Rad hummed as he practiced his dance, twirling gracefully with the ribbons. He had objected so harshly when Megatron had seen pictures of human females dancing with them and insisted that his own pet use them, but now he was content. The Mini-cons were watching closely, but the larger Transformers were on Earth hunting down one of the smaller being's brothers. Rad would perform for them later, showing them his new dance.

There was a sudden beeping, and everybody looked up at the computer. Usually it was Megatron, Starscream, or one of their Mini-cons who answered the calls. The formerly human boy looked hesitantly around then jumped up and checked the call. If it was from Cybertron, he didn't dare touch it. But…it was from Earth. He considered this then pressed the button. It was Carlos, Alexis, and their Mini-cons, plus Highwire.

"Hey, guys! Feeling better?" Rad asked with a smile, settling down.

"Much! Dude, that painkiller is amazing!" Carlos exclaimed.

"Yes, and not addicting at all," Alexis said. "But the collars…"

"Eh, you get used to it. Besides, once your bodies are completely made of metal, you don't have to wear them anymore."

"Then why do you?"

The question was so serious, and Rad knew this wouldn't be an easy conversation. He considered his reply carefully.

"At first, I didn't think about it. You know, after I didn't need the oxygen anymore. I'd worn it so long that it was a normal part of my wardrobe. After it occurred to me, I took it off. It felt weird, so I put it back on." He paused. "I know this next part will sound weird, but it keeps me safe."

"Safe?"

"We've had some pretty sketchy characters visit the base to talk to Megatron about what's going on back on their home planet."

"Typical Decepticons," Carlos muttered.

"Typical Transformers," Rad corrected.

"What?"

"How many Autobots have visited? Just brief pop-ins?"

"Not too many that we've met," Alexis replied.

"But those you have? What did they act like?"

The truth was starting to dawn on them, but they fought it. "They were a little condescending to us, but they were busy."

Rad shook his head. "They have xenophobia as much as people on our planet do, only their xenophobia is for alien lifeforms. They can be quite cruel to those of a different planet. It's not just a Decepticon thing. It's a Cybertronian thing."

The two humans tried to argue, but their excuses melted before Rad's logic. They finally fell silent, thinking.

"So how does your collar make you feel safe?" Alexis asked after a long pause.

"Who in their right mind would mess with Megatron's pet?" Rad answered with a shrug. "Most of the 'Cons leave me alone. They like my dancing and singing, but they're not stupid enough to mess with me. Only one was, and Megatron straightened him out fast."

There was the sound of a warp pad, and Rad smiled. "Sounds like the battle's over. Gotta go. Bye!"

He hung up then turned to see a rather happy Megatron, who glanced over him.

"What are you doing?"

"Carlos and Alexis called."

"Ah. You're behaving?"

"Yes. They just wanted to talk."

"Good boy. Now, come and coax our newest partner out of his shell!"