A/N: This story is the first of a series from the same 'verse as Menage; a human-centric G1(ish) AU (with characters pulled from other 'verses) where the Decepticons awaken but the Autobots remain yet asleep. As such, there are no friendly giants to intervene when the 'Cons get greedy...

Like Menage, this story will remain largely human-centric with very little in the way of the Transformers themselves besides references and cameos. If you are offended or uninterested by this, you might want to pass on by. (If you don't mind the squishies, please pull up a seat! This story is for you.)

When the world ends, Alexis is – predictably – studying.

She's at Chip's house, of course; she spends every Friday afternoon under his tutelage. College is just a few short years away and she's determined to get a good start, even if she has to sacrifice brilliant sunny days such as this one. Summer is very nearly upon them and the May sunshine slants through the windows with warm golden fingers that creep across the pages of her textbook. Alexis turns the page, her fingers sliding over the sun-warmed paper thoughtfully as she waits for Chip to finish with his newest (and youngest) student.

The hum of computers blending with Chip's quiet, competent murmurs is something homey and welcoming. Alexis likes being here best; her own house is often silent and still with both her parents away at work for much of the time. And Chip is a fascinating instructor; the sheer amount that he knows is staggering. Alexis hopes that she will reach his level someday soon. His youngest student is silent for once as he patiently instructs her in some finer point. Alexis spares them a brief glance as she slowly stretches out her hunched shoulders. Six-year old Sari is regarding the motherboard on the table with fierce concentration as Chip's fingers dance lightly over the component.

Alexis has to admit (if only to herself) that she hadn't been thrilled upon learning that she would have to share her thrice-weekly tutoring sessions with the little girl, but Chip is good at giving them both equal attention, and Sari, for all her enthusiasm (childishness, the cynical part of Alexis mutters, but she shushes it; Sari is a child, after all) is just as eager to learn what Chip has to teach them.

She glances idly at the clock – the LED reveals a glowing red five-forty-seven in the afternoon – and then returns to her textbook. She scarcely notices the thunderous passage of the two jets overhead as she focuses on the past victories and defeats of humankind across the centuries. Later, she will wonder if anything would have changed if she had; she thinks not but even still, it seems somewhat dense to have not paid better attention to the beginning of the end.

A/N: Alexis is from Transformers Armada, Sari is from Transformers Animated, and Chip is from G1. This part of the series is actually nearly finished and will (hopefully!) update regularly. Told in bits and pieces because that's how I roll. Next bit will be updated tomorrow!