II
Bee threw his head back as he woke up, gasping as all his systems powered on. His voice caught in his throat, leaving him unable to scream. His optics darted around, trying to focus on anything. It was an empty metal room with the door opposite him. He was handcuffed to a chair which was welded to the floor. The floor was stained. He wasn't their first victim. Bee growled, pulling against his restraints.
"Those things don't break easy."
Bee looked up, seeing two bots enter. He'd seen their wanted posters in the precinct. Ratchet and Knockout. Ratchet leaned back against the closed door as Knockout approached with a small device in hand. Bee pulled back as Knockout approached. The latter rolled his optics, shaking his head.
"It's a medical scanner, kid," Knockout grinned. "I'm making sure you're in good enough condition for…" Knockout leaned in. "Further questioning."
"Knockout, stop," yawned Ratchet. "There's no way he'd even let you do anything."
"You're no fun," purred Knockout, winking to him. Ratchet shivered.
"I'll tell you nothing!" shouted Bee.
Knockout shrugged, quickly covering Bee's mouth with one hand. His grin twitched as he stared at Bee. His clawed fingers tightened, gently scrapping along Bee's faceplate. He could feel them slowly cutting. Ratchet cleared his throat. Knockout's grin snapped away, optics glancing over his shoulder before lowering his hand. Bee groaned, shaking free as soon as Knockout's grip loosened.
"Like we're interested in what you have to say," whispered Knockout, snarling as he continued the scan.
"Don't mind him," Ratchet offered, stepping forward. "Knockout is a little wound up lately." He placed a hand on Knockout's shoulder. "He'll fix the damages to your faceplate. Right, Knockout?"
Knockout grumbled but nodded.
"Kid," Ratchet hummed, "what's your name? You seem a little young to be a CJD officer."
"I was among the recruitment of Uraya."
"I've never been to Uraya," commented Knockout, looking up at Ratchet. The latter batted him upside the head.
"Seriously, kid," grumbled Ratchet, turning back to Bee. "I just want to know your name so we can talk like proper adults. I'm Ratchet. This idiot is Knockout."
"I am Agent Bumblebee and you will be getting no information from me other than that."
Ratchet perked, stepping back. Knockout jumped up, grabbing Ratchet by the wrist. Bee watched as the two shuffled toward the door, not breaking eye-contact. Once they reached the door, they began whispering. Bee narrowed his optics, trying to read their lips as they spoke quickly between each other.
"I'll be right back!" shouted Knockout, shoving the medical device into Ratchet's arms before darting out the door.
Ratchet offered Bee a half smile. Bee looked around. Ratchet let out a deep sigh, stepping over to Bee and scanning again. Bee listened to the device hum over his head, peeping every now and then. Ratchet set the scan down, switching to a blow torch attachment. Bee shut his optics. He was never a big fan of going to the doctors.
"You said you were an agent?" Ratchet whispered. "You don't have the Elite Guard wings yet. Haven't finished orientation?"
"I'm not answering anymore questions."
Ratchet nodded. "Reasonable response. That's what they train you to do, right? When you're captured? Name, division, serial number. I understand that."
Bee felt the heat of the torch against his helm. It was quick and did relieve some pain. Ratchet stood up, moving to Bee's front. Ratchet ran his fingers across the new cuts along Bee's faceplate. He seemed to be grumbling but Bee couldn't make out the words. After a moment of turning Bee's face to see either side, Ratchet let a deep groan, throwing his head back.
"Primus help me," Ratchet grumbled. He lowered his eyes back to Bee, removing his hands from the other. "Can't fix this right now, but it isn't bad. Some sanding, welding, buffing maybe…and it'll be fine. Knockout might even do a better job than me. He's good with…cosmetics."
There was a knock at the door before it opened. Ratchet couldn't help but smile upon seeing Orion enter, wearing an equally bright grin. The prime practically darted in, standing behind Ratchet to overlook Bee. The latter's optics widened, knowing exactly who he was meeting.
"You…" whispered Bumblebee.
"What happened?" gasped Orion, seeing the cuts and turning to Ratchet.
"Take a guess," chuckled Ratchet, motioning toward the door.
Knockout, who was lingering in the doorway, perked as Orion turned to him. He grinned and promptly left, shutting the door. Ratchet shook his head. Orion remained bright, clapping his hands together as he looked Bumblebee up and down.
"He's handcuffed?"
"Of course."
Orion stared at Ratchet, head slightly tilted. Ratchet stared at him a while before letting out a long deep groan and rounding the chair and uncuffing Bee. Bumblebee was quick to stand, kicking off the chair and run for the door. Ratchet reached out but Orion was easily able to grab Bee by the shoulder, stopping the little bot short. Orion set Bee back in the chair, still smiling.
"Are you sure this is safe?" whispered Ratchet.
"Let me go! You can't keep me here!" shouted Bee, struggling under Orion's grip.
"It'll be fine," smiled Orion. "We're just going to talk. Right, Bumblebee?"
Bee froze, staring. Hearing Orion say his name put a fire in his spark unlike anything else. He couldn't tell what the emotion tied to the fire was, but it burned in a way that couldn't be ignored until, after a moment, it faded.
"I'll be fine on my own, Ratchet," Orion nodded, motioning toward the door.
"Are you sure?" repeated Ratchet, lingering at the door.
Orion grinned, nodding. Ratchet sighed, opening the door. Orion could feel Bee fidgeting but the latter remained seated. Giving once last glance between Orion and Bumblebee, Ratchet shut the door. Orion spun around, beaming as he stared at Bumblebee.
"I can't tell you how excited I am!" he mumbled. He shut his optics, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "Sorry, let me try this again. I am…"
"Orion Pax. Wanted fugitive against the state for plans to overthrow the council!"
Orion stood, mouth open. He shut it, humming slightly.
"Well…that's one way to tell it," he nodded. Orion looked around the room. "I should have asked Ratchet to bring in a chair. I feel rude standing…"
Bee raised a brow. This could not be the criminal mastermind known as Orion Pax. Orion leaned against the wall, trying to seem smaller than he was. His legs shuddered under his own weight. He offered a half smile.
"Sorry, I'll think of something," he mumbled. "What was…oh, yes! I'm Orion Pax…well, I'm not even sure about that anymore, but that's not important right now. What's important is you! You're here! I'm so sorry for how you were treated and we'll be sure to get you repaired before we release you!"
"Release me?" perked Bee, standing up.
"Well, of course. What did you think we were going to do?"
"Kill me?"
Orion's optics widened a moment before he shook his head, waving his hands.
"Oh, Primus no! I am very much against violence. I will only allow my team to use such methods as a last resort, which is why I was disappointed in those that found you, but you're alive and Ratchet is the best doctor on Cybertron, trust me!"
Bee opened his mouth as if to speak but found himself at a loss for words.
"We'll be sure to release you after everything is done. I understand that you'll be telling your supervisors about this experience and so you'll excuse us for not letting you out before we've fully evacuated this facility."
"You're leaving?"
"This building, yes. We'd been planning on moving for a while but now that we've taken you as our…guest, it is imperative that we fully move before releasing you. In the meantime, I'll be sure to keep you in good company. We can talk."
"I won't tell you anything," hissed Bee, sitting down again, arms crossed.
"Of course not. That is only fair, though we have no need for information about the CJD."
"What do you suggest we 'talk' about then?"
"Whatever you wish."
Bee grinned lightly. Perhaps he could work this whole thing in his favor. Contrary to stories, Orion Pax seemed rather simple minded, easy enough to get information out of.
"I want to talk about your operations."
Orion paused, smile fleeting. His entire demeanor seemed to change like the flip of a switch. His arms crossed, body leaned back gracefully, head lowered slightly. Bumblebee could feel an immense pressure emanate from Orion. The whole mood changed.
"That hardly seems fair, though," remarked Orion, lifting his head. "This must be a fair deal, Bumblebee, otherwise there isn't a point. We each must be willing to exchange."
Bumblebee nodded.
Again, Orion perked, chuckling lightly as he smiled. He stepped off the wall, walking toward Bee in his chair. The pressure was relaxing as Orion approached, kneeling in front of Bee. He placed a hand on the younger bot's shoulder.
"Let's do it like this…" Orion hummed. "We both ask questions and we must respond truthfully. This way, the topics are broad and we both get chances to…share."
Bumblebee stared into the optics of the bot in front of him. He was normally towering, something that should be intimidating and yet, aside from that one moment, he always seemed approachable. There always seemed to be a light around him, comforting and right. Staring into his optics was like staring into pure light. There didn't seem to be a shadow within him, but there was that undeniable pressure, unstoppable presence. Who was this bot?