Laughter filled the plane as camo wearing, gun-toting, soldiers joked with one another. Three males and a female spoke in jovial, joking tones. The fifth soldier, a female field medic, leaned back against her seat silently. Her standard rifle sat comfortably in her slim and pale, yet calloused and strong hands. "Yo! Newbie! You gonna be silent the whole way?" One of the males grinned at her, one of his hands coming up to brush an annoying strand of loose red hair back away from his face.

"..." Large, dark brown eyes met his own blue ones as they peeked up from under the old soldier hat that looked like it had been through World War Two. It was a faded green color, and the strap was rather loose under her chin. Spiky strands of brown hair poked out from under the helmet. "Uh, John?" The other female, straight up soldier and not field medic, spoke to 'John', the one who had questioned her. "Yeah Tammy?" The blue eyed, red haired man grinned at her. Tammy grinned snarkily, "She's mute, dumbass." John flushed red in embarrassment and the others laughed at his mistake.

The mute field medic didn't react, her eyes moving back to the window of the plane, hat falling back down over upper face. She mentally scowled at it, but left it as it was. "So… what's her name?" The mute gripped her gun just a little bit tighter. The assholes were talking about her as if she wasn't even there. It really pissed her off. "Bobbi Bellmark. At least, that's what her file said." Another soldier commented offhandedly. Bobbi pressed her lips together tightly, making them turn white. Really? What asses. They couldn't even ask her for her name. Bobbi sighed through her nose and relaxed her body forcefully.

The mute mused to herself thoughtfully as she tuned the others out. She didn't even know the names of this ragtag group, besides John and Tammy, which she had just learned. It was tradition in her family to join the military. So when Bobbi had hit twenty one, she had joined. She had spent a good five years working her way through the ranks until she had at least a decent paycheck, especially after being deployed twice. This would be her third time. Sighing, Bobbi raised her brown eyes and scanned them over her new squad, her lips tugging into a frown. They seemed incompetent, loud, and in general, like a bunch of goofballs. Her nose crinkled in irritation at the thought.

They really expected her to work with these idiots? What were the big wigs thinking, sticking her in a group like this? Bobbi rolled her eyes from behind her helmet. Ah well, she could work with what she had, she supposed. "This is the captain speaking, everyone please brace yourselves, we will be landing momentarily." Bobbi sighed through her nose in relief. Finally she would be landing after this seventeen hour flight of pure hell. Clenching her jaw she shifted her body slightly to stretch some of her back and leg muscles. A new base, huh? Bobbi mused to herself, it should prove interesting, especially since they had all been given a raise to 'keep their mouths shut'. The woman quirked a smile at that.

The plane touched down with a solid bounce, and slowly came to a stop. In a seamless routine, the squad unharnessed themselves from the wall of the plane, and moved out and down the ramp. They stopped once they were a safe distance from the plane, allowing it to close the hatch and slowly turn around and roll to one of the hangers. Bobbi wondered if they would let her learn to pilot- and quickly dismissed the idea. They wouldn't. Not with her being mute. A familiar pang of agony flared up in her gut, but she pushed it away stubbornly. She could do other things, she didn't need to pilot.

"Atten-hut!" A stern voice cut through the air, and the entire squad whipped around to face the voice and snapped to attention. Six men walked over from where they had been waiting by a large metal building. Bobbi observed them from under her helmet with interest. One was of African-American descent with a clean shaved head, his uniform only slightly different than her own. Maybe it was because he wasn't carrying as much stuff as she was? Bobbi brushed it off. The second was tanned, with short brown hair and stern yet kind eyes. He was in the same uniform as the first, and was taller. The others were… different. The third was taller than all the others, with black neatly kempt hair that shone blue when the sun hit it just right. He carried himself with an air of a respected leader.

He wore the same uniform, but with a strange red symbol sewn onto the breast pocket, and on the pockets of the rest besides the first two men. What really caught Bobbi's attention, however, was the electric blue eyes he and the other three had that nearly pierced through her. Maybe they were related? As they came to a stop in front of them, her eyes drifted to the others from under her helm. The fourth came up to the tallest one's shoulder, had black hair with a military buzz cut, and a scar over one of his eyes. He look strong, stern, and mean. Bobbi's eyes narrowed. She wouldn't let him stomp all over her, or push her around, she deserved some respect, dammit.

The fifth was a medic. She could tell just by the way he walked and seemed to check for injuries every five minutes. He was the same height as the mean one, with white hair pulled back into a ponytail that was streaked with red and spiky at the front bangs that framed his face. Bobbi's suspicions were affirmed when she noted that he wore a white lab coat with a medical cross on the shoulders, black slacks, boots, and a white button up shirt. Bobbi could already see the impending check up for them all.

The last had a visor on that was as electric blue as the others, and black hair in dreads. He was of African-American descent and was the shortest of them. He walked with a relaxed gait and a cocky yet laid back smile and wore a white tank top, plain blue jeans, and a pair of black military boots. Bobbi was brought from her observations by the second one speaking, "Welcome to N.E.S.T. You are our new squad, right? I'm Lennox, what are your names, soldiers?" The voice was stern yet kind and welcoming. Bobbi decided she rather liked this 'Lennox', her new superior. One by one, her fellows began telling him their names.

"Tammy Edgehart, sir!"

"John Kinders!"

"Larry Ellis, sir!"

"Evan Smith, Lennox sir."

Bobbi scowled internally but showed nothing outside. Lennox raised an eyebrow at her, and she could feel his fellows watching her as well as she stared ahead. "Soldier, what is your name?" Lennox questioned again, "Mehbeh th' cat's got 'er tongue!" The short one joked with a grin, his dreads swaying. "Sir, if I may?" Tammy questioned hesitantly and Lennox nodded, "Bobbi Bellmark is mute, sir. She can't answer." Lennox had the decency to look embarrassed. It looked like he hadn't taken the time to read their files thoroughly enough. "I'm sorry, Bobbi." The woman couldn't help it, her head snapped towards him and her helmet rocked backwards with the motion, getting caught on the back of her head and showing a pair of wide, surprised brown eyes. No one had apologized before.

Hesitantly, looking at her new superior, Lennox, she nodded. He seemed to understand that she had forgiven him, and continued on. "This is Epps," He nodded to the first African-American, who smiled in greeting, "Optimus Prime," Lennox nodded in respect to the quiet giant, who inclined his head in turn, "Ironhide, Ratchet and Jazz." They all seemed to be observing them calmly, as if trying to judge if they were trustful or not. "Here, we're all family and comrades. We work together and help one another. Training begins tomorrow at 0600 in the main hanger. Jazz will show you around and then to the med bay for your check ups with Ratchet." Lennox instructed them sternly.

Everything was different here, not as strict and stern as at her previous bases, but Bobbi brushed it off. "With all due respect sir, we've had check ups for this month already." Even, a brown haired hazel eyed man sounded confused. Bobbi reached up with one hand and fixed her helmet, obscuring her eyes once again. She grumbled internally at the fact that she was the only one with a helmet. "Well, you'll be getting your check ups again." Ratchet's voice was cool and even, if stern and gruff. Ironhide smirked at something. Bobbi mused on the fact that their names were strange as hell, but she supposed it was probably code names or something of the like. The men turned and moved back towards the base.

Confused, yet obedient, the squad followed them. As soon as they entered, the men dispersed, leaving the squad with Jazz. "This is da' main hanger." His accent was that of a gangster, yet it was strangely pleasant to listen to. He gestured around the room, which was filled with different cars. A large semi with a flame paint job, a white and red ambulance, a red and black corvette, a silver porsche, an ice cream truck, a blue volt, and a large black GMC Topkick. Not that Bobbi could name them all. She only knew a couple. Before anyone could comment, the weird man known as Jazz began to bounce away.

"Come on!" At his command, the squad moved after him. He showed them the mess hall, the training areas, and to their rooms, where he made them drop their stuff off. Bobbi found her hands felt very empty without her gun. Then they headed to the med bay. Nobody commented on how huge the doors seemed, or rather, John commented, but didn't receive an answer. Jazz was good at deflecting any and all questions. "Nah list'n close." The visor wearing man warned, and the squad leaned in slightly to hear as they walked, "Don' anger da' Hatchet. Jus' do wh't 'e says an' get outta there. 'Kay?" The squad looked confused but nodded. Bobbi simply looked around with little interest.

She was here to do her job. Shoot the enemy and patch her team mates up on the field. Nothing more, nothing less. Doing anything more would only get her into trouble. Finally, they stopped in front of a large pair of doors. Jazz hesitated a moment before opening said doors and walking in. The squad followed cautiously, unsure of what to expect. Bobbi linked her hands behind her back and stepped after Jazz first, leaving her squad to follow. She was here to do her job, and her team was not going to slow her down. In any way, shape or form.

The room itself was large, with huge metal beds on one side, and a bunch of the normal medical beds and supplies on the other. "What the hell…?" John trailed off as he looked up at the huge tables, Evan pushed his glasses up as his green eyes gazed around in awe. Larry raised an eyebrow, reaching up and tugging on Evan's black hair, "This is gettin' kinda weird, huh four eyes?" The man scowled in reply, green eyes turning sharp. Larry shrugged and crossed his arms, gray eyes flicking over the room before he quickly brought up a hand to brush back his blonde hair from his face.

Bobbi ignored them all and continued to follow Jazz, her hands connected at her lower back. She heard them quicken their steps to catch up. The medic from before walked from behind an ambulance parked off to the side. "Oh good, you've arrived." He groused. Bobbi tilted her head at the ambulance. Wasn't that the same one from before? Back in the main hanger? She shook it off and turned back to Ratchet. "Well, Ah leave 'em in yer hands doc'." Jazz grinned, "See ya'!" He was gone before another word could be said, practically bolting out the door. Bobbi stared at the door quiet for a moment.

Then she looked back at Ratchet. "Alright, all of you line up." The doctor grumbled gruffly. Sensing this one wasn't to be crossed, Bobbi's squad snapped to attention behind her. The brunette raised an eyebrow from beneath her too large helmet, but didn't comment. "Miss Bellmark, was it?" She nodded in response, "Let's get started then." Ratchet sighed, and began the checkups. They quickly learned that this doctor had a few rough edges… linked to that handy dandy wrench of his. John and Larry found themselves the receivers of most of the beloved hunk of metal's kisses.

Bobbi mentally called them all idiots and smirked in amusement. "You're done. Now get outta my med bay!" Ratchet shook his wrench angrily, and Larry and John bolted. Bobbi silently chuckled and headed out with a rather pale Tammy and an amused Evan. When they passed by the doors, Jazz and the two cowards were waiting. "Hey Bobbi!" John grinned, "We planned on having a celebration once we got here for arriving safely and all that. Jazz here says he wants to join in. Wanna come?" Bobbi tilted her head at the red head. He barely even knew her, yet would invite her to his quarters for a party?

The mute shook her head and turned around to leave. "Oh come on! It'll be fun!" The annoying soldier attached himself to her arm and pouted at her with puppy dog eyes. "Pleeeaaaaaase? Pretty please? I promise I won't let Larry draw penises on your face if you happen to fall asleep!" John's begging was irritating. "Hey! That's YOU you goober!" Larry huffed, crossing his arms playfully, pretending to be upset. "Come one, it isn't good to lock yourself up. Its good to relax and let loose once in awhile." Tammy implored, and Evan chuckled softly and moved forward to remove John from her arm. "We'd like you to celebrate with us." He smiled as he removed the overgrown baby from Bobbi's arm.

The woman thought for a moment, then nodded in acceptance. John squealed happily, Larry cheered, and the next thing Bobbi knew, she was being dragged down the hallway. Her eyes widened, what had she gotten herself into? "Tha's th' spirit!" Jazz laughed happily, moving alongside them. Bobbi flailed her arms slightly, alarmed, but couldn't get herself free from the two men's grip as they headed to Larry and John's shared room.

They entered, laughing and joking. The room was rather small, intended for only two people with minimum belongings, all that it contained were the two bags Larry and John had brought with their equipment in them, laying on their respecting beds. They finally released Bobbi, who stumbled slightly and rubbed her arms with a slight scowl. "How about a game of poker?" Evan suggested with a smile, pulling out a deck of cards from his pocket. The way the light reflected off his glasses made Bobbi wary.

"You only want to play because you're awesome at it!" Tammy complained with a pout, but the sparkle in her gray green eyes negated the pouting irritation she displayed. Evan smirked back at the strawberry blonde in response. "Oh come on Tammy!" Larry chuckled jovily, "Evan might wipe the floor with us, but it'll be fun, right?"

"Uh… 'scuse me? W'a's 'Poker'?" Jazz raised his hand in question, a brow cocking upwards. Bobbi sighed silently and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She was already regretting this. If she had just gone back to her and Tammy's quarters, she could clean her gun and go to bed. But no, she had allowed these…. morons, to draw her into their silly antics. "You don't know poker?! Sacrilege!" John shrieked, "We must fix this at once!" And so, two minutes later, they all found themselves placed around the table with cards and chips.

"...How? Just… how?"

"This guy's bloody good! You sure you've never played before?"

"Ah'm sure." Jazz grinned at Larry and John's gaping faces, "I's pretty easy ta' pick up on."

Ten minutes into the game and Evan was sweating as he went up against Jazz. Bobbi had lost, yes, but she was smiling and rather enjoying her time watching and listening to the others. Having removed her helmet, she leaned against it on the table as she watched, her short, spiky brown hair sticking up everywhere.

It was around eleven at night before everyone headed to bed, leaving Larry and John to their quarters. Bobbi found herself smiling as she moved down the hall with Tammy and into their shared quarters. She had enjoyed herself, a lot. The way everyone had played and joked, the way they had laughed and let loose… it had enlightened her to just how close they were to one another. A pained frown tugged at her lips.

At one time, she had had that. That same closeness. Bobbi shoved the thought away with a scowl, got into her pajamas, and crawled into bed, falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. She had to be up early, she couldn't afford to keep herself up all night with these thoughts.