While Shred and Gnash continued to interact with the Dinobots, Slice was keeping her distance from the others. As for Thrashclaw, she decided to be a little brazen, at least before the organics returned. She was able to sneak around the ship avoiding most until she found who she wanted. "Autobot, I have a question for you."

Vibes didn't seem too surprised by Thrashclaw's presence, though she was also preoccupied with something as well. "I'll do what I can to alleviate any concerns you might…"

"How many?"

"Wha—?"

"How many worlds burned to get you here?"

Vibes turned to Thrashclaw, giving her undivided attention to the Raptoricon. "A few mining colonies. Most were evacuated before the Decepticons attacked, though a few did attempt to fight back without our assistance…" Vibes glanced at the holo-display for a moment, returning to Thrashclaw, "If you're referring to how many worlds were destroyed directly because of us…I'd say every one of them," she press a few buttons to display a galaxy that started to run red across most of the map. "Even if the Reapers and Shockwave's faction weren't a relevant factor, I could only imagine the devastation we would have caused just fighting."

Thrashclaw wasn't expecting such an honest answer, though it was more than she had anticipated. "Fair enough. But seeing your forces; a couple of Wreckers, a few ex-Decepticons, and a whole squad of Dinobots, you all could have easily razed the Predacons to the ground by now. Why hesitate? Why hold back? You came to this world to destroy Decepticons after all."

"Our orders were to stop Slipstream and the Decepticons. That doesn't mean we have to destroy them." Vibes smiled, "When I was first activated, I didn't understand why we had to kill one another. I hesitated to pull the trigger and it got Autobots killed. After a time, I just put an emotional mask to all of my kills. But having worked with so many Decepticons, I see my hesitations were right. If the Predacons are just those seeking a life to live on this world, who are we to deny them that?"

"Even so, everything would have been so much easier for you and the natives. Outside Slipstream's forces, the Preds would hardly be a challenge and you'd 'save' this world to grow or whatever organics do."

Vibes seemed to have caught on to what these questions were really about. "Because then what's the point at all? We'd just be Decepticons by another name, no offense. Conquerors, destroyers, killing ourselves until we end up extinct? We may be coming from a Cybertron that has only recently started shutting down, yours was destroyed long ago. Our war may still be burning in our sparks, yours ended long, long ago."

"You've had a lot of time to think about this?"

Vibes nodded, "Thanks in part to a non-Cybertronian bot among the organics. He provides an interesting introspective if you let him."

Thrashclaw couldn't see how another synthetic lifeform could affect her so drastically. "No promises on letting someone else in my head. But it would be interesting to meet him."

Tali and Ashely were both deeply focused now as they each prepared for the final strike. "Now!" Ashley laid out her cards, "A full house!"

Rago'Za nodded, "Yes, a strong hand. However," he showed his hand, "I believe this outmatches you."

"A royal flush? How the…?"

Tali put her cards down, "You're my new secret weapon against Kenneth on our next poker night."

Rago'Za though he wasn't so sure, "It was fun, though knowing that our people share similar games is somewhat reassuring in gaining future relations."

Tali was rather curious, "How different is your game from this one?"

Rago'Za gathered the cards up, "Well for one, the game is used for training officers in strategy and reading your opponent. Another is that you only have one opponent at a time. On the rare occasion, a match can have multiple opponents though at best it was between three parties. Our decks also had far more cards with higher values. Though if I wasn't confined in this suit, I'm almost certain my tell would have exposed my hands a few hands." He remembered Tali, quickly noting, "Not that wearing an enviro-suit is bad or anything…"

Tali stopped him, "I get it. Your people only just started to have to use them to interact with the galaxy at large."

"My only real complaint is the lack of showing my rank and acclaim," raising his arms as he looked under them.

Ashley looked at him, "Can't you decorate your suit with it?"

Rago nodded, "I could, though it wouldn't be as impactful without my feathers and how they're arranged."

Tali though was the first to ask, "How do you paint your feathers and is there no way for you to remove them without plucking your feather?"

Rago'Za shook his head, "We have a special blend of natural and artificial chemical that will remove any markings without damaging our feathers or body. As for the paint, it's an ancient mix that was once used by our ancestors for war paint on our beaks or equipment. Our advances have allowed new colors and patterns previously unavailable but it's still a rather old blend." Rago'Za glanced over to where Zaeed's empty tent was, "And your friend? He seems rather distant…"

Tali nodded, "He has been through a lot on his own and usually does whatever it takes to win."

"Ah, the mercenary type. I've never really worked with them in my long military career. Then again there was hardly ever a need for too many during such a time of peace."

Ashley leaned over, "Speaking of your career, I've wanted to ask about your rank. It seems to be rather high, no pun intended, but how high up the ladder are you?"

Rago'Za had to think for a moment, "The translations aren't perfect, I realized that long after our encounter with you. In part of our avian background, our loss of flight seems to have turned our focus on trying to regain our lost glory. So we devoted much of our technological development toward our aerial capabilities. The denotation 'high' marks one above all others; experience, leadership, capability, so on. It was why I volunteered to lead my men when the Decepticons demanded forces from us and no other. From my understanding of your military ranking, the closest thing I can compare it to would be somewhere between a Captain and a Major. Though the honorific does bring in more respect, elevating us to a status similar to an Admiral or Fleet Admiral."

Tali nodded, "You know I would have expected Shepard to be asking you these questions."

Rago'Za glanced to the flame, "He has. A very inquisitive man. I just find it enjoyable to speak about my people with anyone interested. However, he would have made an excellent raloi politician. Especially after everything he did to gain political clout between species during the Cybertronian-Reaper War."

Ashley looked confused, "Who's calling the Reaper War that?"

"I don't know about anyone officially, though with how involved they were I think it'd be irresponsible for us not to acknowledge them."

Tali was confused, "They didn't arrive long before the Reapers invaded."

The raloi started drawing a Reaper in the dirt, then a small humanoid inside, "No, the ones that were inside. They were a key point to how the war ended." Ashley had to agree after thinking about the Decepticon-Reapers and the Shockwave Catalyst. "Besides, I think half the reasons you started asking was to distract me from our game."

Tali laughed it off, "Guess we can't fool you."

"Not after everything I've been through… Though let's call it a night. We've got plenty to worry about when we meet these Raptoricons."

It's been some time now, but Thundercracker was enjoying his time here, even with having to constantly deal with the spy work around him. Having managed to obtain a domicile to work from, the Nightbird sister had been working to do everything she needed.

"Is there anything else you plan to do before I leave again?"

She waved him off, "We have nothing more to discuss. You have your plans, I have mine. Now leave. I don't believe you need to be privy to any Decepticon secrets."

Thundercracker turned away, "Fair enough. Though I never understood how you or any of your sisters could call yourselves Decepticons…"

She finally turned to him, "We're more Decepticon than you are now!"

"Really? Do even know what we originally fought about? How everything escalated?" Her silence spoke volumes, "All of the lives squandered and sacrificed? Our entire world is nothing but a wasteland because of us! Your nothing but a cobbled together machine, built from the scavenged parts of our fallen brethren, made by humans, to fight us. Megatron turned you to destroy your masters, but you've managed to show other uses as well so he…"

"Shut up!" She threw an energy dagger at him, grazing the side of Thundercracker's head. He didn't flinch, he just stood there as she just now caught up with her own actions.

"I won't bother trying to convince you otherwise, but I think you need to reevaluate where you think you really are among the Decepticons." With that Thundercracker turned away to leave, letting her think now about what she should do.

Krok's lies had managed to keep him out of danger, though now he was about to see how well he'll survive as a group of bots bearing Decepticon insignia's approached him. Most were big, bulky bruiser-types, just how the Decepticons like 'em. A rare few seemed to also have beast forms of some kind, though even they looked ready for a fight.

"So, we hear you were looking for us?"

"Gotta say, a pintsized bot like you might not be what the Decepticons are looking for."

Krok knew this intimidation tactic, weeding out the weak and unworthy to strengthen the rest. These brutes are just finally able to do what they've wanted for so long. "I think I can handle myself."

The two biggest of them stepped closer, "Maybe we need to test that." Krok was ready for this, diving underneath them both before using his leg to trip the one on the right. One of the bots in the group grabbed Krok to hold him.

Krok struggled to break free, smashing the back of his head against his captor's face. Being freed, he grabbed the bot and threw him at the charging bot still standing. The others started to surround Krok and closing in on him. A shot was fired in the air getting everything to stop. A blue and silver bot with large fins or wings on his back walked through the crowd and straight to Krok.

"You got some moves. But Beating these brawlers is far from impressive," he rushed at Krok with a sword and nearly took his head. Krok's new weaponry wasn't all too suited for melee combat, though that didn't mean he was out of options.

Krok had to time this just right, slamming his foot down just as his new opponent was taking his next step toward him. His shockwave wasn't as strong in the sand, but it was enough to shift his opponent's stride and create an open for him to grapple him into submission. "Is this enough to prove myself?"

His opponent was obviously prideful, though he knew when he was beaten. "I give." After finally being released, he adjusted his arm, "You got lucky that the sand wasn't stable there…" He leaned more toward Krok to whisper, "Meet me back behind the barracks." Before Krok could react, he slammed his back, "I'll say this though, you probably have what it takes to be a Con. Maybe we could vouch for ya, be all pals and owe each other favors…"

Krok had to be careful where this could lead, but having a friend among the natives could prove useful, if not help him at least survive. "Sure, why not pal," secretly agreeing to also meet him later.

Giving each other time to disappear, Krok managed to get to the meeting point where the blue bot was waiting. "Good to see you. Now let's go somewhere a little more private." He pressed on a damaged panel which caused a pathway to open up. "I hate how small they made this," forced to move his arms back and having his fins move back with them. As he moved, he struggled to look back, "Are you coming?"

Krok didn't like seeing such a narrow path, then again it'd be impossible for his new 'friend' to try anything given the tight fit of his fins. There was a small incline down they traveled until the path widened little by little until finally, they were in a modest room full of equipment and weaponry.

The bot stretched his back, "So, mind telling me what you're doing, Decepticon? And don't lie to me, I'm not stupid. You're too well trained to be a Pred or Vehicon looking to join Slipstream's group."

Krok wasn't too disadvantaged here, "And it's clear you aren't all too interested in what Slipstream or them are selling. What's your angle in all of this?"

"The name's Depth Charge, but that's not what that group of bolt for brains know me by. In public, you should call me Deepdive. I'm one of only two undercover Maximal agents who successfully managed to get through the Decepticon screening process. We've worked hard to get this stable stalemate with the organics, we don't need these upstarts causing unrest."

Krok was starting to get a better picture of the situation he found himself in, though he had to be careful. "And you're putting a lot of trust into someone you've just met."

"Considering that you don't know a damn thing about our world, fight almost as good as a real Decepticon, and have little to your backstory, I'd say you'd need all the help you could get. So long as it doesn't involve wiping us all out. And I could use yours to find intel I'd otherwise miss."

"And your other agent? Why can't you work with him?"

Depth Charge scoffed, "Like I could ever trust that greedy slithering backstabber. I understand why he was picked to do this, that doesn't mean I'd consider him working for our goal. Regardless of my feelings about him, if we did work too closely it'd raise too much suspicion given how I often use him to get myself thrown in lockup to speak with my bosses."

Krok could see the benefits, even if he was hesitant, "And how would we work together?"

"It wouldn't be too far to say that we start working together if I can get you in without much trouble. Assuming I can get you in."

Krok didn't have much choice, "So anything more that we need to do?"

"Don't tell me your real name or plans. The less we know about each other the better if either of us gets sniffed out. Anything else, just act like you would here. I'll pull some strings to make you more legit and run you through a short briefing to be able to defend yourself if anyone tries to scrutinize you."

"Alright, but I also need a secure way of contacting my allies. I don't need to send regular updates, just when things get interesting. You can provide that?"

"No promises, but I'll see what I can do."

The moment was finally upon them. The organics the Autobots had been working with were due to arrive any nanoklik. Slice was keeping her optic zoomed on where the Dinobots seemed to be interested. "I see three Zoids; two raptors and a canine. Multiple Cybertronian signals from the rest of the raptor pack. Something's off about them…"

Gnash was keeping herself close to her pack, feeling slightly agitated to be in her true robot form. "Yes. Many voices, but only two scents."

"Two?" Shred was curious, "Like only two sparks or something else?"

Gnash seemed conflicted, "Gnash not know. Remember screams… Metal tearing…"

Grimlock turned back to them, "Me remember. Me watch them take Skar apart. Watch Slash's parts change without her. Strafe's face splitting."

Shred was afraid to even ask, "How many of the changes did you watch?"

"Everyone. Never say who they work on. Tease when one died."

Slice could see why Gnash could be as broken as she was. She then spotted a ship coming over as well, "Decent size ship, for Mini-Cons…or organics. Can't see much weaponry. Probably meant for scouting."

The raptors and Zoids arrived on the scene first. Though the raptors seemed hesitant at first Grimlock's mere presence seemed to have given them some ease. They still remained distant from the Raptoricons as they joined back up with the Dinobots.

As the organics got out of the Zoids and ship, the Raptoricons were slightly disappointed. Many of them appeared to look almost like the native organics minus the colored facial markings and the obviously more advanced tech.

Gnash was the most confused, as she looked to Thrashclaw for guidance, "Gnash not squish?"

Thrashclaw gently rubbed her back, "That's right Gnash. These are good squishies. They're going to help us find and smash the needle bots who hurt you."

Shred moved to Gnash's side, "Don't worry about talking with them. We'll do all of that." That also seemed to help Gnash relax as she looked around at the ship and Zoids.

Vibes was among a group of Autobots who were eagerly greeting the organics. "Glad to see everyone is safe. Did anyone run into any complications?"

The human in black armor nodded, "Things didn't go as well as we had hoped, but we're a step in the right direction."

The masked feminine one who came out of the red raptor Zoid spoke next, "And Krok has managed to reach the other side. Now we're just waiting on his reports."

Dropshot knelt down to them, "We can trust that he'll contact us as soon as he can." He glanced back, "Though I suppose we've got our own priorities at the moment."

The Autobots moved aside for Thrashclaw to approach slightly hesitantly. She wasn't sure if she had to lean down to interact with them, though it was starting to get a little awkward with the silence. "So, you're the ones we're working with…"

The organic in black armor reassured them, "You don't have to be so nervous around us. If your intentions are true to your word, we should be able to work together."

A strange scared reptilian in bulky blue armor added, "Just think of most of us like Mini-Cons or Cassetticons or whatever you call them that's comparable to our size."

A bulkier reptile in silver armor that didn't cover its arms scoffed at her, "With the weaponry to back it up."

Slice had been looking over the weaponry they were carrying, "Only thanks to all of the Autobot augmented weaponry that can pierce through Cybertronian armor."

"I don't need them to tear you apart!"

"I can crush you with my foot, tiny reptile."

"Oversized feather duster."

"Worm!"

Gnash was getting frustrated, "Slice get to smash? Why not Gnash?"

The organic sized Gnash up, "I could snap you like a twig."

Gnash transformed to her damaged raptor form, "Want to try now?"

Shred was starting to get worried, seeing no way of stopping Gnash. "Shouldn't we be stopping this?"

Thrashclaw was obviously concerned, "I'm not sure…" her curiosity seemed to be peaked simultaneously, "I've never seen her talk this much to a stranger before without killing them."

Shred was even more concerned, "Wait, did she want to…?"

Thrashclaw eased her woes, "She didn't want to with you, if it wasn't necessary," not that all of her comments were helping. "Let's get to know these organics. I'm interested in the organic in black armor. He seems to be their leader."