VI

Bumblebee wasn't really in the mood for celebrating, too many things buzzing in his mind, but bots kept asking over and over again. He finally caved, agreeing to go to a small bar down by Kalis. The two bots weren't close to him, as in he hadn't interacted with him up until this point. Smokescreen didn't offer any additional information on them, but commented that they were buddy with several other recruits. Unfortunately, Smokescreen was scheduled on patrol, leaving Bee to travel with these bots alone.

He'd never been to Kalis. It was supposedly known for its Energon and additional high grade bars. Bumblebee wasn't much for going out drinking, but they were so persistent. He couldn't say no. They escorted him to the small building, talking the place up and not bothering to mention his missing days. It was a relief for him after the day of debriefing several other officers. He just wanted a break from this mess.

"Quiet place, eh?" one bot spoke up as they took their seats in a booth. "Used to come here all the time before getting recruited."

"Used to be a busy place before the curfew," the other offered.

"Right," Bee muttered, looking around.

The bar looked like it had been hastily set up. The walls were barely remaining, cracked and riddled with holes ranging in size. The booths were shoddily built and creaked under their weight. The tender stood behind the bar, glaring the three down. He was large enough to be a wrecker, rummaging under the counter before slamming containers down and pouring high grade. He shimmered in the barely lit bar.

"Trust us," the first bot prompted. "It'll be the best Energon you'll have!"

"Never gonna have anything like it ever again," the other laughed.

Bee offered a soft nod. He felt like a third wheel, awkwardly placed across from them. It would be rude to leave now or refuse the drink as it was placed in front of him. It didn't look much different than any other high grade he'd seen. The tint was a little more green than normal but he took a sip anyway. Bitter. He made a fake smile, nodding politely. The two offered thumbs up. Bee set the glass down with a sigh.

"Never thought anything cool would happen to us recruits," yawned one. "I mean, we're still in training."

"Not you though," perked the other, "You were gonna join the Elite Guard, right? Maybe that's why they targeted you!"

"Targeted?"

The two nodded at each other. Bumblebee hadn't considered that. It was possible. If they had gotten the patrol schedule, they would know exactly where he was and it was only a matter of luring him out. The graffiti landed him right in their trap, but then, why did they seem so surprised to see him or plan to kill him? Were they planning on him or someone else? With a sigh, Bee took another sip. The bitterness was fading, and a sweetness was beginning to take its place.

"I heard the Autobots usually kill their captives."

"Yeah, I mean, no one escapes the Autobots."

Bee groaned, forcing down another sip. It felt like his head was spinning, but that might've just been the high grade. He could feel his hands loose on the glass, body relaxing quickly. Too quickly. Bee looked up at the two bots, noticing his double vision. No high grade should work this fast.

"What…" Bee tried to talk but even the one word was difficult to produce. It felt like he was choking.

"Man, you can't handle your Energon, can ya?" grinned the bot, getting to his feet.

"Nah, it's just good stuff. Gotta finish it, Bee," the second one muttered, taking the glass and prompting it before Bee.

Bee pulled back at best he could, feeling all control of his body weaken. He barely felt his head slam against the back of the booth. The first bot stepped around, grabbing Bee's head and forcing his mouth open as the second poured the rest of the Energon in. It burned. The bitterness was overpowering.

"Finish up and get lost," grumbled the barkeep. "Tired of your business."

"Shut up!" snapped the first, dragging Bee out of the booth.

Everything was blurred, and he could hardly feel anything. Unable to walk or move much, the two bots took either side of him and carried him out. He couldn't focus on anything nearby, couldn't remember the way here. This couldn't be happening. How stupid could he be!?

"You are a hard bot to celebrate with, ya know?" huffed one, throwing Bee in the alleyway. "I mean, like bunch of us tried asking you out but you were a grouch about it!"

"Take a load off," chuckled the second, kneeling by Bee. "This stuff works quick, promise."

Bee grinned, spurting the remaining drink into the bot's face. The bot howled, falling back. The first bot let out a bellowing laugh, stepping over his friend. Bee, still seeing double and unable to focus, watches as the bot pulls a gun. IT was small pistol, easily concealed and completely legal for a recruit or citizen to wield.

"Shame. It would've been a nicer way to go. No pain," the bot hummed, leaning in. "This? This is gonna hurt a lot."

Everything seemed to flicker between passing out and double vision. In the shadowy perception, he watched a towering being appear, grabbing the pair and slamming them together. They whimpered but all sound fell silent as the being threw them at the wall. Bee could make out the glow of Energon leaking from their new wounds. The shadowy person approached him, even as Bee tried his best to move away.

"Wait…" choked Bee.

"Will you hold still!"

Bee stopped, allowing the bot to grab a hold and jab a needle into his neck. In a split second, Bee was bent over, throwing up all the poisoned Energon he'd drank. As his vision cleared up, Bee looked up at Breakdown who kicked the fallen bots one last time. The Wrecker looked back at Bee, scoffing.

"Told you to watch who you trust. Can't follow instructions?" he huffed.

"What…" Bee coughed, spewing another batch of Energon. "How'd…you know?"

"Followed you," he shrugged. "Told to keep an optic on you."

"By who?"

Breakdown shook his head. Bee stared at Breakdown. It took him a moment to piece it together. If it had been the Council, he'd say it easily. After all, it'd been no secret to defend this recruit after returning from capture, but he wouldn't say. That was for a reason. The same reason the two bots kept mentioning how Autobots kill their captives, even though they have a no kill policy. Breakdown was an Autobot. This Wrecker saved his life at the order of Orion Pax.

"You're…a spy?" whimpered Bee, sitting up.

"Don't like that word," Breakdown growled. "I don't tell 'em anything they don't already know. I mean…they got an intel worker that's worth like…ten spies."

"Who are they…?"

"Killers," shrugged Breakdown. "Mercs who clean up messes the Council makes."

"The Council…they wouldn't…"

"Yeah, yeah…and the Autobots are the bad guys, right?"

Bee glared but had no retort.

"Look, head back. Don't mention this junk or they'll keep at it. I'll deal with these idiots. As far as they know, you didn't go out…just don't go out again."

"Right." Bee slowly got to his feet. "How do you know the Council did this?"

"Done it before. Took this long for Shockwave to make an antidote. Glad it worked…thanks for testing it."

Bee shambled to the alley's opening. He was getting feeling back in his legs and the rest of his body. His vision was clearing and everything seemed to be settling back to normal. He glanced back at Breakdown.

"I'm gonna get to the bottom of this."

"You better be ready for the consequences then," Breakdown quickly replied. "You'll hit a turning point…and then it's a one-way street."

Bee shook his head, ambling off toward the Academy building.