Warning signs
Glowstrike enters and states, "I have spoken to a possible candidate."
"Good. Who is the chosen one?" he asked making sure his sword was sharp.
She motions to the bot coming up behind her, "His name is Thunderhoof."
he looks at the bot standing next to her, "I see Steeljaw. You really must get your optics checked, Glowstrike."
she looks at Steeljaw, "Where is Thunderhoof?"
she turns around to see Thunderhoof closing the elevator doors on himself with a sad look in his optics while Steeljaw explained, "I told Thunderhoof that if he was going to throw a fit, to head to the hold to take it out on some pods. He badly needs guidance sometimes, especially when his emotions cloud his judgment. He can be... unnaturally violent. You never can trust a crime boss."
Glowstrike looked confused, "I watched him stop a fight in the mess hall and he never threw a fist..."
"What you saw was my influence over him. He used to beat up anyone in close proximity if he got even slightly mad, before I found him that is."
she nods, "I see. You may leave."
"As you wish." he bows and leaves.
Saberhorn looks at her, "Sounds like another candidate has entered the race. Shall we discuss this in the air?"
"Of course."
while in the air, Saberhorn speaks first, "I was thinking putting Steeljaw in charge of managing cons. Between bringing in new recruits, calming the tempers of an unstable Elk-bot, leading a revolution, and his boldness in coming makes him highly favorable. Plus, the intellect he brings to the table would make him a powerful ally. What do you think?"
Glowstrike thinks for a moment, "I don't know yet. According to Thunderhoof, Steeljaw wouldn't hesitate to stab us in the back."
Saberhorn scoffs, "I've seen Steeljaw in action. He wouldn't betray a fly! With his claws he cut down a Chompaziod that was intending to kill me. I suspect a small uprising is forming."
"I watched Thunderhoof talk down two bots at once without lifting a finger. And two days before that, I saw him helping three Mini-con slaves fix the engine rotors."
"Interesting. Sounds like he's a bit soft for the position. Steeljaw is ruthless to say the least, making him our best pick so far. I doubt Thunderhoof would make a good leader, especially when he tries drilling, "I was a crime boss back on Cybertron" every few days. I bet he only says that to try and get followers. How do we know if he's telling the truth?"
"If we had access to the other half of the prisoner manifest, it would make it easier." she points out.
"You know, we have decepticon hunters on board. Our chosen one has to prove his worth by taking down this small rebellion before we show him."
"Agreed." they fly back and see Thunderhoof on the roof with a small group.
Saberhorn muses, "Looks like Thunderhoof's building his own rebellion." they watch as he talks to them, but stops when Steeljaw walks over and says something. "I think Steeljaw just put Thunderhoof in his place."
"Then there is no doubt that Steeljaw should be beside us." they land near Steeljaw, "Steeljaw, may we have a word with you?"
"Of course. What is this about?" he asked walking behind them.
As they talk, Steeljaw gets ready to claw them, but stops when Saberhorn states, "We want you as our third-in-command."
he puts his claw behind his head in pretend flattery and surprise, "I'm honored."
"Good, then meet us at the docking station." they turn and walk away leaving Steeljaw to revel in glory. Thunderhoof watched this and decides to intercept Glowstrike.
Thunderhoof finds her heading down a hall, "Glowstrike!"
she turns and looks at him, "Thunderhoof. What brings you over here? Shouldn't you be helping someone?"
"Eyoo, watch tha lip. Iz heard what youse told Steeljaw."
"Your ploy in acting nice to impress us into making you our third-in-command doesn't work when you out yourself." she says turning away.
He runs up to her, "Iz didn't care, nor know about tha job til youse brought it up! Why would I want ta take over something when all Iz want is my empire back? Look at me!" she stops and looks him in the face, not a single lie could be seen. He takes a breath, "I know Iz ain't tha best candidate, but Iz know that Steeljaw's worse. In a snap he will rid you of all youse worth. Be careful what youse do next, it may be tha last thing youse do. I don't care if you put a drooling idiot in charge, just pick anyone else."
he turns to walk away, but she grabs his finger, "Wait." he looks at her. "Why are you so convinced of this?"
he jerks his finger free, "I work for that rat in con's clothes!" and walks away. She nods and heads towards the Docking bay.
When she arrives, Saberhorn asks, "It was a short walk. Did you get lost by any chance?"
"No. A concerned crew mate wanted to talk to me."
"Was it important?"
she looks at him, "I'm still debating that. He was quite serious about his convictions. He said that Steeljaw would rid us of all our worth if we give him the chance."
"Sounds like Thunderhoof's trying to undermine me again." Steeljaw says walking over, "It's nothing to worry about. He has a very vivid imagination. He once convinced himself that he was a Dinobot."
"Ah, Steeljaw, now that you're here. We suspect that the Sharkticon over there is plotting to take half the crew and leave. Can you convince him to change his mind?" they smile and watch as he walks over and attack the con. Clearly, he was the one for the job, or so Saberhorn thought. Glowstrike had Thunderhoof's words roam in her head, and Steeljaw's "corrections". She was honestly not sure who to believe, til Steeljaw walked back over and bowed, "I am most humbled."
"Stand, Steeljaw and answer me this." Glowstrike makes him stand, "Would you lie?"
"I have no need to, despite what others may say, I would never try a foul lie. I do as you two say."
she asks another question, "Does Thunderhoof lie?"
he thinks for a moment, "Yes. He's convinced that he was a crime boss on Cybertron. I don't trust anything that comes out of him, unless it's provable. He can be quite convincing sometimes."
she nods in satisfaction, "Understood, Steeljaw." they turn and everything plays out.