The ground bridge faded, leaving behind its fading blue shimmer — and Quickshadow, standing tall and self-assured in the middle of the firehouse. Heatwave sighed dramatically, leaning back against the wall, arms folded across his chestplates. His optics half-lidded as if this entire visit was a personal inconvenience.

“Well, if it isn’t the legend herself,” he muttered, voice dripping with dry sarcasm.

The others dispersed quickly, no doubt sensing the familiar tension that sparked between them. Once it was just the two of them, Quickshadow’s smirk lingered. Heatwave raised one optic ridge, his tone clipped but not unfriendly:

“So, Quickshadow — what brings you to Griffin Rock this time? Another ‘top-secret’ mission you can’t talk about?”