"How did you become a crime lord? Was it a family business?" Metalsound asked Thunderhoof as they lay in a patch of grass looking at the sky.

"My sire was a crime lord, on his death bed he made me promise to take over the business and see to it everything stays well with it, I promised him I would and I did."

"Huh, what was your dad like? If you don't mind me asking."

"Was a lot like me, but a bit more attitude."

"Heh, interesting. Did you always want to take over?"

"In a way, yes."

"I'm sensing a "but" in there."

"But, at the same time, I really would have liked to have my own business and not something he started."

"That's understandable, when I came to Cybertron I couldn't remember anything about my past. My caretaker trained me to fight for the Decepticons, but he was also like a father figure to me," she trailed off for a moment as she remembered the last thing he had told her, it only fueled her rage for Starscream, "A part of me wants to find that pathetic little twit and snuff out his spark."

"Who was your caretaker?"

"Dreadwing."

"I heard about him, he was an honorable mech, and Starsc- Oh! Now I get why you hate him so much."

"Yep, but with him being in a prison cell doesn't help. Not to mention he left me for dead and got Skyquake killed. I had to kill him because Starscream was dumb enough to try to control him with Dark Energon," sitting up she rubbed her temples unsure of why she was telling Thunderhoof any of this.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Thunderhoof tells her as he sits up as well.

"I think some part of me knew I had to tell someone. It was one of the first things that Dreadwing taught me. You can't keep things bottled up, or it will consume you."

"That's true. Anything else you want to talk about? Anything else you want to know about me?"

Metalsound thought for a moment, "How many did it take for them to take you down? I know Clampdown ran his mouth."

"Who, the Autobots?"

"Yeah. I'm sure you wouldn't have gone down without a fight."

"Of course not, it took everything they had in them to take me down."

Metalsound let out a soft chuckle, "I can see that. Do you have any questions for me?"

"None that I can think of at the moment."


Steeljaw and Strongarm were still engaged in a passionate kiss when Bumblebee called her on her comm making her break the kiss.

:: Strongarm, I need you and Grimlock, hurry! ::

:: Yes sir, I'm on my way. :: She ended the transmission before looking back to Steeljaw, "I'm sorry, I have to get back," she replied as she transformed heading back to the base.

Metalsound heard Strongarm's engine getting further away, "Guess we'll play 20 questions later, have a good evening!"

She took off running before transforming to take flight. The guys were just left looking dumbfound.

"Thanks for telling me that it was time to go," Metalsound huffed in annoyance as she caught up to Strongarm.

"Sorry, I forgot."

"So how was it? Give me all of the details."

"It was great! We mostly talked telling each other about our past and reasons for joining the sides we joined, then we kissed."

"Awww, I missed it again, oh well. I'm sure I would have ruined the moment when I started squealing."

"Yeah, probably would have," she chuckled, "Anyways, Bumblebee needs assistance."

"Brisk giving him some trouble? I heard the guy was annoying," Metalsound sighed, "Not to mention he doesn't shut up."

"I guess so."

"Did he ask for me?"

"No, he just said for me and Grimlock to come to assist him, but I'm sure he would love your assistance as well."

"If he didn't mention me by name, then you two should be more than enough to help. I've been gone for a few years without telling anyone, I understand if he would be upset."

"I'm sure he's not upset, at least he doesn't seem to be."

"I understand but we would have to get to know each other again. Learn each other's way of thinking."

"Well then, that's just what you're gonna have to do," they keep going until they reach the base then Strongarm and Grimlock leave to assist Bumblebee.


Steeljaw and Thunderhoof just got back to the island, "And just where have you two been?" They were suddenly greeted by Glowstrike.

"Just on a little late patrol, nothing to report I'm afraid," Steeljaw replied.

"A late patrol huh? You've been going out on your own a lot lately Steeljaw. Care to tell me where you be going and what you be doing?"

"I'm just helping out where ever I can, you never know if someone else could be watching. Also, I never go anywhere alone. Isn't that right, Thunderhoof?"

"That's right."

"That is true. Alright," Glowstrike said still feeling suspicious of the mech.

"If that is everything I think I'll turn in for the night," Steeljaw replied as he turned to leave.

"There is one more thing. Where has Metalsound been? I've noticed she hasn't been around lately."

"I'm sure she's around here somewhere. She was never one that liked staying indoors, oftentimes I would find her nearby in the forest."

"That's right, she stays outdoors a lot," Thunderhoof says in agreement with Steeljaw's statement.

"Yeah, alright. You may go to your quarters now."

"Thank you, Glowstrike," Steeljaw dipped his helm before leaving, "I see why Metalsound doesn't like her," he muttered when they were out of her earshot.

"Yeah, I don't like her," Thunderhoof states not letting on that there was a history between him and Glowstrike, "Why do we have to work with her anyway?" He asked trying to change the subject.

"All in due time Thunderhoof, once we figure out a way to overthrow her and Saberhorn, we shall take control."

"What are we gonna do with the Autobots when we do?"

"I think Metalsound will be able to take care of them."

Thunderhoof smirks, "You're gonna have her kill them?"

"I don't think she would be able to do something like that to them, she seems rather loyal to them, even now."

"That's true. Then what you gonna have her do with 'em?"

"As I said, I'm not sure if she would be able to do anything to them but try to keep them safe from harm."

"Then why are you leaving the fate of the Autobots to her if you know she's just gonna try to save them?"

"That bridge will be crossed when we get there. It's been a long evening, it would be best that we get some sleep."

Steeljaw turned to head to his quarters when Thunderhoof spoke up, "One more question."

With a sigh, Steeljaw stopped, "What?"

"What are you gonna do with Strongarm?" He whispered so no one else could hear him.

"I'm not sure. If I harm her teammates, no doubt she won't trust me anymore."

"True, and if you really love her you can't give her the same fate as her teammates and she will hate you if she finds out that you killed them or even hurt them."

"You think I don't know that?" He hissed as he turned to the former crime boss with narrow optics, "I don't know what I'm going to do, I don't know what I should do."

"You better think upon it and make a good choice, make the wrong choice and you'll lose her forever," Thunderhoof says as he turns to go to his own quarters.

"And what about you and Metalsound?"

Thunderhoof stops and turns back to Steeljaw, "What about us?"

"What are you going to do if she chooses to side with the Autobots?"

"I don't know. Would seem we're both pretty much in the same boat."

"Yes, have a good evening Thunderhoof."

Steeljaw left for his quarters to get some much-needed rest.

"You too, Steeljaw," Thunderhoof says as he goes to his quarters.