Author's Notes: An update within a week?! Hooray for me! Let's see how long I can keep up this pace. In this fun filled chapter, we stick with the Cons perspective! Chop Shop is making friends while he sabotages everything he can get a hold of! He doesn't know what the Autobots are so worried about because this is the easiest inside job he's ever had. Even the devious and always plotting Steeljaw seems to have warmed up to him!

Drop a comment and tell me what you think, and of course, enjoy!

Part 11

Bonding and Backstabbing, Decepticon Addition

Location: Cocklebiddy Cave Australia

Chop Shop

/As I predicted, you are being far too reckless with your reports,/ the always so encouraging Autobot Quickshadow informed him in his audio. /You should only activate the commlink while outside of the Decepticon Base!/

"No worries, Sheila! I ain't gonna get caught talkin' to ya. I'm the last bloke anybot here is worried about watchin'." He responded on the quieter side. He was miles away from concerned. These were Cons, his people. He knew his own bots better than the Autobots. "I already became chummy with this Steeljaw bloke, and he's popular here. I fit right in. And even if I didn't, they're all busy arguin' with each other or fightin' over Energon. Really, the amount of betrayal in this lot is hilarious. Reminds me of home."

/Hey Chop Shop!/ Chop Shop winced away from the excitable little voice that belonged to one of the littler bots. Whirl, the one he grudgingly allowed to watch over his instrument mostly so she would stop buggin' him about it. She had either hacked into this frequency somehow or was leaning over Quickshadow's lap to talk to him through the console. Probably the latter. /Grimlock wants to know how many Decepticons are in there. He is hyping up the rest of the Dinobots for a, as he put it, "Frag up fest."/

Another bot, the stuffy coppa one, Chase, jumped right in too, 'Whirl, language please.'

/Sorry professor!/ Whirl squeaked.

"Don't have a final helm count yet," Chop Shop said, finally answering Whirl's question. "Can do that right now. It'll give me something to do."

/As long as you do it without drawing suspicion,/ Quickshadow snapped. /And if you think your cover is compromised for whatever reason you call immediately for pick up. Sooner rather than later as a matter of fact. You have already blown off my suggested training before heading out-/

Chop Shop cut off the commlink mid Quickshadow gripe. He was much more curious about the multibot argument happening one cavern over. Not like the juicy drama was hard to find. The cave was downright claustrophobic. And noting the idle Con's just languishing around, waiting for orders and praying for their meager Energon allotments, he was eager to distract himself.

The next time he opened the comm, he would have to ask the goodie goodie Bots he was spyin' for the nearest location of some much-needed Energon. Course, not enough for the escape ship or weapons to work. Just enough to feed these helpless blokes… It was bummin' him out. He didn't need any more reason to remember the end of the war on Cybertron. Desperate bots turnin' on each other, no matter the side. Even some rumors about cannibalizing each other's Energon as the planet shriveled and died. Chop Shop didn't want to see horror stories become a reality. These poor scrap helms were starting to look just as desperate as the ones he remembered on Cybertron.

Brushfire would know local Energon deposits, since she had called dibs on this corner of the organic rock the Autobots called home. He smiled to himself. Any reason to talk to her would be good. She was as good as impressed after all this; he just had a good feelin'. Of course, after that thought he felt Taka's influence yappin' at the back of his mind. 'Don't be such a Fragwit' he could almost hear the angry minicon yellin'. 'The Autobot Sheila is one klik away from tellin' ya to get stuffed.' He patted her, his left servo, with the other. Until the time he was told to frag off, he would remain blissfully ignorant of the pretty little Autobot's indifference.

He hung back as the three leaders bickered, as per usual. These poor idiots may end up takin' themselves down before the Goodie Goodies even got here with their Dinos.

Chop Shop froze. There were three new Cybertronians standing idle behind the verbal assault, and he knew they were new because there was no way he would have missed 'em when he first got here. Mostly, because they were bigger than he was. They were stoic, watching the boisterous Thunderhoof shouting at Saberhorn just moments before fists would start flyin'. Chop Shop noticed the seemingly even-tempered Steeljaw hanging back to watch the show alongside a few others. The charismatic pretty bot Steeljaw who Clampdown spilled secrets about. If it wasn't for that insight goin' in, Chop Shop would never have guessed Steeljaw was plotting all three of their leader's downfalls behind those charming optics.

"Who's the new chums?" Chop Shop asked of Steeljaw casually. "Thought I was the only new bloke on the block?"

Steeljaw, leaned casually against the rock wall with servos crossed. He glanced up at Chop Shop to smile. "I just sniffed them out. They were fighting it out not too far from the latest location I was sent in search of Energon. As loud as they were, I probably would have heard them even from here…" He snickered, those odd audio receptors on his helm twitching. He pointed in order from left to right, "The quadrupedal one with the sharp beak plates is Underbite. He devours metal to add to his already impressive cybermass. The middle one is Groundpounder, an ex-Gladiator of the Pits of Kaon. And the last," he paused, finding the final, and most physically imposing newcomer in his sights, "Is Scowl. He may prove to be the most useful heavy hitter we have found."

"I give ya he's a big one, but how ya figure?" Chop Shop asked.

"He's a Dinobot." Steeljaw explained with a growing grin.

Well, that wasn't great for the Autobot blokes back at base. True, they had their own Dinobots, but with these three new buggas and over a hundred other Cons, starving and desperate Cons with nothin' to lose, this had the makin's of a down and dirty disaster. Normally, Chop Shop would head for the hills before things got ugly. But scrap if he wasn't growin' kind of attached to the little Autobot scraplets and their whacky shenanigans. Even the pint-sized humans were kinda endearing. And of course, there was Brushfire. He assumed it would take some time for him to convince her to jump sides and head off into the stars with him. More time than he had before this whole situation on Earth got blown to the Pits and back. Scrap.

"So, if they got more muscle, what's the problem?" Chop Shop went on to ask. Steeljaw produced an amused grin. "Snarl worked for Thunderhoof as his hired help before they were captured on the Alchemor. And now that he found him again, he's not inclined to share with the others. Thunderhoof is still threatening to strike out on his own from time to time and take all his hired muscle with him. Glowstrike and Saberhorn frown upon that."

Chop Shop just crossed his servos. Well, there was still a real good chance they would all kill each other before anythin' worse happened. As subtly as he could, he fiddled with his audio, activating the device that spy Sheila fitted him with. Now the bots back at base would be able to eavesdrop on the drama. If he had activated it right that is. He was only half paying attention when he was fitted with the thing.

"He's my guy." Thunderhoof snapped, his faceplate's almost pressed into Saberhorn's own. "And here yous are already stakin' some claim to him."

The ex-pirate Saberhorn shoved him out of his space with a snarl. Glowstrike just managed to grasp Saberhorn back before another fist fight could commence. "This is it. I'm going to kill him this time!"

Glowstrike frowned at him. "Not in front of the troops. We will lose all we have managed to build, especially if you lose."

Saberhorn yanked his arm away from her. "But damned to the Pits, he's more stubborn than that cursed pirate Thundertron I constantly had to evade in my time… At least with that fool, he had the decency to fade away into the depths of space and never come back!"

"Maybe not bring up that lunatic butcher. The last thing we need would be for you to summon him through the universe's love for dramatic irony." Glowstrike pointed out. Very true, though Chop Shop didn't agree with her out loud. They might as well bring Tarn and the Quintesson into the fight if they wanted to really make this into a total scrap show.

With a hand still firmly placed on Saberhorn's barrel chest, Glowstrike addressed Thunderhoof, and the rest of the witnesses. "We must end this! We are a team, and all our resources must be pooled together in order for us to survive!"

"Pooled inta you's favor!" Thunderhoof snapped, stepping all over her call for unity. "Who fraggin' rusted over and put yous twos in charge?"

Saberhorn shoved Glowstrike out of his way to move in on him. "We are in charge, because WE were the ones to create this alliance. WE sought out our fellow Decepticons and freed them from stasis!"

Thunderhoof scoffed. "That just makes yous a sucker in need of grunts."

"Ain't that what you want to be, boss?" the Dinobot Scowl pointed out with a snicker. He just appeared to be enjoying the show.

Thunderhoof shot him a glare. "This is the last bolt for mes. I'm walkin' unless I's gets more of a say in the happenin's around here."

The four-legged newcomer, Underbite, left the group to sniff around the junk pile accumulated in the corner. The one Steeljaw said was a Gladiator, remained stoic. "You could fight it out." Underbite suggested. He snatched a large chunk of metal in his beak and ripped it into more chewable pieces. "Ya know, to see who's more suited for head honcho." He suggested with a mouth full of metal.

Glowstrike stiffened right away at that concept. "With no access to Energon? A scuffle could be fatal."

"How about a game?" Chop Shop spoke up. Probably not the best idea to be bringin' attention to himself. As if on cue, the device shoved into his audio buzzed. Yep, Quickshadow was pissed. But sittin' idle and rustin' wasn't ever his style. So, he ignored Quickshadow's little warning beep, and continued yappin'. "Doesn't need to be a death game, mates. Just somethin' to put the whole leader scrap to an end."

Thuderhoof looked convinced. Saberhorn was at least considering it. But as for Glowstrike… "I don't trust us not to cheat at any game we can decide on." And she made sure to fix a glare onto Thunderhoof when saying that.

Chop Shop clapped his hands together and grinned. "Then it's a good damn thing ya blokes got me to supervise! I used to keep my ship mates from cheatin' each other all the time."

The little spitfire Con Needler appeared, having produced a deck of cards from subspace. "I'm in too! And if I win a hand, nobot else can touch the Groundbridge without me supervising."

Chop Shop snickered. "Ain't that already the rule?"

"Yes, but this will make it official, and I can start shootin' anybot who tries sneaking in to use it."

This was a sabotage mission, but Chop Shop couldn't help but enjoy Decepticon company again. The Autobots may have changed for the better since he had been on ice for a few million cycles, but they were still as buttoned up as ever. Whenever he cursed, he felt like he was corrupting the little bots beyond repair back at their friendship school, or whatever it was. He hoped after this whole mess smoothed over; he could keep in touch with most of these Cons. Or at least Needler if nobot else. He was neurotic in all the most entertaining ways.

Chop Shop went to shout over his shoulder, "Yo, Steeljaw! Ya want in on this round, or maybe the next-" The cave corner was empty of its previous brooding occupant. Steeljaw had snuck away as silent as a shadow.

It had been a productive few cycles on Chop Shop's part. Sure, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't keep the three prompt to leaders from cheatin' at cards like their damn lives depended on it, but he was successful in other ways. He had clocked where most of the main bombs were buried outside of the base camp and reported back all that info to the ever-annoying Quickshadow. Really, it was amazing she had any friends.

He had further sabotaged the main reactor in the escape ship, and even managed to free a few of the Fixit lookin' stewards they had working on the ship. That last part was done with gritted denta and an optic roll. The little jerks had kept him prisoner on the Alchemor this whole time. Taking the moral high ground was overrated. But, it impressed Brushfire, so it was a means to an end.

Speaking of the pretty plated Sheila, he had checked in on a few things around the area on her behalf. Mostly it was organic creatures that called the scrap desert home. He didn't get it still, but it bought him Brushfire points.

But probably the most important task he tackled was spreading uncertainty about the status of the war amongst the troops. Had anybot actually confirmed the war being over was all a ruse? Could they maybe give Megatron a call? Or at the very least… Soundwave? That guy always had the latest info. And he was always listening out for the rogue frequencies. Probably wouldn't be hard to reach out.

Only after a cycle or too, many blokes risked pitching the want to communicate with the closest roving Con ship to confirm the current status of the outside world. They all had been on ice for a while. Couldn't hurt to check. Course, the suggestion was always met with scathing jeers from Glowstrike and Saberhorn. Eh, whatever. At least the idea was taking hold.

Chop Shop was basically done at this point. Now all that was left was to go out on patrol and 'get caught' by the Autobots. Then the Dinobot freaks will storm the place, smash the ship and Groundbridge, take down the three big hitters and allow for the other Autobots to handle the rest. They had a Titan on their side for Primus sake. And that giant had some sort a trick to keep everybot from hightailing it for the hills via the pile of sparking scrap Needler called a Groundbridge. What little loyalty the three leaders had left would wither and die if a damn Titan stepped up to the fight and running away was no longer an option. Chop Shop knew he would surrender if the other option was fighting a Titan.

Chop Shop strutted into the main cavern room. The tension wasn't quite so bad anymore. After reporting how bad off everybot here was Energon wise, the Autobots response legitimately surprised him. Chop Shop assumed they would just shrug off that little concern. Over a hundred hungry Cons they already intended to capture was hardly their problem.

The same hour Chop Shop made the report, Needler received a com on their open channel. It was from Autobot Rescue Academy outpost three. The message was short and to the point. It reiterated the status of the war being over, insisted the Decepticons still at large turn themselves in peacefully in exchange for a full pardon on all past crimes. Groundbridge coordinates accompanied the message, with the promise of Energon at the location.

Of course, it was assumed to be a trap. But after a localized scan investigating the given coordinates, a strong Energon reading bounced back at them. The starving troops were now interested. Sure, everybot still thought it was a trap, but it was a large enough reward to at least consider fighting for it. Chop Shop had pitched the idea to vote on it, as of course the three leaders were deadlocked on the decision. Interestingly enough, they took his suggestion. Even the three leaders appeared starving enough to try anything. The residence of the cavern voted, anonymously of course, and it was agreed to at least check into it. Chop Shop offered himself up to look. He kind of just figured this was going to be the moment the Autobots were intending to capture him away. He was sent along with the Dinobot Con Scowl, another hard hitter, as they put it.

To even Chop Shop's surprise, there was no trap. The Autobots had left a large stack of Energon Cubes. No questions asked. Needler tested the Energon, and it was clean. Not even a light sedative mixed in. The act of kindness on the Autobot's part did more to spread uncertainty about the war's status than Chop Shop had over days. Thanks to them, nobot was starving into stasis lock, and morale was high.

In a quiet moment, he leaned casually against Needler's console where he knew the spunky minicon would be typing away. "Haven't seen Jaw's in a while. Bosses sent me to find him for some sort a plan debriefing. But he wasn't even at the Energon hand out. His tanks ain't rumblin'?"

Needler snorted, not looking up from his work. "Probably upset you upstaged him. He's the Energon scout after all."

Chop Shop blew off his concerns. "Nah, he's more mature than that." Needler looked far from convinced in that regard, but he typed in Steeljaw's life signal coordinates anyway. "He's off scouting along the coast… He also turned his commlink off. An annoying habit of his…" Needler stiffened, then rolled his optics. "Now I'm getting a comm from the bosses to call Steeljaw back. The pits am I supposed to do if the idiot turned his commlink off? No way I'm going out after him… Hey, you feelin' useful Chop Shop?"

"Always in the mood to take in the sights." Chop Shop agreed.

"Great." Needler fiddled with his screens, smacking the monitor until it stopped sparking. The Groundbridge, now flush with Energon thanks to the Autobot's donation, roared to life. "You can drag his tail back here. Tell him Glowstrike'll hang him outside the cave upside down if he keeps blowing her off."

Chop Shop gave him a wave as he sauntered for the open Bridge. "Ya can count on me, mate. We'll be back in a gif."

The portal collapsed, leaving him standing along a cliffside with a very impressive drop to the ocean below. The Earth's sun was also setting, so his optics came alight to brighten the path. After confirming he was alone, he tapped on his commlink. "Haven't had a chance to thank ya bots for the Energon. I was even right stumped when it wasn't a trap."

/We don't want anyone starving./ Heatwave's voice insisted.

Interference crackled in Chop Shop's audio as another line opened. /And the last thing we need is trying to drag multiple bots back from stasis lock. It's a pain, and can cause serious damage./ That had been one of the littler bots. Medix, Chop Shop thought his name was.

/Anything else to report?/ Quickshadow interrupted.

Chop Shop stomped along the trail, trying to avoid the worst of the potholes. "One more entrance to cova. Then that aught to do it."

/Excellent./ Quickshadow praised. Wow, she wasn't yelling at him. Felt weird. /Do you feel comfortable scouting that last entrance without eliciting suspicion?/

"Course," Chop Shop snorted. "The blokes love me here. Nobot's onta me."

/Him staying this long is still a risk./ The always on the safe side Boulder joined in. /It might be the safest option to pull him out now, since he is away from the base./

/We can't afford to lose any advantage./ Heatwave countered. /We've already devised the safest way to dismantle the escape ship and bombs from what he has given us. If he feels like his cover is still secure, then we shouldn't interfere. Plus, Hoist is almost done outfitting the Dinobots with shielding against the traps. And Secundus needs to get into position to erect a shield around the area to deactivate their Bridge tech./

"Ya Autobots worry too much," Chop Shop vented. "We got plenty of time. Trust me. No bot's starvin' anymore and their ship ain't liftin' off for a good long while. Not after what I did to it. No worries on my end."

Distant angry chatter slowed Chop Shop's pace to a stop. The Autobots in his audios were suddenly very distracting. "Hold that thought, mates," He flicked off the commlink and headed forward without further explanation. The Autobots would be used to him just hanging up with little warning, so they didn't try comming him back.

He knew who he would find. Steeljaw's life signal was responding from around this area. What was throwing Chop Shop was the argumentative voice he had with, someone. Needler hadn't mentioned he was with anyone else. "Jaws? I'm here ta drag ya back!" Chop Shop shouted into the thickening forest before him. The argument stopped. Then the brush rustled, leaves parting to make way for the smiling Steeljaw. But no one else… Odd. "Ah, it was only a matter of time before I was found… Was it Glowstrike sending for me?"

"Like ya read my mind," Chop Shop confirmed.

Steeljaw snickered. "If only I had such a gift. Alas, I have to rely on more practical advantages," His pointed audios gave a wiggle. "I'm actually glad you are here. I've been scouting this region for Energon, and I'm certain I found a stockpile the Autobots haven't gotten their claws into. Alas, it's blocked in yet another cave where the entrance is far too imposing for myself to handle alone. Can I ask a quick favor before we head home?"

"Ya can trust me mate." He said, knowing he should have felt a little guilty for that comment. Considerin', ya know, him being an inside agent. But he sure didn't.

Steeljaw beamed at him, then headed back into the brush, slow enough for Chop Shop's larger frame to follow. Back into the annoying forest it was then. Chop Shop figured it was either this or the claustrophobic caverns.

"I'm surprised they sent you out without back up." Steeljaw commented while slashing away at the brush.

"I'm my own back up," Chop Shop assured him with a grin. His six selves were usually plenty for whatever they needed done. Unless backup came in the form of Brushfire. He wouldn't mind her company.

"That's good in this case… There has been Autobot activity along this coastline. We'll have to keep an optic out."

"I've got enough optics for the job, mate." Chop Shop joked. But now he was curious. The Autobots he knew were still back at base halfway round the world. Could it be the ones they said they were still missin'? If they were this close to the Decepticon base, that may explain why their comm signal still couldn't reach the others, even with their Titan fixin' it on the other side of the world.

If it were the missin' in action Autobots, he hoped they didn't bump into them. They wouldn't be in on the secret plan or know Chop Shop was on their side. That being the case, there was a good possibility they would attack Steeljaw and himself. Not great. Chop Shop didn't have his gun as a backup plan. Thanks again for that, Quicks.

"So, ya think the bosses'll try reachin' out to Cybertron after all?" Chop Shop said, striking up a conversation. The trail was longer than he first assumed it would be.

"If they have any sense they won't," Steeljaw said flatly. "That would alert the Autobots who may be there and bring down our demise. It's best if we stay hidden here on this world."

"Yeah…" Chop Shop hummed. "But, I mean, the rumors about the war could be true, right? We were knocked out for a while. Always a chance."

Steeljaw snorted, "Please. You're letting the rumor mill back at base sway you, brother. If there is one thing I know for sure, the war is still blazing. And even if it wasn't, the notorious, murderous, faceplateless Soundwave would not have been the one to put a stop to it. As if the Autobots think we are total fools. Next thing they'll be telling us is the Decepticon's third in command is frolicking with Earth's local wildlife. No, they're just blaming us Decepticons for the locals knowing about our presence here. I'm sure it was an Autobots blunder."

"Hm…" Was all Chop Shop offered. Steeljaw was stubborn, so it was a shot in the dark to think he could convince this one. But hey, he had to at least try.

Steeljaw was suddenly snickering to himself. "But either way, we can use the reveal of our people's existence on this world to our advantage… I assume that's what Glowstrike wanted to talk to me about."

Chop Shop rose an optic ridge. Ominous. "Yea?"

Steeljaw flashed an innocent smile over his shoulder as they continued to trek on. "We haven't mentioned anything to the troops yet. But the bosses finally took my advice. It's sort of like a plan C if plans A and B go to the pits." Steeljaw slashed through another large tree, still cackling to himself. He was probably amused by Chop Shop's clear confusion. "We are going to have Needler hack into this world's primitive satellite network and broadcast our presence here. We'll state our claim on this world, and then send out a low pulse EMP field for good measure. Nothing strong enough to effect Cybertronian technologies, but it will be plenty to forever destroy every bit of human tech. What little military resistance they could have put forth against us will be crushed before they even know what happened."

Chop Shop blinked. Well, scrap. That was definitely going to be a problem for the Autobots back at base. Normally, He would have been none plused by the plot. He may have even found it amusing. But this time around it actually did affect him. The Autobots said they would be sending him home to Cybertron once all the drama here was done. This was likely to stall his travel plans.

Chop Shop tried to hide his annoyance, and instead laughed along with Steeljaw. "You're a crazy and ambitious loon, mate. Not gonna lie." He made a note to let the Autobots know about this new little detail when he had a free klik.

"I strive to be the ambitious type. Crazy is just a plus," Steeljaw insisted. "Not like there has been much time for that sort of thing during the war. Lord Megatron tends to hog the glory, after all."

"Yeah, yeah, that's… true?" Chop Shop came to a stop as his optic lights reflected off something silver and white in the woods. He blinked again, gazing around at the tightly woven fibers connecting the densest trees.

"What's wrong?" Steeljaw demanded.

"Nothin'," Chop Shop promised, though he was still transfixed. He shuttered his focus, zooming in until he saw the culprits behind the webs. Tiny organic creatures sporting eight little peds. Their reflective little optics caught the light, but they appeared unfazed by the Cybertronians stomping through. "Arachniforms," he stated out loud.

"Pardon?" Steeljaw sounded like he wasn't too keen on stopping to take in the sights.

Chop Shop ignored him and got closer to one elaborate web. "It's what my minicon alt modes are based off… Who woulda thought organics would be sportin' the form too. Small universe." The itty creature had insnared a smaller winged organic in its net. It set to work wrapping its pray in silky string. Impressive for such a small predator. Chop Shop found himself smiling. "I mean, I can't blame em' for goin' with this shape. It's a good form. I can attest to it." He stood back up, and now he was actually paying attention to their surroundings.

This was the thickest part of the woods, the leaves lined with webbing and the familiar little arachniforms. But more than that. Those winged creatures that lived in the cave the Decepticons called dibs on were now active, fluttering around through the branches bouncing sonic waves off every surface. Creatures hidden deep in the brush sang to each other in clashing languages Chop Shop's translator couldn't decipher. As long as he had been stuck here, how hadn't he noticed all this? "I guess it ain't too bad… Brushfire maybe was onta somethin'."

"Who?"

Scrap. Chop Shop managed to play it off just as fast. "Eh, another Con I bumped inta before you lot found me. She got, captured by the Autobots. But, she seemed to like the organic life here. I didn't think much of it till now." He explained with a shrug and silently praised his own quick thinking.

"Interesting," Steeljaw offered from behind, still sounding unimpressed. Not that Chop Shop cared what he thought. He was allowed to be sentimental.

The blaze of a flamethrower scorched away the somber darkness and shocked Chop Shop out of his musing. He spun around to see Steeljaw and his small flaming weapon mounted on his servo currently blazing away the webbing and trees. "Organic life was never impressive to me, but each is own, I suppose. Personally, I'm sick of it getting in the way."

Chop Shop snatched Steeljaw by the same servo, startling the shorter Con. The weapon went out, leaving only the destruction it had caused still blazing around them. "Don't do that." He hissed and flicked Steeljaw's offending limb to the side.

Steeljaw appeared more confused than annoyed at being snatched. "Why?"

At first, Chop Shop didn't have a plausible explanation. But the rising smoke gave him an idea. "It'll signal the Autobots lurkin' around here." He went to stomp out the flames before they devoured anymore trees.

Steeljaw still appeared unconvinced. "It's not big enough to signal anyone."

"Ya haven't noticed how dry this place is?" Chop Shop snapped. "Fire spreads here, and that'll make a big enough signal. Don't do it again."

"Alright," Steeljaw conceded. "Though I still haven't run into any Autobots no matter how many paths I have blazed."

Chop Shop turned on him with a frowned. "How many fires have ya started?"

Steeljaw shrugged. "Just a few. Enough to make a path to the Energon cave."

As it turned out, Chop Shop's idea of 'just a few' and Steeljaw's differed wildly. After pushing on, a wall of smoke and ash greeted them. Flames snapped at the dried brush like a greedy black hole devoured star matter. Steeljaw was annoyed each time Chop Shop stopped them to stomp out the blaze. When it was all said and done, he couldn't hear any more organic chirps or beating wings. Only the smoldering of wood. Chop Shop maintained his sour attitude even past the devastation. It shouldn't bother him, but it did. The trees had been hindering, and here he was, missing them.

The path ended at a stone cliffside with jagged peaks. At the very least, Steeljaw couldn't set anything on fire here. Steeljaw approached a large, rounded boulder and gave it a few good shoves. It budged, but only just. Chop Shop put aside his pissy mood and went to help move the rock. With his larger built frame, it only took a few good pushes to roll the stone out of their way. A dark, rather foreboding greeted them. "Thanks for the help!" Steeljaw gave Chop Shop's lower servo a praiseful pat. "And if I could ask one more favor, could you stand guard at the entrance while I scout ahead? Since you were so worried about Autobots spotting us, it couldn't hurt to be on the safe side."

"Sure." Chop Shop said flatly. In truth, he didn't feel like ducking all the way down the low hanging tunnel.

"Great! Will just take a klik!" Steeljaw promised before rushing off into the darkness. Chop Shop wasn't actually worried about roving Autobots. So instead of keeping an optic out, he trekked back and stomped out the smoldering coals of the forest. Brushfire had been right. It had already started catching again.

Once done, he vented hard as he slouched against the cave entrance. Now that he was thoroughly annoyed, he spent his time gazing out over the cliff onto the sea. On the distance over the dark horizon, he caught the twinkle of metal. A ship, probably. Either human, or the roving Autobots Steeljaw mentioned.

He should probably take the opportunity to connect with the Autobots again. Specially if the ship he saw was their missing in action comrades. He didn't make a move to activate the secret commlink. Likely, the boat was only humans. The spunky little organics littered every surface of this planet. They may even be coming to investigate the copious amount of smoke spillin' into the sky. In addition to the locals, word of the fire would also upset Brushfire, the real reason he wasn't reportin' in. Pits, it upset him too. Damn, the Autobots really were rubbing off on him. Great.

The whisper of a snarl echoed behind him in the cave. Chop Shop gave the darkness an odd glance. Again with this? It sounded like Steeljaw was arguing. But it was just the two of them here, right?

Determined to get to the bottom of this, he journeyed inside. As he suspected, he had to duck down the whole way so not to bash his helm on the rock ceiling. As he followed the noise, it became clear he wasn't just imagining things. Steeljaw was actively arguing with someone. Or something. He could only hear Steeljaw's side of the quarrel.

As he traveled farther in, and the darkness was supposed to get thicker, Chop Shop noticed a shift in the ambient light. A soft glow coming from the shadows and cracks around him… No, it was the walls. Runes etched into the rock were glowing deep purple. Unlike writing Chop Shop had seen on human signs and buildings, this was Cybertronian. But why here? He didn't have time to investigate, because he was close enough for Steeljaw's side of the conversation to become clear.

"You say the staff is powerful, but I can't use it anymore? If it is as ancient as you claim, then why can I not utilize it for my goals before I release you?"

Silence.

Chop Shop waited for any kind of response. There was nothing until Steeljaw scoffed. "Then why drag me here if not to charge the weapon? I feel it's power again! I will need it before you find an adequate Groundbridge to connect it to!"

More silence.

Steeljaw snarled. "It doesn't matter what I plan to use it for! I have helped you and continue to do so! I have earned a right to the spoils!"

Now thoroughly unnerved, Chop Shop stepped forward towards the light. He had to see what the frag was going on.

"Who's there?" Steeljaw demanded from the source of the light. He was just ahead in a larger chamber. He figured he'd hear him coming, so he didn't bother sneaking up.

"Just me mate. Don't shoot me please." Chop Shop said with an innocent snicker. "Heard ya shoutin'. Wanted to be sure all was well." He was finally able to stand in the new chamber with its higher ceilings. His need to slouch over the whole trip was instantly forgotten as he took in his new surroundings. More of those ancient glowing Cybertronian runes lined the cavern walls. They were so old Chop Shop couldn't even read them.

Somehow odder than the carvings, Steeljaw was still alone despite the vicious argument that led him here. "Um, what in tha Pits is this place?" He wandered up to a massive mural on the largest wall which Steeljaw was standing under. Thirteen Cybertronian figures were depicted there, holding weapons aloft to scare away… well, Chop Shop wasn't sure what it was they were trying to hold at bay. Etched into the stone was some formless mass, multiple optics peeking from behind a doorway in the stars. "These the Primes?" He guessed while running a hand across who he assumed to be the depiction of Solus Prime. The big hammer she wielded kinda gave her away.

"It would seem," Steeljaw offered, though sounded similarly unsure. "There is a pool of Energon flowing under us around this alter… It was what I smelled."

Chop Shop side stepped him to get to said alter. It was an elaborately carved stone pedestal to hold something that was no longer there. Shallow rivers of Energon were carved around its base, and it had a similar glow like the walls. "Looks like somethin' was meant to go here." He noted while continuing to touch the empty spot on the altar and everything else he probably shouldn't be touching.

"Indeed. It was this." He looked in time to see an imposing staff unfold in Steeljaw's claws. "It's meant to open something here, or so I have been told."

"Who told ya that?"

Steeljaw wavered, but only slightly. "I have something to admit… When the Alchemor was crashing, I heard a voice. I have since continued to hear this voice, even when no other could."

Chop Shop cracked a grin. "Ya should probably see someone about that, mate."

They had a good laugh between them before Steeljaw continued, turning the staff in his claws, observing it with reverence. "This same voice has been leading me to these strange places littered around this world. I discovered, only my refined audios could pick up this invisible entity's instructions. It crashed the Alchemor that set us free. It is leading me to something great."

A ping from the Decepticon base caught both of their attention. "Well, whatever helps ta get us off this rock faster I figure. Tell ya Voice to lend a servo," Chop Shop said with a shrug. "We should head back before they send a whole team after us." He would leave whatever the scrap was happening in the cave to someone else more qualified in the ancient prophecy department.

"Do you know what else my refined audios can pick up, aside from the Voice?" Steeljaw asked randomly.

"Eh?" Chop Shop said not bothering to turn around since he was already halfway to the exit.

An explosion of pain, and then the world shattered into nonsensical shapes and darkness.

What happened? His mind was slow to process anything helpful. The minicon's collective consciousness that made him up started bubbling to the surface as he felt his bond breaking apart. The light came back, and he was crumbled against the cavern floor, struggling to intake, alarms blaring in his audios.

Keep it together… He clung to that feeling like a mantra. As a combiner they had a chance. They… He was shot. That became clear as war nostalgia kicked in. But… Between his struggle to remain conscious, he managed to make out the blurry gray blue image of a familiar figure as it loomed over him. Steeljaw. Smiling ever so innocently down, holding that staff, the end smoking from a recent released attack. "I can hear your 'secret' wire frequency to the Autobots, traitor," Steeljaw informed him with a sneer.

He knelt down, getting closer to make sure Chop Shop's hazy focus could still make him out. "Really, brother? All to chase some Autobot aft? I truly hope it was worth it."

Chop Shop reached back with throbbing servos. His hands grasped air. His gun was gone. His gun was back at the Autobot base. He didn't need it to get this scrap eater… He forced the numbness away from his limbs so he could activate his electric claws, swiping at Steeljaw with a snarl.

Steeljaw lazily stepped away and out of his range. Chop Shop could catch the fragga if he could stand... He collapsed. Keep it together! He had to… keep himself from breaking apart. The light from the room continued to fade. Somewhere in his helm, he heard the buzz of the Autobot comm frequency. They probably saw his dimming life signal. Could they pinpoint his location? Not with all the cavern rock in the way. Scrap.

"At first, I let your presence slide," Steeljaw explained. Chop Shop couldn't quite find him in the haze. But he had to still hear his damn voice. He couldn't just pass out in peace. "You were sabotaging the escape shuttle. That was a huge help to me. And even with you spewing your Autobot propaganda to the troops, the damage to Glowstrike and Saberhorn's little plot were worth it. But then, you stepped into my plan. That Energon your Autobot handlers delivered, thoroughly fragged my long and detailed plot. My ploy only works if the group is starving and on the brink of stasis lock. I can't convince anyone to revolt against the big bad leaders if everyone's well-fed. That hurt me, because I thought we were friends," Chop Shop heard the fragger chuckle. He tried to slash at the haze with his dwindling electricity. His claws only met air.

Even through the dark, Steeljaw became visible. He had stepped ever closer. Chop Shop could strike. Take the scraphelm down with him. His servos were totally numb. He couldn't tell if he was moving them or not. Steeljaw continued flashing those sharp, smug denta. "Oh well. I'll figure out something to undo the damage you caused. After all, improvisation is the better part of planning, or at least that's what I hear," The staff in his claws started glowing again. That buzzing weapon came to be aimed right between Chop Shop's optics.

Chop Shop wasn't sure what happened. He was about to die, but then the glow had vanished, and Steeljaw had fallen backwards and back out of his limited line of sight. No… He had been pulled away. By who?

"Why are you interfering?!" He heard Steeljaw snarl.

Maybe it was his untethering grasp too the living world, but Chop Shop didn't hear any answer. Maybe it was the ghost Steeljaw claimed he could hear. "The Staff has plenty of power to deal with this traitor and free you!"

Silence.

"Gah! Fine! I don't need the staff…" Steeljaw, back in his faceplates again, his sharpened claws poised to attack. He was still smiling. "I can handle this the old-fashioned way."

Maybe it was mercy from Primus, but Chop Shop lost the fight against the encroaching darkness just as he heard Steeljaw shout out in alarm.