Origins: Bumblebee

Chapter 3: A Job Offer

Several years had passed since Bumblebee's initial decision. He was now officially the best assassin that ever lived. He was also extremely rich due to the rather exorbitant prices that he charged for his services. Since the majority of his clients preferred to keep their identities secret they didn't have a problem with paying extra to keep it that way. Currently he was sitting in a bar at one of the back tables, waiting for his newest client to arrive. He had also learned the hard way that patience was a virtue. Caution was also a good practice to keep which was why he had gotten there two hours early; giving him a chance to scope the place out to make sure that it wasn't a set-up. having satisfied himself that it wasn't he leaned back, taking a generous sip of high-grade as he did so. He could hear some of the bar's other patrons laughing and generally having a good time as they tried to unwind from a long day at work. Bumblebee watched them, feeling somewhat envious. He could still remember the days when he used to wish for a friend that would do everything with him. They would spend their days playing games until they were exhausted then go inside and watch scary holovids that would keep them up until the early hours of the morning. However, now that he was older and wiser, he knew better than to believe in dreams; they never came true but were merely the personification of false hope. The sound of footsteps approaching broke into his thoughts and he looked up just in time to see a shadowed figure slip into the seat across from him. "There are you," Bumblebee deliberately made his voice sound bored. "I didn't think you were ever going to make it."

"Sorry but I was help up," the figure said, not sounding the least bit apologetic.

"Let's just go ahead and get this over with shall we? Who do you want me to take care of?"

"Eager are we?" the figure asked, his voice slightly mocking.

"If you don't want my help…" Bumblebee let his voice trail off as he began to stand up, acting as if he was going to walk out of the bar.

"Wait!" the other bot said quickly, alarm visible in his badly concealed blue optics.

Bumblebee made no effort to hide the amused smile on his gray faceplate as he sat back down. "I'm listening."

"His name is Yoketron," the client began but was interrupted by Bumblebee.

"Yoketron? The ninjitsu master on Cybertron?" the minibot's frame was practically quivering with eagerness and some other emotion that he couldn't identify.

"Yes. Why? Do you know him?" the question was simple; the answer not quite so easy to say.

"I used to," Bumblebee said quietly. "It was a very long time ago."

"I trust it won't be a problem then?"

"No," Bumblebee said. "Not at all."

"Good. Then we have a deal." The figure stood and slipped back into the shadows. Bumblebee paid no attention but continued to sit there, conflicting emotions and thoughts warring with each other. He remained in that position until the bar closed then retreated to his ship where he stayed up until the sun rose and morning dawned then headed towards Cybertron. He had a contract to fulfill.

Two weeks later Bumblebee found himself on Cybertron; once again hiding behind a dumpster. He ignored the sense of déjà vu as he cautiously peeked out from behind the dumpster and watched the seemingly unaware ninja continue on his way. Bumblebee, however, knew better than to let appearance fool him; no doubt Yoketron had already felt the optics following him. He gave no indication that he had but kept on walking, Bumblebee not far behind.

Yoketron walked into the dojo and placed the box of weapons on the floor. He turned to look at the shadows and said, "Are you here to kill me, Bumblebee?"

"How did you know it was me?" Bumblebee didn't sound surprised but merely curious.

"I trained you," Yoketron replied. "Besides you're the best and that's all they would send me after me is the best."

"You must have made some pretty powerful enemies then," the yellow minibot observed. "You're also getting soft in your old age if you're complimenting me."

Yoketron heard the angry, mocking tone and winced. "I am truly sorry about that, Bumblebee. I never meant to hurt you. I merely wanted you to discover who you really are."

Bumblebee's servos turned into swords and he pointed them threateningly at the ninja master. "I know exactly who I am," he said through gritted denta. "I'm the bot that's going to kill you."

"Do as you wish," Yoketron said, inclining his head ever so slightly.

Bumblebee blinked. "Aren't you going to try and stop me?" he sounded confused.

"No. you will do what you must and I will not attempt to stop you."

Bumblebee frowned and said, "Fine. Prepare to meet your doom then."

Yoketron waited but nothing happened. One of the swords (which had been inches away from cutting off his head) lowered and turned back into a servo.

"I can't do it," Bumblebee said, looking at the floor. "I just can't."

Yoketron felt an odd mixture of price and affection well up inside of him. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

Bumblebee ignored the gratitude and asked, "Why does someone want you dead?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Yoketron admitted. "But I think it has something to do with the protoforms."

"Great," the minibot groaned. "Just great." He fell silent then, "We need to move them to a safer location."

"Any ideas as to where?" Yoketron asked.

Bumblebee smiled mysteriously and said, "As a matter I do have a place in mind. There's a couple of planets on the other side of the Bassan Galaxy. No one would think to look for them there."

"That does sound like the perfect place," Yoketron agreed.

"I'll go get my ship then I'll be right back."

With that Bumblebee was gone, leaving Yoketron blinking in surprise. "He's faster than I remember," the ninja muttered then headed towards the room where the protoforms were kept, not seeing the figure behind him until it was too late.

A/N: As of now I have decided not to post anymore chapters. At least not until I get one review per chapter that is. Once I receive a review for this chapter then I will post another one. I think that's fair: don't you agree?

Also, 'Masterforce: Animated' is…sort of on hiatus. You see I get the ideas for each chapter from 'brave kid' who, I assume, is extremely busy which is why I haven't posted any new chapters for that story yet.

After I finish this story then I am going to take a brief sabbatical due to the large amount of stress this has been giving me recently. And I have become addicted to Teen Titans so all of you fans can start looking out for more stories for them.