107/De-escalation

**Swivel has posed:**
 It's a busy night at Macadams. Even with inflation due to energon shortages, hard earned shanix is being spent on the panacea for inhibition. Whether out to socialize with friends or solo to drown out hardship, many mechs and femmes have their reasons to be there.
      Swivel, among the crowd, is seated at the bar, her chin resting on the counter. Her optics stare intently at the empty vessel in front of her. She had been staring in silence for some time now, and had been given several hints to either buy another drink or move on. Since the odd cheap drink was all she could afford, Swivel sighs and finally slips off of her stool. She lands not-so-gracefully and stumbles. Although she manages to keep herself from tripping, upon turning, her tires sprouting from her back bump another medium sized mech, causing him to drop drinks that he was carrying. There was a momentary silence and a tense exchange of stares, one scared, one angry. And just as Swivel began to babble out apologies, the mech picked the femme up, bringing her face close to his.
      "You gonna pay for that?" the mech asks menacingly. Some nearby mechs look away, not wanting to get involved.
      Swivel squirms, her hands coming up and pulling at the mech's wrists in futility. "Nah, I dun'ave eny shanix. I kinna..." SHAKE. "...I hones'ly kinna pay fer..." VIOLENT SHAKE "Please.... I dinna...."

*Swivel Speech Translation: "No, I do not have any shanix. I can not... I honestly can not pay for... Please... I did not...."*

**Arcee has posed:**
Arcee strolls into the bar after a long patrol. After some of the things she's witnessed in recent cycles, she's eager to have a little bit of R&R. At first, her focus is on the door -- she had seen a few of her friends and colleagues back at the base, and expected them to be showing up at any moment. But then a ruckus at the bar area refocuses her attention there. What was going on there??

**Springer has posed:**
    Springer is in the back of the bar, sitting in his favorite booth, enjoying a strong drink after a long shift. Gazing towards the front of the bar, he notices the mech hassling Swivel, and being Springer, he immediately stands up, finishes his drink in one drink, and makes his way towards the heart of the situation. "Excuse me," he says, looking down at the mech with his grubby hands all over Swivel. "Do we have a problem here?"

**Swindle has posed:**
Swindle is in the bar, as per usual, to do the huckstering. Bars are great places to pawn off merchandise, particularly to mechs who are a little on the overenergized side. While he conducts deals, he sips at a pitch black drink, which looks for all the world like the darkest, crudest oil ever to lubricate a crank case.

**Quantum has posed:**
Up on the holoscreens above the bar, Chronos of the INS is talking about the big news about Starscream's trial at Raskol Arena. Quantum is sitting there as well, sipping on some middle-of-the-line drink. He peers over at Swivel's situation. The reaction those mechs had shouldn't have come as a surprirse, after all, with the energon crisis worsening and the war also exacerbating things.

    He watches as Springer steps in, then smirks just a little bit, getting up and approaching as well. "Hey, hey. No need to get feisty all right?" He hands the angered mech some shanix. "Here, this should be good enough to replace 'em, okay?"

**Swivel has posed:**
 The small femme was beginning to look rather frazzled from the shaking, and her words, although already hardly understandable, were becoming more incoherent. The Mech looks as though he were ready to toss her or tear her apart. However, he is interrupted by Springer. The mech glares at Springer, opening his mouth as if to respond, but then he actually takes a moment to look at the mech and evaluate him. He slowly lowers the femme he'd been holding up until her feet almost touch the ground, but not yet. Swivel's legs move anticipating there to be ground beneath them, but without friction, they end up just swinging uselessly. What a tease.
      "Well, I'm just enforcing the 'you break it, you buy it' law. The femme cost me two drinks, so she should pay but" his glare turns menacingly down at Swivel. "She keeps lying about having nothing. But obviously, she had enough to buy herself a drink."
      Perhaps the situation might have escalated, but fortunately, there are those aiming at keeping the peace. When Quantum offers the shanix, the mech drops Swivel and receives the compensation. He looks at the amount, then at the spilt drinks. There is a rat-like gleam in his optics. He licks his lips and looks at the Shanix, then at Quantum, then at the spilt drinks on the floor again. "Well. That covers maybe one drink" he begins saying, but the mech is a terrible liar.

**Arcee has posed:**
As Quantum diffuses the situation with the testy mech and Swivel, Arcee also spots Swindle, and then Springer. She notes to herself that Blast Off didn't make it in here with the conman, so that might help in the quest to keep the peace in this place. She heads over to join Springer. "The mood in this place is a lot tenser than I remember it," she admits.

**Springer has posed:**
Springer looks Quantum over like he might take offense at the interruption, until it becomes clear that the mech is trying to scam the Decepticon. Then Springer grins broadly, and looks between the mech and Quantum like he's enjoying the sudden turn in the situation. Perhaps tellingly, he's more focused on the potential conflict than on poor Swivel, the initial focus of his intervention. As Arcee joins him, he glances down at her with a chuckle. "Yep. But this guy here is going to fix everything once he pays for the other spilled drink." Springer crosses his arms across his broad chest and looks pleased.

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum gives the mech a 'really?' expression. "I'm not an idiot, pal. I know the prices here and I know that what I just gave you is twice the amount. You having trouble counting, or what?"

    He ignores Springer and Arcee, and begins to usher Swivel away from the group. "Careful next time. With the way things are going around here these cycles, not a lot of people take any destruction of property lightly. And yeah, even consumables."

**Swindle has posed:**
Swindle casually observes the group of Autobots that have gathered. He's still sipping his dark, viscous beverage, and scans the crowd to pick up on any potential saps. However tense the mood may be, Swindle is very relaxed.

**Swivel has posed:**
 There is a tense moment when the surly mech draws his gaze away from Quantum and connects with the optics of another mech across the room. The other mech half rises, and some interplay of cues seem to go between the two before the mech looks back at Quantum. "Eh." He sighs heavily and looks at the shanix again, grumbling. He glances up at Springer again, scowling at the seemingly smug mech, and then looks to Quantum. "Hmph." The mech turns away and walks back to the bar to re-order his drinks, saying nothing more.
      As for Swivel, she is just happy to have solid ground beneath her feet again, and no one grappling her neck. Swivel looks up at Quantum for a moment, then looks down again. She begins to draw imaginary circles on the floor with the tip of her foot. "Wellum" she murmurs, "thanks I usually try ta be careful guess I gotter try 'arder"
      Meanwhile, the second mech, who had been seated during this whole affair, rises and walks over to Swindle's table, sitting down without an invitation. He eyes the thick black liquid the mech is drinking. "Well that was anti-climatic. So, I hear you are quite the hussler. Mind if I pick your processor?"

*Swivel Speech Translation: "Well... thanks I usually try to be careful.... guess I got to try harder."*

**Arcee has posed:**
Arcee smiles slightly as Quantum manages to diffuse the situation, and Swivel emerges from the ordeal unharmed. "I'm getting a table, you got time to join or are you on your way out of here?" she asks Springer.

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum nods. "So's it true? You really don't have any money? Or were you just trying to get him to feel sorry for you?"

**Springer has posed:**
Springer frowns as it seems that Quantum has deescalated the situation without getting hosed in the process, and made off with Swivel besides. However, at Arcee's question he looks down at her and says with a smile, "I'm not going anywhere. Want a drink? I'm buyin'." He glances back at his favorite booth, but seems willing to give it up so he can sit at Arcee's table. And people say he's not flexible.

**Swivel has posed:**
 Holding out her empty hands as more of a gesture than evidence, Swivel nods her head with a most pathetic expression. "S'true. I dun 'ave nuttin'. I'm more 'en 'appy t'avoid gettin' 'urt by throwin' down a few shanix." That might be why she gets mugged so much - it works. "Find 'avin' more 'en a few shanix kin be dan'jus. So's I jus' work fer supplies mos'ly." The femme shrugs lightly. "Did I say thanks, 'coz if I din', thanks. Though I think I did, but jus' 'case I di'n, I dun wanna be ungrateful." Swivel glances up at Quantum, wearing a sloppy and tentative smile.

*Swivel Speech Translation: "It is true. I do not have nothing. I am more than happy to avoid getting hurt by throwing down a few shanix. Find having more than a few shanix can be dangerous. So I just work for supplies mostly. Did I say thanks, because if I did not, thanks. Though I think I did, but just in case I did not, I do not want to be ungrateful."*

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum shrugs. "You did. But really, no need to. I didn't do it for you. No one wants a big brawl starting in a place like this." He sits down at an empty booth nearby. "But I take it you need a job."

**Phantom has posed:**
Wherever Quantum is, a Phantom is very likely to follow. The bar doors slide open, allowing the foreigner into the bar. He transforms and grins widely at Quantum, patting his arm affectionately. "I thought I would find you here."

 Swivel is dutifully ignored for now, as Phantom's attention is diverted towards Arcee. His optics light up and he slides over to Arcee, giving her a chastise kiss on the lips this time. "Greetings to her Highness the dancing queen," he teases lightly. "It has been too long. It is good to see you are doing good." But he takes a seat nearby next to Quantum.

**Arcee has posed:**
"Oh, Phantom, quit it!" Arcee protests, flailing a bit as Phantom sashays into the place and steals a kiss from her. "You can't do that, okay??" She has this sinking feeling that Phantom's going to be at the top of the list of her all-time life regrets. A cute regret, but definitely in the 'regret' category. She sinks down into her seat. "Ugh. I'm ordering something stronger than usual," she grumbles to Springer. Then, she peers over at Phantom joining Quantum. "...Hm. Who is that mech..."

**Swivel has posed:**
There is an odd expression on Swivel's face in response to Quantum's comments. She tilts her head. "Um" she furrows her optics ridges. "I'm grateful, dun mean I think I'm the reason 'enone does 'enthin' specifically f'me. I coo jus' as much thank ya fer bein' mech 'nuff ta try 'n keep the peace fer everyone 'ere. Results th'same, an' tha's great fer me. So thank ya, loud 'n clear, 'coz I 'spress my gratitude 'coz it's 'portant ta me." Swivel nods her head after giving her little speech.
      It is then that Phantom appears, and despite being dutifully ignored, Swivel nods to him politely. Even if he likely doesn't see it. "'Enway, I'm a'ways lookin' fer jobs, s'long as they dun 'volve killin'. I make a great courier, I do good scoutin' 'n checkin' areas fer 'azards, an' I dun mind goin' deep unnerground. I kin find lost pets" Swivel shrugs. "Cleanin menial stuff really, but I'll do it fer supplies jus ta keep me goin' or shelter." As Swivel makes her pitch, she glances back over to Phantom and Arcee. She raises her optic ridges at the forwardness of Phantom, and then is reminded how quickly he moved the first time he's met her, and how quickly be became disillusioned the next encounter. She smirks a little and snorts softly in mild amusement.

*Swivel Speech Translation: "Um... I am grateful, but that does not mean that I think I am the reason anyone does anything specifically for me. I could just as much thank you for being mech enough to try and keep the peace for everyone here. Results are the same, and that is great for me. So thank you, loud and clear, because I express my gratitude because it is important to me. Anyway, I am always looking for jobs, so long as they do not involve killing. I make a great courier, I do good scouting and checking areas for hazards, and I do not mind going deep underground. I can find lost pets... cleaning... menial stuff really. But I will do it for supplies just to keep my going or shelter."*

**Springer has posed:**
Springer tries to keep an optic on Swivel as Quantum offers her a job, but is jolted when Phantom slides over and kisses Arcee. Springer's optics literally go red, and he clenches his massive fists. However, he glances first at Arcee to see her reaction before he acts, in case this was somehow invited or warranted. "You want me to remind him about the dangers of invading someone else's bodily integrity?" he asks, placing one fist in the palm of his other hand, and ignoring her other question for now.

**Phantom has posed:**
Regrets, indeed. He just gives her a very sad look, optics wide and mournful. "You don't like it? Oh, I am so sorry," he says softly, "I was confused. I thought because you kissed me on the lips before that you prefer it. Oh I know, I will pay for your drink!" He pauses, taking out several shanix that he probably stole from a wasted patron and handing it to the bartender. "That's for the dancing queen here," he says gesturing at Arcee and either ignoring Springer or remaining blissfully unaware that he's even sitting there.

 The bartender, who has been charmed by Phantom's friendly demeanor one too many times, takes the shanix with a grin and a nod.

 However, when Swivel mentions being interested in hired by the Deceptions, his optics narrow and he places a hand on Quantum's arm. "Don't let her do anything for you," he says quietly to him, "<she trusts those Autobots. She is almost one of them already>" he finishes, warning Quantum by radio.

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum nods. "Courier, eh? I thought so. Well I happen to have a little delivery that needs to be made. Fast, and discreet." He takes out a moderately-sized rectangular case and slides it over to her. "I can pay in shanix, or whatever you need I guess."

    << Don't tell me what to do. >> He replies sharply back to Phantom on the comms. Then he notices what Phantom is doing. Good -Primus.- "Just a moment." he says to Swivel, getting up and moving over to Arcee's table. "Snap out of it." Quantum demands, attempting to grab his arm and pull him away. "You're just asking for trouble."

**Arcee has posed:**
Arcee looks from Phantom, to Springer, and back again just in time to observe Quantum grabbing ahold of Phantom's arm. Once Phantom and Quantum are out of audial range, Arcee leans toward Springer. "I think his processor is slow. He doesn't catch on very well. Just ignore him, I'll tell you the whole story about him another time. One thing that's got me interested is...he's a Decepticon, and...this mech he's 'with', the one chastising him, the one who stopped the mech at the bar from roughing up that femme --" She gestures toward Swivel. "I suspect he's one, too, or a sympathizer. Not really much else of a reason they would be palling around together..."

**Springer has posed:**
Springer glowers as Phantom tries to smooth things over by buying Arcee a drink, and doesn't look much happier as de-escalation-master Quantum gets up to intervene. Springer looks ready to go do some manual attitude-adjustment with his fists, but at Arcee's words he sits down and settles for giving the Decepticons some world-class stink-optic. "Not really the best people for Swivel to be palling around with," he says judgmentally, eyes narrowing. At least they've turned back to blue. "Maybe we should warn her," he offers, as if looking for an excuse to go over there.

**Swivel has posed:**
 The case that Quantum brings out certainly draws Swivel's interest. "I kin be discrete. Dun care wot's innit an' wun ask more questions 'en I need ta do th'job roight," Swivel reassures with a pleasant smile. However, before more can be said about the job, Quantum's attention is divided by the overtures of Phantom. Swivel glances back over to Phantom, Arcee, Springer and Quantum, covering her mouth with her hand to keep herself from laughing at the sight. Somehow, Phantom is reminding her of a precocious newspark impetuously getting himself into trouble to the point where instructors had to intervene. While Quantum is pulling him away, Swivel's optics are gleaming with unbridled amusement.

*Swivel Speech Translation: "I can be discrete. I do not care what is in it and will not ask more question than I need to do the job right."*

**Phantom has posed:**
"N--!" Phantom protests when Quantum tugs him away from the Autobots. Eventually, he flings Quantum's arm off. "<Okay I will leave her alone if you promise not to hire that courier>" He says.

 He places a hand on Quantum's shoulder, casting a sidelong glance at Swivel before swiping the container away, optics narrowed. "<I am trying to help you. I am saying to you now, don't do this. You will regret hiring her>"

**Quantum has posed:**
"Excuse me, that is mine, and I don't -need- your help." Quantum snaps, grabbing it back and giving it to Swivel again. "You, on the other hand, appear to need mine." He glances at Springer, who looks about ready to spring (ha) on any excuse to come over and rough Phantom up.

    He turns back to Swivel. "Sorry about that. He's...annoying a lot." He hands her a dataslug with an address on it. "Oh um, one thing about this job though." Leaning in, he lowers his voice. "When you deliver it, you might want to get away quick--you know, in case it gets opened right away."

**Arcee has posed:**
"Do you know her?" Arcee asks Springer with sudden surprise, giving a furtive glance toward Swivel before looking back toward Springer. "Because she'll definitely be on Prowl's radar if she accepts work from a Decepticon or sympathizers. She might not know."

**Phantom has posed:**
Phantom seems to be in disbelief. He glances over at Arcee and Springer and discussing Swivel and looks immensely offended, though as to why may remain a bit of a mystery at this point. "<Don't be so stupid! Don't you see she is already so wrapped up with them, even they are interested in her! You are going to regret this and then it will be my fault I didn't stop you from doing the stupid thing!>" He fumes at Quantum.

His optics narrow when he hands the container to Swivel. He crouches, glaring at the small female. "We are going to have some words, later," he says harshly, then mutters some kind of peculiar insult in a language that sounds Cybertronian but is totally incomprehensible to everyone except for perhaps Quantum.

 He transforms and flies out of the bar, brooding.

**Springer has posed:**
Springer says, "Yeah. She's a friend of Blurr's. I don't really know her, but she seems OK - definitely not someone who should get caught up with the Decepticons - or on the wrong side of Prowl." He glances up as Phantom makes his hasty and dramatic retreat from the bar. "I should go over there and set things straight," he says, standing again and looking ready to go handle things with his unique blend of two-fisted diplomacy.

**Swivel has posed:**
 Nodding and smiling, Swivel smiles and remarks, her optics on Phantom, "Eh, 'e dun seem annoyin' t'me. Peaceful I'd say, dinna shoot back iffin...." Swivel breaks off when she notices the nasty looks she's getting from Phantom. "....er.... ne'mind." Swivel looks at the dataslug, nodding as she is given instructions. However, one of those instructions give her pause and her face drops any hint of a smile and her optics widen a bit. And then, Phantom's harsh reach her, and all Swivel can greet that with is bonadife confusion. "W-words....?" Swivel looks rather uncomfortable after he storms out, and then looks at Quantum, giving a sheepish smile and a nervous, halphazard giggle. "Un..... am I causin' trouble fer ya? Coz if so..." she holds out the dataslug back to Quantum. "I dun wanna ruin things fer you an'... yer friend. Coz if 'e 'ent yer friend, ya woona 'elped him from causin' trouble THEN call 'im annoyin'. Tha' sorta do one thing say another's usually wot friends do, yanno?"

*Swivel Speech Translation: "Eh, he does not seem annoying to me. Peaceful I would say, did not shoot back even... er... nevermind. W-word...? Um... am I causing trouble for you? Because if so... I do not want to ruin things for you and your friend. Because if he is not your friend, you would not have helped him from causing trouble THEN call him annoying. That sort of do on thing say another is usually what friends do, you know?"*

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum smirks when Swivel seems to be having second thoughts about the job, and pushes her hand and the dataslug back--in fact he goes as far as to hold her hand down against the table. "Oh no--not at all. In fact, I simply -must- insist."

    He dutifully ignores Phantom's angry comments.

**Arcee has posed:**
Arcee watches Phantom exit the tavern, then she looks back toward Springer, and nods. "Okay," she answers. As Springer crosses the bar to go inform Swivel, she takes out her datapad and begins looking up whatever information she can find in the Autobot database that matches Quantum's image. While she's doing this, she keeps one audial on how things are transpiring. Also, in the meantime, she orders (and receives) a Toraxxis Flame, which is a popular drink originating from Tyger Pax.

**Springer has posed:**
Springer stands and makes his way over to Quantum and Swivel's nearby table, where, since he's been keeping his optic on them, he's witnessed their latest exchange. Standing overbearingly over the two of them, he glowers down at Quantum. "I believe your offer has been rejected," he says threateningly. "Let go of her hand, and leave this bar. The last thing she wants is to be blacklisted for working with terrorists like you," he throws down.

**Swivel has posed:**
 With her hands closed around the dataslug, Swivel curls in her lips, but then nods her head. "Okay, okay, yeah, jus' dinna wanner in'rectly 'coz trouble 'tween friends, coz toims loik this 'swhen ya need 'em most, yanno?" Says the femme who is routinely refusing help from one of her friends. Swivel was about to say something more, having not put the slug away yet, when her and Quantum are approached. Swivel looks up as Springer butts in, listening to what he says carefully. She then looks over at Quantum, raising her optic ridges, but saying nothing.

*Swivel Speech Translation: "Okay, okay, yes, just did not want to indirectly cause trouble between friends, because times like this is when you need them most, you know?"*

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum glares up at Springer. "Mind your own business. Just trying to help her out. She needs a job, I'm giving her one. 'Kay?" He nods toward Swivel. "Right? Right." His expression slowly turns into a smirk as he nods toward the fembot.

    His hand moves discreetly, preparing to draw his weapons.

**Arcee has posed:**
Arcee learns a little more about Quantum as she sips her Toraxxis Flame, then she locks down the datapad and pays a little more attention to the conversation in progress. She doesn't much like the tone Quantum is taking with Springer, it sets off some red flags for her. So she remains in her seat, but prepares to get up quickly and take action if the circumstances change unexpectedly.

**Springer has posed:**
Springer turns his attention to Swivel. "You don't want to work for him. If you need a job that badly, I'll find you one - one that won't wind you up on the wrong side of the law." Springer has the hilt of an energy sword on his hip, but -- perhaps surprisingly enough -- his stance isn't one of someone about to launch a physical attack. Instead, he seems more focused on convincing Swivel not to take the job through words alone.

**Swivel has posed:**
 Well this is interesting. And by interesting, one means uncomfortable. Swivel appears like some creature caught in headlights for a moment or two. She looks to Springer. She looks to Quantum. She looks at the dataslug. "Uh.... um... er..." Swivel finally puts the dataslug down on the nearest surface, then looks down. "I dunno wot's gwon... all I know is I dun wan' trouble.... I'm jus tryna survive..." Swivel looks at Springer. "It's not jus 'avin' a job, it's gettin' good rep fer the jobs I do. If I dun do jobs 'coz big blokes loik ya show up 'n say summon's a terrorist without proof... well it looks bad." Swivel shrugs her shoulders. "I wanner not be a crim'nal, but I 'ent gunner pick soids either. I work for 'oo kin pay, 'n I call it honest."

*Swivel Speech Translation: "Uh... um... er... I do not know what is going on... all I know is I do not want trouble... I am just trying to survive... It is not just having a job, it is getting good reputation for the jobs I do. If I do not do jobs because big blokes like you show up and say someone is a terrorist withou proof... well it looks bad. I do not want to be a criminal, but I am not going to pick sides either. I work for whoever can pay, and I call it honest."*

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum pulls the gun, but doesn't fire it just yet. "See?" he waves it in Swivel's direction first. "Just trying to help her out. And you're hampering her career. Now," He stands up and points the weapon threateningly in Springer's direction. "Step. Away. Before this gets ugly. Yeah?"

**Arcee has posed:**
The moment she sees Quantum pull a weapon, Arcee draws her own laser-pistol and aims it at Quantum from where she's seated. Even now, she remains at the table where she's sitting, because she plans on nailing him with a shot the minute he tries anything with Springer.

**Springer has posed:**
Springer's optic-ridges raise at first, but then his blue eyes narrow. "You're not going to get a good rep if you don't choose carefully who you work for. You don't want to take my word for it? Fine - I can respect that. Just do your research on this guy, too, before you agree to run anything for him. 'I didn't ask questions' isn't going to protect you if you wind up delivering a bomb because ---"

    Springer turns as Quantum points a gun in his direction. "You see?" he asks casually, as if his life isn't suddenly in danger. "Is this someone you want to trust?" To Quantum he says seriously, "Put that thing away in here - unless you want to take this outside." He puts his hand deliberately on the hilt of his sword, but doesn't draw it, looking instead directly into Quantum optics with a steady expression.

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum doesn't move, refusing to put away the weapon. He's noticed Arcee pull hers too, but pretends he hasn't. "I told you, you go away, this goes away. Got it?"

**Swivel has posed:**
".....Truth b'told, I'm jus tryna do things th'way my old employer did. 'E screened all the jobs 'fore 'andin' it off t'me..." Swivel admits meekly. "'N 'is policy was dun pick soids, dun ask questions... jus' do th'job......" Swivel frowns. She looks between Springer and Quantum tensely. She doesn't notice Arcee pulling a weapon mostly because these two mechs are a more immediate concern to her well being. Swivel slumps her shoulders. She then looks at Quantum. "Well there's no point in takin' th'job now.... coz if it was meant t'be discrete, it's all ready blown outter tha'." She looks over at Springer. "Cost me a job..." Swivel winks at Springer as inconspicuously as she can to try and relate that she's not upset about losing this job. "But it kint b'elped now." Swivel throws up her arms and sighs heavily, getting up and starting to walk away.

*Swivel Speech Translation: "Truth be told, I am just trying to do things the way my old employer did. He screened all the jobs before handing it off to me... And his policy was do not pick sides, do not ask questions... just do the job... Well there is no point in taking the job now... because if it was meant to be discrete, it is already blow out of that. Cost me a job... but it can not be helped now."*

**Arcee has posed:**
Arcee waits out another tense moment as Swivel decides this job isn't worth her time. She sort of feels bad for Swivel, on the one hand, because shanix is shanix, after all, and when one works freelance it can be in short supply. As she waits to see how this plays out, she watches Swivel in the event she might need to cover her from damage, mayhem, friendly fire or the like.

**Springer has posed:**
"No, you're going to go away, if I have to drag you by the neck and throw you out. Now. Put. Away. The. Gun." Springer steps forward, practically directly into the barrel, as if daring Quantum to shoot him. "You lost your mark. Take your job and your gun and walk out of here while you still can." Springer looks at Quantum with a resolve that indicates Quantum is going to have to shoot him before he's going to stand down.

**Quantum has posed:**
"Oh no you don't!" Quantum attempts to grab Swivel and jerk her back around, suddenly turning his weapon on her instead. "Listen you worthless Empty, you don't get to turn your back on me like that. I already told you, I must insist. When I find the perfect candidate for a job, I will accept no substitutes. My clients don't tolerate any less than the best; therefore, neither will I."

    He sneers at Springer. "Oh, is that right? Lay a finger on me and she dies." The dare has been turned on the Autobot, now.

**Swivel has posed:**
SQUEEEEAAAAAAAK
      There is little dignity in being turned into a hostage, and thus Swivel feels no embarrassment about flailing and screaming when she is grabbed and whipped around, only to have a gun trained on her. Swivel's optics widen, and they dart all around her, following her thoughts more than any visual stimulus.
      There is a din as all the patrons of the bar have turned their attention to the current stand-off. Hostage situations are messy, and so many are edging their was carefully to any exit or cover they can find lest they become collateral.
      Alas, there is no shelter for Swivel. This is, perhaps, why it was better to leave the job gathering to her old boss when she worked in Nyon. However, this wasn't the first time she's been held hostage either. It's unnerving each time, though. She mutters something about Thundercracker, but otherwise does not dare say anything lest she even FURTHER escalate the situation. She just stares at Springer, pleadingly.

**Arcee has posed:**
The moment that Quantum grabs Swivel and turns this into a hostage situation, Arcee knows that her chance to get a shot on Quantum is now gone.

Patrons in the bar are now panicking, hiding under their tables, and so on, so the scene is becoming quickly chaotic.

Arcee seizes the opportunity to pretend like she's taking cover beneath her table, then she nimbly crawls around a few tables, ducks behind the back corner of the bar, and exits through the establishment's back door. She tightbeams to Springer, "<< I'm headed down to PD and calling the base for backup. >>" Then she transforms, and speeds off toward the Rodion PD building.

**Springer has posed:**
"You've made your point. Let go of her, and you walk away. Hurt her, even slightly, and I will tear you to pieces so small they won't even be able to recycle you." Springer's hand remains on the hilt of his sabre, but he still resists drawing it. Instead, he fixes Quantum with a hard stare that shows he means business, but he doesn't immediately do anything that would directly threaten Swivel's life. "You've gotta find better ways to recruit help," he quips.

**Quantum has posed:**
Quantum keeps the gun drawn in one hand, while he picks up the case and the dataslug in the other, shoving them back into Swivel's hands. "You do as I say, got that? And don't worry--" He smirks. "You'll still get paid." She is then shoved away roughly.

    "And you," He turns back to Springer. "We'll have to sort out our differences another time, yeah?" With that, he's out the door.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel stumbles forward, holding on to the case carefully as if terrified of dropping it. What if it IS a bomb? That would suck.

**Springer has posed:**
Instead of going after Quantum, Springer immediately moves to Swivel's side. "Are you OK?" he asks in alarm, ignoring the case for now and looking as directly as possible into Swivel's eyes. He resists the urge to grab her shoulders, figuring she's been manhandled enough for one day, and instead just leans close, looking her over with concern. "He's gone. You're going to be OK." No quips now, just earnest worry about her condition.

**Swivel has posed:**
For a while Swivel is preoccupied with just staring at the case in her hand, as if shocked that it didn't fall and explode. Even now she treats it with a level of delicacy. Even as Springer is right there, reassuring her, it takes a while for her to take her gaze away from it and look back into his optics. And when she does, she just stares at him with a blank expression. After a few moments, though, an exagerated smile comes over her face, and the sound issuing forth is difficult to differentiate between laughing and sobbing. "I'm ok-k-kay now, see, jus lookit me, notter scratch, er, notter NEW scratch on me.... I'm all 'kay, jus' fine... 'e din 'urt me. Scared me, din' 'urt me... an..." she looks down at the case she is holding again, and her grip tightens. "....if I dun do this job, I jus' moight get 'urt."

*Swivel Speech Translation: "I am ok-k-kay now, see, just look at me. Not a scratch, er, not a NEW scratch on me... I am all okay, jusst fine... He did not hurt me. Scared me, did not hurt me... and if I do not do this job, I just might get hurt."*

**Springer has posed:**
Springer frowns. "You don't have to do it - if you do, you're just on the hook for future and more dangerous assignments. You can't give in to threats -- you'll be stuck as his personal courier forever. Come with us - the Autobots can protect you." Springer continues not to lay a hand on her, making it her choice still, but earnestly imploring her not to take the job. "We're not asking you to take sides -- just don't become a tool for terrorists. And you can't deny any longer what he is."

**Swivel has posed:**
"Terrorist.... yeah n'gunna d'ny it. I was tryna give 'im 'n easy out t'try 'n let all'us save face.... guess 'e dinna see it tha' way." Swivel nervously curls in her lips and looks around. The bar is almost entirely empty now. "....Only 'elp I kin accept is a job. Beyond tha', I dun d'serve more 'elp 're protection 'en any other 'empty'. 'Coz tha's all I am."

*Swivel Speech Translation: "Terrorist... yeah, not going to deny it. I was trying to give him an easy out to try and let all of us save face... guess he did not see it that way. Only help I can accept is a job. Beyond that, I do not deserve more help or protection than any other empty. Because that is all I am."*

**Springer has posed:**
Springer's optics flash and he practically growls, "No one is less important than any other," he insists, fists tightening. "You may not feel like you're worth it, but you are. I can personally guarantee your safety if you will just let us protect you. You're not asking, but I'm offering. You are worth it. You need to see and understand that. We can find jobs for you that don't involve threats and intimidation. You don't have to be some bully's tool."

**Swivel has posed:**
There is a period of silence and a deeply troubled expression on Swivel's face as she tries to work out the many conflicts and contradictions running through her processor. After some time she nods her head. "....I'll come with ya. See wot ya kin do fer me... but th'moment...." Swivel makes a huffing sound. "No, never mind I'll be fi-" And then again she stops herself. "....well it can't 'urt ta come with ya fer now. Not dyin' is REALLY appealin' roight now."

*Swivel Speech Translation: "...I will come with you. See what you can do for me... but the moment... No, never mind I will be fi-... well it can not hurt to come with you for now. Not dying is REALLY appealing right now."*

**Springer has posed:**
Springer's entire body relaxes as relief almost physically moves through him. "Thank you," he gushes sincerely, straightening up and finally releasing the tension in his massive shoulders. "I promise - we won't let you down." Looking around the room, Springer mentally makes sure his bar tab is paid - it is - and prepares to bring Swivel in to see about her protection. He carefully doesn't pry about the case, taking it if she leaves it but not reaching for it while she still holds it in her hands.

**Swivel has posed:**
Holding on to the case tight, terrified that doing otherwise could trigger some sort of intricate mechanism, Swivel goes with Springer. She'll have it looked at maybe by someone with the proper expertise. Until then... all she can do is hope she isn't getting involved in more than she can handle.