[ti]Ep 2[/ti]Hello Darkness, My Old Friend. [Closed, Megatron]

[Bumblebee]

~Week 3, Day 4~
-

A truce.

There was a truce.

Autobots and Decepticons finally working together for the greater good. When Optimus Prime had made the announcement over the comm? Bee had listened, and he'd listened well. They all had. He questioned it near instantly of course. At first he didn't quite believe it, and if it were anyone other than Prime speaking those words? He wouldn't have. He knew MECH were bad, he knew it first hand! But.. A truce? Would it really take both sides working together to break them? Was this the best option? Would it even work? He trusted Megatron about as far as he could throw him, which was to say, not very far.

Their past together, if one could even call it that, made Bee extra wary of the Decepticon leader. Pretty much every Bot and Con knew the tale of how Megatron had ripped Bumblebee's voice capacitor out, ripped his arms off and left him for dead.. Plus Bumblebee had entered Megatron's subconscious and then went on to be manipulated by him.. And now they would be working alongside each other in this truce..?! Was Bee supposed to just let that stuff go?!

Maybe it was due to the fact Bumblebee was young, slightly immature, and more than a little stubborn. Maybe a little selfish with these thoughts due to his fear and sheer dislike of Megatron. But a truce? After all the Decepticons had done, and would continue to do..? It didn't bode well with him. They wouldn't stick to it. All this would do was reveal the Bot's weaknesses and locations for the Cons to use at a later date! Once MECH were defeated, if they even defeated them, the Cons would still remain as a threat. Autobots and Decepticons shouldn't be working together. Optimus may have been willing to trust his old friend, but Bumblebee was terrified. He wouldn't let it show, though. Not once. He'd follow orders and do what was asked of him.

Luckily there was no time for Bumblebee to dwell on the past, or harbor bitter thoughts about what could happen, and probably would ((in his opinion)) happen. There was much work to be done, of which Bumblebee had to play his part. Plus it wasn't like Bee would run into Megatron, he had far more important matters to be dealing with and tending to – like working with Prime and their respective commanders on a plan to stop MECH once and for all.

--

It'd been three days since the announcement had been made, which meant preparations were already starting to get underway. More use would be made of the Neutral base, a place that Bumblebee had never actually been to. So when the order went out that supplies were needed to be taken there? Who better to take them than the fastest Scout there was!

It was early enough in the truce, too, that he could take the kids along with him. There wouldn't be any real danger, and it might be nice for them to see somewhere new in the World. They'd been nagging and pleading for a while to see the neutral base, and as long as they kept to themselves and didn't run amok? Bumblebee didn't see the issue in taking them along for the trip. It wasn't like they'd be there too long, Bee would drop off the supplies, say his 'hellos', and then probably make his way back to the Autobot base.

Balancing the heavy crate of supplies against his hip while he inputted the co-ordinates of the Neutral base into the ground bridge. There was a pause, then the familiar whir as the bridge opened up. Bee chirped at the kids, indicating for them to get going, he would let them go through first – if only so they weren't underfoot and at risk of being trampled. Bee couldn't see well over this crate and he knew the kids were eager to look at the new location.

Bee shifted the crate, holding it with both servos and holding it secure to his chassis as he made his way through the ground bridge. There was nobody on the other side – which was probably to be expected, what with everyone taking in the news of the announcement and busying themselves. The kids quickly scattered, which was also probably to be expected. A defeated, whiny whir of a beep escaped Bee, as if he was about to tell them to come back - but it was too late. They were gone. Excited kids would be kids. Ah well. They couldn't get into too much trouble, right?

There was one problem with this scenario, Bee had no idea where he was supposed to put this box of supplies. The supply room, maybe? But where even was that?

He'd begin to wander, making his way down the first corridor he saw on his right – he heard noise coming from down here, so maybe there would be someone who could properly direct him. Walking down and past the cave that looked like... A bar? He paused briefly, hesitating outside. There were Autobots in there... And Decepticons, chatting like old friends. How could they be so friendly with each other so soon.? There were other bots in there that he did not recognize. Bee shook his head sadly, continuing on. He'd find the supply room himself, he didn't want to be a bother, or pull someone away from their fun.

Bee didn't know the layout of this place. Not like the Autobot base which he knew, and would boast about, like the back of his servo. So he didn't see the exposed cable on the ground in front of him. At least not until he'd already tripped over it. Damn this inability to see over the crate!

He landed with an almighty clatter – the crate doing a majestic tumble and skidding a short ways down the corridor in front of Bee. Some of the contents spilling out. There was nothing too valuable in here, and nothing seemed to be broken at first glance, but it was no use to anyone on the floor.

And with that, Bumblebee would let out his second defeated whir of a beep, cursing his bad luck as he began to crawl forwards, picking up the fallen contents before anyone came to see what the noise was about. 

[Deleted]

Megatron had not visited the DMZ spoiling for conflict. He had, despite Optimus's misgivings, every intention of enforcing the treaty up until the point it no longer served the Decepticons. Indeed, he was exercising the same degree of restraint and tolerance that he expected from his soldiers, and his appearance today was a reminder to those working in Haven that he would be dealing with anyone who strained the peace himself.

The warlord was showing his face, without assisting in any of the manual labour that was taking place. To do so would be to interfere through the very force and threat of his rank and presence, and he would not impede the operations at the Neutral base any further than was inevitable.

Megatron had been on his way back to the Atrium to summon a spacebridge from the Nemesis when he'd discovered the Autobot.

It was unfortunate for Bumblebee that he was sprawled on his faceplate when the Decepticon rounded the corner of the tunnel; and was crawling with his attention on the scattered items when the massive pedes stopped at the top of the scout's vision.

"Well now, what a mess," Megatron rumbled, folding his arms across his chassis. Somehow the pose only exaggerated his delighted smirk. "Did you need help, Bumblebee?"

There was the kind of condescension that was only achievable through familiarity in his tone.

Despite both of them having spent a great deal of time on the front lines of hundreds of battles, he'd only locked optics on the yellow Autobot scout a handful of times. Bumblebee was worlds away from a heavy frontliner, and thus unfit to send toe-to-toe with the Decepticon Lord.

The last time Bumblebee had been at Megatron's pedes was at Tiger Pax, and that had only been after the first round of interrogators hadn't gotten anywhere with the scout. Megatron had exercised the wealth of expertise from his gladiator days to wring as much pain out of the smaller mech as could be achieved without killing him. Tearing his arms off had been an unfortunate exercise in frustration at the scout's stubbornness. Finally, Megatron had determined that if Bumblebee wouldn't tell him what he wanted to hear, then he didn't deserve to speak at all. Two claws through the throat had mangled his voice box beyond repair, and half the connective circuitry to make replacing it in wartime conditions next to impossible.

Megatron thought about all this as he observed the Autobot at his pedes. He wondered if Bumblebee was thinking about it, too.

[Bumblebee]

So far so good. Nobody had come out of the bar to check up on the noise, meaning Bumblebee didn't have to die from shame and make up some silly story about how he totally meant to fall smack on his faceplate and throw the contents of the crate everywhere. How he was totally testing to see if they were sturdy enough to be dropped. This was good. He'd pick everything up, put the crate in the storage area, round up the kids.. And go back to the Omega base. Nobody would ever know he fell. His pride would remain intact, and he could act like nothing ever happened.

Until he heard a familiar voice. An all too familiar voice. A voice that Bumblebee did not want to hear.

Of all the bots to find him? It had to be Megatron. Of course it did. And of all the places for Megatron to find Bumblebee, it just had to be while he was crawling around on the floor like a bumbling idiot.

Bumblebee froze on all fours, one servo which had been reaching out for an item from the crate would hesitate, as if Bee had changed his mind, before recoiling and slowly lowering to the ground. Panic began to radiate from his field. He couldn't help it. This was Megatron looming over him.

He thought back to the last time he found himself at Megatron's pedes. How he'd remained defiant and almost paid the ultimate price for his loyalty. He'd do it again in a spark-beat if he had to. So why was he so scared now that he was once again in front of the Decepticon leader? His throat started to sting as he thought back to that moment at Tiger Pax, and he'd gingerly lift a servo to trace along the now very-much 'repaired' area.

Silently wishing the ground would swallow him whole, Bumblebee took a few seconds to try and compose himself. He stared hard at the ground, trying to calm his field. It wasn't working. Megatron wouldn't hurt him. He couldn't. There was a truce, so Bee just had to play it cool.

--Aha..Ha.. Yeah. Aint used to this place. Tripped and.. Well, ya can see what happened!-- He continued to stare down at the floor as he beeped quietly. It was evident the young scout was nervous, having not been mentally prepared to run into Megatron.

As Megatron asked if he needed help, Bumblebee would finally glance upwards to look into his optics. This was all too familiar. Bee on his servos and knees, staring up at the Decepticon warlord. He would quickly pull himself to his pedes, despite not having picked everything up. Although he was much, much shorter than Megatron, he felt somewhat better being on his pedes. He'd make a point of trying to stand tall, servos resting on his hips as he peered up at Megatron.

--Help? Nono. Uh. I got this! Although ya don't happen to know where the storage area in this place is.. Do ya..?-- he'd chirp, although his field still radiated nervousness despite his attempt at giving an air of confidence with his posture.

Hopefully Megatron would point him in the right direction and be on his way. Surely he had better things to do than stand in corridors talking to Scouts. At least Bumblebee hoped so.

[Deleted]

"I am aware of the layout," Megatron replied, wholly understating his knowledge. He had familiarised himself with the spent mine's schematics after he gifted it to Cleaver as a DMZ, and memorised the modifications that the Neutrals had made once the truce was established.

Often, a battle was won by knowing the terrain better than the enemy. There would be no combat here, but the Decepticon had approached Haven with the same planning and preparation as he would a battlefield. With so many Autobots and Decepticons intermingling in such a small space, tensions were bound to rise, and knowing the layout of the identical-looking tunnels was essential.

Megatron tucked his hands behind his back, talons curling in to hide the sharp tips from view. It was a deliberately non-threatening pose, and the warlord's field was easy.

"Where you need to go depends on what you have," he went on, regarding the Autobot mildly. "There are several storage rooms for different materials, but if you've brought something for the installations and equipment upgrades, you will need to go elsewhere."

He inclined his helm, waiting for Bumblebee to volunteer what else was in the spilled crate.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee continued to try and calm his field. The initial shock and panic of looking up and seeing Megatron was starting to fade. That was what had initially spooked him – the sheer fact he hadn't expected to see the Decepticon Warlord and yet there he was, at his pedes, just like at Tiger Pax.

Horrible, horrible memories. Ones that Bumblebee had been trying to push to the back of his processor without much luck.

--Oh ya do? Awesome!-- He'd chirp, although the tone of his beeps were the giveaway in how Bee was really feeling – Which was to say, very nervous. He noted Megatron's posture. Bee didn't change his to match; still stood up straight, still awkwardly rigid. He was so very nonthreatening though, despite his attempts to look taller and more confident than he was, and the seasoned leader would probably be able to tell that the young Mech was faking the air of confidence. Not that Bee wanted to look threatening! But he didn't want to give the impression that he was scared. He failed at that though.

--What do I have? Uuh.-- His gaze fell down to the box by his pedes. --Everything?-- He hadn't actually gone through the crate – nor did he really know what was in there until he'd dropped most of the contents. There was so much random slag in this crate and all over the floor. Datapads with intel on MECH, spare medical supplies, spare tools, random cables that could be of use, as well as equipment that would no doubt go towards upgrading other things. The crate was a mish-mash of everything, much to Bumblebee's dismay.

He would lower himself into a crouch to start picking up the last of the items, carefully putting them back into the crate; as much as he didn't want to be below Megatron again, he still had things to retrieve from the floor.

[Deleted]

Megatron rolled his optics -an expression of exasperation and disbelief he trusted the human-loving Autobot would understanding- and took another step closer.

"Honestly it's a wonder you've survived this long, scout" he murmured softly, cruel optics narrowing on the smaller mech. Then, with an easy slide of powerful hydraulics, he lowered himself to one knee.

Kneeling did nothing to diminish the warlord's massive size. Indeed, hunching his barrel chest and broad shoulders low so as to inspect the contents of the crate made him appear wider and more solid. More like a jagged boulder, at home in this old mine.

He flicked his talons through the most peripheral of the debris, leaving Bumblebee to gather up the majority of it. He had no intention of cleaning up the other's mess, but he would linger about in the name of cooperation.

"Very useful," Megatron finally remarked, his tone as dry as the air outside of Haven. He raised his gaze to meet Bumblebee's greatly enhanced optics, taking in the large lenses and piercing crystal arrays. "If only you took all your tasks this seriously."

A grunt and he pushed to his feet, looking down the 'corridor' behind him. "It'll need to be sorted first." He spoke more aloud to himself than to Bumblebee, as if the Autobot were an incidental bystander and nothing more.

"The Medbay is near, and as good a place as any."

It also had the most to-hand supply of solvent, which the contents would probably need now after scattering across the dirt and dust.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee was thankfully looking down as he focused on the task at hand, scrambling to pick up items as quickly as he could; so he didn't notice the Decepticon Warlord roll his optics. He felt awkward enough down here without feeling even worse.

What Megatron murmured however, made him pause in his tracks. Servo hovering over a strewn cable, before he hesitated, picking it up and quietly putting it into the crate. Refusing to look up or reply, staring straight down at the floor on his servos and knees.

How dare he.

How dare Megatron say that. He of all bots knew damn well that Bumblebee was as resilient as they came. He'd endured awful, awful torture at Megatrons own servos! And despite all that! After everything that'd been done to him, Bumblebee had refused to talk! Refused to give up the information back then! To say it was a wonder he survived this long was an insult! A cruel, unwarranted jab! Just because Bee didn't know what the frag was in this stupid crate. He hadn't packed it, he'd just been given an order to deliver it. It wasn't his fault he tripped.

Anger. Rage. They flooded into Bumblebee's field – albeit only briefly, and no sooner was there a glimmer of these emotions, they were gone. He was trying to remain calm, to keep his temper under control. Truce or not, he didn't trust Megatron, and being alone in a corridor with him wasn't exactly something Bee wanted to do for long. He didn't want Megatron pushing him further, when it was so very obvious that Bee was easy to work up.

He glanced up just in time for his gaze to meet Megatron's. He held it, staring at him almost defiantly. His optics would whir audibly in annoyance, and would narrow, until Megatron rose to his feet.

--I do.-- He beeped firmly in reply, his tone confident. Bee had never doubted himself. He never doubted his own abilities. He took everything seriously ((When he had to!)), from mundane tasks like cleaning the Omega Base, to scouting missions, to infiltrating the Nemesis and offer to have the cortical psychic patch installed, getting inside Megatrons head. Or had Megatron forgotten that.

His gaze would linger a moment as he tried to calm himself once more, before he would return to his task and quickly pick up the rest of the strewn objects, throwing them haphazardly into the crate; which he would then lift to his chassis and get back to his pedes.

--Well we can look through the crate properly when we go to the Medbay. Can hardly see in here.-- The tone of his beeping was flat, almost as if he was talking behind gritted teeth. He could see just fine in here, but it was an excuse as to why he wasn't exactly sure what was in the crate. He'd rather lie than look stupid.

--Well lead on then, since ya know where everything is.-- Bee may have been 'calm', and his field showed as such, but he had taken probably too much offense to the things Megatron had said, and his tone betrayed him. Hence why he ordered the Decepticon leader to lead the way. The sooner this was over the better.

[Deleted]

Megatron watched the flashfire rage appear and vanish like an electric strike across the mech's faceplate. There was something endlessly amusing in getting such a rise out of an Autobot.

After Bumblebee had gotten to his feet, Megatron smiled at the baited tone, well acquainted already with the yellow mech's stubborn cheer. He inclined his helm as if in thanks, then gave the Autobot his back and began walking away.

The casual inflection that Bumblebee was putting on his speech was a kind of bravado in and of itself, and Megatron was not fooled by it. For his youth and borderline insouciant attitude, the scout was a soldier and good at his function. That he'd withstood days of torture -culminating in suffering at the Commander's hand- was testament to that.

Bumblebee's refusal to speak had coincided with a period of short-temper, if Megatron remembered correctly, and led him to the ultimately of 'talk now or never talk again'. Actually carrying through that threat had been a waste, albeit a satisfying one, and had pushed development of the cortical psychic patch for quick and effective 'enhanced interrogation'.

"I must say," he said as he walked, not bothering to look back to his conversational 'partner'. "It was wise not to permit your human pets to accompany you here. I expect that they would have gotten underfoot by now."

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee tightened his grip on the crate full of Primus-knows-what, holding it close to his chassis, resting his chin awkwardly on top to keep it somewhat stable. Although this sadly meant he was looking upwards at Megatron and the ceiling. He couldn't see over the stupid crate, but hopefully if he walked, and stayed behind Megatron, the Decepticon Warlord would be kind enough to alert the young scout of any more loose cables or hazardous things that'd make him go flying.. Again.

He would follow the much taller Mech, although not too closely. He couldn't help but glare at the back of Megatrons head as they made their way down the corridor, his brilliant blue optics fixed into a nasty scowl. He was lucky Megatron didn't have eyes in the back of his head, or that anyone was around to call the Scout out on it.

He was silently glad that it was he that was walking behind Megatron, and not the other way around. Having Megatron looming behind him in this quiet corridor? Not the nicest thought in the world.

As Megatron spoke, Bumblebee's optics widened. The children. They were around here somewhere. He.. Just wasn't sure where. They weren't pets to be kept on leashes, and it wasn't like he could keep track of three of them in this new exciting place – not with his arms full, anyway. Wherever they were, Bumblebee hoped that they were far away at the other side of Haven, and hopefully distracted by something that'd take up a lot of time. At least Megatron didn't seem to realize that they were here. Truce or not? He didn't want the Decepticons anywhere near the kids.

A nervous chuckle of a beep left him, and he went right back to scowling. At least his field was calm now, considering the tiny panic there, and the anger moments earlier.

--Eheh.. Yeah..--

This was awkward. So very totally beyond awkward. That little attempt of a 'joke' didn't amuse Bumblebee, and he wasn't even sure at this point if it was a joke. How to make small talk with Megatron? What could he even talk about? 'Oh hello Megs, tortured anyone else these days?' yeah, that'd go down well.

--Sooo..-- He started, awkwardly. --Any awesome plans been discussed on how to deal with MECH? Ones I can be let in on?-- His beeps sounded somewhat hopeful, like he really honestly had an interest in the goings on of the higher ups as to what they were going to do about the threat that plagued both sides. Suuuure it'd been three days since the truce had been announced, but.. Maybe they worked fast!

[Deleted]

Megatron's helm turned fractionally back towards the scout trailing at his hip, one sizeable brow arched. He'd expected the rest of the walk to the Medbay to be conducted in silence, or near it, but apparently the Autobot was feeling chatty today.

"It's early days yet, both for this truce to coordinate our resources and in discerning which leads are best to pursue," he replied, maintaining his sedate pace. His long stride meant that Bumblebee's shorter legs would need to work that bit harder, but it gave the impression of uncaring authority.

Sound travelled in echoes and distortions in the mine. Megatron heard a muted argument taking place in a side chamber; something metal being mechanically battered by a blunt tool; and the background whirr of the ventilation system pulling warm air from the deepest recesses to draw cool air in. It was not unlike the Nemesis in that regard: lives forged and duties carried out in a contained space.

He wondered how often the inhabitants took advantage of the barren space right outside the mine entrance. If they stretched their actuators regularly or cowered inside the mountain from the war outside.

Around the next corner the light changed, the brighter glow of the Atrium just reaching into the tunnel and merging with the overhead lights. The Medbay was close and sounded unoccupied.

Megatron did not grace the Autobot with another look, though he went on, "Our definitions of 'dealing' with MECH permanently are still at odds. Where Optimus would leave them the opportunity to return in future, I would see no lingering trace of them remain."

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee was struggling to keep up with Megatron's longer stride, although he would never admit that, or make any noise of discomfort, nor would he ask Megs to maybe slow down a little bit as much as he wanted to. Instead he would quicken his pace to try and keep up. A risky move, considering he couldn't see over the box, but he stuck close behind the Decepticon Warlord to ensure he didn't trip. He couldn't help being chatty, he was nervous around Megatron; and the silence would've been a hundred times worse. So awkward small talk it was.

He adjusted his grip on the box just slightly with a low, drone-beep of a grumble. This was such a pain in the aft. Why couldn't Megatron carry it...? Then again, the Warlord was no doubt above such menial tasks, and was probably enjoying watching the Scout struggle. His arms were starting to ache from the weight. Thanks for that Megatron. Another unpleasant reminder of the torture he'd endured at the hands of the Mech infront of him.

His helm turned just slightly against the box as the noises echoed throughout the tunnel. He couldn't pinpoint exactly where the voices were coming from, but it was fun to listen in on others arguing. They were probably having more fun than he currently was.

What Megatron said almost made Bumblebee stop in his tracks, and he probably would've if not for the fact he'd have to run to catch up to Megatron. He... Found himself actually agreeing with the Decepticon Warlord on this. MECH should be dealt with permanently. Yeah, sure, they weren't supposed to harm humans... But these humans were a threat not only to Cybertronian but also humankind as well.

--Wait, really? After everything they've done..?-- He actually sounded disheartened. Sure Optimus was kind, but there were times when you had to be merciless and cruel. Especially against enemies like this. 

The light changed as they moved around the corner, and there was a quiet whir as Bee's optics adjusted.

--What do you think you'll do? I'm all for taking them out permanently.-- He uttered this quietly, feeling a twinge of guilt; almost like he was betraying what Optimus wanted, simply for having his own opinion about things.

--If only because I dread to think what they might do to humanity once they're done with us...-- He quickly added, as if trying to justify his thoughts so he wasn't judged; not that Megatron cared about the humans...

It was something that Bumblebee didn't want to think about. What if MECH found out the Autobots had human children among them? They were easy targets, and he knew without a doubt that MECH would take advantage of that. He felt worried. Even though Haven was safe, the children were here, somewhere. He didn't know where. He suddenly felt overprotective of them, and didn't want harm to come to them. Not now, not ever.

--Are we almost at the medbay?-- He squeaked this out, hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction should Megatron allow; the less he thought about MECH the better.

[Deleted]

Megatron's gait had slowed at Bumblebee's astonished response, his interest piqued. The opportunity to needle at an Autobot who'd endured personal interrogation up to the point of mauling had been a pleasant turn for the day. Discovering there was dissent in Optimus's ranks was an exceptional bonus.

It didn't seem as if Bumblebee would need much handling, either, given that he willingly told the Decepticon leader that he would rather their human enemies dead than pose any future potential risk. An interesting development given that the scout was one of the so-called-Guardians of the three humans that Optimus had adopted.

Likely Bumblebee wouldn't take kindly to having it pointed out that he was completely aligned with the warlord's mindset in this regard. Few Autobots wanted to find themselves with the same beliefs as those of the enemy leader. Fewer still would want those similarities after sharing a Cortical Psychic Patch and having the Decepticon Commander occupying their brain module for a spell.

Megatron had had Knock Out scrutinize his processor-matrix for any signs of alteration as a result of his psyche's stay in a foreign frame. Whilst he was satisfied that being Bumblebee's mental neighbour had had no lingering impact on his personality, he suspected that the scout would be less certain of the fact. Being tainted with 'evil' was far more persistent and unsettling a thought than being 'infected' with Autobot nobility or naivety.

When Bumblebee asked if they were close to the Medbay, Megatron declined to answer and picked up the topmost crate in one hand instead. It meant that the smaller mech could see where he was going, and that Megatron could look down directly into his faceplate.

"Yes. Merciful resolutions are short-sighted, at best," he said, lifting the crate up and turning it between both hands as if it were weightless. His tone fell into a lower timbre and a fraction quieter, as if for Bumblebee's audios only.

"It is dangerous to leave our enemies alive when there is the chance to do otherwise, isn't it?"

Though the question was pitched as if expecting an answer, Megatron's expression was clearly one of giving food for thought. Rhetorical questions internalised answers, often uncensored, and could leave an honest belief -that would have been contradicted out loud- to fester.

He stopped just outside the Medbay door, now in clear view of anyone in the cavernous Atrium. Palming it open, Megatron looked down to the Autobot a final time and arched a brow. Quietly, he added: "However, Optimus has a history of prioritising hope over danger."

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee noted Megatron slow down just slightly, and honestly thought nothing of it. What he'd said wasn't that bad, right? It was a valid opinion. Once MECH were done with Cybertronian kind, they would no doubt turn to humanity – the very thing that the Autobots had sworn to protect on Earth. Maybe it was a youthful arrogance, or some kind of naivety but he.. Didn't think people like that could change, so wiping them out so they were no longer a threat seemed like the correct, and moral thing to do. If given half the chance he would wipe out the Decepticons, too, for the same reason. An inability to change their ways.

Just like Megatron, Bumblebee had made Ratchet do check after check on his processor-matrix after what'd happened with the Cortical Psychic Patch. Ratchet had insisted that Bumblebee was fine, and that any and all trace of Megatron was long since gone. But ever since then, he had somewhat of a short temper. Even more so than normal. Was that a lingering trace of Megatron or just some weird coincidence because he kept worrying about it? Before this happened would he have even dared to think that they should terminate MECH fully? Or would he have thought like Optimus. The Prime. The one he looked up to most. He knew without a doubt that Optimus would want to give MECH a chance to redeem themselves, to right their wrongs. So why couldn't Bumblebee even begin to consider that? They were humans after all, and maybe they could find some sort of redemption – yet Bumblebee didn't see how they could.

The silence was unnerving, and due to Bumblebee being unable to see over the crates? He didn't see the warlord turn – not until the top most crate was plucked effortlessly from his arms. He almost dropped the remaining one from panic, but managed to remain composed. Optics wide as he stared up at Megatron. He listened intently as the Warlord spoke, and tensed up as his voice lowered. He didn't outwardly shudder, but... Megatron was actually terrifying.

Or at least what he said was.

Once this truce was over..? The Autobots would be the enemies of the Decepticons once more, which made that sentence all the more scary – especially with who it came from. He tightened his grip on the one remaining crate, hugging it closer to himself and lowering his gaze.

He would no doubt dwell on those words, that question, for a long time. He didn't even know how to answer. He'd already saved Megatron once – if only to save Optimus – but was it the right thing to do? He'd always vowed that he'd get some kind of revenge on Megatron for what he'd done to him at Tiger Pax, and that would've been the perfect chance. The cost was more than the satisfaction he would've got from doing so, however. But still.. Was this some little jab at that? Some not so subtle way of telling Bee that he'd made a mistake?

Or was he looking too much into it..?

He would clear his throat gently, not wanting to give away that he was.. Actually quite terrified, and that this was now eating at him.

--Yeah, it is,-- Came his simple reply. --Very dangerous.-- He paused to stand beside Megatron as he opened the door to the Med Bay, optics adjusting to the brighter light inside the room. He would then step into the room before Megatron could dump the box back onto him, leaning over to put his own crate down onto an empty bench, starting to unload the contents so they could be sanitized properly.

--Do you believe that Optimus is wrong? In prioritizing hope over danger, I mean.-- He was curious as to what Megatron meant, but also wanted to try and keep talking if only to distract his processor from thinking about that question.

[Deleted]

Megatron grunted at the question, a soft rumble of disdain that merged into the sound of the Medbay doors closing behind him. He came to stand at the other end of the berth Bumblebee had used and tipped out his own box.

"Mere hope is never enough. Not entirely," he began, speaking with the steady cadence of a confident public speaker. Someone who'd forgotten what is was like to be nervous to express a thought or opinion.

Sifting his talons through the assorted debris, he vaguely sorted the larger objects from the more everyday tools and replacement apparatus. Circuit tester to the left; hydraulic-enhance socket wrench to the right. As his hands moved, optics tracking the casual flicks and scrapes of his clawed fingers, he mulled over his words.

The question of hope verses danger spoke to the old revolutionary in him, stirring up memories that lay like dusty blades. Megatronus would -and had- prioritize hope over danger, because hope was precious. Unconquerable. It was a trailblazer for change, reform and the opportunity for something better.

Millennia of warfare later, and occupying a position of control and responsibility wherein he literally chose groups of soldiers who would be sent to their deaths for the sake of the next wave getting closer to achieving an objective. Like danger, hope was something to be measured and managed. Too much and it bordered on relying upon faith to achieve a goal; too little and morale suffered.

Finally, at his leisure, Megatron continued, "I believe that Optimus has too few of you Autobots here to risk sentimentality and unwarranted mercy. He gains nothing in prioritizing hope. It puts you in danger."

The warlord's powerful hands fell still on the edge of the berth, and he looked up the fraction needed to give the smaller mech his full attention. There was a cool thoughtfulness in his expression; carefully calculated to deliver a difficult message without sympathy or mocking. "Indeed, it makes you wonder if he values organic lifeforms that would seek to harm us more than his own soldiers."

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee was quiet as Megatron spoke, listening intently. His processor still dwelling on the question he'd been asked in the corridor. He couldn't help it, and he'd probably be thinking on it for days to come; but for right now he was trying to focus on the task at hand. The sooner he was done with sorting through this crate and sanitizing the objects he'd dropped? The sooner he could be on his way and in the safety of his quarters back at the Omega base.

Once everything was cleaned and sanitized, he could no doubt transfer the crates into the storage room by himself to unload them – once pointed in the right direction, anyway. He didn't think Megatron would reduce himself to helping out further once they were done here – it was amazing that he'd stuck around to help sanitize the items to begin with. Then again, maybe the Warlord was getting some strange satisfaction in making Bumblebee feel uncomfortable, even if that wasn't his intention at all.

--What if hope is all we have? I know it's all I had at one point, a long time ago. Not that it's all I have now, of course! But.. Sometimes just hope is enough, if ya feel ya have nothing left... So I think you're wrong with that statement,--

He would glance up briefly as he spoke, optics meeting the Warlords. He was trying to convey some sort of confidence in his beepy-tone, the same glimmer of cocky defiance which had bubbled briefly to the surface earlier in the corridor. He stood up a little straighter, to try and match the Warlords posture and natural air of confidence which seemed to flow endlessly and without any effort. But his field hinted at the obvious; that the young Scout was still uncomfortable being alone and in such small confines with the very Mech who almost took everything from him. Still, he maintained optic contact for the time being. He was of course referring back to Tiger Pax, a time when Bumblebee almost gave up on the very thing that'd kept him going before he was saved by Ratchet. Hope.

His gaze would settle back on the objects that he pulled from the crate. There were mostly tools in this crate. Some things he recognized, some things he didn't; and he would begin to sort them into what he thought their purpose was, as well as picking out debris and stones that'd got muddled in when they'd all been picked up off the floor. Not that it really mattered, once they were cleaned, most of them would be going back into a crate to be moved to more appropriate storage areas.

--Not that I think that just hope will defeat MECH, that'd be silly! Although I think Optimus and the Autobots do well with what we have, considering there are so few of us. We all face a greater threat than each other, and we are all in danger at this point,--

The Autobots had managed to show again and again that you didn't need sheer numbers to win. They were, and would probably always be at a significant disadvantage in terms of resources and manpower; yet somehow they were still around. Still surviving. Still fighting. Bumblebee was proud to be an Autobot, even if it seemed like he.. Kinda, sorta agreed with the enemies leader on how to deal with their common foe. But he couldn't be the only one that did, right?

He vented out a small sigh before continuing, looking up at Megatron once more as he spoke. Servos still pulling various dusty tools from the crate as he did.

--I don't think Optimus values the humans of MECH more than he does us Autobots! Each of us are useful and have a purpose and role! If it came to us or them, it'd be us!-- It wasn't like they had an entire army of cannon-fodder Eradicons at their disposal like the Decepticons, so surely the Prime would never prioritize the life of a MECH member over one of his own. --In sayin' that though, how are ya gonna work around that..? What with him wanting to, uh.. Have them redeem themselves and right their wrongs, no doubt? 'Cos even Optimus will think they can be saved. Ya said it yourself that he would leave them the opportunity to return in future...--

He couldn't even believe he was saying these words, and to Megatron of all Mechs!! There was that twinge of guilt again; but he was curious now. Two faction leaders. Two very different ways of dealing with things. How would they work together on what to do with MECH when their very views on how to deal with them were opposing?