Tough Love

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Bumblebee retells the story as short and sweet and swiftly as possible to the Rescue Bots and their human partners.

Thunderhoof just leans back and relaxes, half paying attention to what is being said, in case there's something that Steeljaw forgot to tell him and the other Ex-Cons – accidentally or on purpose – when he told them the story, and half paying attention to that same mech's daughter, falling back asleep as nothing interested her at the moment.

– hours later –

"And since then, we've left the 'Cons alone, so long as they follow a few rules..." Bumblebee turns around. "One of which I hope you have a very good reason for breaking, Thunderhoof."

"Yous have no idea. You see, Phantomjaw returned from his last job, but said nobody else knew he was back on the planet. Then he gets a call from Steeljaw saying he knew he was back and wanted to meet, so we did. Ramulus and the bitlit were with 'im, and we got to talking, and we learned that Steeljaw didn't call. It was all a set-up by a mech Phantomjaw knew, a mech called Doubledealer. Apparently, he was hired to take Steeljaw and Ramulus to someone. I don't know who, but Steeljaw told me it might have something to do with his past, so he gave me his bitlit and forced me to leave. I just activated the bridge when Phantomjaw came running in and shoved me through the portal. Last I saw was Doubledealer chasing after him after he destroyed the controls, probably hoping to keep wherever the bitlit and I ended up a secret."

Thunderhoof circulated his vents, exhaustion returning for the dozenth time that day. All he wants is to take a shower and sleep. The crowd before him shares mixed reactions and mumble words too quiet for the Cervicon's audio receptors.

"So, if what I'm hearing is true, then Steeljaw and Ramulus, and maybe even Phantomjaw, too, are in trouble, and you're here by complete happenstance with Steeljaw's daughter because he didn't want either of you involved in whatever is going on?" Bumblebee summarized as he paced what little free room there was left of the cove.

Thunderhoof nodded, and all Bumblebee could do was cover his faceplate, throw his helm back, and cry into his cupped servos.

"Oh, Primus, why?"

The yellow and black mech removed his servos from his faceplate and lowered his shaking helm.

"This is going to be a nightmare."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Heatwave offered.

Bumblebee looked around the area, at the Rescue Bots, the humans, Thunderhoof, before his optics settled on Steeljaw's daughter. The small, white pup was curled in a tight, recharging ball, snout tucked under her tail. Looking at her, there was no doubt in what must be done.

"Yes, you can," Bumblebee said. "You can provide Thunderhoof and the pup safety and shelter."

The resounding silence is deafening.

It is eventually broken by one mech.

"You're kidding, right?" Heatwave asked.

"Well, I can't very well bring Thunderhoof back to Cybertron, or return him to his current home until the danger has passed, and since he's already here..." Bumblebee trailed, expecting the others to fill in the blanks.

"And what exactly are we supposed to do with him? Give him free reign of the island?"

"Believe me, he's not going to sit around in one place for too long."

"Says you," Thunderhoof rumbled, gently grabbing Steeljaw's daughter and moving her onto a flat rock. She awoke from the move and looked up at her guardian with curious yellow optics.