Chapter Text
The new testing area was relatively quiet. The spectators of this supposed spectacle had already grown used to the tense atmosphere.
For a change, the overhead lights illuminated the center of the space where the simulation system waited inactive. Dragstrip was reviewing data on his datapad, his optics moving carefully as he analyzed what he was doing. On the other side, Wildrider paced in circles, restless, his footsteps echoing against the metal floor. Meanwhile, Dead End leaned against a nearby structure, resting before it was his turn to put Bee to the test.
On the opposite side of the room, Breakdown and Bee were staring at each other, but there was little they could do since Motormaster stood in front of them, ready to announce what would come next.
“The first trial was meant to measure endurance, but today we will evaluate the judgment a candidate must have.”
Wildrider snorted.
“About time. I’ve been waiting for this.”
Dead End slightly tilted his head.
“I will begin the test, with our leader’s permission.”
Motormaster responded in her usual cold tone.
“Of course. You may proceed.”
Dead End nodded upon hearing that response and stepped toward the center.
“I want to make something clear. This time, there will be no circuits.”
He glanced at Dragstrip, who pressed a few buttons on his datapad. The system activated, but instead of projecting a physical environment, it generated an intermediate space—nothing ostentatious, but not aggressive either. It could almost be described as… pleasant.
“Bumblebee, answer this. This is the first scenario we are facing. We are on a mission that requires securing a strategic objective. One member of your team becomes compromised during the mission. If you try to help them, you risk compromising the objective itself. What would you rather lose—the objective of the mission, or your teammate?”
The room fell silent. Any Autobot worth their spark would know the answer. But it was difficult to know what the Stunticons expected to hear.
Everyone looked at Bee.
He didn’t hesitate.
“You already know I wouldn’t leave a teammate behind. I’d find a way to secure the mission objective and save the team member.”
Wildrider scoffed.
“That’s a very idealistic answer, especially when you know there will be a moment when you can’t achieve both.”
Bee ignored him. He knew Wildrider was trying to provoke a reaction.
“I understand that missions have priorities. But if the mission prevents greater damage, then I secure the objective first… as long as there is a real possibility of helping the compromised teammate afterward. I would never abandon an ally.”
Dragstrip intervened.
“That introduces additional risk. An entirely avoidable risk.”
“What you’re proposing,” Bee replied calmly, “is an alternative that involves abandoning a teammate without even attempting to help them. That’s a risk I would never take. I know who I am, and I know I would never leave someone behind while there is still something that can be done.”
Dead End stepped closer.
“Enough. Scenario two. Breakdown must choose between covering you during a mission so you can escape, or reinforcing the Stunticon formation so we can form Menasor and achieve victory. If he chooses you, the team loses efficiency. If he chooses the team, you are left exposed. What should he do?”
Breakdown’s shoulders tensed. He hadn’t expected Dead End to take the interrogation in that direction. After the conversation the other day, he believed he had already made things clear with his gestalt.
Bee looked directly at Dead End. He understood exactly where the Stunticon was going with this.
“He should reinforce the team and form Menasor with his gestalt.”
Immediate silence followed.
Wildrider stopped what he was doing and turned sharply toward Bee.
Dragstrip raised an optic, while Dead End narrowed his.
“Explain.”
“Because if the team falls, we all fall. I can adapt—I know I can. But I also know a fractured formation is more vulnerable than a single exposed member.”
Breakdown watched him without blinking. It seemed that none of the Stunticons had expected that answer—ironic as it was.
Dead End began walking in a slow circle around Bee.
“And if that decision results in your capture? Or you getting injured?”
“Then it would be the consequence of my position,” Bee replied calmly.
“I must have done something that led to that outcome.”
Dead End stopped.
“Well… that’s conviction without hesitation.”
Dragstrip wrote something down.
Wildrider muttered something Bee didn’t quite catch.
“Well, those are certainly nice words,” Motormaster finally spoke.
“But that’s enough. I’ve heard enough.”
“Huh. I thought this would take longer,” Bee replied.
“It depends,” Motormaster answered. “Sometimes these discussions last an entire Earth hour. Other times, five minutes is enough. It depends on what I hear—and I’ve heard more than enough.”
She turned toward her team.
“Stunticons, group up. We need to talk.”
*****
The system powered down. The Stunticons obeyed their leader and gathered in a corner while Dead End slightly tilted his head.
“Well, based on what we heard… he didn’t crack. He stayed firm.”
That shouldn’t be mistaken for praise—but it was the closest thing to it.
Wildrider walked over to Breakdown.
“Do you really think he’d be okay with reinforcing the formation?”
Breakdown held his gaze.
“Yes. I’m sure of it. I trust Bee. I know he’s not a liar.”
“That’s interesting to hear.”
Dragstrip intervened.
“Well, he remained coherent while speaking. His reasoning stayed consistent the entire time.”
“But that doesn’t mean his answers were correct,” Wildrider shot back. “Are we seriously going to buy everything he said? Since when are we this easy to convince?”
“I think we’ve always been this easy to convince,” Dragstrip replied thoughtfully.
“Don’t you remember that time on Cybertron when Wildrider was challenged—along with the whole team—by Swindle to—”
“Shh, keep your voice down. There’s no need to bring that up,” Motormaster interrupted quickly.
“That incident was embarrassing. We agreed never to talk about it again.”
Dead End spoke without looking at anyone.
“Right and wrong are very flexible concepts. I am in favor of approving Bumblebee.”
Motormaster looked at her brother before turning her optics toward Bee, who was standing on the other side.
“We will conduct the next test immediately.”
“What? I’m not ready yet, sister. I still don’t have some of the details prepared.”
“Dragstrip, the next test is yours, and you will conduct it. I have complete confidence in your ability to improvise.”
“Why run the next test so quickly? I thought we were going to give the yellow one some time to rest,” Wildrider asked.
“Don’t call him the yellow one. Call him by his name.”
“Don’t be sentimental, Breakdown. ‘Yellow one’ isn’t a bad nickname. After all, that is his color. Yellow.” Wildrider laughed.
“If you want to give him a nickname, you could at least call him Bee.”
“Aww, Breakdown, don’t get so sensitive. I swear I respect your partner. Promise.”
“That’s enough, both of you. Control yourselves,” Motormaster interrupted.
“Wildrider, stop bothering Breakdown. And you, Breakdown—you know how he is. Just ignore him when he starts like this and he’ll stop.”
She turned slightly.
“Dragstrip, are you ready for the next test?”
*****
While the Stunticons were having their small internal disagreement, Bee was receiving encouragement on the other side.
“You did great, Bee.”
“Thanks, Arcee. Honestly, I was surprised it ended so quickly.”
“Who cares about that? I thought we were going to see something more epic. You know—explosions or traps or something.”
The moment he finished speaking, Thrash received a small kick to the leg from his sister.
“That sounded very rude.”
“You’re right, Twitch. Sorry Bee. After the last trial I thought we’d see something bigger.”
“No problem, guys. Honestly, I’m more worried about what they are talking about over there.”
“You did great, Bee. I’m sure even the Stunticons will be forced to admit it,” Mo said.
“Yeah, I think you already proved you’re awesome. They’re just too stubborn to admit it. Besides, what else could they be talking about in their little circle?” Robbie added.
“I don’t know… but I hope that terrifying woman stops looking this way because she’s starting to scare me,” Jawbreaker said, trembling slightly as he remembered Motormaster’s cold gaze. He could still feel it piercing straight through his spark.
“Relax, Jawbreaker. She can’t do anything to you… well, at least I think she can’t,” Hashtag tried to reassure him.
“Don’t worry, Jawbreaker. I would never let her hurt you,” Bee said.
Jawbreaker immediately ran forward and hugged him.
“Thanks again for coming with me, guys. You didn’t have to.”
“Don’t worry, Bee. It’s a pleasure. Besides, if something bad happens, I wouldn’t mind having a rematch with Motormaster,” Arcee commented.
“I heard that. Maybe we’ll have that rematch later,” the aforementioned leader replied as she approached.
“Bee, we have decided that you passed the test.”
“Great, so that means we can go now.”
“That is precisely why you will take the next test immediately. So prepare yourself.”
“I thought you said I’d at least get one human day of rest.”
“Well… forget that I said that. You’ll take Dragstrip’s test now. But don’t worry—depending on the result, we’ll let you leave for today.”
“That’s not fair. You already committed to something. Don’t you think you’re pushing him too much?” Arcee replied.
“Don’t worry, Arcee. I’m more than capable of passing any test they put in front of me.” Bee smiled.
“If you’re all done talking, I would like to present the next test, which happens to be the strategic trial.”
Dragstrip intervened as he pressed several buttons on his datapad, causing the environment around them to begin shifting slowly.
The walls of the hangar disappeared.
The metallic floor transformed into cracked asphalt.
Within seconds, they were standing in the middle of a massive industrial city.
Energy processing towers rose toward the gray sky, enormous pipes crossed the streets, and the constant sound of heavy machinery echoed in every direction.
Dragstrip barely lifted his gaze.
“As you can see, we are now in an industrial city. Of course, this is only a simulation.”
Several glowing points appeared on a projected map.
“Your objective is to secure an energy generator before enemy forces sabotage it. Naturally, you will have limited resources and a reduced amount of time.”
A floating timer appeared.
05:00
Dragstrip continued.
“And obviously, since this is a simulation, I will introduce all kinds of variables designed to prevent your success. We will evaluate your efficiency—among other things—but that will be the primary metric.”
Then he smiled slightly.
“Oh, and I almost forgot to mention—during this trial you may request external support from anyone present here. So you should be happy to have your friends with you.”
His optics glowed faintly.
“Good luck.”
The timer began to count down.
04:59
Bee quickly analyzed the terrain.
His optics moved rapidly across the environment.
Building height.
Lines of sight.
Possible escape routes.
Vulnerable points of the generator.
He also detected multiple energy signatures approaching from several streets.
Enemy drones.
Many of them.
Bee took a deep breath before speaking.
“Wildrider, stay on the east flank. Move fast and avoid distractions.”
Wildrider tilted his helm.
“Are you giving me orders?”
“It’s a simulation,” Bee replied.
Wildrider grinned.
“I see. You’re adding me to your team.”
He transformed with a quick spin.
“I like you, yellow one.”
He paused.
“I mean… Bee.”
Dragstrip didn’t intervene. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying what he was seeing.
Breakdown moved into a defensive position without being asked.
He placed himself near the generator, covering the structure’s most exposed angle.
Ready for whatever Bee needed.
Bee noticed the movement.
“Breakdown, cover the northern access in case the drones try to flank us. They’re your priority.”
Breakdown nodded.
“Understood.”
Arcee stepped forward.
“What about me?”
Bee quickly checked the radar.
“Arcee, stay mobile. If you detect any drone approaching the generator, report it immediately.”
Arcee smiled.
“That I can do.”
The first group of drones appeared on the main street.
Bee reacted immediately.
“Contact ahead.”
Wildrider accelerated along the eastern flank.
“I’ve got them in my sights, boss.”
Bee advanced toward the generator alongside Breakdown.
The device was enormous, almost the size of a small building.
Its energy core was already unstable.
Dragstrip watched everything from outside the simulation.
“Interesting.”
Dead End slightly tilted his helm.
“He’s prioritizing targets correctly.”
Wildrider tore through the first group of drones with a violent spin.
“This is way too easy!”
Arcee shot another one down from the air.
The timer continued counting down.
02:15
Bee began the process of securing the generator.
But then—
Dragstrip pressed a few buttons on his datapad.
A new alert appeared in the simulation.
An explosion shook a nearby building.
The structure partially collapsed.
Dust and debris filled the street.
And then they appeared on the radar.
Small energy signatures.
Civilians.
A group had been trapped beneath the rubble.
Dragstrip spoke quietly.
“Let’s see what you do with that.”
The generator was seconds away from being secured.
The timer kept running.
00:47
Bee looked at the counter.
Then at the signal of the trapped civilians.
Three seconds.
That was all he needed.
He turned toward Breakdown.
“Breakdown, help me secure the generator.”
Breakdown didn’t hesitate.
“Whatever you say, Bee.”
Bee activated the final controls on the device.
Then he looked toward the eastern flank.
“Wildrider.”
Wildrider was already watching the new signal.
“I see it.”
“Use your speed and secure the civilians. Arcee will back you up.”
Wildrider grinned.
“I see how it is, boss.”
He immediately transformed.
“I’m on it,” Arcee said, following him without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Bee and Breakdown worked on the generator.
The device’s lights began to stabilize.
But Dragstrip wasn’t finished.
He introduced another variable.
A second group of drones appeared.
Directly above the generator.
Breakdown looked up.
“That wasn’t there before.”
Bee frowned.
“Of course it wasn’t.”
The drones descended while firing.
Breakdown stepped in front immediately.
“Finish the process.”
Bee worked quickly.
The energy lines were still unstable.
“Thirty seconds.”
Breakdown destroyed the first drone with a single blow.
Then another.
But more kept coming.
“Bee.”
“I’ve got it.”
The generator finally released a stable pulse.
The energy stabilized.
At the same time, in the distance…
Wildrider pulled the last civilians out of the rubble.
Arcee finished clearing the debris.
The timer reached zero.
The simulation ended.
The industrial environment disappeared.
The hangar returned.
Silence.
Dragstrip was watching the data.
Wildrider shifted back into his robot form.
“That was fun. Can we do it again?”
Arcee crossed her arms.
“I thought you were going to add something worse, Dragstrip.”
Dead End stared directly at Bee.
Meanwhile, Breakdown remained at Bumblebee’s side.
Motormaster stood at the top of the simulation center, observing the scene through her optics.
Dragstrip finally spoke.
“Well… this is certainly interesting.”
He looked at the data again.
Then he raised his gaze.
“Yes. This is definitely interesting.”
He checked his datapad once more.
“Primary objective completed.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“However… you put the objective at risk. In a real scenario, the generator would have suffered irreparable damage.”
Bee looked at him directly.
“The generator was the strategic priority.”
Dragstrip slightly tilted his helm.
“Correct. But your solution was not the most efficient one.”
Bee didn’t break eye contact.
“It was the safest.”
Wildrider let out a small laugh.
“I don’t think those are the same thing.”
Bee replied without raising his voice.
“The generator was secured, the civilians were evacuated, and the objective was completed.”
Dragstrip slid a finger across the screen of his datapad.
“By splitting the team, you increased the risk of mission failure. The fact that Breakdown was able to buy you time by eliminating the drones was something you couldn’t have predicted.”
“If I hadn’t split the team, the risk of losing both the generator and the civilians would have increased,” Bee replied.
Dead End spoke for the first time since the simulation ended.
“Bee didn’t hesitate. He did the right thing.”
Everyone looked at him.
Dead End continued calmly.
“He made the decision quickly and did the best he could with the resources available to him.”
Dragstrip frowned slightly.
“Speed of decision does not always produce the optimal result.”
Breakdown spoke then.
“But it worked.”
Dragstrip looked at him.
“It worked this time.”
Wildrider crossed his arms.
“So what? Are you going to say he failed even though he completed the mission?”
Dragstrip replied without changing his tone.
“I’m saying the result is inconclusive.”
That made the silence fall over the room again.
Dead End slightly tilted his helm.
“Well, that’s an interesting conclusion.”
Wildrider scoffed.
“Interesting? That’s a fancy way of saying you don’t know whether to pass him or not.”
Dragstrip didn’t answer immediately.
He simply kept looking at the data.
Above them, on the central platform, Motormaster finally spoke.
Her voice carried effortlessly through the room.
“Enough.”
Everyone looked up at her.
Motormaster observed Bee for a few seconds.
Then she looked at Dragstrip.
“The objective was secured.”
Dragstrip didn’t argue.
“That is correct.”
Motormaster continued.
“And the civilian variables were handled and secured.”
“That is also correct.”
She crossed her arms.
“Then there was no failure.”
Dragstrip inclined his helm slightly.
“No.”
Wildrider smiled faintly.
“Then?”
Motormaster interrupted him before he could finish the sentence.
“But it wasn’t perfect either.”
Silence returned.
Motormaster’s optics fixed on Bee again.
“And that is precisely why this is becoming… interesting.”
Motormaster stepped forward.
No one spoke.
“The objective was completed.”
Dragstrip nodded stiffly.
“Yes.”
“There was no hesitation.”
Dead End nodded.
“Correct.”
Motormaster looked at Bee.
Then at the others.
“This process was designed to evaluate him.”
There was a pause before she continued.
“But we are evaluating more than we originally intended.”
No one responded.
Wildrider broke the silence.
“What exactly does that mean, sister?”
Motormaster did not take her gaze off the front.
“It means we are not finished yet.”
Breakdown spoke.
“I don’t understand what the problem is,” he said, looking at Dragstrip. “The mission was completed.”
Dragstrip didn’t look up from his datapad.
“The mission was completed with poor efficiency.”
Wildrider let out a short laugh.
“Poor? The generator is still standing.”
“But you nearly lost both the civilians and the generator,” Dragstrip replied without changing his tone.
Bee crossed his arms.
“With the time we had, I think we did well.”
“That’s an assumption,” Dragstrip said.
“It’s a fact,” Bee replied.
Dead End observed the exchange with clear interest.
“What’s fascinating is that both of you believe you’re right.”
Wildrider rested an elbow on Breakdown’s shoulder.
“This is getting good.”
Motormaster raised a servo.
Silence immediately returned.
“Enough. This is not an academic debate.”
Her optics moved across the group.
“If we are going to continue this process, I need clarity.”
Dragstrip finally lifted his gaze.
“Clarity requires more data.”
Motormaster tilted her helm slightly.
“Then get it,” the woman said with a faint smile.
Wildrider snapped his fingers.
“Ah, I get it now.”
He looked at Bee with a crooked grin.
“Another round. Great, we’re doing this again.”
Dragstrip was already entering new commands into his datapad.
“Additional simulation.”
The hangar system activated again.
But this time the projection was different.
It wasn’t a city.
It wasn’t a battlefield.
It was an endless highway of shining metal stretching toward the horizon.
Breakdown narrowed his optics.
“This looks suspiciously familiar.”
Wildrider grinned.
“Now we’re talking seriously.”
Dragstrip spoke while data appeared around them.
“New scenario. This time the objective will be mobile.”
The projections began to form.
An energy convoy moving at high speed.
Hostile drones approaching from multiple vectors.
“The convoy’s generator must reach the extraction point intact, but there will be multiple simultaneous threats. Let’s see how you deal with this,” Dragstrip said.
Bee watched the simulation in silence.
Dragstrip continued.
“This time there will be no room for simplified decisions.”
Possible routes appeared as glowing lines across the highway.
Wildrider partially transformed, clearly excited.
“Ah, now you’re getting serious, Dragstrip. I was starting to worry about your ability to design proper tests.”
Breakdown looked at Bee.
“Ready?”
Bee held his gaze.
“Always.”
Dead End tilted his head slightly.
“Ah, the interesting part won’t be whether he wins.”
Everyone looked at him.
“It will be seeing who he chooses to sacrifice when the system forces him to choose,” he said with a smile.
Silence returned.
Bee didn’t answer.
Motormaster watched everything from the edge of the platform.
Her optics remained fixed on Bumblebee for a long moment.
Then she spoke.
“Good luck, Bumblebee.”
The ground began to tremble.
The roar of engines filled the space as the simulation began.
Five vehicles advanced in perfect formation.
And at the center of that formation was Bumblebee.
Wildrider laughed over the internal channel.
“Alright, Autobot. Show us what you’re capable of.”
Enemy drones appeared on the radar.
“Let’s see how well you can run with us.”
Breakdown adjusted his speed until he aligned with Bee.
“Don’t fall behind.”
Dragstrip analyzed every movement.
Dead End observed without intervening.
And from the distance, Motormaster watched.
Enemy drones appeared on the radar.
“Contact at three o’clock,” Dragstrip announced from the platform.
The metallic highway stretched endlessly in front of them while the energy convoy moved at maximum speed.
Bee analyzed the formation in a fraction of a second. They had to secure the generator at the center while dealing with the multiple threats approaching.
“Wildrider, intercept the drones on the right flank,” Bee ordered through the internal channel.
Wildrider laughed.
“Ah, now we’re talking.”
He accelerated immediately, breaking away from the convoy to intercept the first drones diving down.
Bee switched channels.
“Arcee, I need aerial coverage.”
Arcee didn’t hesitate.
“I was wondering when you’d ask.”
She transformed into her alternate mode and sped across the simulated highway before launching herself from a metallic ramp projected by the system. Midair, she shifted back into robot mode and opened fire on the drones descending from above.
“Airspace clear for now!”
Breakdown held his position beside the generator.
“I’ve got the core covered.”
“Perfect. Don’t let anything get too close.”
The first energy blasts cut across the holographic highway as the drones opened fire.
Wildrider zigzagged between them at ridiculous speed.
“Way too slow! This is almost insulting!”
A drone exploded behind him.
Dragstrip recorded data on his datapad without looking away.
“Reaction speed adequate… although coordination still relies too heavily on improvisation.”
Dead End spoke from behind him.
“Improvisation is simply thinking quickly.”
In the simulation, new threats appeared.
More drones.
This time from above.
Arcee fired from an elevated position.
“Bee, more incoming from the north sector.”
Bee reacted instantly.
“Breakdown, reduce speed by three units.”
“You want it, you got it.”
The drones descended firing.
Bee swerved sharply, intercepting the first blast before it could hit the generator.
“Ah, there are too many,” Breakdown said.
“Then we break their formation. I have a plan,” Bee replied.
He accelerated.
The movement was so sudden that even Wildrider lifted an optic.
“What is he doing?”
Bee moved ahead of the convoy, forcing the drones to pursue him.
Arcee understood the plan immediately.
“You’re pulling them away from the convoy.”
“Exactly,” Bee replied.
The drones changed trajectory.
Now they were following him.
Breakdown spoke over the comm channel.
“They’re falling right into your trap.”
Arcee descended from above, firing.
“And I’ll close the exit.”
Three drones exploded almost at the same time.
Wildrider tore through the enemy formation at full speed.
“Surprise! This is awesome!”
One of the drones tried to correct its course to return to the convoy, but Arcee intercepted it before it could get away.
“Not so fast,” she said as she fired.
The drone disintegrated into a shower of holographic particles.
For a few seconds, the airspace was clear.
Breakdown slightly reduced his speed to maintain formation around the generator.
“Convoy stable.”
Bee looked at the radar.
Too stable.
“Dragstrip isn’t going to leave it like this,” he muttered.
As if he had been waiting for that line, the system reacted.
New alerts appeared on the radar.
But this time they weren’t drones.
Wildrider burst out laughing.
“Oh, that’s just evil, Dragstrip.”
On the simulated highway, several sections of the terrain began to fragment.
Metal platforms shifted violently, breaking the continuity of the road.
The convoy no longer had a direct path.
“Variables activated,” Dragstrip announced from the platform.
Bee analyzed the terrain in seconds.
Three possible routes.
One too long.
Another too unstable.
And a third that would require splitting the formation.
Dragstrip smiled faintly.
“Now let’s see what you do.”
Breakdown saw it too.
“If we split up, the generator becomes vulnerable.”
Arcee spoke over the comm.
“But if we stay together, we’ll lose time.”
Wildrider slowed down beside Bee.
“Come on, Bee. You have to decide.”
A timer appeared in front of them.
Thirty seconds.
Bee took a deep breath.
“We don’t split the formation.”
Wildrider blinked in surprise.
“Seriously?”
“Arcee, clear route three.”
“Understood.”
The Autobot accelerated immediately toward the most unstable section of the highway, firing at the platform fragments blocking the path.
Explosions opened an improvised corridor.
Breakdown adjusted his position beside the generator.
“Route partially clear.”
Bee moved to the front.
“Then we go in together.”
The convoy crossed the fragmented zone at full speed.
The platforms shifted violently beneath their wheels.
A surviving drone reappeared from the side.
Wildrider intercepted it before it could get close.
“Not today, scrap heap!”
The drone exploded.
The convoy finally cleared the unstable area.
The highway stabilized again, and the convoy reached the extraction zone safely.
The timer reached zero.
The simulation stopped.
The environment vanished in a flash of light.
Wildrider was the first to transform back.
“That was fun.”
Arcee landed near Bee.
“Not bad. You did great, Bee.”
Breakdown remained at his side.
Dragstrip was studying the data floating in front of his datapad.
For several seconds, he didn’t say anything.
Dead End was the first to speak.
“The generator arrived intact.”
Dragstrip kept looking at the numbers.
“Yes.”
Bee watched him.
Dragstrip finally looked up.
“But the efficiency was not optimal.”
Wildrider rolled his optics.
“Here we go again.”
“Splitting the formation would have reduced the total time,” Dragstrip replied.
Arcee crossed her arms.
Dead End spoke calmly.
“The mission was completed.”
Dragstrip shook his head.
“The mission was completed in an inefficient way.”
Bee spoke then.
“The mission wasn’t to arrive quickly.”
Dragstrip looked at him.
“It was to secure the generator.”
“Exactly,” Bee replied.
Wildrider raised an optic.
“I have to admit the plan worked.”
Dragstrip frowned.
“It worked this time.”
Dead End looked at him.
“That sounds like you want to repeat the test until you get the result you expected.”
Silence.
Dragstrip answered coldly.
“His method relies too heavily on interpersonal trust.”
Bee held his gaze.
“Yours relies too heavily on numbers.”
The tension in the room rose again.
Motormaster finally spoke from the upper platform.
“Enough.”
Everyone looked up.
Motormaster slowly descended to the center of the room.
Her optics moved from Bee to Dragstrip.
“Result?”
Dragstrip took a second before answering.
“The mission was completed.”
Motormaster looked at Dead End.
“Your evaluation?”
Dead End answered without hesitation.
“There was no contradiction between his decisions and what he stated in the previous test.”
Motormaster looked back at Dragstrip.
“Then?”
Another pause.
Dragstrip finally said,
“The result… is inconclusive.”
Wildrider laughed.
“Ah, perfect.”
Dead End tilted his head slightly.
“That means the conflict continues.”
Motormaster watched Bumblebee for a long moment.
And then, for the first time since the tests had begun, the optics of several Stunticons were no longer focused on Bee.
They were focused on each other.
Motormaster sighed before finally saying,
“Bumblebee… congratulations. According to my judgment, you passed the test.”
“What?”
“Dragstrip, we will discuss this later. You may leave, Bumblebee. You deserve some rest.”
“Oh… well, thank you very much,” Bee replied as he walked away, followed by Arcee and Breakdown, toward where the Maltos were waiting.
“Bee, that was awesome! You were incredible out there!”
“Thanks, Thrash. I guess you finally got the action you wanted to see.”
“Yeah, seriously, all of you were amazing.”