Introduction: This happens somewhere around the end of the last chapter of Many Voices. It will make more sense if you've read that already.

Prowl sat up a little straighter, fighting the urge to flinch. His doorwings had just alerted him to a presence behind him. How on Cybertron could that criminal sneak up on him so easily? No one could sneak up on him.

He waited another astrosecond for Jazz to speak before stealing the opportunity. "You had better get going if you want to meet Megatron's deadline."

Jazz was silent for a moment, and Prowl was suddenly afraid that he was about to be attacked. Prowl could handle himself in a fight, but Jazz's reputation preceded him, and the enforcer knew he wouldn't stand a chance if this mech had come here to kill him.

"I needed ta talk to ya before I left," Jazz said.

"To try and convince me to go with you?"

"Pit, no," Jazz said, coming around to sit across from Prowl at the small table he was using for a desk. "I thought about it for a while, but Megatron's fraggin' crazy, and he's gonna start a war. That's not what I want."

Prowl raised an optic ridge. "So you aren't joining him? But you just said you were leaving."

"Oh, I am," Jazz said. "Just not ta help Megatron. I was thinking I could go and keep an optic on him. Send back information and the like."

Prowl frowned. They hadn't considered the possibility of sending a double agent. With Soundwave involved, it didn't seem like an attainable undertaking. "Are you certain? How long do you expect that to last?"

"I don't know," Jazz said "But I'll go as long as I can. I can be careful. This sort of thing is what I'm good at—the only thing I'm really good for. If anymech has a chance at this, it's me."

Prowl stared at him. It seemed this mech actually thought he was going to be able to pull it off. It was insane, but… Prowl almost believed him. "But your position will be compromised eventually. Soundwave will discover you."

"Eventually," Jazz said. "And when that happens, I'll deal with it. If I can, I'll come join you mechs."

Prowl looked down. Just a few breems ago, he'd been resigned to the fact that this mech would be fighting on the other side. And now…

"Why tell me this?" Prowl asked.

"Because I have ta tell someone and I knew Orion would try an' talk me out of it," Jazz said. "He's a good mech, but he doesn't understand. Sometimes ya have ta take this kinda risk, and if I don't come back, well... it was my choice ta go."

It was dangerous. Probably too dangerous. Prowl should probably be trying to talk Jazz out of it. But it could prove very advantageous to have someone on the inside, and if Jazz could really do it…

"I know ya probably don't wanna trust me," Jazz said.

"That is not why I'm hesitant," Prowl said. "I'm simply not certain the risk is worth it. There are other ways for you to help us."

"Nah," Jazz said. "This sorta challenge is what I live for. And getting inside information about Megatron's plans is gonna help ya a lot. Cuz despite what he says, he really does want war and you mechs are gonna have ta stop him somehow."

Prowl sighed. "Very well. We should set up a way to communicate. Would you like me to inform anyone of this or keep it confidential?"

"Just tell Orion," Jazz said. "No one else. If ya think someone needs ta know, then I'll trust your judgment, but the better ya keep the secret, the less likely it is ta get back ta Megatron. If Soundwave starts actively lookin' for a double agent, then I'm fragged."

Prowl nodded. "Are… you certain about this? I don't have enough information to tell you how likely it is you'll be caught, but…"

"What?" Jazz grinned. "Scared I'll die before ya get a chance ta arrest me?"

Prowl glared at him.

"Prowler…" Jazz said.

"That is not my designation."

"I know," Jazz said. "I know. And I know this is dangerous. But someone oughtta at least try, and I wouldn't let anyone else do it. Besides, I think we might still be able ta get Soundwave on our side. I know why he went with Megatron, and if I can show him somehow that he's wrong… he ain't a bad mech."

Prowl considered for a few more astroseconds. It really would be helpful to have someone on the inside. He felt uneasy about it for some reason, but he doubted he'd be able to talk the mech out of it.

"I will help you," he said.

"Good."

"Thank you for offering to do this."

Jazz grinned again. "Don't mention it." He stood, and backed toward the door. "I'll contact ya once I'm in Kaon."

Prowl nodded.

Jazz left.