NEST

Following the disbanding of Sector Seven, Networked Elements: Supporters and Transformers (NEST) was set up under William Lennox to create a combined Human/Autobot defense force against Decepticons. Under the classified Alien/Autobot Cooperation Act, the Autobots share intelligence and personnel with the US, but not their advanced weaponry.

History
Approximately one month after the events in Mission City, Sector Seven inadvertently reactivated the Decepticon Wreckage and simultaneously attracted the attention of Starscream, and the subsequent battle leveled Sector Seven's Nevada bunker, costing dozens of lives. Secretary of Defense Keller immediately terminated the clandestine group's operations upon learning of the incident.

In the aftermath, Captain Lennox tried to convince his dubious and hostile superiors at the Pentagon that the Autobots were indeed trustworthy and would be a valuable asset. His superiors impressed upon him that in order for the military to provide full disclosure, the Autobots must cooperate fully, and that the unit was Lennox's responsibility now. After the burial-at-sea of Jazz, Optimus Prime and Lennox agreed that for the protection of their mutual homeworld, they must trust each other and work together as a single team. Sometime later, the newly formed NEST command commenced training at the military base on Diego Garcia.

NEST had a baptism of fire against the Decepticon scouts Swindle and Dead End in San Francisco: the mission was successful although Lennox was criticized for allowing the Autobots to transform on the Golden Gate Bridge. NEST expanded to a multinational force and began taking on Decepticon agents across Earth: Fracture and Overcast were destroyed in Europe, while Dropkick and Incinerator were defeated in Florida. NEST's victories were tempered with the ultimate sacrifice, such as when Salani died battling Jetstorm. When Bumblebee redeployed back to the 'States as Sam Witwicky's guardian, NEST received a much-needed boost in Transformers ranks when Sideswipe, Arcee, Skids and Mudflap came to Earth.