First off, Heather brown aka IthicaJackal made some fan art for this fic. She let me put it on my deviantart page (link on profile page).

Chapter 3: No Voice in the Matter

XXX

A grey twilight had set on the city making the air seem tense like the city was still under attack by the Decepticons … yet he knew that there were no Decepticon. Well, except for the one he was looking. Bumblebee still had a little trouble realizing how easy it had been defeating the Saleen the first time. Of course then he was fighting for more than just the Autobot cause … he had also been fighting for her cause; the right to not be afraid of what she was. He had been fighting for all the femmes … well, the last one at least. That's probably why he won. It was personal.

Bumblebee turned a corner … in truth he really wasn't looking for Barricade at all. His sensors weren't working overtime and he was not making much of an effort at all. To an outsider it might seem that the owner of a yellow Camaro was slightly depressed and just driving around the same block over and over again trying to outdrive the haunting of their mind. 'Bee's engine sighed. Why had he yelled at Sam? Sam was his human; a human that he could entrust any of his secrets and worries to and here he had thrown him out on the street. Yah, he was the very definition of a good friend.

'Bee sighed and turned another corner … it was then that he picked up a signal. It was coming from the tracks a good quarter of a mile away. The yellow Camaro stopped … why should he care again? The Allspark was gone. Dead as a doornail … how something that was never alive in the first place could be dead was something that astounded 'Bee, but at the present moment he liked the human expression. The little mech sighed and slowly turned his wheels in that direction. Yes, he was a femme that had joined the war to find the Allspark and now that Allspark was gone, but 'Bee also joined for another reason … to kill those slaggen Decepticons that had wronged him so deeply and destroyed his race. If the only reason to remain was to kill Decepticons that was fine by him. Yes, he'd deactivate them all so they could partake in the darkness that clouded 'Bee's spark before they died at his guns. They'd see the darkness in his spark as their own spark faded and died … he would not suffer alone!

XXX

Optimus felt Sam twitch in his seat as he watched another yellow car go by that wasn't Bumblebee. The Autobot leader knew it wasn't 'Bee long before the car even came into sight… he hadn't felt a spark signature and a mech could only hide their spark signature up to a certain radius, yet 'Bee was a spy thus he was rather good at hiding his. Maybe he should keep an optic out just in case as well.

Now to the mission at hand. This wasn't exactly the circumstances Prime wanted for this discussion, but it was sufficient nonetheless. It was fairly obvious that 'Bee had fallen out of character once the Allspark was destroyed. One might even called it depression if a being decided to use the human term. The little mech did his best to hide his stirring sadness, regret, hatred, or whatever emotion it was that was testing his CPU so … but Optimus noticed. He'd practically raised Bumblebee from a sparkling, along with everyone else on the Ark or course, and therefore he knew that something in the little Camaro's mind had changed. The only source of comfort from his mental anguish seemed to be the humans. At first it was just Sam that he seemed to cling too. To 'Bee's fellow Autobots it seemed to be a protective motion that any guardian would do so they accepted Bumblebee's growing distance from the ranks, yet when Sam would be gone for a weekend or anything of the sort Bumblebee wouldn't meet with his fellow kind; instead he'd seek out Mikaela, Epps, the Lennoxes, Maggie, and even Glen so he could stay in a human presence. Optimus wasn't sure if any of his soldiers had noticed the sudden lack of one of his men, but he did. He was not so blinded by the war that he forgot all mechs were in need of more then physical care from time to time … 'Bee needed mental support for some reason and as commander Optimus had an obligation to find out what. He missed his playful little 'Bee among the ranks.

"Sam?"

The human jumped in his seat hitting his nose against the window that he had had his face practically smooched against as he watched out for 'Bee. "Ouch! … dang it! … Um, I mean yes Optimus? Have you found Barricade? Cause if you have let me out here and I'll meet you later. I like not being squished if you know what I mean?"

A silence came from the radio for a moment before the Autobot spoke again. "Sam we would never let any harm come to you."

The human flopped back into the leather seat and picked at the fabric for a moment before he answered. "I know Optimus … I know. So um, you find him?"

The semi's engine sighed. "We both know that no one is looking for Barricade right now Sam. Ratchet and Ironhide are both looking for 'Bee even though the mission was specifically to look for the Decepticon."

Sam flinched. "I-I'm sorry Optimus. It's my fault he ran off. Please don't be mad at Bumblebee. I- I -

"Shush, don't blow a gasket small one. Just tell me what you told him to upset him so." Optimus decided that maybe it would be best to start the conversation out slow and then work up to the questions at hand. He knew Sam well, but he held nowhere near the trust that 'Bee did so he had to earn a little at the moment before he asked Sam about what has been eating at 'Bee's processors.

Sam tapped his fingers on Optimus's steering wheel, twitched in the seat, and then whimpered. "I ask-asked him what secre-umm … what was bothering him. I kinda then made a joke of asking him if he use to be a Decepticon who was undercover for Megatron and now with him dea-deactivated I asked if he was going to come clean about being a Decepticon the whole time." Sam tightened in his seat waiting for Optimus to slam on his breaks like 'Bee did and throw him out into traffic, but that didn't happen. Instead a soft rev came from the engine that couldn't be described as anything else but a sigh.

"I will admit Sam that that wasn't quite the thing to say to Bumblebee, but I must apologize for him none the less. Bumblebee has always had a hatred deep inside his processors for all Decepticons in general. He doesn't come out and state it, but I know by the way he reacted around Decepticon soldiers that had reformed into Autobots … he was cold towards them. I'm sorry Sam." Optimus stated softly.

Sam relaxed a little surprised that he hadn't just been yelled at. "It-it's okay … um, Optimus. Bumblebee said something weird to me. He said that Decepticons wronged him in more ways then I know. How exactly did they wrong him more then anyone else? Not that it's my business or anything. It's just I kind of, you know, it's not really my right to know or anything, but it could just happen –

"Sam. I understand." The human stopped twitching immediately. Optimus sparely wondered if this was how it was for Barricade day in and out with Frenzy inside him. It was a wonder why the little gremlin wasn't a piece of scarp metal already.

"Now, you said 'Bee stated that the Decepticons had wronged him in more ways then you know?" Optimus felt a suspicion rise in his processors … Sam practically knew everything about 'Bee. Well, everything considered important at least.

"Yah?"

"And what don't you know Sam?" Asked Optimus more to gather his own thoughts then really demanding any answer from the child.

"I … I don't know."

XXX

'Bee's form slid silently behind a dumpster which was located next to a crumpling wall. He was hiding. A few moments ago he had just picked up two spark readings from an abandoned, decaying maze of old buildings that were located near the tracks. The spy's optics shifted … he could pick their energy signatures up, but he couldn't identify precisely where the other transformers were. The Camaro's systems were slammed into high alert and his engines struggled not to rev in distaste at the thought of Barricade as he traveled a little deeper into the concrete maze. He was going to make Barricade pay. He didn't know if the Saleen had killed any femmes personally, but he was a symbol for the being who had; so he'd suffer the fate 'Bee wished to bestow on Megatron if he had been strong enough … rip out his spark while he was still online and hand it to him.

The small mech's gun hummed as he slid against a brick building's wall trying to keep as close as he could for cover yet not ruin his paint job. He quickly peaked his head around the corner of the alley wall … there were only more alleys. And behind door number two … nothing again. The yellow mech turned ready to walk down the opposite direction when he jumped and ducked back behind the nearest wall … he had heard it. The soft clicks of the cybertronian language. The Camaro's engine went cold when he heard another click answer the first. Either Starscream had returned to earth or that little gremlin Frenzy had gotten a voice upgrade.

The spy slowly gathered his courage and started to take slow and cautious steps toward the alley in which the clicks were coming from … then there was a splash as he stepped into a puddle. The clicks suddenly stopped and the Camaro flinched expecting a rain of fire to come his way, but there was nothing. The continuation of the soft clicks confirmed that they had not noticed him and 'Bee continued forward with a single thought on his mind … watch for puddles.

Bumblebee was careful to keep in the shadows of the buildings as the clicks grew louder … yet he still couldn't see the creators and he was almost to the end of the alley. The clicks were so close! Sadly, Bumblebee knew that the only way to see the villains was to peep his head around the corner of the brick wall to see. If a robot could swallow Bumblebee did just that as he peeked around the corner.

The Camaro's optics widened with surprise. It wasn't Barricade at all! Primus, he'd never even seen these mechs before … of course they were no longer in there proto forms so they could be Soundwave and Shockwave and he'd never know until they blew his mother board out! Well one way to find out who they were and he'd find out in the way he knew best … spying.

The mech whose paintjob was that of an army green camouflage print shifted on his feet and continued to speak to his companion who was slightly taller then him. "Have you found it yet?"

"No …" stated the orange mech as he continued to stare into nothing, reading some kind of readings no doubt. "It is essential that we remain hidden that that much I am certain of … even though I am rather curious on getting my hands on a human specimen."

The other mech looked at him funny. " … Um, let's concentrate on the mission at hand."

The orange mech's searchlight lights, planted next to audio censors, flashed slightly in a disgust and then continued to scan … that was at least until his systems screamed through his speakers and the spotlights planted on his head slammed into Bumblebee's optics blinding him. The young mech wasn't quite expecting being spotted like that and in a shock he took a step backwards slamming the back of his legs into a dumpster, which then caused him to fall into a puddle. There was an echoing splash as the now filthy Bumblebee tried to get out of the water and to his feet … and there was also the humming of charge cannons. The smaller bot quickly found himself out of the deep puddle and hiding behind a crumbling wall that was half his height. Once he was securely hidden behind his cement and brick barricade Bumblebee found himself firing his own arm cannon of the top of wall without even looking or taking aim. He just wanted to get those other transformers as far away as possible.

There was a grating reply of gunfire as the sound of shattering concrete filled the area along with rapid gun fire. Bee ducked back under his barricade to keep his arm from being blown off … the firing stopped for several seconds and then Hound poked his head from behind his cover hissing. "Identify yourself mech! Autobot or Decepticon? I am Autobot Hound and my companion is Autobot Wheeljack. If you are Autobot identify yourself, if not surrender of suffer the consequences!"

The cold that had been dragging on Bee's circuits seems to disperse like steam into the air. The small mech had to dig his fingers into a stone wall to resist the urge to jump over his barricade and tackle Hound into a hug. Slowly, Bee raised his head so he could peak a quick look to make sure … instead he was blinded by Wheeljack's ears. The small mech dropped his mask trying to shield his optics as he called out. "I'm Autobot Bumblebee –

… or at least he had tried to.

The only thing that had been able to escape his battered vocal processors was a sorry excuse for 'I' and then his vocal processors released a long dragging scratchy noise before they went completely silent. There was a hiss from the other two mechs as they shielded their audio processors. After the two Autobots had finished wincing Wheeljack turned to his attention to the bot beside him blinding poor Hound in the process. "I don't believe an Autobot would have such a rude reaction."

"Gah! My optics!" Hound pushed the other mech slightly. "Blind him not me! And you over there." Hissed the hummer like a rabid raccoon as he pointed his steaming gun in Bee's direction or more specifically, towards the two optics that were just poking over the barrier looking astounded. "Identify yourself as Autobot or surrender if you want to get out of here in one piece."

And Bee tried to speak, oh how he did, but now his vocal processors were completely off-lined. It seems that all the screaming and yelling matches he had been having for the past few days had finally decided to kick in with a vengeance. The small bot cringed … if he tried to make any sudden movements, like waving his hands exuberantly in the air, he'd get shot sooner than later … best to keep calm and collected or end up really dead ended.

The green mech pulled his lip plating up into a scowl as the silence and the little bots frightened stare continued. Wheeljack quickly turned off his searchlights before looking upward from his defensive stance at Hound, "I take his silence as a defiant action and we must therefore conclude that he's Decepticon… so what's the next course of action Hound?"

Hound looked at his fellow Autobot and stated to him. "Start charging your cannons… I'd like this to end peacefully, but when has that ever happened … I don't even know why I bother to ask anymore." Hound sighed and slowly stood a little taller calling out to the Decepticon who had yet to move. "Come out peacefully or we'll shoot you out!"

'Bee winced. Hound had used that scratchy tone that called for blood … he was ready to shoot and slag the peace talks. It was like he had just told an empty promise. The smaller mech resisted the urge to lunge back behind his 'safe' wall as he slowly stood up holding his arms at a revealing angle so both mechs knew he wasn't charging his cannons up for a sucker shot… the spy might have laughed at the shocked look on Hound's face, but those soft confused features suddenly turned tense. 'Bee felt his knees jerk ready to run as he stared at the incredibly tense mechs opposite of him … Primus, no wonder Decepticons never surrendered.

Every gear in Bumblebee's form suddenly winced as Hound stepped over his wall. His form was held tall and intimidating as he slowly walked forward, all the while fumbling with a subspace chamber in his leg. Suddenly, a pair of energy cuffs clanked out and 'Bee couldn't help but swallow. He had forgotten that most Autobot's even carried those anymore. He didn't have a pair mind you since he was a spy and was more hide and run then direct combat … but it didn't mean he didn't know what they did. They kept a bot from transforming more then restraining him. It was considered easier to chase down a mech that couldn't transform and being cuffed pretty much made one helpless in the cannon issue as well: they were design perfectly so arm weapons would be unable to slide out of compartments. Primus, he hoped he could get out of those immediately once Optimus and the others saw him, because he'd be helpless until they were removed … helpless like last night as Ratchet ran his fingers over his chassis. 'Bee's spark danced at the thought … believe him he had tried to delete the memory, but his processors just wouldn't let it go! Wait? Was this really the time for such thoughts? Hello about to die! Get your processors out of the gutter!

The young mech finally snapped out of his thoughts when a loud crunch of stone caught his processors. Hound was so near he could see the imperfections in his paintjob. The green mech took another step closer as if he was testing ice and then whispered more to himself then the mech in front of him. "Primus … this is probably the first time a Decepticon has ever surrendered to me."

There was a soft humming coming from behind the hummer. It was Wheeljack and his cannon was fully charge. The orange mechs eyes were squinted and his form was tense. This was too easy! Far too easy! The mech's gaze shifted upward for a moment … he knew this was a set up and he wasn't going to be caught off guard. True, he wasn't the best shot in the Autobot army but that didn't mean he was going let his guard down. The mech's shoulder planting twitched as he listened to a human truck go by. The mech then turned his full attention back to the mech slowly inching forward … and then there was a shot.

At least that's what the genius thought the sound was. 'Bee knew it was merely a backfiring vehicle, but that meant little when the two Autobots started shooting at him.

The yellow bot was only given enough time to duck behind his brick barricade before he started to feel impact shots against his hiding place. Rubble and grit were flying all over like hail as the shots grew more intense and well aimed as the two bots try to shoot through the wall. In fact, the very pavement was now shaking and Bumblebee could feel his very gears shake at the vibration. The small mech quickly pulled himself into the corner of the brick wall that converged with an abandoned building. He pulled himself into a tight huddle covering his audios with his shaking hands … was this it? Done in by his own companions? Was it going to be painful or would he just be gone? … Maybe this was best. Ratchet or someone was bound to find out that he was a femme. This was surely a better way to go then to die on his back during a birthing. This was a more noble way to go right?

Suddenly, an exceptionally well placed shot blew through the brick wall blinding 'Bee with brick dust. The small bot could only shake … at least he'd die a soldier; at least he'd die a solider and not a femme. Hopefully Wheeljack and Hound wouldn't take it to bad once they realized that they had not only killed a fellow Autobot but the last femme. 'Bee tried to make himself smaller still as the wall started to shake as footsteps thundered forward ready to give the killing shot. … Huh, true proof of his femme-ness right there before he died. Here he was on the brink of deactivation and he was still thinking of someone else.

XXX

Ironhide sighed as he turned the corner. He could have sworn that he had picked up on two spark signatures in the area. Oh well, he wasn't really looking for Barricade at the moment anyway. What was up with that youngling anyway? Bumblebee wasn't the type to just up and abandon a mission … his charge for that matter! Something was wrong… Was he upset about the fern? "Slaggen youngling can't take a joke."

"Ironhide." Came a voice.

The weapons specialist's tires squeal and before he could even comprehend what he had done he was pointing his gun down at a semi who had a very shocked Sam Witwicky staring up at him … he kid didn't even noticed that he had dropped his coffee all over himself right away do to the surprise. Then the next thing the weapon specialist knew a dance club was going on inside Optimus'ss cab. At least that's what it looked like as Sam fought with his two shirts trying to get them off.

A sigh escaped the great leader as Sam continued in his spilt coffee dance and song routine occasionally hissing 'that was fucking hot' and 'Starbucks is the spawn of Satan' every few grunts. "I knew he was going to spill that in my cab … solider you do realize what stealth means right."

A shocked look overcame Ironhide's face plates and then a frown as he cross his arms in an offended manner. "Of course I know what stealth means Optimus."

"Then why are you standing in your regular mode in the middle of a populated street?" Asked Optimus trying to keep the growl out of his vocal processors.

The weapon specialist flinched … he had good instinct, but sometimes his instincts overloaded his rational thought processors and got him into dire circumstances such as the one he was in at the moment. Ironhide quickly turned around causing sparks to dance on the pavement as his metallic feet slid. There was no one on the sidewalks … these were all housing residents and apartments which meant no stores, and everyone had their blinds closed … there were also no cars coming or going up the street. Ironhide turned his head back towards his commander. "But there's no one around."

Sam pulled himself off the floorboards where he had collapsed from his coffee dance, shirtless. He gave Ironhide a raised brow and then pointed to a side street. "Except the bus full of Japanese tourists."

The weapon specialist cursed himself as he titled his head to the side. He grinned nervously and shrugged his shoulder plates as the tourist leaned out of the bus windows gapping slightly. "Hi folks … Um, welcome to Mission City?"

They continued to gape.

Sam slapped himself in the forehead and then asked Optimus softly. "Can anyone say famous last words? … What now?"

A rev came of from the Peterbilt engine. "Is there a normal human way to explain this Witwicky?"

Sam stared back upwards toward the shocked tourist and scratched his chin. "Well … we could say he's a government experiment that's escaped the base or something like that."

"… I don't think so Sam."

The human shrugged as he fished out an unstained shirt from his bag to replace his coffee stained one that now hung limply on the passenger seat. "Well I thought it was reasonable. Okay, time for option number two then." Sam grinned as he put on a pair of shades, his yellow jacket matching nicely, and then he violently kicked open Optimus'ss door earning a small disproving growl from the commander, but entrance was everything when it came to the movie business.

"People, people!" Yelled the teen as he strutted forward taking his place next to the nervous Ironhide. Only some of the older tourist stopped staring at the giant robot, others continued to gape. "Come on guys. You're ruining my set! There are no Japanese tourists till act four, scene eight. Please wait till then. Hell, you guys are on the wrong set anyway. That scene takes place near the bay."

All the tourists were now staring at him … especially the ones that knew English. The white, middle aged driver blushed and finally blurted out. "What! This … this –

Sam waved his hands as if in an agitated manner. "Yes, yes. This is a movie set. What do you think there are real giant robots gallivanting around without anyone knowing? Now this is a very expensive scene to shoot people so please remove yourselves in a timely manner AND NO PICTURES!" He snapped when about a dozen tourists grabbed their cameras and camera phones all at the same moment. "We can't have any scenes from the movie leak!" There was a collective sigh as all the picture taking devices disappeared back into their hiding places.

"Thank you, now get off my set! The camera van is supposed to park there … oh, and don't forget to come see the movie!" Sam called as he waved to the departing tourists. There was a moment of silence while Sam just stood there smiling until he turned to Ironhide and just smiled up at him in a mocking manner. "Am I good or am I good?"

Ironhide's engine sighed. "Thanks kid." Stated Ironhide as he looked over his shoulder quickly making sure that no-one was around. There was a hum of shifting metal as the mech seemed to cave back into himself … but he was only halfway through his transformation when there was a backfiring engine making the poor Topkick jump… and then there was an echoing sound of weapon fire.

"It seems we got trouble." Growled Ironhide as he leapt forward transforming in midair and speeding off in the direction of the shots leaving a squeal of tires in his wake.

Sam's shoes echoed over the pavement as he moved out as well; jumping onto a moving Optimus as the huge truck threw its doors open. "God, being around you guys is starting to make me feel like I'm in a bad action movie. Just let me know when the stereotypical 007 villains start shooting at us will you?"

XXX

Sam was dropped unceremoniously four blocks later beside a decaying brick wall … the area was full of them. The kid hissed as he stood up rubbing his butt. Ironhide and Optimus both transformed at that moment starring down at the human. Sam tried not to flinch. No matter how many times they did that Sam couldn't' help but feel intimidated and left wondering when the chase music was going to start so he could run away and hide like in a bad Tom and Jerry cartoon.

"Stay here Sam while me and Ironhide check this out." The two mechs stared at Sam for a moment as the last rays of the day danced on their metal and then they were running forward into the maze leaving the human only to watch … Sam hated being useless. There was soldier's blood in his veins now and it called for combat as little as he'd like to admit it. Sam found himself taking a step forward, but he somehow found the strength to stop himself from chasing. He might be a warrior, but he wasn't made of steel.

"Jerks." He huffed as he flopped behind the dumpster feeling crappier about being useless then being left behind. "If I'm lucky a hobo will come by and put me out of my misery before the mold in this trash decides to do me it."

Optimus took one last look at the human general direction hoping this wasn't a trap so Frenzy could get revenge by attacking Sam. He doubted it, but the thought was completely banished from his processors as he spotted the cause of the problem. There was an orange mech firing rapidly at a wall as well as another mech hidden on the opposite side of the open alley. The green seemed to be growling random insults as he shot at the same wall making the area a dust filled war zone.

The Autobot leader had only just slid to a stop when the orange mech noticed them right behind him. He stopped shooting for a minute just to stare at them as if curious … and then he blinded Optimus and Ironhide with the search lights on his head. "Identify yourself or perish."

Ironhide had his gun risen and ready to shoot when he stopped pulling his arm down. A shocked look over came his faceplate as he stared into the blinding light. He knew that grating voice … or more exactly those blinding lights. "Primus, Wheeljack I like the ability to see … You better turn off those lights before the commander loses his patients as well."

Optimus had been fully ready to shoot. The semi's optics got wide, yet he didn't lower his defensive stance as he gave his weapon specialist a questioning glance. "How'd you know he's Wheeljack Ironhide?"

"One only needs to be blinded so many times Optimus." Mocked the Topkick as he slipped next to the surprised mech. The orange Autobot looked from Ironhide and then to Optimus with a shocked look that stated that he was still trying to catch up. "Report soldier … what's up with the shooting round and who's that?"

Wheeljack followed the direction Ironhide had tilted his head. He stared at the green mech for a moment and how his whole form shook from the rapid gun fire he was firing at the wall. "It's Hound." A sigh of relief escaped the other two mechs and Optimus was soon leaning for cover next to the other two Autobots as well. "And at the moment we're fending off a lone Decepticon soldier."

Optimus's armor seemed to stiffen. "Has the Decepticon identified himself? Tried to surrender?"

"He never gave us a name or status. He did lured Hound out with a fake surrender and then there was a shot. We've been trying to shoot him out since then." Answer Wheeljack as his steaming cannon started to charge again and he raised his head back over the top of the wall. "Optimus do you want him deactivated or captured?"

The leader's eyes dimmed and then brightened as he thought on the matter. "Alive … he might know what Barricade is up to. He's not Barricade right? Black vehicle pretending to be a police vehicle?"

"What is a police vehicle Optimus? Are they yellow and screechy?" Asked the bot in a curious tone almost forgetting the battle in front of him. "There is so much information on this 'World Wide Web' and I have not had much time to research everything."

"Screechy and mean … not yellow." Growled Ironhide as he joined Wheeljack in peeking over the edge. "You're orders sir … looks like Hound is getting tired with all that rapid fire."

Optimus slowly stood up not bothering to take any cover provided by the wall. "Ironhide shoot through the wall right there." He pointed to a soft decaying part near the base of the opposing wall. "I'll take care of the rest." An axe like weapon slid into place as the great leader took a step forward nodding to Hound to let the other bot know that he was friendly and going to end this. Hound looked surprised, but couldn't help but smile as his shots grew faster.

There was only a split second to blink as one of Ironhide's cannons let loose a mighty shot…. And it shot right through leaving the wall shivering and shaking as it threatened to collapse. The ground then seemed to shake as the larger Autobot leader dashed forward. It was only a few steps thanks to his long stride and soon he was sliding to a halt behind the barrier with his gun pointed and axe weapon ready … yet he did not move on the target. All he could do was stare at the shivering being as his glowing optics dimmed slightly. The yellow mech seemed so small pulled into a corner with his knees crammed against his chest and his arms over his head. So small that he could be a youngling. Generally, the great leader would consider this type of behavior from a Decepticon to be a lure into a trap … but this mech was truthfully scared by the readings Optimus was receiving.

"A rookie huh?" Optimus's voiced calmly. He slowly put his gun and axe away as he leaned down on one knee next to the shaking mech. Rookies were no longer a common thing on the battle field … the long disappearance of the Allspark had been the most reason for this, yet from time to time there would be new energon to spill when a starving neutral was forced to choose a side. So it was safe to assume that this Rookie was once a neutral and had finally grown tired of starving.

Prime's fingers slowly ran over the small mech's helm earning a body shaking shiver from the filthy yellow mech. "I'm not going to hurt you … come, let me look at you." Optimus slowly snaked his fingers into the crook between the crossed arms and cupped the mech's chin slowly willing him to look up. The older mech tried to calm his circuits … this little guy had to be a youngling of some sort which could only mean that the neutrals had a femme hiding somewhere in the universe. It could turn out that this gun fight was a blessing in disguise.

… but that was not what Prime received. "Bumblebee?"

The little mech merely gave a soundless shriek and pushed away from his shocked commander only to then pull himself into a tighter ball and rock back and forth much like his charge did when he was extremely upset. Optimus remained there in shock for a moment before he suddenly grew angry standing to his full height and growling at his soldiers. "Ironhide get over here!"

The weapon's specialist gave him a bewildered look from behind his barricade and then gave Wheeljack a confused look. The technician merely returned it with a small flash of his spotlights stating his own confusion. If the Decepticon was injured wouldn't it make more sense to call Wheeljack and not him? And what was with the angry tone? Optimus rarely got angry without due reason. "Yes … sir."

Optimus watched his weapon specialist silently until he turned his attention to Hound and Wheeljack who were now standing side by side with confused expressions before him. Wheeljack found the ability to speak before his comrade. "Optimus wouldn't you rather have me look at the prisoner and not Ironhide. I doubt he has the medical capabilities to deal with –

An angry shriek came from behind the commander as Ironhide finally reached the back of the wall. "Bumblebee! You slaggen idiots! I'm going to scrap the both of you –

Insults and curses continued to escape the Topkick as he stormed back towards the other two Autobots, his guns blazing. Optimus put out his arm to catch the enraged Autobot before he could rip the other two apart. "I'm fairly capable of dealing out punishment Ironhide … you were his caretaker more then I." Stated the leader as he glared downward on the shorter mech. Ironhide nodded, slowly allowing his guns to return back into their chambers. Optimus's optics dimmed and then he stated in a softer tone. "Get him to calm down and see if he has any injuries. Call Ratchet as well."

Hound and Wheeljack, if they had the ability, would have been swallowing as Prime's angry form towered over the two of them.

"What is wrong with you two? You nearly killed a fellow soldier and most of all it was Bumblebee!" An agitate whimper escaped Hound and he took an automatic step in Ironhide's direction. Optimus stopped him with a glare. "I want a report on why Bumblebee's in a shell shock and I want it now."

Hound's fingers twitched. Optimus was a leader known for his cool head … but this was Bumblebee they were talking about. The last youngling … maybe the last youngling ever. The scout swallowed and saluted his superior. "We didn't know he was Bumblebee Optimus. Bumblebee frightened us with his sudden appearance and there was a small shoot out before we stopped. Then I went forward in requesting him to identifying himself after I identified myself and Wheeljack as Autobots." Hound's businesslike tone suddenly turned soft. "He never said anything … we assumed he was a Decepticon playing with us." Optimus flinched as the scout suddenly grabbed onto his arm looking him in the optic. "PRIMUS! Optimus please tell me we didn't hurt him! Please."

Optimus'ss angry features slowly melted as he looked into the worried optics of his old companion. "He's a bit shaken, but I see no major damage. Ratchet will be here in a –

There was a scream of sirens and a dance of metal as Ratchet slid across the alley before coming to a stop in front of his commander. He gave the two other mechs a glance before confronting his commander. "Where's Ironhide. He was muttering like his CPU was on the fritz. All I kept hearing was slaggen idiots and 'Its okay 'Bee.' Is Bumblebee badly damaged?"

Optimus pinched his face plate as if he had a bridge of a nose. "Figures Ironhide would choose to have a mental breakdown now … 'Bee's just shell shocked at the moment." The worry on Ratchet's faceplate diminished slightly. "There was some friendly fire exchanged between our new companions and 'Bee. I don't know why he didn't identify himself. Check him over quickly for damage to his internal systems. I can't think of a reasonable explanation for Bumblebee not identifying himself so hopefully you can." Ratchet nodded shifting on his feet in a nervous manner as he looked around for the little trouble maker. "He's behind the wall there with Ironhide."

Ratchet quickly left his commander, so he could continue to talk to the two new recruits, and hurled himself over the wall in a simple bound making the weapon specialist jump at his sudden entrance. The medic's frown increased when he saw 'Bee pushed tightly against a wall. After taking a few curses from Ironhide about being slower then rust, Ratchet was able to take his place next to the smaller mech. The search and rescue vehicle observed his comrade for a moment while leaning on one knee. 'Bee had pulled his knees back into his chest and had buried his head under his arms in a protective ball of sorts. Ratchet didn't have to scan 'Bee to know that his systems were all in an erratic panic at the moment. The scout had been through a lot, but Ratchet doubted that the transformer had ever come so close to deactivation with his back pinned against a wall. Plus, he had been so agitated for the past few days that this situation was just murder to his systems stress wise. Normally, Ratchet would be yelling at his patient for such stupidity … but something had to be wrong with 'Bee for not having identified himself.

The medic ran a calming hand down 'Bee's exposed back. The small mech flinched slightly but slowly started to calm down by the fifth stroke. It was an old secret that Ratchet had learned with raising younglings and 'Bee would be considered a teenager in human terms so he was still susceptible to old calming tricks. Slowly, his scan's started to tell him that the panic systems had started to turn off. "There you go 'Bee just calm down. No body's going to hurt you." The Camaro's cooling systems slowly started to intake at a regular rate. "Good … now let me examine you."

The spy slowly raised his head. Ratchet gave him a soft smile as he wiped the coolant from the smaller mech's optics. "See … everything's fine now. Just some friendly fire. Now do you have any injuries?"

'Bee nodded his head.

Another frown threatened to overcome the medic's faceplate, but he resisted the urge. "Tell me where Bumblebee … despite your dinged and scratched up armor I mean." Added the medic quickly as he started to look over the youngling. His paintjob had been murdered due to the falling bricks.

'Bee merely shook his head.

"You're not injured?" Asked the emergency vehicle as he stopped inspecting the other slightly confused.

'Bee shook his head. Coolant had started to leak from his optics again.

"Tell me where."

"I don't think he can." Added a voice behind Ratchet. Ratchet flinched when he heard the voice. Oh dear Primus no. Please, for the love of all that is in working order please don't let it be who I think it is. "I'd check his voice processors … here we can use my searchlights since this side of the planet has turned away from the star it orbits." There was a light which blinded 'Bee into throwing his arms up to protect his optic revealing his neck joint.

Ratchet groaned and buried his head in his hands. "Hello Wheeljack."

"It is nice to see you Ratchet … sorry it wasn't under better circumstances." The inventor rubbed the back of his head which now had a small dent on it … no doubt Ironhide's work when Prime wasn't looking. "Believe me, we didn't know it was him. We asked for him to identify himself ... he just remained silent."

A small growl instinctively escaped Ratchet and the orange mech took a frightened step backwards. "Not at you." Added the medic hotly as he took advantage of the exposed neck by pushing a small plate, which then slid to the side revealing small scarred pieces of wiring and metal gears that were now blackened as if burned or overheated. Ratchet growled again. This all could have been avoided! All of it if he had been allowed to replace Bee's vocal processor! "Slag it all!"

'Bee flinched as he felt Ratchet lean forward pushing his fingers into the small mechanical piece poking at small circuits and basically feeling around. It was a rather … uncomfortable feeling, but the small mech could practically feel the rage dripping off the other so he made no movement to shy away. The Camaro couldn't help but jump as he felt another pair of hands join in. He was blinded at the present moment, but he knew it was Wheeljack nonetheless. In the back of the spy's processors he always wondered how Wheeljack managed to repair any mech with the way he always seemed to blow up half his experiments. A pain suddenly shot through 'Bee's processors and he couldn't help but arch his back against the building as he squirmed in pain. He felt Ratchet plant a firm stilling hand on his shoulder plate keeping him still; Wheeljack did the same ... the medic of coarse didn't remove his fingers though. He just remained still as 'Bee's form slowly overcame the jolt of pain.

"Is it really bad?" Came a worried voice from behind the light. It sounded like Hound. It was then that Bumblebee noticed the shifting of rock and granite in the background. It sounded like the rest of the Autobots were now standing around the medic watching.

"I just need to check one thing before I can conclude my suspicions." Added Ratchet dully before he pressed his fingers a little deeper into the processor. 'Bee practically convulsed. Primus, it hurt! The small mech then tried to push away, but he felt Ratchet quickly garbed his arm instead of his shoulder predicting the involuntary need for the Camaro to remove the pain. "Just bare with me Bumblebee … just another inch or two and we'll see what's wrong with you."

Coolant was now dripping down 'Bee's face. He had never realized how much he had valued the ability to scream in pain till now. Primus, what the Camaro would give for one good scream! The little mech's body jerked as Ratchet's medical fingers got a little deeper and then there was a soft click as Ratchet pressed roughly on some scarred plating blocking holes.

The emergency vehicle's cool voice then echoed over the light. "Try to speak."

'Bee tried to scream, but that only earned him more pain as the small metal plates in his vocal processor weakly scrapped against Ratchet's fingers.

The medic waited patiently for a few moments feeling the small plates scrap against his fingers. He knew that this was painful by the violent jerks in 'Bee's form. He finally sighed pulling his fingers out. Bee's form went limp and the coolant from his optics stopped flowing. Wheeljack turned off his lights as Ratchet showed his digits to the other … they were covered in sludge and tiny little metallic pieces.

"Seems that we are going to have a long night aren't we." Added Wheeljack softly as he left the now still 'Bee's shoulder go to finger the oil Ratchet was looking at with distaste. "Yep. That explains a lot."

"Explains what?" Growled Ironhide as he shifted, throwing the youngling a worried look.

"Why he couldn't reply to Hound's demand for identification." Cut in Ratchet. "Optimus it wasn't their fault for the friendly fire. If it was anyone's it was mine." Optimus gave his old friend a questioning look as he tilted his head in an almost human manner. "It's 'Bumblebee's vocal processor. I knew they were badly damaged, but I went against my medical instincts and didn't operate when I had the chance. At least then it would have only taken me a human hour of two to replace the vocal processor, but now … the entire chamber's stripped. I'm going to have to pull out the chamber and everything since it's nothing but scrap metal now. Then once that's done I'll have to weld the damaged surrounding chamber and finally finish off by reinstalling a new vocal processor. 'Bumblebee will be able to speak, but not very well for a few weeks since his systems have to adapt to the new parts."

The little mech, who had been out of it till then, sat up immediately earning him a glare from Ratchet. Bumblebee shook his head and threw Optimus a pleading look. The leader merely glared down at him. "Don't give me that look Bumblebee. I can't have a half defective soldier endangering the lives of the rest of his commands. Ratchet, Wheeljack can you make the repairs or not?"

Ratchet tried not to smile. If Optimus ordered 'Bee to have the repairs the little spy was less likely to struggle and this whole situation would just be a distant memory. Plus, this probably meant that Ratchet was about to get that med bay he had been hinting towards Optimus since landing on the dirty planet. Don't get Ratchet wrong, he loved tearing down the occasional dirt road throwing up rocks and mud, but those kind of elements were rather unwelcome under the chassis, especially so close to the spark chamber. True, the vocal processing chamber wasn't to near the spark chamber, but near enough that a medic could easily run a stray hand over it if he wasn't paying attention, contaminated it with unwanted minerals. "Yes … but Optimus the early repairs were a simple procedure compared to this. I can't be in an open environment in fear of –

The great leader waved his hand. He already knew where the medic was going. "Yes, we'll decide on a base and the first thing we'll do is build a medical bay for you Ratchet." The commander tried to keep a calm to his vocal processors. "Exactly how long can Bumblebee's condition wait?"

Ratchet's smile from the question slowly grew into a frown. "It could wait for a few weeks, but the small metal shards from the cracked vocal processor might find their way into his energon lines … and maybe his pump." There were nervous twitches from the rest of the group. Metal shards in the pump were so agonizing that some mechs literally try to offline themselves to stop the pain; that is if the little shard didn't clog the pump all together killing the mech instantaneously. "But for safe measure I would like to be able to have the damaged processor removed by the end of this week … so five human earth days."

'Bee kept looking from Ratchet to Optimus and then the others. It was his vocal processor, not theirs! If he didn't want the repairs he shouldn't have to have them! The small mech's form shivered as he slowly leaned against the wall pulling himself upright. The talking immediately stopped among the older mechs.

"Bumblebee, kid sit back down your systems are still in shock. It's dark out and humans can be really deaf sometimes. Just allow your systems to cool. Then we can head back to Tranquility." Stated the weapons specialist dully as he put a hand on 'Bee's shoulder trying to get the smaller mech to sit down once again next to the kneeling Ratchet. He could tell by looking at Bumblebee that he was extremely upset … well, Ironhide would be upset to if his comrades had nearly killed him too.

'Bee slapped the hand away making the Topkick take a shocked step back. The little mech threw an angry glare up at his commander and then his radio blasted. "I ain't your toy boy! Quit playing with my heart!"

"What was that?" Said Hound stupidly. He hadn't had the chance to explore the human radio yet.

Optimus glared down at his subordinate and crossed his arms over his chest as he towered over the smaller mech. "Soldier are you defying a direct order?" 'Bee flinched. "You are to go calmly and orderly with Ratchet by the end of this week and have your repairs done! Now you may want to choose your next song lyrics carefully Bumblebee. Don't make me forcefully keep my earlier promise to Ratchet about holding you down."

Bumblebee's optics dimmed and he found his head hanging. Primus, this wasn't happening!

"That's a good soldier. Now go get Sam behind the dumpster up the alley. You are to remain with your human and out of trouble for the next few days. I want your injures taken care of immediately, we'll look for Barricade on a later date." Added Optimus softly when he noticed that 'Bee's optics were now so dim that they seemed black. The great leader put a calming hand on his shoulder. "Think of it as a five day rest."

'Bee nodded resisting the urge to run away and find the nearest corner to have a mental breakdown in. He had five days … five days of freedom … five days of fear … five days till the end of his life and the beginning of a new one as nothing more then a breeder… He had to find a way to stop this.

XXX

Paw07: First off, I never got to watch the G1 series growing up (even though I'm trying to catch a few on YouTube … yah YouTube!) so forgive Paw-san if some of the new guys are a little off. What kind of vehicle should Wheeljack be and what style of Jeep do you want Hound to be … the most fabulous car I've ever driven is a 1992 Buick people so I need an outside source … Also, I so wanted to make Wheeljack orange and so I did. What? In the movie Ironhide is black when he's so red in the cartoon so I have an excuse. Plus, to cover my own aft, I see it since this is the movie verse I'm allowed a little creative air as long as the characters are close to what their characters are suppose to be like. Thank you Wikipedia and other sites I'll mooch off.

Optimus: Yes, there's nothing quite like the World Wide Web.

Paw07: Why are you in my author notes Big-O?

Optimus: Big-O? (Searches World Wide Web) Do I look like a huge skyscraper tall robot with a human partner called Rodger Smith … who's in love with an android? Okay? That's … different.

Paw07: Admit it … you like the show. (Giggles at the thought and irony of calling Optimus Big-O) Hey, Optimus can I have a cool watch I yell Big-O into and then you'll magically pop out of the ground somewhere?

Optimus: (sigh) Just start typing the next chapter!

Paw07: Why! It won't increase your chances of getting goochy with Femme 'Bee? I might just make her fall in love with Frenzy out of spite! You better suck up Big-O and be getting me a Rodger Smith watch otherwise you might end up at bottom of the list! … Or how about I make Wheeljack the main mech or … or … Megatron. Yah, I'll bring him back from the dead. Or maybe I'll make 'Bee a lesbian bot who falls for Mikaela. Or -

Optimus: What do you mean femme 'Bee! Is there something I should know! Tell me before I –

(Closes document to get out of trouble … te he.) :3