[ti]Ep 2[/ti]Fight Club (closed)

[Deleted]

(Set day 5 week 4, ep 2)


Patrol had been boring.

Despite the heightened state of alarm the Omega base had been operating under these last few weeks due to MECH, Smokescreen had found that patrols had remained a consistently mind numbing and low key affair.

Nothing happened on them. No signs of MECH or Decepticons. The young Autobot was convinced that by now he'd catalogued every possible shade of brown that existed in the Nevada landscape. There had been so much dirt. And more dirt. And even MORE dirt. Then rocks. Rocks, rocks, rocks as far as the optic could see.

Sometimes he tried to entertain himself by looking for shapes within them. That one looked like the head of one of his trainers back on Cybertron. And that one looked like one of the recruits in his cohort. If they'd been distorted unflatteringly and you turned your head, closed one optic and squinted through the other.

Yeah, that kept him going in the entertainment department for only so long.

Though at least today, there had been one bright spot. Smokescreen hadn't been assigned Zoom-Zoom as a partner. Instead, he'd had the welcome pleasure of Bumblebee's company. It made for refreshing change, there wasn't a constant string of complaint after complaint over the comm waves from his partner.

It was about time to head back to base. The open road stretched before the two cars. There was no other traffic in sight. Smokescreen had been trailing a little behind the other Autobot but now he revved his engine and nudged closer to Bumblebee's bumper.

"Hey Bee," he said, a hint of a challenge in his voice. "Wanna race? Let's see who can get back to the Omega base first!"

[Bumblebee]

Patrol had been boring indeed.

But that was only because nothing ever really happened on them, and this one had been no exception. Still, they were needed. Because the one time the Autobots slacked off and failed to go on patrol? That would be when MECH made a sneak attack or something equally awful, knowing their luck. Maybe one day they wouldn't need patrols anymore – the truce over, MECH defeated, the Decepticons vanquished. The war over.

Sadly that day was not today, and Bumblebee had been tasked with patrolling around Nevada. A landscape he knew well and was used to, given he often picked up Raf from school. Same old boring Nevada, with its dirt, rocks, and if he was lucky? The occasional tumbleweed or lizard to shake it up a little.

Exciting!

At least the company was nice. They'd made idle small-talk to get through the patrol, and things had gone as well as they could've for such a boring route. Nothing to report. Same as always. Like Smokescreen, Bumblebee found he could entertain himself with silly little games. He'd look for pictures and faces in the clouds, and in the rocks. Not that he'd ever tell anyone what he was doing, but the occasional blip of excitement in his field might've given away that he was upto something should his patrol partner been paying attention.

He was looking forward to getting back to the Omega Base, Bulkhead would've picked up Raf by now and if Bumblebee was lucky? He wouldn't have had that much homework to do. Which meant cartoons! ...Except it was Friday... Which meant math homework. Eugh. Yeah. Raf would have a lot of homework. Oh well, maybe Bee could help. Not that he really understood Math, but he would try!

There was something confusing about using letters in maths. Why did they do that? Did it make it easier? Because Bee found it more confusing. He'd boasted to Raf once about how he was super pro at maths, then had to backtrack and eat his beeps because weeeell... He wasn't. In his defense though, Raf was studying some really high level stuff!

...Okay maybe he'd wait until Raf was finished and just loaf around the Base until then. He didn't want to be a distraction to his best friend!

His thoughts were lingering on maths and how terrible it was, now. Due to the fact the road was quiet it wasn't like he had to pay attention to traffic! Except Smokescreen anyway, and he could watch out for himself! Which was partly why he hadn't noticed Smokescreen nudge closer to his bumper.

Race? Welp. They weren't supposed to do that.

Well, against humans anyway.

His field answered before he could. Excitement. Eagerness. He wanted to show off! It'd been a while since he'd had a good race, and Smokescreen would be good competition.

--A race? Aw man you're on!!--

He picked up the hint of challenge in Smokescreen's voice, and would pull ahead quickly with a rev of his engine and a cloud of dust at his tires. If he wanted to race? Well he'd have to catch upto Bee first! Okay so rushing ahead without warning was probably cheating, but Bee knew Smokey could give him a run for his money and he wanted to see just what the other mech was made of.

--Ya snooze ya lose!--

[Deleted]

Bumblebee's response, to Smokescreen's delight, was an immediate yes. There was that spark of excitement in his field and then the yellow car pulled ahead without a warning.

"Hey, no fair!" Smokescreen laughed, with no heat to his voice. It's what he would have done himself, had he been the one in Bee's position. He immediately floored it, kicking up dust as his wheels spun and tore after the yellow Camaro, the roar of a high performance engine filling the air.

He hadn't had much of a chance like this to put his alt-mode through its paces since the trip of Blackrock several weeks ago. And while it had been fun to chase after the C-130 as it took off, his little joyride had ended shortly after once he was out of track and had ventured out to the test fire range.

But here and now, with no one in sight but Bumblebee? He could cut loose and make use of all the speed he had at his disposal. Smokescreen didn't doubt that Bee was fast, the other mech was going to make him work for it, if he wanted to win. And win, Smokescreen did want, and was preeetty confident about his chances.

With the road open ahead of them and a clean line of sight, Smokescreen didn't hesitate to slide into the opposing lane as he gunned his engine and accelerated as much as he could. Bumblebee would find that the gap between them, built by his headstart, would close in a matter of seconds.

"Gonna have to move a lot faster than that!"

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee wouldn't reply to Smokescreen's comment, but he would chuckle. At least the other mech didn't seem to be annoyed by the fact Bee had pulled ahead. They had more than enough road here for Smokescreen to catch up to Bumblebee, even with his tiny headstart on things.

It was... Nice to push his alt-mode again, he hadn't really had a proper race since he'd given Jazz a tour, and even then that 'race' had been cut short because of Onion walking infront of him and almost making him crash. But now it was just the two of them and a loooong stretch of open road. That was one nice thing about Nevada. Roads like this were common, and they were usually pretty quiet. Maybe he should patrol with Smokescreen more, as this could be a fun way to end the very-long-and-very-boring patrols, and there weren't many Autobots who would indulge Bee in his love for racing.

Speaking of Smokescreen catching up? Wow okay he did that a lot faster than Bee had thought he would. Maybe Bee would actually have to try. He hadn't realized how fast Smokescreen was, but this only amped up his drive for competition and his need to win.

--I aint even trying! Bring it!!--

He shifted gear, accelerating faster as he pulled ahead further. He wasn't giving it his all, not yet. He wanted Smokescreen to catch up again and possibly even overtake so he could push himself further, and give the other mech a run for his money. When it came to competitions, Bumblebee could be overly arrogant and in cases like this? Overly cocky. But he had every confidence in himself that he was going to whoop Smokescreen's aft at this.

[Deleted]

Smokescreen had been good to match Bee's speed just enough to catch up. He was content to let them keep pace side by side for a little while but...Bee's taunt and then the other mech pulling ahead of him again?

All Smokescreen's restraint flew out of the window.

"Well, since you're asking for it…"

His tires spun. Smokescreen's engine roared as he gave it his all. The McLaren surged ahead of the Camero… and kept going, faster and faster, gathering more speed. Bumblebee's decision to hold back would be one that he sorely regretted. It would allow Smokescreen to shoot ahead of him, with a gap building between the two with every passing second unless Bee laid down some serious speed. Because once Smokescreen got moving, he wasn't one to slow down unless absolutely necessary.

Only once the McLaren was far enough ahead would Smokescreen slot himself back into the original lane.

"Better up your game, Bee or you're just gonna be eating dust!"

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee didn't regret anything. At least not yet. He would've done the exact same thing should their positions be reversed, so he had fully expected Smokescreen to speed ahead. His comment made Bee chuckle and he'd hang back momentarily, watching as Smokescreen pulled further ahead.

--Woo, check you out man!!--

There was no annoyance in his voice, he'd left it open for Smokescreen to do what he'd just done, afterall! But as Smokescreen kept going with increased speed, and the gap between them got bigger?

Bee realized that he may have made a teeny, tiny mistake.

Ah well. The challenge was good, and he had every faith he could still catch up.

Time to push his alt-mode to the limit! His engine roared as he accelerated faster. He made good progress on closing the gap between himself and the McLaren, switching into the other lane as he pushed himself harder. He wasn't quite at bumper level, there were a couple of cars-worth of distance between them yet, but he would continue to creep forwards.

--I'm catchin' upppp!! Soon ya shall be eating my dust!-- He laughed. This was all good fun.

For now.

[Deleted]

Smokescreen chortled gleefully to himself as he heard Bee's engine finally kick things up a notch. Seemed like the other mech was taking things seriously at last. A quick check with his mirrors showed that Bee had switched into the other lane, just like Smokescreen had done earlier.

The other mech was indeed catching up. Bit by bit though, not as fast as Smokescreen had when they'd been travelling at lower speeds.

"You'll have to catch me first!" he hollered excitedly.

The long empty highway stretched out ahead of the two Autobots, the tarmac baking with Nevadan heat. Rocks and dirt whipped by in the blink of an eye. A gentle curve lay in the road up ahead. The ground was flat, affording a good line of sight around it and the curve was gradual enough that it could be taken at great speed. And then…

Gradually, Smokescreen began to pull ahead again, his speed proving superior to the yellow Autobot behind him.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee was taking things seriously indeed. He couldn't believe he'd been so dumb as to let Smokescreen pass him! Bee may have been fast, but he couldn't catch up to anyone if they got a big enough lead on him! That's just how racing worked!

Good thing he had every confidence in himself that he could still turn this around in his favor. Bit by bit he would start to regain lost ground. If he could just get to that gentle curve up ahead on a level playing field with Smokescreen? That's when he would make his move! He could pull around and overtake, then zoom off into the distance before Smokescreen could even work out what happened.

--Worrrrkin' on it! Better watch it!-- He laughed.

He was so close to catching up, now instead of two cars between them? It was one. Then half a car. Good enough!! The pair would begin to make their way around the curve. Bee would speed up. This was it. Time to overtake and show Smokescreen who was the fastest of the two!

When Smokescreen began to pull ahead. Again...

...Weeeeeeelll slag. 

Bee would push himself further, speeding around the curve in the road and onto the straight that followed. They were both so very lucky that this road was completely dead, and that cops didn't seem to frequent it! Bee would continue to push, revving his engine and giving it almost everything he had – but Smokescreen seemed to be gaining on him despite this. Was he actually pulling ahead further?!

Okay this so wasn't fair. This was because Bee had let him catch up, and now he was just taking advantage!!

Still, he wouldn't give up. He was driving as fast as he could now, the scenery around him a blur. He may not be able to catch up and overtake, but he'd give it his best shot in the hopes Smokescreen got distracted or hit an animal or something, then he would overtake and take his rightful place in the lead.

Wishful thinking!

[Deleted]

Smokescreen was very much not distracted, thank you very much. He had rarely travelled at such speed before and was devoting every bit of his processor to monitoring his environment. They were driving at such ridiculous speeds that all it would take to cause a crash was a moment's inattention. It was nice to imagine for a moment that this was what professional racing was like, back on Cybertron. Before the war. Which he'd never experienced.

Okay, maybe he shouldn't go there and just enjoy the moment.

Honestly, if Smokescreen could be travelling slower, he would be. But if he did, Bee would be on him and past him in a flash and Smokescreen wasn't about to let that happen. He was honestly impressed with the other mech, damn Bee was quick.

Just not quick enough, though.

The yellow Autobot had been gaining on him, which had caused Smokescreen no small amount of concern. He wouldn't be overtaken, surely, he wouldn't. And then, as if in answer to his thoughts- could it be? Yes, he was gaining on Bee, pulling further ahead.

Sweet!

"What's the matter Bee?" Smokescreen hollered behind him. "Can't keep up?"

Far away in the distance, the rocky face of the Omega base finally came into view.

Not far to go now.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee was totally enjoying the moment, despite the fact that this particular moment of being behind Smokescreen seemed to be sadly never ending. No matter how hard he pushed himself, he could only watch in dismay as the gap between them got wider as Smokescreen continued to accelerate and push ahead. Yeeeah, okay, maybe he'd messed up horribly in giving Smokescreen a slight lead.

At least that would be his excuse as to why he was losing!

He hadn't driven at this speed before, as his little race with Knock Out had ended before it even began, and he was actually loving every second of this. The losing to Smokescreen part sucked, but going this fast? Oh man he could do this again!! And now he had some decent competition maybe he could find some way to beat the McLaren in future. Smokescreen had been the one to suggest the race, too, so Bee knew that he was probably up for more in future.

--Hey I'm keeping up fine, man!! Ya just got a good lead back there is all!--

He wasn't keeping up at all. At least not to the point he could overtake any time soon, or ever, at this rate. That half-car gap between them was now back to one and a half cars. Damnit Smokescreen, slow down! This was probably bordering on dangerous, not that Bumblebee was thinking of that right now! He just wanted to win!

The end was now in sight at least, and still Bumblebee could only watch and hope that something ran out infront of Smokescreen at the last second. Onion had done that to Bumblebee just weeks earlier and made him lose a race, so maybe something similar would happen to Smokescreen. All goriness aside, as something most definitely wouldn't survive being struck at that speed... At least it wouldn't be Bee's problem, and he would've won the race. It was win-win!

All Bee knew was if it were to happen, it better happen soon because in a matter of moments they would be back at base - and Smokescreen would've won.

Which Bee wouldn't take well at all. He was a brat, and a terrible sore loser.

[Deleted]

Uhuh, Bee. Sure you were keeping up. Sure you were.

Sure you weren't falling behind at alllllll...

Just a good lead. Nothing to do with the fact that Smokescreen was actually faster than him. Which Smokescreen hadn't know when he'd started this thing, to be honest. That was pretty neat. He'd kinda just assumed...well, lesson learned. Assume nothing. Challenge everyone to races. See if he could drive circles around them.

See if there was some sort of special award for the fastest Bot on wheels… would Optimus recognise that? Maybe he could get a prize, how cool would that be?!

It didn't occur to Smokescreen that admitting to how fast he could go on a human roads and how he'd tested it out would probably earn him the grand prize of a lecture on road safety and punishment for potentially endangering human lives…

"No shame in admitting you're losing!" Smokescreen whooped excitedly as he rocketed over the landscape.

The entrance to the Omega base was getting closer and Smokescreen began to entertain the thought that you know, going this fast was great and fantastic and he was really loving it, but if he tried taking the tunnel at this speed, then it'd probably kill him. Or horribly, horribly injure him. So yeah, that slowing down thing, probably should do that.

A check with his mirrors showed that he'd put a comfortable amount of distance between him and Bumblebee, so Smokescreen began to decelerate, figuring the other Autobot would surely do the same, being the sensible type of mech that he was.

"I think it's safe to say that I won that one!" Smokescreen called, deciding that the moment he slowed down, the race was officially over.

He'd reach the tunnel at a comfortable, controllable, much, much slower pace, rather than the screaming 200+ mph that he'd been travelling at.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee saw it as keeping up as long as he could still comfortably see Smokescreen and hit him if he were to throw something at him. If the other mech had gotten, say, five or so cars-worth gap between them? Then yeah, it would probably be safe to say that Bumblebee couldn't keep up. But he was arrogant. He was competitive, and he would REFUSE to give up or admit defeat until they were both back at the base with the winner decided there, as was agreed upon at the start of this race.

A lot could change between now and then. Which meant there was still a chance of Bumblebee overtaking Smokescreen and winning. A chance that he wouldn't give up on.

This was beyond frustrating though. No matter how much he seemed to push himself, he wasn't gaining any ground on the McLaren. There was annoyance in his field that he couldn't seem to hide, so maybe it was for the best that he was a little ways back. He didn't know Smokescreen was so fast. Sure, he would've accepted the race if he did know this fact due to his love of competition and showing off – but there was no way in hell he would've been cocky and slowed down, thus allowing the other mech to pass him.

He would've been okay with coming in second. It was a good race. He had something to aim for, to work towards. Someone to be better than. He would've taken it well! (Or as well as he could've)

Until Smokescreen said the 'L' word. Losing? Bee was not losing.

Ahhhh nope. That was not going to fly. The annoyance in his field would shift, and now he was just mad. Bee may have been a sore loser (he wouldn't admit that) but he hated a sore winner. (Bee was that too, but shh)

As they neared the entrance to the Omega Base, Smokescreen would begin to decelerate. Bumblebee had other plans, however – especially as Smokescreen declared himself the winner. Okay so he rightfully was. But it stung. It was unfair! Bee had let him overtake!

Speaking of things overtaking others? Any and all rational thought of the usually sensible young Scout had been overtaken by this weird drive to beat Smokescreen. To one up him. If it wasn't at racing? It had to be something else.

Something Bee was good at.

Bumblebee wouldn't slow down. This bright idea of his was beyond dangerous and was so VERY stupid, but he was doing that acting-without-thinking thing he was so prone to when he was annoyed or had a point to prove. He'd been through this tunnel a million times it felt like, and knew he would be fine going through it a little faster than normal. The distance between the pair closed in a split second, and there would be a familiar whir and hiss of hydraulics and moving parts from behind Smokescreen as Bumblebee shifted forms – while still moving at great speed.

This could, and probably would end badly. This was really up there in terms of idiotic things to do. But Bumblebee didn't care. He knew something he could beat Smokescreen at! It was just a matter of... Getting him to shift out of his alt mode. Which... He probably would've done anyway if Bee had just waited until they were through the tunnel and inside the base. But there was no time like the present!

Somewhere in the tunnel, Bee had fully shifted into his root-mode. There was a painful screech of metal scraping on stone as one of his legs splayed out too far mid transformation, hitting and running along the wall, but he tucked his limbs in quickly. No harm done! The momentum from the fact he'd done it while still speeding like an idiot meant he kept moving forwards, and would land with a heavy thud on top of Smokescreen's alt-mode.

Surprise!

--Nah!! This aint over yet, Smokescreen!-- He beeped out with a surprised laugh as he clung to the McLaren. That had actually worked. He could never ever do that again even if he tried and have it end so well! Thank Primus that Smokey had seen that because that was badass!! Suuuure there were cameras in the tunnel, and suuure Red Alert had probably seen everything, but surely he'd be wowed with the fact Bee managed to pull that move off!

--How about we spar? Nothin' serious! Just want to see if ya fighting skills are as good as ya racing skills! We can burn off some of that energy from the race!-- Despite the fact his field gave away the fact he was annoyed, his tone was chipper and full of confidence. He'd picked a really stupid time to ask this, but he wanted to get right into it before Smokescreen went off to do other things around the base.

When Smokescreen shifted forms? He may or may not have been planning to grapple the other mech and quite possibly punch him in the face if he could. A friendly punch of course, but a punch all the same.

--C'mon! Lets go!--

He really hadn't been thinking. Anyone could've been manning the control room – and this meant the Prime, Ratchet or even Red Alert, and they would've been greeted with the sight of Bumblebee clinging to Smokescreen as he drove back from patrol. But Bee didn't care. This was way too much fun!

Only because he knew he could win at a spar, and show off. And should Smokescreen not take him up on this offer? Well he'd still get punched.

[Deleted]

So…

It turned out that Bumblebee wasn't as sensible as Smokescreen had thought. He'd, in fact, sped up in the twisty and narrow tunnel. This day was just full of surprises.

Finding out that he was faster than Bee, finding out that Bee was kinda insane…

Though, honestly? Maybe Smokescreen should have expected a stunt like this based on the incident between Bee and Carbine that he'd walked in on. The mech couldn't even build shelves peacefully and had at one point smacked Carbine in the head with a beam.

Note to self: Do not turn your back to Bee and trust the guy to behave. Because he wouldn't. In fact, he'd speed up and transform and then try to jump on top of you like a maniac, what the frag.

Wait, why was Bumblebee trying to jump on him, what the frag.

"Hey, what the-"

Thump!

"Whoa!"

The yellow Autobot dropped on top of Smokescreen. Bumblebee was lucky that Smokescreen was an excellent driver and didn't completely lose control of himself of the sudden added extra weight on an entire Cybertronian and drive into wall or something. It was a near thing too, the McLaren fishtailed for a bit, getting uncomfortably close to a wall and almost painfully acquainting them both with it, before Smokescreen got control again.

"Ooof!" Smokescreen said. He wasn't quite sure that losing a race should have provoked such an extreme stunt. It had been...kinda incredible. If you know, Bee had done it someone else, like another Autobot or even a Con, and not to Smokescreen.

...Okay, it was still awesome. But Smokescreen wasn't going to tell him that-

"Bee, that was awesome!"

Or maybe Smokescreen would.

He hastily tacked on, "Awesome, but you're kinda heavy. No wonder you lost. You didn't have to flop on me to prove it though, you gonna get off?"

Given how firmly Bee had plastered himself to Smokescreen's roof, it seemed the answer was a resounding 'no'. Uh, okay. Retracting thoughts about how cool that had been, Smokescreen slowly trudged onward down the tunnel. There had to be someone on duty in the control room and surely they'd see what Bee was up to and tell him off. Smokescreen didn't want to be the guy to get all bossy, so if someone else was there to do it for him, that'd be just great…

Smokescreen was still riding off the exhilaration from his first unexpected win. So when Bee beeped out a contest of his own, the young soldier almost didn't hesitate in accepting it. It threw him a little, the cheerfulness in Bee's voice contradicted by the annoyance in his field. Bumblebee was sure getting worked up over losing a race, huh. Smokescreen hadn't thought it would upset the mech that much…

Then again, he hadn't imagine Bee could get into the kind of fight he'd had with another Autobot. It struck him then, that he really didn't know much about the other mech. Smokescreen dwelled on this for a brief moment.

Well then, what better way to get to know more his fellow Autobot than taking him up on his challenge?

"A spar? Alright, you're on!"

[Optimus Prime]

While the two chattered with one another about upcoming plans and their newest competition, their voices echoed and bounced along the metal lined tunnel leading to the control room. Excited tones, the lingering noises of an engines roar and the haunting echo of a momentary screech of metal against metal during Bumblebee's stunt, it wasn’t a very well insulated passageway. A few lights flickered on their drive, illuminating the outer perimeter of the curve that guided them into the much dimmer base, a base that almost could seem dark compared to the blaring sun of the Nevada desert. It was this gentle curve that kept them from being able to see the Control Room in full until they entered.

As the two rolled into the central hub at a speed that was finally manageable and no longer immensely dangerous, they would be met with what appeared to be an empty station. No one stood at the monitors, no one was working on and maintaining the Ground Bridge, the catwalks were empty, and the primary hallway leading down to the innermost portions of the base didn’t seem to have anyone near or far. It seemed the occupants were off having their own adventures, or dealing with their own jobs or tasks, and that the two troublemakers would get off the hook from their stunt.

It however was within the second hallway to the right that held an occupant.

The hallway branched off from the main control room, and was rough hewn and unfinished like many other portions of the base. A newer passageway, it wove into the stone cage of the mountain to carve out the security room where Red Alert typically stayed. On average the hall was empty and void, no foot traffic using it unless having a specific goal for that room, but the moment Smokescreen pulled in, the sound of strides could be heard.

Heavy, gradual, walking with no particular rush, it was rather apparent whose footfalls it was by the pace alone mixed with a recognizable double impact of weight rocking down onto an ankle joint. It was as much a signature for the Prime, as his red and blue paint job, or the voice in which he spoke. These steps carried the large Cybertronian out from the depths of the hallway, stopping only upon the threshold that opened up into the much larger Control Room.

He did not speak, words not even necessary. Putting together facts of where he was, and the quiet look of disappointed concern, it wouldn't take a genius to figure out that he had seen the ordeal himself, and knew what had been spoken of between the two 'children'. Red Alert's cameras were an ever present eye on the outpost, which meant such things would always be seen, but it was only bad luck and ill timing that meant that their Prime was present to witness it himself.

Optimus didn’t appear angry though despite the chaos and situation at hand. Or... at least it seemed that way judging off of what could be skimmed off of his impassive expression and steady field that held no emotional clues. He did look somewhat disappointed at least if one had to guess, a calm gaze settled upon the two, but mostly Bumblebee who was still perched atop Smokescreen.

He would let them explain before he would continue.

Waiting.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee may have been acting without thinking, but now he was firmly planted ontop of Smokescreen who was continuing to drive down the tunnel did he finally get the briefest flicker of a rational thought.

What the hell am I doing?

In terms of stupid ideas, this was really up there – and if it weren't for the fact that the yellow Scout were smaller than most, this transforming in the tunnel trick could've ended a lot worse. His sensors were pinging about his leg that he'd scraped, but he would ignore them – if only to save face. Not that he'd have to, as Smokescreen had said his little stunt was awesome.

Which it was.

Welp, there went his rational thought that this was a terrible idea.

--Aw man wasn't it though?! I couldn't do that slag again if I tried!-- He laughed, which quickly tapered off when Smokescreen added on the part about him being heavy and... There was that L word again. He refrained from smacking the other Mech with a fist, knowing full well what was about to come once they got out of this tunnel.

--Hey I only lost because I messed up and gave ya such a headstart!-- That was his story and he'd stick to it if anyone asked. The truth was, Smokescreen was much faster than Bumblebee, and even if they'd set off at the same time? The McLaren would've still won. --And I aint that heavy! Pff!--

He wouldn't answer the question that followed, because well, he was here now – and part of him was too scared to even attempt to get off. Sure he'd transformed and lunged onto Smokescreen perfectly, but they were still moving, and if he were to roll and flop off the other mech? It wouldn't end well. There was no way he could do that safely without inflicting more damage to himself or the walls.

It wasn't like the tunnel was that long anyway, so he wouldn't be on top of Smokescreen for much longer.

His field would shift at Smokescreen's answer to his question and challenge - no longer filled with annoyance, but now with a quiet determination. Excellent.

--Ya on indeed!-- He'd nudge the top of the McLaren playfully with an elbow as they finally made their way toward the end of the tunnel and into the central hub of the Omega Base – where unbeknownst to him, the Prime was waiting, and watching. Now that he had room to move and maneuver, Bumblebee would scramble up so he was almost surfing ontop of the other mech, and propel himself forwards from the momentum of Smokescreen coming to a stop, jumping down and landing with a thud just infront of him. Now upright and on his two pedes, he'd fold his arms smugly across his chassis as he waited for Smokescreen to transform into his root-mode. He didn't look down at his leg, but there were was definitely bright blue Energon seeping from the scrape marks on his limb. Not that it'd slow him down any, nor would he pay it any attention! It wasn't that bad a wound for him to care, his auto-repair would fix it up in no time.

He'd been too busy focusing on Smokescreen, waiting for him to change forms, that he didn't hear the tell-tale footfalls when they'd entered the room, nor did he notice that they were being watched. It took him a second, but when Smokescreen didn't shift right away? Another thought rushed his processor. A scary thought.

Maybe someone actually saw that.

He'd unfold his arms, gaze darting down the first corridor quickly, as if expecting to see someone. Nobody. His gaze would shift to the second.

Optimus Prime.

Aaaaand he was in the corridor that led to Red Alert's office. Awesome. No. This was really great. This meant that Optimus had seen, and probably heard everything that'd happened in the tunnel, and would've gotten a first hand look at Bumblebee surfing on Smokescreen for a second there. Fan-freakin-tastic. While he wouldn't have seen the race itself, as that was done outside the safety and ever watching eye of the cameras and Red Alert? They'd talked about it in the corridor.

Optimus was a mech of few words at the best of times, that's just how he was. But the fact he was just standing there was... Well, it was unnerving to say the least. Were they in trouble? It was so hard to tell! Optimus held no expression, and said nothing. Bumblebee noticed how the Prime's gaze seemed to linger on him especially, and he'd immediately stand up straighter, a servo moving to awkwardly rub the back of his neck.

Honestly he would've rather been caught by Red Alert, at least he would've just yelled and got it over with. But this? The Prime? The disappointed gaze? Nooo... And he couldn't even really blame it on Smokescreen because Optimus had heard and seen everything.

--Optimus, Sir!-- He'd start, that determination and cockiness in his field would mellow out because he knew he'd been caught doing a bad. --I ah... We were just having a bit of fun is all! Patrol went well, as to be expected! Nothing to report! Didn't bring a cat home this time!-- He'd chuckle, trying to... Diffuse the situation some, and to get a reading on the Prime's mood, which was near impossible.

--Just going to do some training, yup! A friendly spar! Aint that right, Smokescreen?--

His gaze wouldn't leave Optimus, but he was watching the other mech out the corner of his optic. Come on buddypal, back me up.