Tessa Barry

Tessa Barry was a college student at MIT prior to meeting the Autobots. She exceeded many of her classes and was considered one of the "star" students at the time. She first encountered the Transformers when the Mini-Con Fireblade saved her from a black bear in the mountains. In return for his help, Tessa offered her technological skills to help him locate his companions. In doing so, she unwittingly put herself in danger when the Decepticon Slipstream arrived at her college tracking the Mini-Con. Fortunately, the Autobot Shockdrop arrived in time to chase the Decepticon off and Tessa was taken to meet Optimus Prime at the Ark. From there, Tessa learned about the Transformers war on Cybertron and of the danger the Decepticons posed to the Human Race. As she was rescued by Autobots, it was reasonable to believe her life wold be in grave danger. And as such, Optimus assigned Shockdrop to look after her.

After the Autobots defeated Moltenstorm and saved Earth, Tessa informed the Autobots that the United States Military had arrived to offer their assistance and support to their cause. And because of her experience with the Autobots, Tessa had been asked to become their liaison with the Human Race. Tessa has proven time and again that she is as courageous as a Prime and is as compassionate about life as all Autobots are. Since coming under Shockdrop's care, Tessa has come to view him as family and would go to great lengths to protect him, and vice versa. Surprisingly, Tessa has also forged a friendship with Windblade; a result of her courage and persistence. Tessa has proven to be a valuable ally to the Autobots, often using her technological skills to assist them in their missions and able to decrypt coded Decepticon files.

In most continuities, the main Human protagonist was almost always a male character. Taking a cue from the Animated continuity, Tessa was created to be the main Human female protagonist.