I

Cybertron hadn't felt right in a while, but on nights where the atmosphere felt damp and thick were some of the worse. An eerie foggy steam would lift from the roads, rising deep from inner tunnels and spreading a smell that was somewhere between rancid and putrid, mixing together to form something that could only be described as death itself. It was nights like these where driving was near impossible and yet everyone was out. These were nights where the Criminal Justice Division were at their busiest, and Bumblebee could keep his mind occupied enough to not think about his orientation coming up.

Bumblebee stood at the corner of two former dining establishments. Both had been closed recently, due to civil unrest in the area. Even though there were better places to be, Bumblebee always found himself at this street corner, leaned against a wall, optics to the sky. He'd never been this way before his recruitment and it honestly wasn't a place he gave any special attachment. It was merely a place he found himself at often.

-bzcht-

"Agent Bumblebee, come in."

Bee sighed. What was it this time? A car crash? A hit and run? Theft? It was rarely anything above that, but a bot could hope. Tapping his headset, he heard the initial buzz of entering the communication system. After a brief moment, he put on a fake smile for no one in particular and tried to give off a more enthusiastic voice.

"Agent reporting!" he chimed.

"Bumblebee, we need you to investigate something nearby."

Bee sighed. Not even a real assignment, just a visual guess.

"It has been reported that a nearby store front has been vandalized with known terrorist organization propaganda. We need you to locate and remove."

Great. Graffiti cleaning.

"On my way, sir!" cheered Bee nonetheless, stepping away from his post.

"Afterward, you can head in for the night. Don't want you too tired for orientation!"

Bee let out a slight chuckle, but he wasn't sure if it was a happy chuckle or a nervous one. The comm. tuned out, and Bee transformed, driving toward the designated point. It truly wasn't far off, around a few corners and down toward the construction district. He wasn't sure what they were building over there, but it was getting big.

Sure enough, after turning down an alleyway, he found a large red insignia alongside an old Energon bar. The building looked as though someone had tried to break in with marks torn alongside the door's frame. The insignia was located on the wall beside the shattered and boarded up window. Transforming, Bee placed a hand on the graffiti. Taking his hand off, he found the paint was still wet and now all over his palm. Bee tapped his headset.

"Sir, this is fresh paint…"

-bzzzzzzzzzEEEEEEEEEEE-

Bee yelped, jumping back from the sound. The communication system was shoddy at best but this was a new level of error. He attempted again to activate the radio but was greeted with the same loud noise. He groaned, shutting the system off. Something felt wrong. Looking around, Bee found he was alone in a rather dimly lit road. This was a red flag to any sane individual. Was that the point?

Clatter

Bee spun around, looking deeper into the alleyway. The shadows shifted as two small forms darted down another path. Something felt wrong still and it was drawing him toward these bots. Bee pulled his gun, sure to have it on the safety for the time. He ran in that direction, careful to peer around the corner before chasing after.

"CJD, stop!" shouted Bee once he spotted the figures again.

The two Minicons exchanged looks before stopping. Bee stepped up to them, looking between them. They were clearly young, hunkered lower and huddled together. They were scared.

"Don't worry," offered Bee, lowering his gun to the holster. "I just want to ask you some questions."

The two murmured to each other. The strange feeling curled in Bee's mind. Wrong. Something was wrong. The two Minicons grinned, glancing back to Bee with narrowed optics. Bee barely noticed the shadows shift, a new one consuming his. Spinning around, he was greeted with a punch. The assailant's fist crunched into Bee's faceplate, forcing the young officer to the ground. His body clattered to the ground hard.

"I told you not to do it here," grumbled the assailant, stepping over Bee. "This isn't gonna go over well with command."

"They don't have to know…" hissed one.

"…especially when there's no evidence left," the other finished.

"You two are new," huffed the assailant, looking down at Bee. "Boss'll know. He alwaysknows when someone's lying. Bot's got a knack for it."

"So…"

"Now what?"

Bee tried to push himself up but his assailant pushed him back down. Bee groaned, feeling his systems struggling to respond. What a damn hit. The assailant sighed again, patting Bee lightly.

"Sorry about this, officer. Nothing against you," he mumbled, "but don't worry. We got good medics."

Before Bee could respond, he felt a heavy grasp against the back of his head and the sudden force of it being smashed into the ground. Black.