"Design one?" Optimus repeated.
He nearly said Morin was being flippant.
They could transform, yes, but many components were fixed. Physics still applied. Mass couldn't appear out of nowhere. A perfect design had to account for an insane number of variables.
That was why most Transformers only had two forms.
(Setting aside the original lore. The author was clearly winging it.)
Then Optimus remembered the footage Bumblebee had sent.
Fine. You're the one with the big fists. You call the shots.
There was also another issue.
Where was that massive mecha Morin had shown them?
Spatial folding technology?
If Morin really had that, then his overall tech level had to be terrifying. Tech trees could grow strangely, but that mecha alone proved his competence. The Mecha-Aatrox was built using system-provided knowledge, far beyond anything Earth possessed.
Bumblebee's scans had already confirmed it.
The tech was absurdly high-end.
"Yeah, design one..." Morin suddenly had a brainwave and turned to Bumblebee.
Bumblebee: "Gah?"
"Your name is Bumblebee, right?" Morin rubbed his hands together.
Bumblebee did not want to answer.
He wanted to run.
The human-pilot form was cool, sure, but Bumblebee wasn't some mindless machine. He was a sentient being.
A mecha could lie there and be modified freely. But for a Transformer, having someone poke around their core systems and alter their "shape" felt... unpleasant.
Very unpleasant.
Still, Bumblebee made a decision.
First, Morin was scary.
Second, if it wasn't him, it would be someone else. If the Autobots refused, Morin might just turn around and modify a Decepticon instead.
That would be catastrophic.
So even if the process was a little... "uncomfortable," he would endure it for the greater good.
With the mindset of if I don't go to hell, who will, Bumblebee answered, "Yes."
"What do you think about me turning you into a 'Bumblebee' jet?" Morin asked.
"A... jet?" Bumblebee's lights brightened.
Suddenly, modification didn't sound so bad.
He could fly.
God knew how much they had suffered because the Decepticons could fly while they were stuck on the ground.
"Yes. A Quinjet-style stealth plane," Morin nodded.
"How... how do I help?" Bumblebee asked eagerly.
The other Autobots fell silent.
Hey. Don't just agree because you can fly. Where's your pride? Your dignity? How can you fold that fast?
This is embarrassing.
A few minutes later-
"Wooooo!" Bumblebee shouted.
Morin's [Master Mecha Designer] skill went to work.
The biggest difference between a Transformer and a mecha was sentience and transformation. Living metal solved most structural problems automatically.
Morin's task was simple.
Take a set of universal components. Rearrange them into a flight-capable form. Use every bit of mass efficiently.
For an ordinary person, it would be impossible.
For a Master Mecha Designer, it was basic math.
He even had electromagnetic abilities.
He didn't need them.
Ten minutes later, Morin said he was done. The Autobots thought he was joking.
Then Bumblebee transformed.
He became a jet. Took off. Flew a full circle. Landed. Shifted back into a car. Then into a robot.
Silence.
Every Autobot turned to look at Morin.
Their optics burned with heat and desire. If they could speak with their eyes, they would be saying:
Big brother, come here.
Come play.
Change my shape too.
As if they weren't the same ones internally scolding Bumblebee just moments ago.
The reaction perfectly embodied one thought:
I didn't want to do this... but he's offering too much.
"Easy... one at a time..." Morin said. "I'm just getting back into the swing of things..."
Then he paused.
"Wait."
Morin clapped his hands. Bumblebee landed and stood obediently beside him.
Some things in life were like that. Once you crossed the line once, there was no going back.
Especially when the reward was this sweet.
The Autobots formed a circle around Morin. Even Optimus was there.
Internally, Optimus justified it.
For the battle. For victory.
What was pride compared to results?
"Ahem." Morin cleared his throat. "I just got a great idea for a video. I need everyone to cooperate for a shoot. Inspiration fades fast, so how about we film first, then I'll do your modifications?"
"Yes, yes, definitely," the Autobots replied in unison.
None of them even asked what they would be doing.
It was just a video.
In exchange for flight mode.
In exchange for overwhelming combat advantage.
What was there to hesitate about?
Morin nodded in satisfaction.
It was a genuine flash of inspiration.
Cool alone wasn't enough. Transformers were already cool. If all his videos were just battle scenes, viewers would eventually get bored.
He needed contrast.
A sharp change of pace. Something completely different from their usual image. Something that would keep people watching.
Since the Autobots had agreed...
It wasn't his fault.
The plan was simple.
Make the Transformers dance to Gokuraku Jodo.