Ironhide growled low and rolled his optics as the fresh recruits filed in to the main room of the DC base. The typical shock was common on most of their squishy faces. He would have been more worried if they did not react to his appearance. "You have each been hand-selected by your government to serve with us here at N.E.S.T." He folded his arms behind his back, letting his cannons dangle menacingly. "I will be training you to the best of my ability when faced with a Decepticon foe." The other Autobots mingled in the background, creating a small distraction.
He grunted, bringing attention back to himself. "You will all be whipped into shape and made combat ready. Each of us will be assisting in your training. Some will be lenient, some will not." He looked at them with his scarred optic. "I will not be one of those lenient 'bots."
"Safe to say you'll be a stern father."
He turned to see his green-painted femme approaching after leaving a conversation with her brother. "I'm a bit busy, Jadefire."
She gestured to the soldiers. "They're terrified enough without looking at your mug." She gained a few chuckles from the recruits.
He grunted again. "This is Jadefire, assistant medical officer of the Autobots, and what you humans would consider my wife."
She patted Ironhide's chestplates, looking to the recruits again with a grin. "Don't take his words to heart. He isn't as bad as he seems. Actually he's a lot worse."
The smiles faded from the humans' faces.
Ironhide chuckled at her words. "You are all dismissed for today. Report to Major Lennox for your next objective."
They all shouted their understanding and left in search of Lennox.
Jadefire clicked her glossa as they watched them file out. "They're getting more timid. The past few shipments of humans were more defiant."
"Not surprising." He rubbed the front of his helm. "Some of these fleshlings have barely seen the war their government is waging in the Middle East before being sent here. This batch will be difficult to train. I might just leave them in Bumblebee's care."
She frowned slightly and followed him as he left to their shared quarters. "Are you sure 'Bee can handle them?"
"I saw his work during the Nefarious projects. He can handle a few fleshlings." He shrugged. "Besides, they'd break under my command."
She grinned as their door closed behind them. "Yes, I heard something about whipping them into shape." She watched him extract a cube of high-grade from its hiding place. "Question is, how hard would you handle that whip?"
"You should know the answer firsthand, Jade."
"I seem to be drawing a blank." She placed her digits to the cube and slowly lowered it from his faceplates. "Why don't you show me exactly how you'd plan to do so?"
He let out a playful growl and set the cube down. "I hope you're not on call the rest of the day."
"Ratchet doesn't need me so far as I know."
"Lock the door. You're mine the rest of the day."