Bumblebee finally agreed to Morin's conditions.
Because... he knew that if he didn't, the next second, a giant hand would probably grab him by the neck, lift him up, and spin him like a windmill. Or something worse. He might end up as just a head. Maybe not even that.
Too scary.
As a sentient being, Bumblebee made the most logical choice.
There was also a small ulterior motive. If he agreed and Morin joined their side, then if they faced a lethal threat in battle, wouldn't Morin step in?
Wouldn't that be incredible?
Choosing between an unbeatable enemy and an absurdly powerful ally was a no-brainer. Especially when the cost was basically nothing.
Seeing Bumblebee agree, Morin nodded in satisfaction.
"I'm a man who likes to lead with reason. I'm glad you're so cooperative," Morin said calmly. "So, how about we do a little rehearsal?"
"How... how do we rehearse?" Bumblebee's exhaust pipe trembled slightly. His lights flickered.
"It's simple. I want to run an experiment," Morin said. "As a Mecha Designer, I often deal with passwords and access systems. I want to see if I can crack your codes."
"You don't need to open your database. Just stay there. You don't even need to keep a keyhole."
Bumblebee was confused, and he didn't fully understand what Morin was planning, but he still complied.
Morin stepped out of the car and activated the [Master Key] function, using the "Seven Degrees" camera to record everything.
According to the skill description, activating it would generate a key capable of opening anything defined as a "vessel."
A moment later, a button-like object appeared in his pocket.
It looked like a simple electronic remote, with two buttons labeled "Lock" and "Unlock."
Morin glanced at Bumblebee, then at the remote in his hand.
"Oh... is that the key you mentioned?" Bumblebee asked. "Its structure looks very primitive. As silicon-based life, we have countless security layers, and each unit has its own-"
"Let's see," Morin said, pressing the "Unlock" button.
Click.
Every door on Bumblebee's body popped open instantly.
"...Wait, what's happening?!" Bumblebee shouted. "Why are my doors suddenly out of my control?!"
"Seems pretty useful," Morin muttered. He pressed "Lock."
Bang.
All the doors slammed shut.
"God, what kind of demonic creation is this?" Bumblebee said.
"Your world has gods and demons too?" Morin asked, tossing the key lightly.
"Our planet doesn't, but we have equivalent concepts," Bumblebee replied. "In translation, they match human gods and demons. I can't speak, so I use substitute terms."
"Can you understand the principle behind it?" Morin asked.
If he wanted fast answers, asking the victim was the most efficient method.
"I can't," Bumblebee said honestly. "It felt like an order was issued. That order passed all my security verifications and directly controlled my systems."
"Even though I could sense it, the opening and closing felt like an absolute command."
"Your Mecha Designer technology is incredible. It feels many times more advanced than ours."
"Hm," Morin said. "Try modifying your core command library."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"...Okay."
After a short pause, Bumblebee spoke again. "Done."
Morin pressed the button once more.
Nothing happened.
"So it's either a one-time effect, or it only works on a target's current state," Morin thought. "Still good enough."
And system skills improved with profession rank. He was only at Entry Level.
Once he reached Master Level, what would this skill become?
"I have another test," Morin said. "Transform into your Autobot form."
"Sure."
Bumblebee transformed immediately. His blue optics blinked, subdued and cautious.
He couldn't afford not to comply.
The human in front of him could crush him-or control him-at will.
Core libraries could be modified, but that took time. If he was controlled during combat, even for a split second, he would be finished.
With that thought, Bumblebee had zero intention of resisting.
For now, Morin was an ally.
If he ever became an enemy...
Bumblebee didn't want to imagine it.
Morin activated the invisible, undetectable, indestructible camera and continued recording. At the same time, the [Master Key] skill triggered again.
He wanted to test whether Bumblebee still counted as a "vessel" in this form.
The answer came quickly.
An identical remote appeared in Morin's pocket.
"Don't resist," Morin said.
Bumblebee was screaming internally.
Do I dare?
Do you see me daring?
Do you think my core is that big?
Morin pressed the button.
Bumblebee's body moved on its own. Metal shifted, restructured, and within seconds, a humanoid cockpit formed in his chest.
It looked eerily similar to the Hulkbuster armor Tony Stark built-just slightly larger.
Bumblebee: "???"
"What is happening?!" He immediately transformed back, clutching his chest. "Why did I suddenly gain this form?!"
"Interesting," Morin said. "Did your kind have a pilot mode before?"
"No. Absolutely not," Bumblebee said quickly, shaking his head. "We Autobots can simulate transformations, and our metal can change structure, but every form requires logical design and proper materials."
"But just now... that pilot form appeared completely involuntarily."
"Are you sure you didn't just forget?" Morin asked.
"There are no humans on Cybertron," Bumblebee snapped. "Why would we design a human-compatible cockpit for battle?"
"...Good point."
Morin looked down at the [Key] in his hand.
It wasn't just that "vessel" was a conceptual definition.
The key itself was conceptual.
No wonder the only major ability of this profession was the [Master Key].
It wasn't just opening things.
It was forcing the target into a "shape" that suited him.
...That phrasing felt a little strange.
Whatever.
With this skill alone, choosing this profession was already worth it.
"All right. No more tests," Morin said with a smile.
"Does your technology have other functions?!" Bumblebee asked.
At this point, he wasn't even shocked anymore. He was numb.
Where did this god come from?
An ordinary human?
If this was an ordinary human, Bumblebee would rip off his own head and use it as a bowling ball.
"That's all," Morin said. "You should trust my integrity. Most of the time, I tell the truth."
"So there are times when you lie?"
"Of course. Usually to enemies."
"Because they're about to die anyway. Letting them believe a lie helps them die peacefully."
It probably makes them die in a fit of rage, Bumblebee thought.
"Let's go," Morin said, patting Bumblebee. "You're in contact with your unit, right? Turn into a car and take me there."
"Right away."
Bumblebee transformed back into the old Chevy Camaro.
"...Can you change the look?" Morin asked. "Can't you simulate other cars?"
Morin didn't care about luxury, but a high-end sports car was definitely more comfortable than a rust bucket.
"I need a subject to scan first," Bumblebee said. "Otherwise, I might generate features that don't match Earth vehicles."
"That's easy," Morin laughed.
He pulled out the [Universal Vehicle] from his [Traffic Cop] profession in the Ghost Rider world and tapped it.
The vehicle restructured like flowing liquid metal, quickly transforming into a Chevy concept car-the same model Bumblebee would later scan in the movie.
Bumblebee stared.
You have a car.
And you still wanted to get inside me?
The nerve.
But he couldn't beat Morin.
So he obeyed.
He scanned the structure, was once again shocked by its terrifying energy readings, and became even more submissive. He copied the classic Chevy supercar appearance and let Morin in.
The road ahead was rough, but Bumblebee was an experienced driver.
If he could drive, he drove.
If he couldn't, he forced it.
And if that still wasn't enough, he could jump.
He had a pilot mode now, after all.
This transformation data was extremely rare. Bumblebee didn't even want to delete it.
It felt...
Strangely comfortable.
Maybe this was the joy of getting a free upgrade.
Meanwhile, several Decepticons finally discovered information about the AllSpark's location.
They traced it back to Morin's video.
As for Sam Witwicky, they ignored him completely.
Time was limited. There was no reason to waste it on a human who had already lost his value.
Fast asleep, dreaming of owning a luxury sports car, Sam had no idea what he had missed.
A one-of-a-kind car.
A chance encounter.
A life he might never have regretted.
He slept on, dreams sweet.
Perhaps this future was better for him.
Who could say?
The path had already been chosen.
The future had to be endured.
Morin finally met Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet.
They gathered in a desolate wilderness under the cover of darkness. Optimus and the others had only just arrived on Earth.
"Bumblebee, where are the glasses with the AllSpark coordinates?" Optimus asked, transforming from a fire truck. "Why did you bring this human? You know we're likely to face a fierce battle."
"I know, but-"
"What happened to your voice?" Optimus asked, a metallic brow rising.
"His voice box appears damaged," Ratchet said. "I can't repair it immediately."
"Ahem," Morin said, stepping forward and pulling out the glasses. "I'll handle this."
"Oh... thank you, human," Optimus said, lowering himself and reaching out.
"Wait," Morin said.
He blocked the massive hand with one arm.
And pushed it back.
Optimus: "!!!"
He stared at his hand.
Then at Morin.
Even without using much force, being pushed back like that meant Morin had exerted over ten tons of strength.
Was that possible?
"Don't look at me like that," Morin said. "I'm just an ordinary human."
"I just have a lot of side jobs."
He had said it before.
Whether they believed him or not wasn't his problem.
Bumblebee, watching from the side, felt his circuits tighten.
He had seen Morin's horrors firsthand.
The skyscraper-sized mecha.
The logic-defying [Master Key] that could force him into Morin's "shape."
This man was not someone to be trifled with.