Murder at the Opera

Harmonex, the city most paralleled with opulence, style and grace on all of Cybertron. The city that literally sings to a Cybertronian as they meander on their daily lives. Living here is definitely a privilege, not a right, and for the members of this society, the rumblings of war seem so very far away, which allows them to continue on with their lives as if nothing has changed since the first Senate passed. Megatron? That is a name that is whispered like the boogie man - much maligned, rarely seen. But the temptation of the target of several of Cybertron's elite caused Zeta enough of a worry that he has assigned a guard force to the ballroom that is on the uppermost level of the city.

A dazzling and bright room and sanctuary, strands of otherworldly music drift through the air, mingling and mixing with the natural tone of the city. High and Elite classists, with their thin and heavily decorated rather than functional armor mingle and mix with each other, while on the outskirts of the party, a very out of place Orion Pax is carrying on a conversation with Allegro, the organizer of the event.

"My group will be here shortly." Orion promises the mech as he looks over the gathering crowd and mingling groups to see if there is anyone he recognizes - but most are well out of pay grade. He had hoped to at least see Sky Lynx to translate some of the bruhaha, but at the moment, he's own his own. "Once they are present and accounted for, I will let you go ahead and begin. Thank you for your hospitality."

Allegro, a portly mech that shows very little signs of any type of a hard life, grins widely. "You don't worry any, Pax. This is a proper party for proper folks, I doubt that we'll have any trouble. Mix and mingle and enjoy yourself." He shoves a high grade cygar into Pax's hands and wanders off to go mix in with the crowd before he's called away to prepare to make his big speech.

Arcee is here already, but she isn't mingling with the elite and beautiful mechs. She's up in a small, concealed room in the mezzanine area, formerly used to house props and lights. She's cleaned it out and is using it for her sniping perch tonight, just in case there's any trouble. This vantage point allows her to see the audience, as well as the show. She shares this small space with a rocket-launcher that's about as long as she is tall. The barrel of the rocket-launcher peeking out from the small room's entryway sort of resembles one of the stage lights, and is in the same general area, so it easily blends into the scenery.

Arcee doesn't really feel that she's going to need to use this thing, but she's keeping it on hand. Just in case. In the meantime, she had one audial attuned to the ambient chatter throughout the premises, picked up by the powerful stage microphones and transmitted to her via frequency.

For the first time in many thousands of years, Ariel has reason to wear the garb of her former function. Her helm is decorated with a graceful chain of silver and small clear sparkling gems, fitted for beauty as well as functionality; she would be able to dance without losing it. As for the rest of her? She's wrapped in a saree of Yussian Arachnicon silksteel fabric, woven with intricate designs in a crisp white and cream, the bulk of the fabric slightly opaque, as if made of liquid strands of glass.

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"There you are, Orion," she muses with an elegant smile. "I'm looking forward to tonight."

As he hears his name spoken, Orion turns to the voice. He's only in his usual armor, but at least he has had it highly polished for the event. However, as he lays optics on his date, he suddenly regrets that he didn't dress up further. This is so completely out of his league. "Ariel?" he asks. Enjoy the moment, Ariel, the look of surprise and the slacked jaw are a rarity for Orion and she has completely won this battle as the mech fumbles for words before he manages to speak again.

"You look .. radiant." he finally finds a word he thinks he fits, reaching to take the femme's hands in his own. As he makes the connection, he realizes he still had the cygar in one of them. "Oh. Sorry." he says with a little laugh, while the fingers on the other hand make a series of quick gestures against Ariel's palm, slipping in to chirolingusitics to speak on a more.. personal level. (I wish I could find a better word to describe the way you look tonight. Well. All the time. Just more so tonight. You know what I mean.)

Blurr is up in that room with Arcee, with the good view of the area below. He is leaning against the side wall casually, and despite the occasion, he definitely does not look his best today. In fact, he looks rather exhausted, as if he had not recharged for several megacycles or something. "Think the Cons are gonna try anything today?" he practically mumbles the question offhandedly to the fembot.

Near where the ticketbooth is located, one can find where the donation box is. Guarded by two of the local officers, a small sign above it reads that it is nearing 500,000 shanix in donations. Below it sits a small model of the Opera House in all of its glory.

"Mmm...it's pretty /likely/," Arcee tells Blurr as she keeps one audial trained on what the mics are picking up. "We'll probably see some of them show up for sure, but this seems like the sort of thing they would target." She gives Blurr a concerned look...she figured that the speedbot would be in WAY better spirits, but he looks terrible. "Um..are you alright??"

Ariel rests a hand in Pax's and responds in kind, (You never saw me at work, did you? Well, tonight I'll allow myself to pretend to be a dancer once more. I hope you enjoy it.) She stiffles a soft chuckle at Pax's fumbling, finding it endearing. For all that strength in his upgraded frame, he's not let it go to his head. There is nothing more magnificent than a gentled stallion. "Do you dance?" she asks him.

Whirl has come here for one reason and one reason only: to work security. Sure it was a volunteer job and he jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it, sure it's been a long time since he's been to Harmonex and maybe he wanted to see the city again. And yes, MAYBE he wants to see an opera for various reasons he will never tell anyone but despite all that, he will stand his ground and claim he's only here to work security because.. reasons.

The cyclops stands by the refreshment tables, filling a cube with the most expensive energon available. When he doesn't think anyone is looking, he grabs a clawful of snacks and shoves them into a compartment.

Blurr nods. "Yeah well if they do try anything funny, we're going to kick their afts." he replies, though his voice is barely audible. He really does look awful. "I--yeah, I'm fine Arcee. I'm just tired, that's all." Really? Blurr, tired?

A new face walks amongst the crowd but is not recognizable as any Decepticon on record. For the moment he appears as a normal high caste citizen of Harmonex though in reality underneath the disguise would be found the cyberninja assassin known as Sixshot. He scans the crowd silent, nodding to a few in greeting even saying, "Yes a fine evening to you as well. A splendid event and worth the shanix."

Unlike some the mech keeps well control himself even amongst the Autobots that are out and mingling. A smile crossing his face for a moment as he catches sight of several familiar faces.

And now two of the factors in Blast Off's life look to be about to clash together. The Combaticon is a Decepticon under Megatron's command and the Decepticons have generally been ordered to take out "high-falutin' shindigs" such as this one. Take out the elite- those leeches on society who siphon off resources while disposables starve. The thing is, though: Blast Off WAS one of those elite. This kind of function is \*exactly\* where he'd be right now if he was still High Caste, still had his old life and wasn't a fugitive from the law. And as he walks into the ballroom, he feels a twinge of... what is it? Yearning? Sorrow? Even trepidation at what is planned to go down here tonight? What the Decepticons might do? What /he's/ been ordered to do....

He has those orders, he has a job to fulfill... and yet he does not want to be here. No, because this is everything he \*doesn't\* like about the place he finds himself in now, everything that symbolizes how he /just/ doesn't fit in sometimes. He steps in and he feels not like a raider, not like a warrior... he feels at home. He looks up at the grand building steeped in classical history, brimming with culture and class and he wants to STAY. Forever. He wants to see the latest opera and rub elbows with the people he once called friends. But he has a job to do... and these are no longer his friends.

In fact, it might seem foolhardly for a wanted fugitive to walk in among all these enemies.... but it's not as bad as it might seem. Blast Off wears a holo disguise. The shuttle appears to be some sort of ... helicopter. Totally random choice. TOTALLY. The brown and blue rotary steps in and tries to blend in... and hasn't noticed some familair faces in the crowd. Yet.

"I do not, or rather, have not, but I would love to at least try if you are willing to lead, dear Ariel." Orion manages to finally find some of his confidence as he slips the cygar into a side compartment for later and dares to lead in and pay her with a quick kiss against the side of her face as he leans down to her and whispers. Once he's back up to his full height, he keeps his hand in hers as he leads her out to the dance floor. His fingers continue to move with hers as he walks, 'talking' to her through the intimate connection of their fingers.

(This is way too high calibre for me, Ariel. I'm used to the rough and tumble that happens at Maccadams on occasion. And yes, I regret missing your performances, perhaps you will endulge me in a private show at some point?) It's a brave suggestion, but his talk with Feint earlier bolstered his confidence enough to finally go for it.

Thundercracker has decided to check out the show. Sporting a new wash and buffing the indigo seeker walks into the place looking every bit the regal Vos flier that he is. Hes not interested in disguising himself or the purple brand on his wings. Hes just not interested in trying to hide which 'side' hes on now. All he wants is a nice cool liquid snack and a good seat to watch the show. The Seeker walks over to the refreshment tables and pours himself a glass of highgrade. He doesnt pay any attention to the empurata nearby grabbing snacks and stashing him, instead he takes a small sip of his drink and turns to find a good seat near the stage.

Arcee grins slightly as she notices Whirl pilfering the energoodies. "...Heh." She taps her commlink and calls him, "(( I saw that...those are 50 shanix apiece, you know. Running a tab now. -- Relax, just kidding. ))" She chuckles for a moment, then looks back toward Blurr. "Really, I'm not going to lie to you, you really look rough. Is something wrong? You know you can tell me about it. I thought you would be doing pretty well, I mean...Feint's been recovered, that in and of itself is pretty amazing."

(Are you asking me to be your private dancer?) Ariel replies back with her hand, teasing Pax just a bit as she steps out onto the floor with him. "Just put your left hand on the small of my back and take my right hand in yours, and and if you need to watch my feet for a little bit to get the hang of this, go ahead. We'll start slow and gentle."

"I know she has, and I know it's...pretty amazing, yeah. Like I said I'm just tired." Blurr explains once again, though his optics don't light up like the stars as they usuall do at the mention of Feint, and he doesn't get that fond look on his face, either. There is definitely something going on between them, uh-oh.

Orion's finger catch in Ariel's at her teasing him, causing the first thought to be garbled, (Cheese Zion Nexus.) but he quickly recovers as he sets his hand on her back as directed and allows Ariel to lead as he looks down at their feet to figure out the moves. At least he's a quick learner. His hand in hers continues to play along, transmitting a new message. (I mean.. not that it's bad idea. We.. wait.) He decides that what he needs to say next is best spoken, so lowering himself to helmet to helmet contact, the two of them 'talk'.

You whisper "We have been friends for a long time.. and I have admired you and grown quite fond, Ariel. I was wondering.. if maybe, if you want, would maybe want to become more than friends? What I guess I'm asking, is if you wanted, we could be more than just a weekly meeting or a passing chat in the hallway or my office. Will you consider maybe taking the first steps towards... something more?" to Ariel.

Whirl stops plundering the refreshment tables just long enough to stare at Thundercracker as he approaches to fill his drink. Ugh, creepy, he kind of looks like Starscream but not quite as insufferable. Still, it's enough to unsettle the cyclops and he keeps his stare on the seeker even after he leaves, snapping back to attention only when Arcee sends him that message. ((Are you serious? They're charging 50 shanix for this stuff? What a rip-off.))

Even though Arcee isn't going to snitch, her catching him is enough to discourage him and he steps away from the tables to instead lean against a far wall and do some people watching. His gaze falls upon Orion Pax and Ariel as they step out onto the dancefloor and he emits an annoyed huff though he doesn't look away. He secretly ships it.

-Combat- Arcee misses Blast Off with a first strike!

-Combat- Arcee hits Sixshot with a first strike!

-Combat- Arcee hits Thundercracker with a first strike!

High quality and rare energons, eh. Well, someone's gotta help serve those. Unpack those. Move those. Maybe even unload the trucks. Open crates. You know, a little light labor, low caste stuff. Hired help.

Funny how some of it goes missing.

Disguises care of Nautica slide Hot Rod and Backdrop past Autobots, but even in muted colors and without the flames, Hot Rod's still got that spoiler. And there's something about the fire in his eyes that marks him out. Currently tucked off to the side with the overlooked and the unpolished, Hot Rod pauses and seethes. "There's just /so much/," he says to Backdrop in an undertone. Again.

Ariel whispers "Let me give you my answer."

Though she has to stand on the tips of her toes to do it, Ariel leans up, closes her eyes, and gives Orion a brief but meaningful kiss.

"I know, right?" Backdrop responds for what may actually be the fifth time. Or sixth. Honestly, he hadn't been counting. His own flames are missing, as well, but he's still generally recognizable for who he is. That is, if anyone here even knew him (hint hint Blurr).

Backdrop pockets small things here and there. Half the time, he doesn't even know what he's taking, only that it might maybe occasionally could be useful somehow. But sometimes he also completely knows what he's doing. "Oh, hey, shiny pen."

"(( Of course they're a rip-off, it's a fundraiser, this isn't the bargain market, ))" Arcee chides Whirl, although she isn't at all annoyed with him; if anything, his behavior is pretty hilarious. She continues to observe various mechs on the floor. "Hmm...I think I see Decepticons here already," she tells Blurr, trying to get his mind off of his current troubles. She very much wants to ask him more about what's going on, but there's a job to do, and they could miss out on important things if they don't pay close enough attention to the crowd. "Look, down there...there's Thundercracker...and that other one, he's in a disguise but there's something about him...? What do you think?" She gestures toward Sixshot. "He looks like he's trying not to be seen, know what I mean?"

Blast Off strides past the refreshment tables, pausing to stop for.... is that Orion Three Orchards they're serving??!? Smelt him, he's died and gone to paradise. It's enough of a distraction that he doesn't even notice a certain familiar blue helicopter nearby as he fills his glass and eagerly takes a sip. Oh yeah. That's the good stuff. If worst comes to worst, maybe Blast Off can steal the rest of the barrel. That would count as stealing resources, right? He'd be doing his job! ...Something like that. Anyway.

The Combaticon makes his way past the table now, wine glass in hand and still soaking in the ambiance... when he walks close enough to finally notice- Whirl. He stops in surprise and stares before he thinks better of it. Of course, he'll only look like some random helicopter staring at an empurata.

Orion gets completely dislocated from where he is for a moment as he finds himself drawn into an oh so meaningful kiss with Ariel, his hands tightening against her, before they break it up, just to be polite, but dancing? No longer an issue - he could float if she willed it at this point.

As the newly formed couple dance, Allegro comes up on the stage. "Femmes and Mechs, we have a special surprise tonight. A silent acution of some of the greatest artifacts of Harmonex's past. Originally, Harmonex's own Imager was going to provide us with a concert, but due to scheduling conflicts, she could not be present this evening. So, let us beging our auction with our first item - an electric harpsicord from the times of Primordials, presented by our lovely volunteers.

As the first item is brought out on stage, Ariel may recognize the femme if she is paying attention. A former dancer herself, the femme is wearing a darker overlay, and as she comes on stage, she suddenly rips the cloak off. Scrawled across her cleaned and polished armor are two words:

                            SAVE NYON!

She screams. "Nyon starves while you party! DEATH TO THE CASTES! EVERYONE SHOULD BE FREE! HAIL MEGATRON!" She wants to say more, but her optics dim, and her spark falters as she falls to her knees, near death. Large scars are across her back - as if some weapon was just used on her.

Thundercracker isnt sure that was suppose to be part of the show. He glances around to see other reactions to this and watches the stage.

Blurr is really out of it. -Really- out of it. He wanders over to the window Arcee is looking out of. "Thundercracker? W-who's that?" he mumbles. Though he does recognize Backdrop. "Oh, that's Backdrop, what's he doing here? Didn't think he'd be the type to h--" Suddenly someone is screaming. What? Who? "...is she dying?"

That was not part of the show. Allegro looks like the femme just threatened /his/ life and wasn't laying there dying on stage. "..someone.. someone get this rabble rouser off stage! Security! Orion! Zeta said the Autobots would prevent this!" Orion suddenly feels like his night off is about to be completely FUBARed.

The crowd starts murmuring it to itself, talk amongst the mechs and femmes, but it appears as the mess looks like it should be handled, perhaps they'll just get ironclad upperlips and just carry on. But the opening is there now, for an enterprising type as the donation box is abandoned by one guard, intent on filling in where the Autobots are failing.

Sixshot looks towards the stage as Allegro starts the event though his optics narrow as soon as some possible fanatics handiwork comes onto stage. Least it wasn't a suicide bomber which would have made his mission harder. He glances around to see what the Autobots do but doesn't make any hostile moves. The holodisguise remaining online as he works to fade into the crowd.

"...Yeah, I'm pretty sure that was not part of the show," Arcee mutters, as she hefts the ridiculously-huge shoulder cannon, then opens a channel to Orion. "(( Let me just state for the record, before Prime pins this (CENSORED) on me and has me tossed in a cell, that the ambient stage mics picked up -zilch-. Not a word. Perfectly silent back there prior to the show. ))" She frowns, and heads for the stairwell. "Time to go catch us a perp."

Well, so much for the fairy tale evening. The nice little moment shared between Ariel and Orion Pax is ruined by the protestor - someone she knew. "-- Excuse me a moment, Orion," she quickly apologizes before making her way to the stage. "Energon, please!" she calls to those around her. "She's delirious from fuel shortage!"

Whirl totally sees Ariel kiss Orion Pax. It was short but he saw it and he'd grin if he could but he can't so he just continues to stare at them in that cold, emotionless way. His gaze wavers when what appears to be some random helicopter mech walks nears him, only to stop and stare at him like it was his first time seeing an empurata. Whirl regards him with an equally awkward stare that only grows more intense, the cyclops finally pushing away from the wall to approach the other mech.

((Seriously?)) he radios to Blast Off because he knows damn well that's who's laying under that ridiculous disguise. Come on, Blast Off seriously didn't think he'd be able to slip past him like that, did he?

Then suddenly some femme gets on stage, shouts some stuff about Nyon (Where is Hot Rod? He'd love this crap) and then some stuff about Megatron which isn't nearly as amusing before collapsing onto the floor. This doesn't look like part of the show and Whirl prepares to jump into action because people dying on stage means terrible security so he should get on that but it's swept away like nothing happened and everyone continues what they were doing. "...Uh, so everyone is cool with what just happened or..?"

"You should take that pen and shove it--" Oh, but then there's a stage show. The end of that sentence is best left to imagination, but Hot Rod's tone suggests a vicious anger that's rather unlike him.

Maybe that's why he goes Full Stupid. When Allegro calls for security, Hot Rod snaps and calls, "She doesn't need security! She needs a medic! She /needed/ /fuel/!" Yeah, the thing about disguises: they work best if you don't angrily shout out in support of rebels.

When Hot Rod goes full stupid, Backdrop is usually not far behind. It's either adorable or creepy how close that little racer mech sticks to Hot Rod. Like a puppy. Or a sidekick. Or a creeper.

"Someone get her fuel!" Backdrop calls out after Hot Rod's words. "Or some of the fancy stuff everyone has here! There's enough!"

Ariel slides from Orion, and the Autobot field commander moves in time with her as if already synched up. As she heads for the stage, Orion heads for the refreshment table, touching his radio. (Autobots, I'm not sure if this was random or not yet, but be ready for crowd control if this turns ugly.) he transmits quickly as he grabs the first energons he comes across, casting a look at Whirl and his companion before he turns his attention towards the stage and then.. hears that voice. Really?

"If this was your idea of a protest, Hot Rod, you made your point, tactless as it is!" Orion shouts in frustration and anger as he makes his way to the stage and the femme, protestor that is down and Allegro.

"Hurry up and remove this scrap and we can still continue the evening." Allegro is complaining, worried more about the show than someone's life.

Orion kneels down next to the femme, handing Ariel the containers and notices the marks on her back. Four attach points, where something has drilled straight through her armor. They don't look fresh. "Careful turning her over, Ariel." he says quickly, using his arms as a makeshift gurney for Ariel's use.

Blast Off is a bit busy staring at Whirl- but the interruption provided by the femme screaming "Hail Megatron" does grab his attention. He turns to stare at the commotion onstage, but Whirl quickly regains his attention by advancing on him. The shuttleformer blinks, torn between orders and appearances- and the fact that he loves this mech, though he isn't supposed to, nor can he openly admit it. Maybe he should retreat into the crowd, get away before Whirl catches on... but it's already too late.

((....How did you know it was ME??!!)) He radios back, a little flustered that his disguise has been seen through. Then he notes Whirl's hesitation regarding the events onstage. Well- maybe that's a good distraction right there. Maybe. ((You... probably should go attend to her.... you have a job to do, after all...)) Of course- so does he, but he doesn't even want to think about that right now. Is he going to have to fight Whirl for real this time?

"Starsinger - what happened to you?" Ariel gasps as she tries to bring the energon rations to the damaged femme's lips, trying to lift her upper body carefully as the salmon-pink femme kneels besides the damaged protester. "Pax, can you please ask our host to be calm and patient? Remind him that even low castes have a right to fuel rations and that impeding the investigation of a crime scene is punishable by stiff fines." She finally starts to sound irritated - not at pax, but at Allegro.

Arcee is headed back behind the stage, looking around for any suspicious persons or anyone NOT supposed to be there. "Alright, any of you seen anything suspicious just prior to curtain-up, I want to know about it. Seen anyone who didn't look like they belonged here? Kindly point me in their general direction, if you could, please. Thank you so much," Arcee says, strolling back amongst the stage-hands and set designers with the rocket-launcher poised on her shoulder.

Sixshot's optics narrow even further as he focuses on Allegro, barely even looking at the other High Caste around him. He slowly works to move through the crowd, optics shifting towards Pax and Ariel for a moment as they work to restore the femme. Unless one chooses to get in his way for now he makes his own way towards the stage.

"Allegro, /enough/!" Pax snaps at the host, if his hands weren't on helping Starsinger, he'd probably decked the poor mech, as Orion turns his attention to the femme as she makes a feeble movement. "Nyon... dying." she says quietly, and reaches up to touch Ariel's Autobadge, before her optics fade completely and she slumps, her spark extinguished completely.

The backstage manager shakes his head at Arcee. "She was a little late and said she was tired - she barely had time to get on stage." he admits as he wrings his hands and looks out towards the stage and crowd. "Oh this is a disaster. And utter and complete disaster."

"Not my idea," says Hot Rod, who is completely here in disguise for totally legitimate reasons. "But I don't need to have ideas--" Obviously. "--when Nyon is filled with people like her!" Each word brings him closer to the stage, because that's a good idea. "People you've forgotten. Or do you really think all of /this/ helps /anyone/ like her?"

((How DIDN'T I know it was you? I've been inside your head so many times, I can practically /feel/ you even behind that disguise of yours. Nice choice, by the way. I'm flattered.)) Whirl locks optics with Orion Pax when he rushes over to grab some energon, contemplating the message he and the others were just sent. He looks back at the helicopter who is totally not Blast Off and grabs his shoulder, squeezing it tight. ((Try to stay out of trouble, okay?))

With that said, Whirl pulls his rifle out of subspace and leaves Blast Off to do whatever it is he came here to do (out of sight out of mind, right?) There's a loud SIGH when Hot Rod makes himself known and starts spewing the same crap he always spews. Awesome, he's here too. Can't Whirl go anywhere without running into people he isn't supposed to be friends with?

"Alright! Everyone settle the frag down!" Whirl shouts, GLARING at Hot Rod. "Especially you! HOT ROD, SHUT UP."

Thundercracker has no idea why this is all falling apart. He just wanted to watch a show but its not looking good for that now. The Seeker simply gets up and turns to walk out.

"He doesn't have to shut up, he's right!" Oh, Backdrop. Under such a bad influence is he; always by Hot Rod. "Look what just happened!"

Backdrop does look up and at the stage. "That poor femme. I've lived in Nyon my whole life, it's terrible!" SUCH DRAMATICS!

"-- Wait, so. She was supposed to be here, then? She was a part of the show," Arcee tries to piece together, going on what the stage manager has told her, "...But what she acutally /did/ wasn't a part of it, obviously." This was getting stranger by the minute. "...Okay, thanks." She backtracks toward the stairs, but doesn't immediately head back upstairs; she takes her time looking around, just in case there are shenanigans going on back here that the others in the front tending to Starsinger haven't yet noticed.

Ariel is sparkbroken. She had known this femme for years, performed alongside her. She is unable to stop herself from cradling Starsinger's remains and grieving.

"Yes, we hired her a few cycles ago." the stage manager says as he looks Arcee up and down, "Though if I had known you were coming, I'd hired you instead." he comments honestly, as he looks towards her, and then towards backstage. "She has said she left her cover back in her quarters in Nyon and would be right back after she got it."

Way to go, Pax. You get a relationship and the first night? One of her friends dies on her. He is just awesome like that, right? As Whirl seems to be dealing with Hot Rod and Backdrop's protest at the moment, Orion reaches over and settles his hand on Ariel's shoulder. "I'm sorry." he says quietly to her. "There's nothing more we can do for her, except to find out how this happened." His voice low, he concentrates on comforting Ariel for a moment, even as he speaks low into his radio, sending out a general call on the Autobot and Harmonex Security frequencies. (All units, disperse the crowd. This party's over. And if Allegro tries to give you grief - tell him to take it up with me.)

"Hm, interesting..." This made Arcee think: had someone put the femme up to this? Or was this a protest she had planned on her own? Since she's in the back part of the stage, Arcee doesn't realize yet that Starsinger is no longer alive. She listens to her radio for a moment, then asks, "Just got word that the show's been cancelled...would you mind very much if I took a look around the dressing room?" She isn't even sure if Starsinger stopped in there prior to the show, but there is the possibility.

Whirl's radio message takes 's huffy indignation and replaces it with the realization that he's in deep with this mech... something both annoying in this particular context- and heartening at the same time. He can't help but grin /just/ a little at the 'copter's comment on his alt mode choice.... though of course no one will see, thanks to that faceplate he always wears. Hs voice carries a trace of warmth foreign to 99 percent of his usual conversations: (( ....I had... special inspiration.))

Though he stiffens just a bit as Whirl places a claw on his shoulder. Again something that seems so odd here, when he can't reciprocate.... so instead he looks a little huffy. For the benefit of anyone who happened to look their way- though thankfully it is unlikely given the events onstage. (( ...I'll try. )) Now he just wishes more than ever they would abort their mission. Security has been heightened anyway, right? Some day... if not today, then another, he knows that he and Whirl WILL have to fight. But if he can avoid it one more time, he will. As Whirl heads off, Blast Off takes the opportunity to slip back into the crowd.

"No!" Hot Rod's response to being told what to do is instinctive. He doesn't even need to think. He glares right back at Whirl. "You're all happy to stand here, to posture and preen for each other, but outside of those walls, people are starving. Every frame that goes still sends two others into Megatron's army, angry and grieving. So who do you /really/ think this is helping?"

Sixshot doesn't even glance back towards Thundercracker though it is a surprise that he's not in stasis cuffs by now with how the femme yelled out Megatron's name. As it appears his holodisguise hasn't failed him for the moment. He focuses on Allegro moving up ignoring the Autobots, "We need to discuss what just happened."

As Hot Rod yells more and more, Backdrop nods fiercely! He's such a good cheerleader, really.

Though, a few minutes in to his heated argument with... Everyone, apparently, Backdrop looks back to the stage. And the femme. And the mourning Ariel. He then tries to climb on top of the stage. ...Someone should probably stop him.

Blurr follows Arcee down out of the room they had been in, and has been watching everything going on from the floor. Oh, the show must have started. Wow, someone died already? -Very- dramatic. And very realistic, too. Wait, why is Backdrop getting onstage? Is he part of the play too?

"You shut up too!" Whirl shouts at Backdrop, completely unaware that he's the same mech he oh-so HEROICALLY rescued that one time so long ago. His attention snaps back to Hot Rod and he presses his rifle against his shoulder, ready to pull that trigger and send a round straight into Hot Rod. He doesn't want to shoot him but if he has to, he will.

"Hot Rod! You're being an idiot. What the hell are you thinking coming in here and making a scene like this? What the HELL, Hot Rod? What the HELL?"

There's a group of femme models backstage, huddled together, comforting each other over this.. incident. As Arcee is checking backstage, she may notice small drops of energon - a pool of it is in a chair where Starsinger sat. The small trail leads right out the backdoor of the ballroom. Where it quickly disappears due to the efficency of the cleaning bots that constantly roam the area.

Allegro glances at Sixshot and now Backdrop approaching and frowns. "Who are you? What do you want? Just get that wretched femme off this stage right this instant! She's ruining everything." In the chaos of the security trying to herd out the guests, the shanix box is left unattended as the bigger problem is the rumbling crowd.

Arcee quietly captures a few images of the energon-soaked chair to show command later on...the evidence that Starsinger was somehow altered or attacked prior to taking the stage with her protest. She notices the femme performers crying and upset, and that's when it dawns on her that Starsinger's wounds were fatal. She attempts to be empathetic as best she can with the rocket-launcher still on her shoulder. "I am so sorry about your friend...we'll do everything we can to get to the bottom of what happened, okay?"

Her job behind the curtain is now done, so she peers stageward to see the unattended shanix box and a lot of disorderly conduct going on. "Uh oh...better secure that," Arcee murmurs to herself, and she heads out toward the shanix donation box.

"I'm not making a scene," says Hot Rod with stiff-shouldered pride (as he makes a scene). He's way too busy making a scene to hit the shanix. There's probably a lesson in that, somewhere. "We're taking her home." He jerks his chin toward the stage, where he notes Backdrop clambering already. He looks startled a moment, eyes widening, then glares at Allegro.

Once actually on the stage, Backdrop... Slows down. No running, no rushing, he just quietly walks next to Ariel and the dead femme.

"I'm sorry. I've lost good friends, too. I'm not very big, but I can help you carry her if you need it."

"I'll be fine," Ariel chokes back. "Let me get her out of here. We -- we need to know what happened to her, and you have the mechpower to investigate on your end." Duty first, she remembers. She signed on for this. Welcome to the new reality.

She unwraps the silksteel saree from herself and wraps Starsinger's body with it, making it easier to carry, making it more dignified and respectful of the loss. "I'll take it from here, Orion," she reassures, composing herself, picking up the shroud and its contents in a sad bridal carry.

The mech talking to Allegro doesn't even glance towards the gathered Autobots or the Rebels nearby. His optics are focused on Allegro, "Just like a high caste act in such a way. Do you think as the Functionist Council that she is a tool to be used?"

As his questions is asked it becomes clearly obvious who his as the holodisguise fades revealing Sixshot. Though before anyone can react his reputation is proven as a single katana appears in his hand from subpace as the cyberninja swings to decapitate the host of the event, "Whats done is done!"

"Thank you friend," Ariel replies to Backdrop. "I think things are going to get difficult and dangerous in here very soon - would you accompany me to the door?"

Now mingled among the crowd, Blast Off can take a moment to sip his wine and watch the events onstage. There's several Autobots up there, including Whirl- who is now aiming his weapon at Hot Rod. Who /really/ ought to be a Decepticon by now, though for some reason the mech hasn't quite signed up yet... though he is a Decepticon in all ways that matter, right? Yes, definitely. The Combaticon can remember when he and Whirl met up at Hot Rod's base not long ago... and now there's /this/. Sigh.

Upon receiving more orders from Sixshot, the shuttleformer starts moving with that crowd. He happens back by the table where the refreshments are- and near the donation box jammed full of shanix. Hmm- steal the wine or steal the money? TOUGH CHOICE.

Orion realizes that Hot Rod is legitamently conufsed (normal for him) and the situation is starting to deterioate. The mech releases his hand from Ariel's shoulder in order to rise to his feet. "Listen up!" the large mech barks in an order. "Guests, donators, I apologize, but this evening's activities are come to a close!" he calls out. "Please make your way calmly and peacefully to the nearest exit and I will make sure that your tickets for this event are reimbursed."

He flips his attention to Whirl. "Whirl, now is not the time to pick a fight with Hot Rod. Help with the evacuation of the area."

To Hot Rod. "Hot Rod, she is one of yours? Do you have any idea what may have happened to her? I'm sure that in the name of justice and freedom, that all remaining supplies from tonight can be donated to Nyon." the mech rumbles, frustration crossing his voice as Allegro comments to Pax. "You can't just close us down and give stuff away! I'll tell Zeta Prime what you are doing! I'll file an official protest!"

"Then you'll need a form eye-dee-ten-tee from Autobot headquarters. In triplicate." the mech rumbles. (Blurr,) he radios, (Get the donation box from Arcee and make sure it is quickly and safely delivered to their vault. Arcee, keep an eye out in case Hot Rod and Backdrop aren't alone.)

His attention returns to Ariel and Backdrop's arrival. "There's a medical team on the way.." he says as he looks towards Ariel and places his hands on her cheek for a moment, before releasing her so that she can tend to the fallen. "Backdrop." See Pax remembered your name! "Help Ariel with the escort..." and the rest of his words are cut off as there is a slicing sound in the air and suddenly Sixshot has.. killed the host. Without even giving it a second thought, Pax's right hand withdraws and yanks his halbred axe from subspace. "Assassin!" he yells, stepping in front of the two carrying Starsinger and swipes at Sixshot in defense of further attack. "You're under arrest, mech!"

-Combat- You hit Sixshot with your melee attack!

"Hi!" Arcee says cheerfully to Blast Off, not realizing who it is. The rocket launcher is pointed straight at him by default. "Listen, the show's been cancelled, so if you'd just OH MY PRIMUS WHAT JUST HAPPENED," she gasps as she sees Allegro's head somersault through the air. Without thinking very much, she just grabs the shanix donation box. "Blurr, come on, mech, get it together, let's get this secured!" she exclaims, looking for him in the crazy crowd like a quarterback seeks someone to pass to right before they're tackled.

Ooh, things are suddenly getting extra dangerous. Backdrop startles in surprise at the assassination of the host. Oh, but, hey, he has orders! Orders he actually wanted to follow!

"Okay, okay, I can do that, okay...!" Though, it looks like he's starting to panic a little. "Okay...!"

With the dead already in a bridal carry, he does the next best thing; he holds Ariel's arm. He's small enough that his hand doesn't actually reach around the width of it. Iiiitty bitty mech with itty bitty hands.

Nothing like a dismembered head landing in a group of Cybertronians to light a fire in their sparks to unass the area of operations. What once was orderly and organized is starting to collapse into chaos, as mechs and femmes are now rushing towards the exits.

Blurr is very confused as to what is going on. Finally though, he realizes that this -wasn't- actually part of a show. And that the show never started to begin with. Oh, slag! (( Donation box? )) Was there a donation box somewhere? He heard Arcee calling his name and moves toward her instinctively. "Arcee...?"

Ariel hurries out with Backdrop and what is now Piece Of Evidence - A. This is going to get messy and she needs to be less of a target. Especially since there is a Decepticon assassin here and he may have seen her and Orion kissing.

Sixshot is forced back from the strike, optics focusing on Pax as he says, "No offense, Orion Pax, but I have done what I came to do. I have no current quarrel with you." He shifts his stance, taking note of the rest of the security nearby as he continues, "One less high caste fool is better then a dead femme, though it is unfortunate. But if you insist."

Tightening the grip on the handle of his sword he seems to wait for several moments studying Orion and the others. Once he see's what may be an opening he quickly takes it. Lashing out to strike with his blade.

-Combat- Sixshot hits Orion Pax with a melee attack!

"I'm going with them," Hot Rod tells Whirl -- and then does so. Whirl's not gonna shoot him in the back, right? Besides, with Sixshot going hack-'n-slash, the Autobots have their work cut out for them. He pivots to chase after Ariel and Backdrop, double-checking, "You okay?" with the latter and giving the former a curious look that's borderline hostile. "What are you going to do with her?"

Arcee stares at Blurr. She's seen him like this before. It worries the hell out of her, especially in a situation like this one where anything and everything can go wrong. "Run this up to the safe room -- the one upstairs. I'll cover you," she tells him, handing him the donation box.

Whirl keeps his rifle trained on Hot Rod, completely oblivious to the REAL danger lurking around until it's too late. The commotion causes Whirl to whip around just in time to see Sixshot seperate the host's head from his body. Can nothing go right tonight?

Suddenly the room erupts in chaos and Whirl is pushed and shoved as terrified patrons scramble to escape. It's a pretty bad scene but Whirl pushes forwards, trying to get towards the stage and give Orion Pax some back up. As he forces his way through, he notices a mech fall and disappear under the frenzied crowd so of course Whirl, being such a good Autobot (and not wanting to watch some poor guy get trampled to death,) rushes over to retrieve him.

"Does no one here know how to evacuate a building in an orderly fashion!? Come on! We have drills specifically for this reason!" Whirl shouts amongst the noise, hefting the mech up and pushing him out the exit.

"He lived. You murdered him, that makes it my business." Orion responds as the mech makes his ideals known. "All life is precious, from the lowest worker to the highest dipstick. It is not your right to decide who lives or dies. And I will not allow that to stand." As the swordsman brings up the blade, Orion attempts to bring about his axe in a defense measure, but instead the sharp blade of Sixshot cleaves through the left forearm armor of the mech, illiciting an angry and pained growl from Orion Pax. "Your senseless and thoughtless act made it my business."

Orion moves in with the axe. It appears he's about to bring the blade back into Sixshot's side, but at the last moment, he twists, bringing up the underside of the halbred to try to drive the end of the halbred into Sixshot's midsection in order to follow up with a quick knee to his head.

-Combat- You hit Sixshot with your melee attack!

"Leave her alone." Backdrop half whimpers to Hot Rod. "She lost a friend. I don't think right now is a good time to start questioning how she's going to pay her respects." Oooh, was he actually TALKING BACK to Hot Rod?!

He's still holding on to Ariel's arm. "I don't know where's safe around here, I'm sorry...!"

Blurr nods. "Right, okay." He takes it and dashes toward the elevator, even though he's not even quite sure where this 'safe box' she is talking about is located. Well she'd said on the upper level right?

Blast Off is gazing at the donation box when a familiar voice pipes up behind him. He turns -just in time to see Arcee AND a rocket launcher pointed at his face. His optics fling wide open in surprise and he freezes. Then just that quickly, she has grabbed the donation box and mentions Blurr's name. Slag. Blast Off is not a coward, but what with Sixshot over there chopping people's heads off and being ordered to move out with the crowd anyway.... this is just looking like far more trouble than it's worth to him. Still, he radios Sixshot and receives a reply. Hmm. Distractions, huh?

As Arcee hands the donation box to Blurr, Blast Off nods to the femme and turns to run- deliberately right into the refreshment table. The one with the champagne (what, you thought Blast Off would spill WINE? Perish the thought!) and engex hor'dourves. There's a loud crash as a table ///CRASHES/// to the ground, sending bubbly engex crashes to the ground, spilling frothy liquid everywhere. This causes some of the fleeing guests to trip and fall and create even more of a mess. A terrible, chaotic mess filled with screams, cries and wasted bubbly- and setting in a further panic near Arcee and Blurr.  makes an "oops" gesture and slides off to the side, closer to the table full of wine... and still eying that donation box and a retreating Blurr.

Arcee can't keep up with Blurr, of course, so instead she just lets him do his thing and she follows behind, keeping the rocket launcher aimed toward anyone who tries to follow. She gives a sad look to the pathetic-looking mech who's just ran into the buffet. "You poor thing," she exclaims. "Quick, go toward the exit before you get hurt!" Then there's a \*ding!\* as the elevator doors open again, and she heads inside, still watching Blast Off flail around in the buffet mess.

"I spent most of my life working with her," Ariel states with a firm tone to Hot Rod. "I am taking her to find out what kind of weapon did this to her and making certain she's properly interred - unless you have a disagreement with that?" She softens to Backdrop. "I do know where it's safe, and I'll get you to it. Hot Rod can come with us if he likes."

By the time Arcee gets up there, Blurr is heading back toward the elevator to go back to the ground floor. Presumably he has already placed the container in the vault she had mentioned. "What happened down there?" he asks, looking bewildered.

Since Whirl is supposed to be doing crowd control (which he is currently failing miserably at) he tries to keep his cool and focus on the task at hand but wow is it ever tough with all this stuff going on.

"Move! Move! Move!" Whirl shouts, trying to keep everyone in motion and out the exits, picking up anyone unfortunate enough to fall lest they get trampled into a messy heap. As he's running around trying to get everyone out of the building, he slips on a huge puddle of energon, one of many that litter the floor after Blast Off upturned a bunch of tables like he was doing his best impression of Prowl, and goes flying right into the disguised Combaticon himself. "

"Oh." Hot Rod looks borderline contrite at Backdrop's backtalk. "No, I don't. I'm sorry. I'm sorry she died." Glancing at the wrapped body in Ariel's arms, he says, "I might even have answers for you. I'll need to see her to be sure. Shall we?" As everything dissolves into chaos behind them, he only glances back once to make sure there is no trouble following before allowing Ariel to lead on. It's a good thing she said he can come, because he's totally inviting himself along.

"And how many times do you think I was told to do such for the 'greater good'? Though doubt your priviledged to see those records," Sixshot replies no doubt earning some curiousity from those around him. But that for the moment isn't important as the assassin is sent reeling back by Pax's attack. He works to keep his footing, shaking his head to stop the world from spinning.

Glaring at his opponent he doesn't charge forward for another strike, instead taking a few steps back saying, "Yes all deserve life but death is inevitable as all know." His weapon disappears back into subspace as he glances at the crowd for a moment before quickly protoforming from root mode but not into a vehicle but a beast. The winged wolf now growls at Pax almost daring for him to continue the fight unless given the opportunity to run.

A deep breath lets itself loose from Backdrop as they move along. "...I'm sorry." That was aimed at Hot Rod. "I shouldn't've said it like that. It's just... I've lost friends, too, you know?"

Look at those big optics, Hot Rod. Look how big they are. Backdrop just looks SO SAD.

There's a quick glance over his shoulder as Orion checks to makes sure that the group with Starsinger is getting clear. As he does so, he shunts the rifle out of subspace, grabbing his large ion blaster. "It is not your place to decide who perishes and who is granted the freedom to continue functioning." the large mech comments as the rifle glows with gathering energy, the first rounds cycling into place. But he doesn't fire, as there are still civilians present. This is Sixshot's one chance to escape through the skylights above, because there's no way that Orion is letting him follow Ariel and company.

Ariel leads Hot Rod and Backdrop out of the building, turning away from the crowds towards one of the ramps leading into a service tunnel below the opera house - it's the one that waste reclimation workers use to take care of necessary cleansing and maintenance of the facilities. The high castes aren't even going to think of coming to this location (it's beneath them. Literally!), so it should give them all a respite from the assault.

Ariel lays Starsinger's wrapped body down and undoes the saree enough for Hot Rod to take a look at the injuries on her back. "I tried to get energon to her, but it wasn't enough, and it wasn't in time. I've never seen this kind of damage before. It's as if she's leaked out completely," she explains to the both of them.

Arcee heads over to the safekeeping area to put down the rocket launcher, and also to double-check that the shanix donation box was, in fact, placed in there. Typically, Blurr doesn't miss a beat, but this evening he's pretty close to collapse. She isn't sure why, and she isn't sure that she's going to have the opportunity to find out, considering the situation inside the opera house is still extremely dangerous with Pax and Sixshot fighting. "I'll tell you about it later, okay? You look like you're close to a burnout, Blurr, you're worrying me a lot. Look, can we make a deal? You put yourself into a rest cycle, and I'll make sure you aren't disturbed."

Blast Off glances over as Arcee takes pity on him, lifting an optic ridge at the irony of it all. He stares a moment, then simply raises a hand, two fingers pointed forward and the rest folded, and gives her a little "salute" of acknowledgement. He remains silent, given that his fairly distinctive, cultured-sounding voice isn't disguised.... though a cultured voice might well fit in a place like this.

Then he turns again. Well... looks like his choice was made for him. If he can't steal the donation box (and he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to... it just seemed so... so uncouth somehow. Here in THIS place)... then he can steal the wine. Because that wouldn't be uncouth. No, no... it would just be making sure it didn't go to waste, that's all. Yeah. he starts making his way towards the barrel of Orion Three Orchards when suddenly \*WHAM\* he's knocked into from behind- by none other than Whirl. It sends him flying right INTO the table full of wine, sending IT crashing to the ground as well.

It provides yet another distraction- just not the kind he would have preferred. The Combaticon shakes his head, feeling a little stunned as he stifles an outraged retort. He looks up with an angry \*HUFFFF\*- then stops and stares when he sees who just knocked into him. (( I... was just leaving. ))

Sixshot uses his sensors to check the room for a moment before saying, "Ask that of your superiors, Orion Pax. You'll find there are things that the old Senate and the current Functionist Council keep hidden from all." Noticing an opportunity he says, "If you see Quickswitch, do tell him one of his old mentors said hello." And with that he quickly leaps into the air and out the skylight, running across the roof before protoforming once again, this time to jet mode.

"I know." Hot Rod's shoulders slump at the force of the blow of Backdrop's big eyes. His spoiler droops. He sighs, clearing his vent. Then he lifts his head, jaw set, and curls his hand to form loose fists. "She shouldn't have had to die to make people listen. No more deaths," he says with a firm nod at the shorter rebel.

Kneeling down next to Starsinger's body, Hot Rod looks openly repulsed. He glances up at Backdrop with an easily read 'are you thinking what I'm thinking' in his expression. Glancing to Ariel, he says, "I think I've seen something similar. Haven't you ever wondered what supports all of this?"

A service tunnel? Once Ariel stops and sets the body down, Backdrop takes a quick glance around. He stops, visibly startled, at where they are.

His optics go wide as he looks around. The sadness on his face actually gets worse. There's no reaction to Hot Rod's body language; instead, Backdrop is now very quiet.

"I have. I wondered if they hadn't finally tapped into some of Senator Ratbat's energon stores in Polyhex. He had build up quite the reserves before his demise." Ariel looks between Backdrop's sad, sad puppybot eyes and notices his suddenly quiet. "-- Are you all right?" she questions gently, reaching over to put a hand on the smaller mech's shoulder.

Hefting his blaster, Orion nearly fires, but as Sixshot smashes through the skylight, it rains down debris on him, preventing a clear line of sight. Everyone just loves leaving him with riddles these cycles. Swear to Primus, somecycle, he'll be the one telling the riddles! The mech looks around at the massive mess that has been left and rubs a hand against his forehead. This.. did not go well, he realizes. "Whirl! Is everyone clear?" he asks, noticing the one straggler that the empurata is having to deal with and sighs. "You can compare altmodes later, we need this area secured." To his radio he goes. (Arcee, Blurr, report. Is the package secure?) Then a second transmission, on a more private line. (Ariel? Are you alright? Where are you?)

...the box isn't in the vault. Blurr shakes his head quickly at Arcee's 'deal'. "N-no, I--I can't." He doesn't respond to Pax's comm. "Are we done here yet? Is it over?" Apparently it is for him though, because he suddenly stasis locks, falling forward and right into Arcee.

...Well, this was awkward.

Hot Rod laughs, short and sharp. "Maybe. But she's not the only one I've seen with wounds like these." He might go on (at length, too, with a lot of emphasis and handwaving and the word 'freedom' thrown around like punctuation) but then she directs his attention to Backdrop.

Hot Rod looks confused by the reaction, but tentatively offers, "Hey, you okay?" At least he tries! "Need to get out of here?"

"What?? Why??" Where's the --" Arcee erks and catches Blurr as he flops forward onto her, finding him surprisingly light. In exasperation, she shakes him a bit, but she already knows he isn't waking up, not in the state he was in. "WHERE'S THE DONATION BOX, BLURR?!" She nearly throttles him, jaw clenched. "C'mon, Arcee get it together, he only came up here, it has to be around here..." She very gently places Blurr on the floor of the mezzanine outpost 'room', then begins searching the small upstairs area. There were only limited places he could have put it...

"(( Stand by, Pax, we're alright up here, I'll report back momentarily... ))"

Whirl crashes into Blast Off who then crashes into the table which then crashes onto the ground, broken bottles and expensive wine spilling all over the floor. He spins around in horror, watching the last bit of wine drip off the upturned table and onto the ground. "Nooooooo! Not the wine! I was going to drink that to excess later!"

Then he stares at the disguised Decepticon, optic flickering slightly. ((OH YEAH, I'm sure you were.)) He gives the mech a hard shove against the fallen table, pinning him down and leaning in close. ((I don't know why I bother telling you to stay out of trouble, you never listen. Such a rebel! Or perhaps just disobedient.))

There's a scoff when Orion Pax addresses him, Whirl quickly rising to his feet and brushing himself off. "I wasn't comparing.. It's not-" He rubs at his notface and slings his rifle over his shoulder. "Yeah, we're clear, Pax. Just got a couple stragglers left." He grabs Blast Off and hefts him up onto his feet, ushering him towards the exit. "But I'm taking care of it! We're good!"

(I'm fine, I've escorted Hot Rod and his friend to safety. I think they know what did this,) Ariel radios back to Pax. "If you have an idea what did this Hot Rod -- and I suspect the both of you do -- then I want to know. She deserved better than this, and we need to bring her murderer to justice."

Yes, there are limited places he could have put it up here. Arcee would probably find it if she searched for a few minutes--that is, unless it -isn't- just lying around and Blurr actually still has it on his person. Which is actually the case. Will she think to search him?

Hot Rod squeezes Backdrop's shoulder, and then rises to his feet. "Yes," he says. "Her murderer /does/ need to be brought to justice." He gives Ariel a look. It's measuring, even thoughtful, but far shorter than it should be for him to throw in and decide to trust her. (Her association with OP probably helps, DESPITE EVERYTHING.) He says, "We can take her body back to Nyon, to her friends. And then I'll be in touch. Because you're right, and there are things that you and Pax and the others need to see." Then he adds like a totally trustworthy person, "But I need you to be quiet about this, okay?" Yep. Trustworthy.

Arcee really wants to make sure it isn't /anywhere/ else, before she comes to the second obvious conclusion. After casing the entire (smallish) area, and even rechecking the elevator, she sighs heavily and heads back to Blurr's prone form. She does /not/ want to search him, but Pax is going to expect that donation box when she returns to report back. If she doesn't have it, then what does that say about her competance as an Autobot?

"All I've got to say is, I hope you're out like a light," Arcee mutters darkly as she crouches over Blurr's prone form, determined to locate the donation box.

"I think it's a little late for quiet." Backdrop whispers as he looks down at the corpse. "People are probably gonna talk about what they saw. I bet someone saw the markings."

There's a nod sent to Ariel. "We saw what could do this. And it's CREEPY."

(Report back as soon as you have an update, Arcee.) Pax offers quickly, assuming that she has control of the situation. As Whirl seems to be handling his new buddy without a problem, and Ariel seems to have things under control, this leaves Orion to look around at the big old mess that was left. And down he looks at the poor Allegro's headless frame. Picking up a glass of enerwine that hadn't been knocked over yet, Pax lifts the glass in a toast to the departed mech.

"May Unicron make a ladder of your backstruts,

When he is harvesting souls in Hell."

Finishing the glass, he sets it down and sets out to make sure the smaller details are taken care of before he has to put together this clusterfrag of a report and deal with Zeta's wrath. But he's going to stall at least a couple of days. He made a promise to Ariel after all.

Ariel takes off her helm decorations and re-binds Starsinger's body in the saree, as she drapes the silver and crystal over the dearly departed. "She was my friend, too," she notes to Hot Rod. "... We'll never perform together again." She wants take Starsinger's body back with her to Iacon, so she isn't left in squalor - but there's a chance that her friend will be evidence -- she knows all about Mr. "WE NEED A FULL AUTOPSY" -- and there's a chance that if there's a coverup, that evidence will be quickly lost.

"Promise me you aren't going to sell her to scavengers," she quickly, firmly demands of the other two mechs. "Take the silver if you want, sell it, distribute it for what you can get but don't you dare give her to recycling. She isn't a -thing- to be dismantled."

Blast Off is pretty horrified at the fate of the wine, too. The poor, poor wine. But he doesn't have long to lament about it before he's shoved into a table by Whirl and finds himself staring up in surprise at the other mech... and working \*really\* hard not to allow his cooling fans to kick in, because that would just be \*embarrassing\*. ((...I...uh... )) He tries to think of something half-intelligent to say, but finds himself being pulled to his feet and shoved towards the exit by the larger mech. This finally elecits another \*huff\* from the shuttle in disguise, and while being mech-handled by Whirl is admittedly far preferable than any other person here, still... he has some dignity to at least /attempt/ to reclaim. (( Alright, alright... I AM leaving! Let go and I will be on my way. But if you must know- trouble usually finds me. Maybe it's about time /I/ took the lead? )) There's a sudden glance back to the spilled wine and a shadow of sadness. (( ...Though that is NOT what I had in mind. ))

Now at the exit, he looks up at Whirl, a sudden tilt to his head suggesting he might have the faintest hint of a grin hidden under that faceplate. (( ...Well... I always \*did\* want to take you to the opera... ))

"There's quiet, and then there's quiet," Hot Rod says with a dip of his shoulder at Backdrop.

His sympathy melts into horrified outrage at Ariel's demand. "Are you kidding me?! Of course we're not going to sell her to the scavengers!" His words rise hot and fierce as he forgets to be sympathetic to her lost in his anger. "We'll see she's taken care of. She deserves that much for her bravery."

The horror seems contagious; Backdrop looks similarly shocked by Ariel's plea. "Scavengers?! We wouldn't d --"

He stops. Whatever thought just entered his mind clearly troubles him. Slowly, he looks at Hot Rod. "...What do scavengers... DO with bodies? 'Cause... 'Cause once I found a hand..."

It won't be long before Arcee finds the box in an upper arm compartment. But just as she is going to grab it, Blurr suddenly bolts up, weapons emerging. In a flash of motion he tries to pin her against the back wall...!

Glancing to the damage to his armor and the trinkle of energon that is escaping from it, Pax shakes his head, and sends out a general call. (Autobots, wrap up your current missions and let the local authorities take charge of the situation. I owe you all a debt of gratitude for your assistance and professionalism in the face of the oddest of circumstances.) the mech glances down at the headless frame again.

After checking to make sure noone is looking, Pax reaches into his side compartment and withdraws an item. He takes out the cygar that the mech handed him at the beginning of the night. Tenatively, he reaches up, and takes a taste of it, and his nose crinkles up in mild disgust before he puts it away. "Don't see how Kup stands those things." he mutters to himself as he starts to make his way off the stage to go seek out Ariel.

"Ha! FinallyAAAAGGGHH!!!" Arcee's moment of triumph turns into Blurr trying to pin her up against the wall. "HEY!! I need that donation box! BLURR IT'S ME I NEED THE DONATION BOX BLURR STOP IT!!" Her cool...she's losing it. Her only leverage right now is that she's still hanging onto him, and she probably weighs more than he does, so that's something. She might even have more upper body strength than he does, but that's not going to help her if he shoots her armor full of holes. "BLURR IT'S JUST ME!! IT'S ARCEE!!" She grapples around with him. "Get it together, mech!!"

"Scavengers break down the dead and recycle their parts and energon back into the open market," Ariel explains to Backdrop. She locks her gaze on Hot Rod like an great unstoppable light red force prepared to crash into an immoveable flame-painted object. "I have very little to go on as to your moral fortitude, Hot Rod, hence my need to test you and make certain you were not the type to desecrate a body. As it is I'm taking a considerable risk letting you have her, as she's officially evidence needed to convict her murderer.

((I know you did. I was actually hoping to enjoy it, especially when I saw you. Too bad it turned into a double homicide.)) Whirl gives the 'helicopter' a shrug and looks around, wondering how weird his silent staring with this mech looks to other people. ((Maybe next time.))

The next thing he knows, he spots Blurr suddenly springing to life and assaulting Arcee, even going so far as to pin her against the wall, resulting in a struggle between the two of them. Whirl's rifle comes back out and he doesn't hesitate in the slightest to pull the trigger. "Damn it, Blurr! I thought you were better now!"

-Combat- Whirl hits Blurr with a ranged attack!

It's a good thing that Ariel answered the hand question, because Hot Rod is busy. He's sorting through a /few/ responses to Ariel's words -- more outrage, a little bit of anger, maybe a touch of resentment -- before settling on a grudging, "Thanks, then. But we'll take care of her. We take care of our own in Nyon. I'll give you everything you need to convict her murderer. I promise. Let's go, Backdrop."

As Whirl suddenly opens fire, Pax is snapped back to the here and now as he looks up to where the empurata is firing and Pax snaps, "Arcee's tangled with him, hold your fire, Primus dammit!" the large mech nearly looms over Whirl to swat his rifle away as he points. "Fly up there and help her out! Or did you forget you can do that?!"

-Combat- You hit Whirl with your melee attack!

As soon as Arcee starts shouting, Blurr quickly lets go, backing off. He just...looks like a mess. "I...P-primusI'msorryArceeI-Idon't--" he mumbles practically incomprehensibly. And then Whirl had to go and make him even -more- of a mess, the shot slamming into his midsection. Energon spews and the racer, stumbles backward momentarily before scrambling to his feet to see who had shot at him.

Spotting Whirl, he immediately fires in self-defense. Honestly what else could he have been expected to do? It's a good thing all the civilians have cleared out by now.

-Combat- Blurr hits Whirl with a ranged attack!

"...Oh." Backdrop answers quietly to Ariel; it's half a whisper, half a whimper. "That... That makes sense. That explains why I just found a hand..."

He still looks so terribly, terribly sad. Like a kicked puppy. "I-I won't let anything happen to her, I promise...!"

She can understand Hot Rod's outrage but she had to verbally nuke him from orbit. It was the only way to be certain. "Be safe, both of you. I'm going to hold you to your word," Ariel says.

Blast Off glances back into the room. (( ...Yes. This got more complicated than expected... very quickly. )) The shuttle's been so wrapped up in business he hasn't really had time to think much about what happened to the other less fortunate sparks who had even worse nights than the wine did. Shame about the femme, who seemed to be a Decepticon sympathiser, but that's not his concern anyway. He gives Whirl the tiniest nod. (( ...Yes, maybe next time. )) It's denial of reality, but... a pleasant one.

Then Blurr goes on the rampage, causing Whirl to fire at him (and causing Blast Off to smirk a bit as the shot connects. (( Nice. )) But Orion Pax strides over and the Combaticon realizes it's time to go while he still can, so he slips out the door and away from the chaos inside.... just in time to see..\*feel\* Whirl get hit in return.

He halts, torn, wanting to go back and HELP Whirl... but he can't. It kills him, but he can't. He keeps walking away, hating every step. But there is one thing he \*can\* do. (( ....You alright back there? ))

"You too." With a last nod to Ariel, Hot Rod collects her friend's body with the same care that she herself showed. "Let's get out of here, huh? Before any of her less charming friends show up." It's a good thing OP got distracted! It leaves the rebels free to escape without further lectures. (No, they'll just get HOME to lectures. From ARSE.)

Arcee looks like she's about to say something, but when Blurr suddenly gets shot, she moves evasively and peers over the mezzanine balcony. "Hey!" She tries to stop Blurr from returning fire, but the cat's out of the bag. She rests a hand on Blurr's shoulder. "It's okay, Whirl thought you were attacking me. Just calm your circuits."

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Orion Pax, full Pax dad mode, "ENOUGH!"

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Blurr says, "Whatheshotmefirst"

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Orion Pax says, "STAND DOWN!"

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Feint says, "Blurr, this is the reason we don't operate on the notion of 'kill them all and let Primus sort them out'."

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Blurr says, "I...itwasSELFDEFENSE!!!"

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Orion Pax, deep inhale, "Pump your brakes and /stand down/.. that's an order, mech!"

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Feint says, "Did Blurr attack autonomously."

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Orion Pax says, "Yes. And Whirl fired in Arcee's defense, and then Blurr attacked again. AND THAT IS WHERE IT WILL END."

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Arcee says, "It was a misunderstanding. Pax...we have the donation box secured. Blurr's...having a few issues right now but what just happened was a pretty big misunderstanding."

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Blurr says, "I'll stand down if he stops shooting me."

-- Radio: A-Chat -- Feint says, "You'll stand down because a superior officer told you to."

Whirl is pretty confident in his shooting abilities so he finds Orion Pax's intervention rude and unneccesary but whatever, it's not like he can stop him from slapping away his rifle anyway. "EXCUSE ME FOR ACTING IMPULSIVELY FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME IN MY LIFE!"

Blurr then retaliates as expected, Whirl taking the resulting gunfire in his chest as he always seems to do. It IS a pretty big target, afterall. He transforms into his alt mode, roaring engines lifting him up to the second story where Blurr and Arcee were having their scuffles. Another transformation and Whirl lands in his root mode, wasting no time in approaching Blurr, his claws snapping with the loud clang of metal on metal. He hesitates for a moment, listening to Pax as he yells at the both of them over the broadband, considering his next move.

"Get away from him, Arcee. He's dangerous, probably having some kind of psychotic episode!" Whirl lunges and takes a swing at Blurr with those sharp claws of his.

-Combat- Whirl hits Blurr with a melee attack!

-- Radio: A-Mission -- Orion Pax says, "Arcee. Arrest Whirl. Charge: Insubordination."

Whirl's claws cut into Blurr's less-than-tough armor, more energon spilling onto the floor. "H-heyhetoldyoustanddown!" The speedster exclaims, backing quickly away. "WhatareyoudoingIstoppedokaywhatisyourproblem!!!"

The racer dives behind the vault where the box was supposed to be stashed, seeking cover from Whirl's attacks.

"Could...uh...could you guys stop...please?" Arcee isn't even mad anymore. She has her orders. "Just. Stop. Please? Just...stop?" She picks up the donation box, and slings it under one arm. "Come on, Whirl. I won't even cuff you, I'll just walk you to the brig." She peers as Blurr goes ducking into the vault area, clearly injured. "....Can we go?"