IV

For the first time in a while, it was absolutely quiet. Usually, Bumblebee could hear movement outside, footsteps or soft conversations. Now, it was silent. No footsteps. No conversations. It was driving him mad. He tapped his foot, making the only sound. It echoed on the walls. He couldn't stand it anymore! He got up, storming to the door. All he wanted was to knock, but the door opened at the slightest pressure. It slid open, revealing the long hallway in either direction.

"Hello?" he whispered, looking around.

The lights were off, leaving the halls like dark tunnels into the abyss. Even with headlights on, it was hard to make out exactly which way to go. After standing in the doorway for an uncertain amount of time, Bee turned to the right and walked. His footsteps echoed again, the only sound. Bee peered in every doorway, seeing into every empty room. It looked like everything had been removed, even the electrical had been ripped from the wall. Abandoned.

"They must've left," Bee mumbled. "He did mention that, didn't he? They were moving. I guess they left me…like he said."

Following the winding halls and listening to his footsteps, he found a large vault door that was left ajar. It took all his might to heave the thing fully open. Light poured in as well as the sound of a bustling city. Freedom. He grinned, filled with renewed energy, charging into the unknown.

He just needed someone. Anyone. He needed to get to the CJD, tell them where he'd been, what he learned. What did he learn? Bee sighed, slowing down. He'd been locked up for only a few days, even talked with Orion, and yet he wasn't completely sure what he'd learned from the experience.

"Bumblebee!"

Bee spun around, hearing a familiar voice. It was another agent of the CJD. He knew the voice but the name escaped him. The bot, however, seemed overjoyed, running to Bee and hugging him. It felt odd. Even though he was free and being led by a member of the Justice Division, he felt conflicted. Something felt wrong. Why did this escape feels so bittersweet?

Even as he walked alongside this bot, along streets he knew by spark, he felt lost. Bee stared ahead, trying to focus or discover what was causing the fog in his mind. All he could think of was where the Autobots had moved now. Would they check the old base to make sure Bee had left?

The door of the main base opened, clicking something in Bee's head that pulled him from his thought. The second he stepped foot in the lobby, all optics were on him. Smiles formed and everyone swarmed him. He felt every pat on the back, listening to everyone calling to him at once. They cheered for his return, questioned his missing days, and asked if he'd been to see the council yet.

Their voices surrounded him, and he felt like he was choking. The sea of crowded bots parted as someone began pushing through. Bee sighed in relief as Smokescreen finished pushing to the front. Some of the bots grumbled about him but he huffed at them before smiling to Bumblebee.

"There you are!" he cheered, throwing an arm of Bee's shoulder. "We need to get you sorted out. How's some Energon sound?"

"That…would be great actually," Bee nodded.

"Alright," he spoke to Bee softly. He turned to the crowd. "Back off you bunch of scraplets!"

Bee chuckled, watching the crowd part again as Smokescreen led him away. He'd known Smokescreen since joining the Academy. They were among the youngest recruits and were often looked down upon by the other recruits. They worked together to prove themselves to the others, though Bumblebee stood out more than Smokescreen on most of the practice scenarios. It didn't matter to Smokescreen though. He just liked the company. They both did.

Bee sat down across from Smokescreen. It was nice, sitting in comfort. Smokescreen slid some drinks between them. Bee was quick to down half of his before resting his head on the table.

"You are the talk of the Division, you know," chuckled Smokescreen. "Bots started making bets. I was always on your side, though. Just…FYI."

"Smokescreen…gonna be honest," Bee sighed. "The whole thing was just confusing. I knew I was going to come out of it but at the same time…I don't know how describe it. The whole thing was…"

"Confusing?" Smokescreen took a sip.

"Augh!" howled Bee, leaning back. "Primus, what am I supposed to tell command?"

"Tell them the truth?"

"The truth, right," whispered Bee, thinking back.

Were any of Orion's answers the truth? If they were, would it change the way the council handled the Autobot situation? Or, did they already know? Somehow that last one was the most frightening.

"Bumblebee?"

Bee saw Smokescreen tense, instinctually moving back from the towering figure casting a shadow over Bumblebee. Wreckers were rare to socialize with average recruits; they were known to be among the elite. The only time they interacted with the lower ranks was to bully them or destroy them. He'd heard stories about a Wrecker blowing up recruits during training. As the poor bots were whisked away for medical treatment, the Wreckers laughed. They laughed for days. It haunted the halls.

Bee slowly turned around, optics moving up to see the face looking down on him. Blue bulky armor, yellow optics on an orange faceplate. He didn't look happy as he looked down at Bumblebee. Nonetheless, Bee tried to smile. The Wrecker had no reaction.

"Uh," mumbled Bee, glancing back at Smokescreen.

"Councilman wants to talk to you," the Wrecker huffed. "I'll take you."

Bee nodded, smile twitching. Smokescreen shook his head violently, mouthing no. Bee shrugged, getting to his feet. The Wrecker motioned for Bee to take the lead. He knew the way, though he'd never been summoned by any member of the Council before. He'd seen one in passing, as he joined the Academy. The bot smiled and seemed to look directly at him, regardless of the number of other recruits. He'd never forget that face. There was just something about it.

"Your Mr. Popular now, aren't you?" the Wrecker spoke up.

"Huh? Oh, yeah," Bee muttered, "I guess so. I'd rather put this mess behind me."

"Do you really want to do that?"

Bee looked up at the Wrecker. His gaze was focused in front of him, no expression. There wasn't this immense pressure that normally follows the Wreckers. He seemed relaxed but focused on something else, something out of reach.

"What did you say your name was?" Bee hummed.

"Breakdown."

"Right…"

"Bots are gonna be all over ya," Breakdown continued. "I wouldn't trust 'em, but that's up to you."

"Why wouldn't I trust them?"

Breakdown didn't respond, stopping before the Council door. He scoffed, gesturing to the door.

"This is your stop. Have fun." Breakdown began walking away.

"What did you mean before?" Bee prompted. "About not trusting them?"

"You'll figure it out."

Bee watched Breakdown walk away, disappearing down the hall. The door was stood before him, no different than any other in the building and yet Bee stood, hesitant to knock or enter. Why was he so scared? With a deep sigh, he knocked.

"Come in."

The voice was smooth, welcoming. Bee opened the door, revealing the office within. It wasn't any different than a normal office and yet sitting at the desk was one of the most important bots on the planet, welcoming him with the same smile he'd given the day at the Academy. This time, he didn't feel as welcoming. There was something haunting about it, looking straight through him, knowing his secrets. Who was this bot?

A/N

And thus ends my pre-written chapters...so no more daily updates.