandering as I was driving so I was surprised when a yellow Volkswagen Beetle zipped past me like I was standing still. The missile that streaked past right behind was even more surprising still!  The missile struck the right rear side of the beetle and detonated, sending the car somersaulting through the air.  As the car arced down it transformed into a robot and struck the ground and did not move!  It was a Transformer!  The Transformers had been on earth for about 15 years now but I'd never seen one in person and now I was stuck in a battle between them.  I slammed on the brakes, skidding to a stop and watched a red, white and blue f-14 fly down and transform a few yards away from the yellow one that I was now pretty sure was the Autobot named Bumblebee.  The Decepticon raised its right arm pointing the gun attached to the arm at Bumblebee and was saying something. Bumblebee started to lunge at the Decepicon and took a laser blast in his undamaged shoulder.  Bumblebee was about to be killed!  I didn't care what the government's opinion of the Autobots were I didn't want to see any die.  I looked around to see if any other Autobots were coming to Bumblebees aid.  I did not see anyone so I did the only thing I could think of to do.  As stupid as it was I took off, accelerating as fast as my little Saturn could and aimed for the Decepticons legs.  I was about 20 feet away when he became aware of my presence.  He started to turn to face me just as my car struck him!  Because he was in mid turn he was off balance enough for my car to trip him and knock him down!  My car careened out of control into the ditch. Stunned, I struggled out of the car.  I hit my head on the drivers window and had a cut on my temple.  I fell down to the ground on my hands and knees trying to clear my head when I heard an evil sounding voice say, "Stupid flesh-bag.  DIE!"

I got to my feet just in time to see a light flash past my head and then there was an explosion behind me and my world went dark as I went sailing through the air.

I woke up in the hospital and saw my wife crying at my bed side.  I was in a lot of pain but before I passed out again I heard the doctor tell her that I was not going to make it.  I glanced to the side as my vision was fading to black and thought I saw large glowing blue eyes staring back at me through the window.

"He's coming around now."  I heard a voice say as I opened my eyes again.  I was laying on my back but I wasn't in my hospital room.  This ceiling was made of metal and had strange looking bright lights in it.

I turned my head and saw my wife standing on a platform built in to the wall staring at me with a worried expression on her face.  She looked small for some reason.  I couldn't put my finger on why just yet though.

"Aah!"  I gasped out loud.  Weird text started to scroll across my vision startling me.  "What the hell is going on?"  I asked nervously.

"Relax, that's just your self diagnosis routine starting."  a voice replied.

I turned to the sound of the voice and saw a white transformer with red trim looking at me with a reassuring smile.

"Diagnosis routine?  What are you talking about?  I..."  A look of horror appeared on my face as I realized the transformer looked normal sized and my wife looked small.  I sat up and looked down at myself and all I could see was the gray expanse of my Saturn's front end instead of my chest.  I then raised my arm to look at my hand and saw a gray, metal fore arm and a black metal hand.  I could only stare in shock as I willed my hand to clench into a fist and watched the hand respond.

"How... How did this happen? Who are you?"

"I'm Ratchet, and you were fatally injured when Starscream shot your car and blew it up.  We were able to record the contents of your brain into your new body."

"But why save my life like that?"

"Well, it was a risky procedure but Prime felt we had to make the attempt because of your taking on Starscream and delaying him long enough for Prowl to arrive and save Bumblebee.  Prime felt it was the only way of repaying you for your heroism and sacrifice."  Ratchet replied.

I stood up and shakily walked over to the platform Holly was standing on and watching.  It put her at eye level with me.

“Holly, are you okay?"  I asked, noticing that my voice had a weird metallic sound to it.

"I'll be OK now that I know the Autobots device worked and that you survived."  she said crying.

"Oh Holly, don't cry." My own voice cracking.

She held out her hand and I raised mine and she put her hand on my index finger.

"It's OK, I'm mostly crying in relief now."  she reassured me.

"Well now!  Is this the person that saved me."  A chipper sounding voice said behind me.

I spun around and looked down at Bumblebee.  I was 3 or 4 feet taller than him now.  He had his hand extended towards me.

As I took his hand he said, “I’m truly sorry that you got hurt because of me.  I hope your doing OK."  His voice now more somber.

"Well, I'm still in shock I think.  This is all coming so fast."  I replied.

"and that's my cue to finish checking his systems."  Ratchet spoke up.

"OK doc.  I'll talk to you later Cole."  Bumblebee said as he left the room.

I sat down on the exam table and Ratchet said, "OK, you have a number of things you can do now.  you have a rangefinder, compass and you can zoom in like a telescope and adjust your hearing. You also have other systems menus that you can call up.  Now go ahead and look at your wife and think about how far away she is."  he said.

I turned and looked at Holly and did as instructed.  In the bottom of my field of vision I saw a number appear.

"Well, how far away is she?"  Ratchet asked.

"15.56 meters."

"Very good.  Now look at this probe please."  He said as he shined a light in my eyes.

"OK, it looks like your optics are configured correctly."  he then hooked up a cable to the side of my head, right arm and right leg.  He then had me move my arms and legs while he stared at a monitor.  "OK,  everything is 100% I'm done with you. Although I wish it was under better circumstances but welcome to the Autobots."  He said as he shook my hand and left the room.  

I watched him go and then walked back over to Holly.  We discussed where we were going to go from here.  We obviously couldn't be man and wife anymore as I wasn't human anymore.  I was now 14 foot tall and weighed a couple of tons.  The kids had been told about what happened and were eagerly waiting to see me but I don't think they truly understood what had happened.

Just as Holly climbed down the stairs to the floor we heard the doors to the room slide open.  I turned around and saw a large red and blue transformer walk in.  It was Optimus Prime.  He walked over to us and held out his hand.  He towered over me by at least 8 feet.

"Optimus Prime, I assume?"  I said as I took his hand.

"Guilty as charged I'm afraid.  I am truly sorry things happened the way they did."

"Well, nobody forced me to get involved.  It was my idiotic idea to ram Starscream.  Nothing was forced on me."  I replied.

"At any rate your heroism was nothing less than astounding.  I have entered your human name to our record of heroes.  Only the third human ever to be so entered.  Although it is completely up to you, I would be honored if you were to join our ranks as an Autobot."  Optimus invited.

"I thought that's what I am now."  I replied confused evident in my voice.

“The Autobots are a group of Cybertronians fighting against the evil of the Decepticons.  Both the Autobots and the decepticons are of the same race."  He explained.

"That gives me something to think about then."

"Well, if you have any questions feel free to ask.  Now Holly, Jetfire is ready to take you back to Michigan."  he said.

"Thank you Optimus.  Cole, I need to go back home and pick up the kids from the Riggs.  Come home when you can." She said as she hugged my leg and walked down the hallway.

"Where are we Optimus?"  I asked, distracted and still kind of numb.

He spent the next hour giving me a tour of the Ark and introducing me to the other Autobots.  Prowl came up to Optimus and said that he had something that needing to be taken care off.  Optimus called Bumblebee over and asked him to continue the tour.

"Well, Cole.  Where do you want to go next?"  Bumblebee asked.

"I don't know.  How do we transform?"  I countered, segueing from the topic of the tour.

"Well, all you have to do is will it to happen and it will.  Go ahead and try."  he said as he took a couple of steps back.

I concentrated on transforming and saw an alien symbol flash in the corner of my vision and the process started.  It was the most unusual thing I've ever experienced!  My head sunk into my chest, my arms folded up and went under my chest.  My waist and legs spun 180 degrees and I fell forward and everything compacted and clicked into place.  I was now a gray Saturn.  In car mode I could see in all directions.  I started my engine and put my self in gear and peeled out and left the Ark with Bumblebee following.  I was flying down the road totally absorbed in the new sensations I was experiencing when Bumblebee radioed me.  It took me a few seconds to figure out how to respond.

"What's up?"  I asked.

Bumblebee replied, “Slow down bud!  I can't keep up."

I called up my speedometer in my display and saw I was going 135 mph, and that I had petal left.

"Remember, we're supposed to be in disguise.  And since the humans aren't on the best of terms with us right now we need to keep a low profile."  Bumblebee chided me after I slowed down.

"OK, but all the 'humans' aren't on 'our' bad side."  I responded.

"Oh goodness!  I'm sorry.  I wasn't trying to insinuate anything Cole."  Bumblebee apologized.

We were still in a deserted area so I pulled off the road and transformed and sat down.  Bumblebee did the same.

"I'm sorry, Bumblebee.  I guess I still have a lot of adjusting to do.  I mean one day I was a human being with a family and now I'm a 14 foot tall alien robot.  Its all overwhelming."  I said while staring off in the distance.

"Well... Hold on I'm receiving a transmission from Prime."  Bumblebee said.  After a pause, "The Decepicons are attacking a power plant 30 mile from here!  Prime says for you to head back to the Ark and for me to scout out the area!  See you in awhile!"  Bumblebee said as he transformed and raced off to the east.

I sat there for a minute and pondered on my course of action.  Should I follow directions and go back to the ark or help with the Decepticons?  My optics narrowed as a grin split my face as I stood up.  I’ve already done something incredibly stupid recently, why break the trend.  I transformed and raced after Bumblebee.

He got further ahead of me than I thought he had.  I was just about to an overlook at the power plant before I caught up with him.  I pulled into the parking place next to him just as he said, "Prime told you to go back to the Ark."

"Prime isn't in charge of me yet."  I responded.

"He's looking out for your safety Cole."  he said, sounding concerned.

“Hey Bumblebee, don't worry.  I was in the military remember.  I know how to handle my self on the battle field."  I said reassuringly.

"You don't have a weapon  Cole!"  he said.

"Bumblebee, I will be fine...LOOK,  isn't that Megatron and Soundwave walking out from behind the plant?"  I said seeing them in person for the first time.  I willed my vision to zoom in on them to take a closer look.

"Prime!  This is Bumblebee... and Cole.  The Decepticons are at the plant!  We have visual on Megatron and Soundwave."

"I read you Bumblebee.  Cole why are you there.  I ordered you back to the Ark!"  Prime asked me on my comm link.

After a couple of seconds of figuring out how to reply I said,  "Prime, in order to make my decision on whether or not to join the Autobots I need to see all that it entails."

"All right, then stay out of the conflict. Just observe.  understood?"  Prime said.

“Understood."  I replied.

As Bumblebee and I watched the Autobots enter the area and the combat begin we were attacked ourselves by Thundercracker.  The first rocket detonated right behind us pelting us both with debris.  Bumblebee transformed with pistol in hand and started firing back at Thundercracker missing him completely.  After Thundercracker made his second pass I transformed and followed Bumblebee as he ran for some cover behind a empty bus.  Thundercracker transformed on the other side of the bus and started walking around towards us with arm cannons extended. The bus only hid me from view because I was crouched down to my hands and knees.  Bumblebee was down on one knee waiting for Thundercracker to round the corner of the bus.  At the last second Bumblebee leapt up to his feet and opened fire on the Decepticon.  At the same time I ripped a street sign out of the ground.  Bumblebee's shot hit Thundercracker in the wing blowing a small hole in it and Thundercracker shot both cannons at the same time, hitting Bumblebee in the left shoulder and chest.  Thundercracker apparently not paid any attention to my presence because he looked genuinely surprised to see me leap up from behind the bus right as he finished firing at Bumblebee and he did not even try to duck from the road sign post swinging at his face.  I swung it with all my might in my right hand and watched his head snap back as the concrete still attached to the pole shattered on impact.  As Thundercracker stumbled back I pressed my attack with a left cross to his face that overbalanced him the rest of the way and he fell to his back.  I then jumped down on top of him to press my advantage, interlocked my fingers of both hands together and drove  my fists into Thundercracker's face with all of my might.  The force of my blows shattered the left side of his face and left optic.  His arms flopped up once and then fell limp to the ground.  I looked closely at his face and saw his one good optic fade from bright red to black.  I got up and rushed over to bumblebee and saw his optics were dark also.  not really knowing anything about Transformers I didn't know if they were knocked out or dead.  Hearing the sounds of lasers drew my attention down to the main battle at the power plant.  the Decepticons had their back to us and they had the Autobots pinned down.  I found bumblebee's pistol and slid down the hill and transformed and sped off towards the battle.  The sounds of battle masked the noises I was making from everyone but Soundwave.  when I was about 200 ft. away from the Decepticon's his head snapped up and he spun around and started firing at me.  I transformed, pistol in hand and started shooting at Soundwave and other random Decepticons, trying to create a diversion the Autobots could take advantage of.  Next thing I knew I had five Decpticons opening fire on me.  I just kept running back and forth returning fire when one of Soundwaves shots hit me in the leg sending me sprawling on the ground.  I rolled over onto my side and continue firing at the Decpticons.  I then stop in horror as I made eye contact with Megatron.  He has his monstrous cannon aiming right at me.  As I tried to scramble to my feet I see something red slam into the side of Megatron, a purple white flash of light envelopes me and then I feel myself flying through the air like a limp rag-doll and then my world faded to black.

Static filled my optics as I come back online.  When my vision cleared I am staring at the now familiar ceiling of Ratchet's med lab.  I sit up swinging my legs out to the side and jump off the bed.  I see Ratchet a couple of tables over hunched down over Bumblebee.  Bumblebee was lying motionless on the table with his left arm detached from his body and Ratchet had both hands inside bumblebee's open chest-plate.  There were wires attached to different modules inside Bumblebee that ran to different instruments monitoring his status.

As soon as I start to walk over to Ratchet I feel pain radiating out from my right knee and warning indicators started flashing in my HUD.  I look down and see that the armor around my knee is shredded and that the joint itself was damaged also.  It seemed to hold my weight well enough  though so I limped over to Ratchet's side.

Without any preamble Ratchet said, “Go back to your table and lie down."

"Is he going to be OK?"

"Bumblebee is tougher than he looks.  He should be fine."

"Can I help with anything?"

Ratchet looked up at me with optics narrowed and said,  "I know you want to help but it would really be better if you let me do what I was built for."  He said with an warm but tense expression.

With that I quietly walked out of Ratchets repair bay and made my way to the Ark's control room.  When I got there the room was empty except for Optimus Prime standing at Teletran 1.  I limped up next to him and saw that he was reviewing the battle with the Decepticons.  I winced when I saw he was specifically looking at my actions.  I saw Megatron open fire on me and the blast hitting the ground just to my left and me flying through the air from the blast.

"You would have been blown to pieces had Megatron been more accurate with his shot."  Prime said without preamble.

I shrugged my shoulders,  “All of you were pinned down.  I did what I felt was necessary." I finished unapologetically.

“Your distraction DID help us drive them away.  However, you were told to return to the Ark."  he said with an edge to his voice.

"Yes. I was.  You also told me I could choose to be an Autobot and I haven't given you an answer so you actually can't order me to do anything.  Plus, Bumblebee may have been hurt worse if I wasn't there.  That Decepticon didn't even know I was there till I clocked him with a street sign."  I said defensively.

Prime turned and looked at me and said, "Now, I wasn't exactly... 'chewing you out' as humans say.  I was not wanting you to get killed so soon after we preserved your life.  Your actions on the battle field were exemplary and your thinking is tactically sound.  Should you decide to join our ranks the Autobots would be proud to have you among us."  Prime said with his hand on my shoulder.

"Optimus, I do accept your invitation.  I feel this is the only place I feel I belong now.  The thought of trying to live near my family would be beyond my ability to endure.  It would remind me too much of everything I've lost and left behind."  I said, looking him in his optics.

"I think I understand."  he said with a note of sympathy.  "Now go back to Ratchet and get your leg fixed."

“Yes, sir."  I said as I walked away.

I was deep in thought, walking to Ratchet that I did not see Hound until I bumped in to him.  My leg was weak enough that I tumbled down to the ground.

"Oh my!  I'm sorry! Are you OK?"  he asked as he helped me to my feet.

"Yeah,  I'm fine."

"Thanks for your help in the battle earlier." Hound said.

"I only did what I felt I needed to."

"Could I talk to you sometime after your repaired."

"Uh, sure.  Why?"  I asked perplexed.

"Well, about what it's like to be human."  He stated after a short pause.

"Uh...OK."  I was feeling overwhelmed again.

Hound then walked away leaving me again by myself.  I limped back into the repair bay and I saw Ratchet was done with Bumblebee.  He hurried over to me and help Me over to a table.  While he fixed my leg I asked him questions about the repairs and the tools used to affect them.  When Ratchet was finished and had secured my new armor to the leg he said.

"Prime told me that you are an Autobot now.  Welcome to the team."  He said with a smile.

"Thanks."

"I'll now put the Autobot symbol on you and activate your weapon compartment."

He then explained that in my left leg there was a hidden compartment to hold my side arm.  He then handed me a pistol and I accessed the command to open the holster and put the pistol in and closed the holster hiding it from view.  He then led me down a hallway and showed me my quarters.  The room had a chair and a desk with a computer terminal on it.  One of the walls had a shelf system on it and that was all that was in the room.

"Prime had me set up some tutorials on Cybertronian history and language for you.  The information is already in your system but going over it with the computer will help you familiarize yourself with it and  your systems"  he said.  He then waved and walked out of my room.

Over the next couple of days I studied the information in my computer and in my own memory.  I learned a lot about my new body those two days.  I also became more familiar with the Cybertronian language.  I couldn't read it as fast as I could English but I was getting faster with every document I read.

I started to get bored and started wandering around the Ark.  Even though I am a transformer the Arks size is somewhat daunting.  As I walked I started hearing weapons firing.  I walked through an open door and saw a red transformer shooting at targets on the other side of the room.  I found the Autobot's practice range.