III

Bee had spent a long time thinking of what he was going to ask. What questions would reveal the most? What were the most important aspects of this terrorist cell's activities that needed to be know? Where were they going next? Was Orion even going to be truthful in this little game of his? What was he up to? What did he want? Bee anxiously bobbed his leg, listening to the tapping on his foot against the metal. Waiting. He hated waiting.

The door opened suddenly, revealing a begrudged Ratchet dragging a chair behind him. He pulled the metal chair in, placing in directly across from Bumblebee. Looking back to the door, Bee watched as Orion entered, now brandishing a cane which he heavily leaned against. Ratchet attempts to help him but Orion smiled, waving the medic off before collapsing hard onto the chair. Ratchet gave Bee a glare before looking somberly back at Orion.

"Optimus, are you sure about this?" he whispered. "Shouldn't you…wait until feelings returned?"

"I'm fine, Ratchet!" cheered Orion, tapping his cane against the ground. "We're just going to talk, and I'm sure even if Bumblebee made it past me…" Orion glanced at Bee. "He won't make it much farther."

Bee gulped. That immense pressure again as Orion stared at him, grinning lightly. Ratchet let out a heavy sigh but nodded. He marched out, drawing Orion's attention and relieving the pressure building up. Ratchet gave the two one last glance before shutting the door behind him. Orion pounded his cane against the ground one last time, turning back to Bumblebee.

"Well!" he grinned. "I suppose it's only fair if you go first, yes?"

Bee looked Orion over, trying to think of the army of questions he had before the leader entered. Looking into the other's optics, however, all he could think to ask was:

"Since when do you need a cane?"

Orion shrugged, nodding lightly. "Sometimes my legs give out, especially after a workout. No damage just…the connection doesn't work right."

"Why…?" mumbled Bee.

Orion waved a finger.

"Uh uh!" he hummed. "My turn!"

Bee perked. It was almost childish the way he responded. Between the light in his optics and the grin across his faceplate, Orion was acting very childlike. This was nothing like the horrible leader that he was made out to be.

"Ratchet mentioned you were recruited in Uraya. Is that where you're from?"

An unlikely question, thought Bee.

"I was attending studies there. I was personally recruited by the council."

Orion somberly nodded again. "Of course, you were."

"My turn?" smirked Bee, leaning forward. "What are you planning to do next?"

"Planning to do next," remarked Orion, tapping his cane. "I have been writing a speech but…my friends urge me to focus on self-defense training right now. I'm still not very good blocking."

"Self-defense? You don't know self-defense?" chuckled Bee, shaking his head. "Even I know self-defense!"

"Well," Orion spoke flatly. "I was an archivist. They don't necessarily…require training to defend oneself." Orion shrugged. "Nonetheless, you are right. It is an important skill I have neglected to learn until this point…and what a point to learn it."

"It is important to be able fight the cops, right?"

That pressure again. Bee groaned, feeling Orion's presences grow stronger as he turned to look at him. It wasn't that he looked angry or hostile. He looked sad. With a sigh, the pressure faded and Orion rested his chin on the hook of his cane.

"I detest violence," Orion replied after a moment of silence. "There is a time and place for it, yes, but I do my best to avoid it whenever possible. I make sure all my team does as well. It is not our mission to hurt anyone."

"What is your mission?"

Orion smiled again, chuckling. Bee groaned. Right, the rules. It was Orion's turn to ask a question.

"Why join the justice division?"

"I believe in truth and justice. I believe in creating a safe environment for Cybertron. Protect people and their rights."

Orion nodded. "A noble effort. I'm hopefully you're successful in such a pursuit."

"Well, bots like you make it difficult."

"Bots like me?"

"Bots who like to undermine the council and the laws. Bots who create civil unrest, hurt and murder, steal and ultimately bring Cybertron as whole down."

Orion didn't respond.

"My turn, right?"

Orion nodded.

"What is your mission?"

Orion sighed, looking down. "To retrieve what is rightfully mine."

"What?" snapped Bee, standing up. "What does that even mean?"

"I believe it is my turn."

"No! Enough of this stupid back and forth! You're asking completely irrelevant questions about my personal life while you hold me hostage and pretend it's justified by calling me your guest! I demand answers! I demand to know what in Cybertron you think you're doing!"

Orion nodded softly but didn't look up.

"Are you superstitious?"

Bee let out a deep groan, kicking the welded chair with immediate regret.

"Superstitious how?" grumbled Bumblebee, slumping back into the chair to rub his foot. "Like do I believe in bad luck or karma?"

"Primus?"

Bee paused before sighing, "yes, I suppose I believe in Primus."

"Do you believe in the Matrix?"

"Hey now," snapped Bee, leaning forward. "My turn."

Orion chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Right, right. How rude of me."

"What…" Bee sighed, rubbing his face with each palm. "What are you trying to retrieve? What was…taken from you?"

Orion twirled his cane. "The Matrix of Leadership."

Bee laughed loudly. He couldn't help it. This whole situation seemed to have gotten far out of hand. Orion waited patiently.

"The Matrix of Leadership? I find that hard to believe! The Matrix hasn't emerged for centuries, eons! I highly doubt that even if it did emerge recently it would choose a criminal like you!"

"What are my crimes?"

"What?"

"What are my crimes?"

Bee paused, leaning back.

"Your crimes? Conspiracy to overthrow the council, murder, assault, theft!"

"I think ones of those is right," mumbled Orion, rubbing his chin. "I can say I did steal from the archives…those other things I don't know about."

"What?" snapped Bumblebee. "This is ridiculous. Why am I even believing you right now? You're probably lying to save your hide."

"I just…wanted everyone to have the same rights," instructed Orion, getting to his feet. He no longer supported himself on the cane. "You have a right to your thoughts. Everyone should. What is the crime of expressing those thoughts openly? I agree that conspiring to act violently toward another or others should be stopped but…to arrest someone merely for speaking seems…tyrannical."

"Are you saying the council is restricting people's rights?"

"Megatronus wanted to talk to the council. They arrested him at the steps of the assembly. I just wanted to talk my friend in prison, and I was arrested. I sought medical advice for my…headaches and I was arrested. I was framed. I was attacked. I was nearly killed…"

Bee watched Orion step up the door, leaving his back toward him. This was the moment, Bee thought. His back is turned and he's weak. Bee slowly stood up, hands lingering around the chair frame.

"Do you notice something on my back?"

Bee perked hearing Orion speak again. Orion remained still, without looking back at Bumblebee. Bee glanced down Orion's back, stopping at the small greyed out spot in the center of it.

"I was shot in the back…as I held the Matrix in my hands. Ratchet says it's a dead spot. Nothing can be done about it. Part of me is dead."

"Who shot you?"

"I didn't see," chuckled Orion. "The whole thing happened…fast."

Bee paused, looking around. Something felt wrong.

"What were my other crimes? Murder and assault? I'm confident I didn't murder anyone, but enlighten me."

"Huh?" perked Bee. "Oh…uh…Alpha Trion. Records say you and your crew were the last to visit him and…"

"Alpha Trion was alive when I left. I'm sure there are security cameras you could check that would prove that."

"The assault on the transport guards, leading to the death of Ultra Magnus."

Bumblebee could hear Orion's grip tighten on the cane, the metal scrapping. Bee still hadn't moved any closer to Orion. Why hadn't he taken his shot?

"Ultra Magnus was my friend…I would never do anything to hurt him. He…saved me. He helped me. I nor my team are responsible for his death, one I plan to avenge."

Orion turned around. Bee slowly sat back down. Orion tapped on the door, still looking at Bumblebee. The door opened surprisingly quickly, revealing Ratchet. He medic looked startled but relieved upon seeing Orion standing.

"I think I'm done for the day, Ratchet," Orion sighed, stepping toward the door. "Be sure to help Bumblebee for the remainder of his stay." Orion paused in the doorway, smiling and offering a wink. "He may have injured his foot."

Bee watched as Orion walked out and door closed. Ratchet sighed.