1091/Dirty Money

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
It's a seemingly very ordinary afternoon at Deltaran .

 For whatever reason, at this point in time, the number of patients needing critical attention is low, few appointments have been scheduled, and even the maintenance drones have little cleaning to do - seems no one has really made any messes since last cycle (which is a pleasant and rare surprise).

 In fact, some of the nurses and technicians are cutting the corners and clocking out quite early today. They loiter in the lobby, making plans about where to go for drinks.

While it would appear that several of the hospital staff members are getting ready to leave, Nightbeat, the Autobot private investigator, is just entering, on the look out for Hound. He gives the loitering staff members inquisitive looks, but doesn't comment.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound is here, ready for Nightbeat's visit. When he spots the mech he approaches him. "Nightbeat. Got anything for us?" He asks, pleasantly.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock glanced around the hospital, well now.. this was eerie, and for that matter, the second anyone said the Q word, everything was probably going to go left... Still this was an.. Interesting, if not opportunistic moment of time... She'd glanced up, trying to get a sight on the cameras when she noted Nightbeat, and frowned, and is that Hound? Maybe... She'd start approaching the group, even though she was still technically on call, and waved lightly.

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash is here? Of course she's here... if she wasn't here she'd be somewhere else and easily not here. A glance is given to the others, though, and then to Nightbeat...and then back to the others... "So, uh....why am I here again?" She sighs. "This seems like a very bad place to be. I don't like it here, it's making my armor plating crawl and I swear I can feel it moving..."

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
Nightbeat turns to Hound as soon as the lieutenant approaches him. "Ah, there you are. I heard you were headed over here, and I figured, how convenient! I was planning on coming here, anyway."

 He glances briefly over at Starlock, and then a bit disdainfully at Nightlash. "First of all, about that inventory check. Did you run it? Secondly, I was chatting with the warehouse manager the other cycle. He says we have reason to be concerned - upon closer examination of what was left of the structure, he's speculated that much more went missing than what he previously thought, before it blew up. Third - I reached out to some contacts of mine, who have been watching Monte ever since we first ran into him at the Red Guardian Inn. Yesterday, they let me know that one of his associates was seen near Deltaran, dropping a package off near a back entrance. Shortly after that, Triage, Pharma's PA, came by and brought it inside." He pauses. "I have reason to believe it was a payment of some kind."

**Hound has posed:**
Hound frowns, listening closely to Nightbeat and the longer he listens, the deeper that frown gets. "Our inventory check didn't come up with much," he explains, "Beyond what I think you've heard of already." His brow furrows, "Are you saying \*Pharma\* was involved in this? Or do you think it's the assistant?" He waves to Starlock and nods to the others but mostly focuses on Nightbeat.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock's lips pressed into a thin line as she heard what Nightbeat spoke, why would Pharma and Triage be... There was an unpleasant thought in the back of her mind now, she'd thought Rosie was the one behind this but.. Hrmmm. Well, at least that new information kicked any remorse she had about what she was planning to do, out the window!

      She'd start speaking a soft tone, trying not to be heard by anyone eavesdropping, or by the security cameras. "Payment huh? I suspected it was some kind of currency from what that anonymous note in the barracks said, guess that confirms that." She'd huff a vent, being careful of her wording, and then gave Hound a sympathetic look, and sent him a tight beam. "<<...You have not been told, huh?>>"

      She'd nod at Nightlash's pressences.. Waait a minute, Nightlash was here, that gave her an idea, but first to inform everyone else...

**Nightlash has posed:**
"Inventory...?" She looks towards Hound and Starlock. "Was I...supposed to inventory something?" She looks a bit confused, but shrugs lightly before another confused look hits her... "Why does this seem familiar..." She scratches her head before grunting, crossing her arms, and just...mutters. "Whatever..." She leaves Hound to deal with things since he mentions 'inventory' which means, by default, he must know everything. Slowly, she leans down towards Starlock and half-whispers, "Who's Phorma?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid recomes in frm the hospital, where hes been doing work for a while. He sees the crowd in the hall. "So why's everyone out he.." he pauses. "Pharma." he says darkly, crossing his arms. "So it's all coming to a head hmm?"

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
Nightbeat shrugs, tilting his helm thoughtfully. "Well, it depends on what you mean by that," the private investigator continues, "What I was trying to say is that the whole reason why Monte is back in town and ended up being an optic witness, is because he was most likely trying to save up to pay Pharma for.. something. I don't know what. But I did my research. Monte typically deals drugs, and makes a great deal doing so. But recently, he had a falling out with one of his main suppliers off world, which resulted in him losing a lot of shanix, or so my contacts say. Additionally, I managed to run some diagnostics on a communication device he frequently uses - the last person he was in contact with was Pharma. Anyway, that information isn't terribly relevant. The important piece is that this is also the reason why he's been withholding funds from his shill. So, whatever shanix the shill wants to be in possession of, is now Pharma's." He pauses and nods at Starlock. "Right."

He peers at Nightlash inquisitively, "You must have poor memory. Well, that's unfortunate."

To Aid, he says, "What do you mean, coming to a head?"

**Hound has posed:**
Hound glances towards Starlock. "<< Told \*what\*? >>" In other words, no. He then looks to Nighgtlash, a concerned expression once more coming across his face. "No, Nightlash. Not that I'm aware of. What seems familiar?" Then First Aid comes in and talks about things 'coming to a head', which just gets more confusion out of the scout. He turns to look at Starlock, then Nightbeat, who asks Aid what he's thinking. Now back to looking at Aid. "And why is an Autobot- a high ranking one at that- apparently making deals with a \*drug\* dealer?"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Hearing Nightlash's words made Starlock frown more, now that put a knot in her tanks... They really needed to finish making that new drone for Nightlash... She'd then look up at her much taller fellow Medic and reached over, patting his forearm. "Not yet... Not that, but soon." She'd state softly to Aid.

      Her optics fell to the ground as she thought, a number of things as to why Pharma would be dealing with Monte was coming to mind... "..Yeah it's in Pharma's office from what I gathered from the note and.. it's a long story, I don't think we're aloud to speak of yet..." She'd nudge Aid trying to calm him. She'd then tightbeam Hound.

      "You are in for a very, very, very long email... Can't discuess it out here." She'd nod simply.

**Nightlash has posed:**
Well, if no one's going to tell her who this Prama is, or...whatever his name is, Nightlash just lets it go. The conspiratorial whispering and mutterings are...interesting, but she just focuses on Nightbeat. "I remember everything that I think is important. Unless I forgot something important...but, that's...not likely." She gives a light shrug. "So, what are we doing here? Picking up someone?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid looks to Nightbeat. "I see this is being investigated. I'll comply with everything." He says. "How much has Starlock filled you in on?"

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"Beats me," Nightbeat says, shrugging. He looks around. "Say, is Ratchet around? Him and Pharma go way back, don't they? Maybe he could shed some light on this situation."

 The Autobot investigator pauses, looking contemplative. "You never answered my question," he says to Aid, "but I suppose that isn't important right now. And I'm focusing on the matter at hand - who's behind sabotaging Autobot territory. The rest can wait. Right now, the best course of action is take the package that Triage delivered to Pharma's office, but discreetly. If we can make it seem like either Triage or Monte and his party were the ones responsible for never delivering it, then the matter is solved and no one ever stole anything."

 He starts heading for the offices corridor. "Belatedly," he says as he walks, "would anyone happen to have permissions to enter Pharma's office? If not, hmm..."

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash just...gets bored. No one's talking to her, no one's really giving her information... but she does have a name, so she just starts walking towards the hallways and looking over the names on the various office spaces and doors littered about the place... OOoooh, hey, there's a name that looks like Phyrra...or...whatever it was.

She gives the door a push. Nothing. Hrm. Well, that won't do... so she just starts tinkering with the door locks... "Heh..ehheh...just like rewiring a limpet with a contact switch..." She blinks as...hrm, well, whatever she was doing didn't work. So she just gives the wall next to the panel a gentle thump with a fist... Ah, there we go. Red wire to blue wire...right?

The others can talk about...whatever. She's just curious who this mech is.

**Hound has posed:**
"I'm not sure," Hound answers, "But Ratchet should be here, I think." He looks to the medics, who would know more of Ratchet's schedule than he. Then back to Nightbeat. "I still want to know what Pharma is doing with drug dealers." Then over towards Pharma's office and... oh. Well then. "I... guess we can get in, after all." Huh. "But we need a reason to snoop around an Autobot's quarters. Of course, as part of an investigation, I suppose that's reason enough."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Red, white, and blue seeker doctor, Nightlash, Ratchet's I think second in command of the medical unit." Was he? she couldn't remember, but it sat there like a flyer nailed to the wall, only reason she also could figure he got away with so much smelt... Or was that Prowl? Because she knew full well Ratchet sure as smelt didn't know.

      "...Trust me, Ratchet..doesn't know why, and uuuh." she'd say as she followed the group, as for anyone being able to get into Pharma's office? Well.. She was pretty sure they would have to pick the lock and-- Oh hey, look there goes Nightlash being nightlash aaand the cameras are probably catching all of this, she'd slap her hand over her optics. She'd glance around trying to find said camra.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid shakes his head. "I didn't answer, because Im not sure how much Starlock has filled everyone in. For now it looks like we're breaking in for no reason. But there is one. I just dont want to step on any toes or have any assumptions." he looks around for the cameras too.

**Ratchet has posed:**
Speak of the devil and- eh that's a line that's been used before. Ratchet comes around the corner in time for all of the mechs to file towards... Pharma's office.

Oh no.

Ratchet swings his helm around to make sure no one else can bear witness to the breaking and entering. Ok, so far so good. At least so far so good not taking the cameras into account. They will hear the quick but heavy footsteps as Ratchet's frame lingers at the end of the hall.

"What are you all doing!?"

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash isn't doing anything! Honest! She's just...looking at pictures? Placques? Awards? Huh...well, whoever this Prima -no Pharma, ah, there's the name written clear as day in front of her- is, he's pretty...talented, apparently.

Ignoring most everything else, other mechs included, she just...reads through the various plaques because what else is there in here that's even remotely interesting?

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"..." Nightbeat's lips press into a thin line. "I said. Discreetly. It isn't supposed to look like we /broke/ in." He sighs. Well it's too late, and they're in, at least. "I suppose we'll just have to deal with the repercussions later," the private investigator says with a sigh. "Hound.. you'll have to make up something intelligent. You're ranking officer."

He steps into Pharma's office, and after taking a cursory look around, his gaze lands on a locked safe in the back of the room. "Hmph. Well at least this part can be discreet. I don't think Pharma has been to his office this cycle." He presses his helm to the side of the safe's door, turning it slowly to hear the soft click of the correct number combination. The safe pops open just as Ratchet appears in the doorway. "Oh," Nightbeat says innocently, "I was just looking for you, Ratchet. You'll be able to help Hound cover this all up, nicely, hmm?"

 He glances over at Aid. "Don't worry, they'll find a reason. Right? Doc? Yes, of course you will."

**Hound has posed:**
Hound quirks an optical ridge at Nightbeat. "Hmm." He mutters an answer, then looks over as Ratchet enters the area. "Ratchet! Hey. We're conducting an investigation, have reason to believe an item of interest is in..." he looks to the open doorway, "...there. Excuse me," he states politely to Nightlash as he moves past her to look inside and watch Nightbeat open the safe. "Alright, so is this it?" he asks, taking the contents.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "And I thought I was doomed to the smelter before." She'd grumble, rubbing at her nose bridge under her glasses, before looking to Ratchet and just.. gestures to the rest of the group with a long-suffering look, before dropping her voice and popping her Tight Beam to Ratchet on. "<<Getting that...Item Shill wants out of Pharma's office I told you about, this was NOT how I was expecting this to go, smelt, I was planning on discreetly disconnecting the camera feed in this hall.>>"

      She'd knit her ridges and at least try to make herself look discreet, shrugging at Ratchet, before turning a tight beam on to the whole group. "<<Right, once you get the thing, everyone get out and close the door and err.. Nightlash do you think you'll be able to undo what you did?>>"

      She'd then glance to Aid. "...You, me, and Ratchet are the only ones here at the moment that have a full picture." She'd state in a whisper.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Right. Im not sure if I have the full picture because I wasn't here for this incident." He says like theres been others. "I don't know anything baout these bombings." He tenses, his hands clenched. He's definately holding back something.

**Ratchet has posed:**
"Wha- cover it- WHAT ARE YOU IDIOTS DOING!?" Ratchet slides into the office proper, slamming his fist on the controls to get the door to slide shut with a surprisingly loud thunk. How did he manage to get an automated door to slam? "What am I supposed to say? I told you all to check for something I left in Pharma's office?"

Ratchet rubs at his helm with both hands. he responds to Starlock, "<<Primus I really need to talk to Optimus about discipline and not letting idiots in the field.>>"

He whispers to both, "Yeah well the full picture won't be much help if the evidence is tossed because the /fragging cameras caught a break in/."

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash finally just gets...bored. "Well, this guy seems like...a bit of a bore. All work and no play and something something something..." She sighs softly and just turns to leave. At least until Ratchet slams the door shut as everything seems to just...go bad. "Want me to set off an EMP?" She gets a rather...giddy look in her expression at the notion of just shutting everything down with a big pulse of raw electro-magnetic energy. "Because that'd be totally cool..."

She moves towards the door and starts working on the panel itself, plugging wires back into place and getting it back in order. You know, except for where /someone/ punched it...but she won't name names and point fingers.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
Nightbeat hastily motions for Hound to subspace the package, just as Ratchet waltzes in and slams the door shut.

 "<Well, I suppose that'll have to do for an excuse. We'll patch up holes in the story later. You'll tamper the feed, right? Of course. Perfect>" He watches as Nightlash starts to put everything on the door panel back together. "Check done.. and done," Nightbeat says looking around. "We'll be taking our leave now," he says to the CMO. "You're welcome."

 He then moves to exit Pharma's office - pressing the entrance toggle and stepping outside as soon as Nightlash finishes up. "<First Aid.. is there something you wanted to say? You looked like you were holding back>"

**Hound has posed:**
Hound blinks at Ratchet and is about to respond when Nightlash offers setting off EMPs. "NO." Then he looks at Nightbeat, frowning, "Hey wait...wait?" He's not trying to hide anything from anybody! He holds the bag.... away from Ratchet's immediate sight, but doesn't subspace it. Hound's an honest mech! "What \*is\* going on here?" he again looks at Starlock and First Aid.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid is quiet other then just staring at the ground. Something has him clammed up again. <<This..isnt the first thime Pharma has done something illegal or immoral. It would be his MO but. I dont know about this particular instance. We shouldn't be looking in without hard evidence.I have nothing to add to the current investigation." he tenses, but continues to watch. He told Starlock he'd trust her and follow her lead and hes ready to do just that. "Wish I knew. This time. I wish I knew." he says.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock is whispering to First aid over her tight beams to try and calm him before glancing back to the others only to stare at Nightbeat, and pinch her nose bridge.

      "<<I'll be /right back./ And I'll tell you once we're away from cameras! Holy frag are you all trying to get me killed and or empraured or whatever the smelt they'll do to me if they find out how much i know?! Meet me outside!>>" She'd tight beam the others, before starting to rush down the hall to get to the security room, PRAYING that the on duty officer had already left, or was on break or something where she could delete the recording.

**Ratchet has posed:**
These mechs are going to be the death of him. Ratchet is going to be offlined for treason because of these nitwits. "Tamper the- how by the vaulted heights am I supposed to do that!?" Security isn't exactly under his job description!! "Ask them later." He motions harshly at hound to /get out/, "We have your mess to clean up!"

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash holds up a hand. "I...could...you know...do-" She blinks as Ratchet just...gets mad. Because of course he does. She probably would, too, though, to be quite fair. But, hey! Everyone's being told to get out anyway, so she...just follows after Starlock since that seems like the most interesting thing going on anyway.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"There isn't /time/," Nightbeat chides Hound. "I just touched base with one of my contacts, and he says that Monte and his shill are the Red Guardian Inn, right now. We have to head over there, asap. Ratchet and his team will take care of it. Let's go."

He's walking briskly down the corridor now, heading for the exit of Deltaran. "<Well it's a bit late to be saying that now>" Nightbeat tight beams to First Aid. "<Who's accompanying us to the Inn? We'll need to distract Monte while pulling his shill aside>" he tightbeams the group.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock is quick to get to the office, it's empty, but she's getting blocked at every turn, looks like they've changed the password since she nicked footage from the security last time, and curses some.. Harsh, swears over her personal commlink to Ratchet.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid gets the tight beam. Accompanying. That means hes been volanteered. <<I Dont know.">> He says, sounding a little paniced. "Maybe Starlock. I gotta keep an optic on her.>> he says. <<I assume everyone here can. I can. I don't know.>>

**Ratchet has posed:**
Ratchet storms up to the security room as Starlock's comms reach him, shoving into the empty room and simply tugging Starlock's chair back from the terminal. He stares at the computer, optics flicking across the screen.

He leans back. Skims it over again.

His hand comes down on the terminal in a harsh BANG that rings through the room.

The computer unlocks.

Ratchet accesses the needed files and takes care of it.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound is getting more confused now and just sort of makes a shrugging gesture at Ratchet like- I don't know much more than you do? He looks back to Nightbeat and the others, then back to the Medical CMO. "I'd \*really\* like to know what's going on and if we're tampering with evidence here. I am \*not\* going to assist an unlawful investigation... I'm a by the book mech." he plants his feet where they are. "I want some answers. STAT."

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash draws up to where Starlock is being all frustrated.... "Need help?" She sighs. "I swear..." She looks at the panel, pushes a button. "Eh, whelp...I don't know this model, so...uh, shoot it?" She pulls out a blaster and takes a step back, lining up and pointing the weapon at it. "It works all the time in the movies...."

The trigger's about halfway pulled before she stops. "No...wait, that's to /lock/ doors...not erase terminals, hah. Silly me." She puts the blaster away and looks at Ratchet. "Oh! See? He knew it all along...should have probably asked to begin with, I guess."

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"The answer to that question isn't black and white," Nightbeat says, "Look, I don't think anyone knows much about Pharma's dealings. All I know is that in order to gain the evidence we need to prove who was behind all those explosions lies with figuring out Monte's tricks. You want answers? About this and everything else? We have to make Monte talk. And he won't, unless we can get his shill to tell us how he plays," the Autobot private investigator insists. "After all, he was the one who ordered the package delivered in the first place." He frowns. "Well, I don't know about you all - assistance would be appreciated, but if not, I'll go alone to the Red Guardian Inn. But I assure you, you're not going to find out anything by staying here."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid pauses. "Wait." He says, stepping forward. "I'll go with you." He volanteers. "I dont know what I can do. But I want to help."

**Hound has posed:**
Hound sighs after Nightbeat explains, bringing a hand up to scratch at his chin briefly. "I see." He looks to the others and nods. "Alright, I'll go along with this for now, but there better be a good reason for all..." he waves back at the broken-in office, "THIS. We can't assume guilt before innocence, right?" Of course, he's not privy to some of what the others have seen. "Though I've heard enough ...rumors to make me wonder. To make me want to clear this up, one way or another, for good."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock stares at what Ratchet does and.. just puts her hands up, that works! "Works for me." She'd state simply and get up out of the chair, venting heavily, it's apparent the stress is starting to get to her as gold and purple optics skim about the room as she gives Nightlash a look.

      "<<Right I'm coming as well Nightbeat.>>" She'd tightbeam back to the group before going to the door, looking to the tow behind her, trying to keep on her feet, motioning for nightlash to follow her if she was coming.

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash sighs. <<Well don't leave me all bored!>> She just gives Ratchet one of those 'what can you do?' shrugs...and then just goes to follow Starlock as motioned onward to do. <<So...where are we going this time?>>

**Ratchet has posed:**
Ratchet steps back out into the hallway, slapping his hands together as if knocking off dust. He looks to Starlock, "I'm staying here. See if I can find Pharma and keep and optic on him. Maybe see if I can throw off his suspicions if he finds out about the safe being empty."

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"Exactly," Nightbeat replies to Hound, "why we need to figure out the answers before anyone sees this shoddily covered up break in and wonders why it was done based on an intuition and zero hard evidence. I have a hunch that this goes much deeper than the surface and that this wasn't all for naught - but it's just a race to figure it out before Pharma and the Deltaran security makes a fuss about it."

"<Perfect>" he tightbeams the group. "<We're headed to the Red Guardian Inn. Ratchet -- we'll update you on whatever we find>"

**Starlock has posed:**
     "<<Noted!>>" Starlock would state over the tightbeam... On the way over to the Red Guardian Inn, Starlock would give Hound a quick run down of the whole DECA-CYCLES worth of Information she had in regards to this whole mess to Hound, stating she'd need to show videos later and for him to talk to Ratchet and Prime about specific things, also don't tell Pharma.. And don't tell Prowl just yet, let Prime handle that.

      She'd come into the Inn a bit exhausted, felt like her brain module was frying, so, sort of a good thing they were in a bar.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound listens as Starlock updates him, the scout's frown just growing ever-deeper. He shakes his head, "This is... distressing. Not the kind of thing you'd expect from high up in Autobot ranks. So Prime knows, then? Good, he'll get things settled straight. Eventually." He steps in the Inn, looking for these mechs they're supposed to find.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid follows along quietly. He is rather tense, looking aroun.d. He stays close to Starlock, but is quiet. "No but it fits..whats been happening." he says quietly to Hound. "So lets see if we can find these mechs."

**Nightlash has posed:**
Ugh... exposition... Nightlash rolls her optics as Starlock essentially overloads everyone with narrative about the 'previously on TDE', rather pointedly just...ignoring most of it because who really cares about all of that. <<Yeah yeah...are we just gonna do the thing? I want to get back to the armory... I think I left some explosive compound cooking that needs to get put in a container before it goes bad.>>

...it's probably a lie. Maybe.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
The two mechs won't be difficult to find. Monte, as per usual, is standing in the back of the establishment, playing his card games with anyone willing to participate.

 The shill, just like last time, is standing not too far away from the table where Monte is stationed at, watching him with disdain.

 Nightbeam tightbeams to the group, "<I'll distract Monte. Pull the shill aside - preferably outside and give him the package>" he instructs, heading straight for the croupier. "Say, I'd like to play," Nightbeat says, "but I'd like a drink, why don't we move to the bar? Drinks on me..." Monte, intrigued, follows Nightbeat.

**Hound has posed:**
"<< Wait, you want me to just hand over all this shanix to this mech I don't know? But are we sure it'll->> " Hound sighs as Nightbeat takes off. "...Frag." He facepalms, dragging a hand down his face with a small sigh. People are so... confusing, this is why he likes the simplicity of being outdoors. Out there, things make \*sense\*. Here? Hoo boy. "We take... some might say \*steal\* 500 shanix from Pharma's own office and then just... I'm just supposed to hand it to some mech?" He looks at Starlock and First Aid...and Nigthlash too.

**Nightlash has posed:**
<<Ugh, we can always just...shoot him and take it back if you want to keep it that badly,>> Nightlash replies to Hound. Then glances at Nightbeat. <<I mean... confiscate legally and without any sort of violence whatsoever,>> she corrects in a straight, monotone voice before clearing her vocals and carrying on.

<<Screw this...I hate the indoors and the drinks here are terrible. I'm going outside and I'll be flying overhead to make sure stupid things don't sneak up on you lot because...that's what I do, right?>> She turns to push right back out the door to get herself airborne, cloaking systems kicking in. <<I'll totally be here right where you don't see me. Honest.>>

**Starlock has posed:**
     "<<Welcome to the insanity I've been dealing with the past deca-cycles.>>" She'd stat tiredly as she takes a vent, and simply nods, and looks to where Shill is. "<<Right, be ready to move outside Hound...and uhh, if necessary, I can do it for you, that way you can keep your hands clean... You too Aid, everything will be okay.>>" She'd tightbeamed, she broke into Macc's already, might as well keep up with it!

      she then approached Shill as smoothly as she could as Nightbeat kept Monte occupied. "<<Copy that lash.>> he'd lower her tone as she looked at Shill. "I believe, we have your prize, for a doctors lies.... If you wish to move outside."

**Hound has posed:**
The frowny face continues as Hound gives Nightlash a bit of a flat look. He looks back to Starlock, then offers a wry smile. "<< Nah. I'm not going to ask anyone to do something I'm afraid to take on myself. I'll take full responsibility for... whatever happens. >>" He moves along with Starlock, eying this Shill mech. "Yeah." He pats at where his subspace is, indicating something in storage there.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid tightbeams back <<No, it won't be okay. But we'll handle that>> he tight beams <<Nightlash, wait for the signal. We dont need you yet but we will soon Im sure.>> his face is serious as he tightbeams to Starlock, flanking her other side as they approach.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"<I'm /sure/>" Nightbeat tightbeams Hound. "<Trust me. I've watched Monte and Shill long enough to know this will work. To a degree, at least.>" A pause. "<Nightlash is right, minus the sarcasm. We have the right to confiscate the shanix given to him - technically, it's swindled Autobot property, and that's within our jurisdiction to take back. This might bending the rules a bit more than you like, but the situation is what it is. Do you want answers, or not>?"

 The shill turns to look at Starlock. "Oh, good," he says, "that femme with wickedly poor manners isn't with you at least." He frowns as she rhymes. "How poetic," he says dryly, but moves to comply, heading for the patio in the back. Once they've arrived, he looks at them directly, arms folded. "Well...?"

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash does some quiet and stealthy aileron rolls overhead as she circles the Guardian from her vantage point, passively watching the video feeds when her cameras chance to be pointed in the downward direction, but...hey, that's just how things go these days.

<<Yep, standing by...doing the thing...let me know...carpet bombs away. I know the drill.>> She sighs audibly. <<Hmm...barometric pressure's starting to drop a little bit...seems like there's a shift in the wind and a front pushing through. Neat...>>

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock would think a moment as they got outside, and gestured to Hound politely. "<<I don't think Carpet bombs will be necessary, Lash, but the option is noted.>>" She'd politely state over the tightbeam.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound sighs, again, as Nightbeat radios him. "<< Alright, but I sure hope you know what you're doing. >>" He sure doesn't. He listens to Nightlash's report, radioing back, "<< Dropping barometric pressure, eh? Good time to get out and look for storms coming in... >>" Speaking of storms, he wonders how bad THIS one will turn out to be. But he goes along with this for now, stepping outside. As Shill looks at them expectantly, he takes the bag full of money and hands it over.

**Nightlash has posed:**
<<Carpet bombing is always an option, Starlock, and don't you forget it! Problems disappear...along with everything else. That and the shockwaves are glorious up close...>>

And that's a problem surfacing right there... Weather. She's distracted, and without the drone to keep an eye on things, her attention's divided and horribly ineffective as a result.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"And that's all I'm going to tell you," the shill says quietly, "more importantly, it's all I know." He narrows his optics at the group, before turning and disappearing into an adjacent alleyway. Well, then...

 Nightbeat tightbeams the group. "<Status update? Monte's wondering where his shill went>"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Once it was said, Starlock would tap on her tightbeam to the group. "<<Nightbeat if you are still playing, Shill just said that apparently he's doing a slight of hand known as a turnover? Apparently switching it at the last moment, need to catch him doing it, and call 'em out, If not Me, Aid, or Hound can give it a go.>>" She'd start head back inside of the Inn.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound nods as Starlock informs Nightbeat of what they just learned, heading back to look inside at the card game, then back outside. He waits to see what happens next, prepared for trouble should it arise.

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash is distractedly not paying attention to the ground, and the noise over comms about cards and flipping and turns... she's doing plenty of that in the air and having a fine time of it!

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl struts into the Inn like he owns the place, claws clacking, head bobbing around in a modified X-pattern. He whistles, tunelessly and softly as he looks to see if there's an opening at the bar, wherein he can step up and place an order without attracting unwanted attention (i.e. attention he hasn't drawn himself). He spots a few familiar faces in the crowd, including a few he actually doesn't mind seeing.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock squints a bit, trying to calm her hands, that mounting anxiety of feeling like something bad was going to happen, was getting her slightly, but she had to keep pressing forward, and she gets a radio from Ratchet, and alarms are going off in her head, she isn't going to wait, she heads to the table. "Willing to let a femme try again?" She'd smile.

      "<<Big problem! big big big Problem! Pharma maybe on his way!>>"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid sighs <Slag> he radios back. <So act natural like nothings happening or make ourselves scarce now?>> he tightbeams.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"<Dammit. Yeah. I'm stepping out, he's suspicious - but I don't think he saw any of you. Starlock, go for it, but hurry up>" the private investigator tightbeams the group.

The small group of Autobots will notice Nightbeat exiting the premises. "<Nightlash.. don't get trigger-happy. Yet. I mean, actually - just don't>"

 Monte grins. "Of course! I'm a big fan of second chances. And third chances! Play all you like.." He lays the cards on the table again.

**Nightlash has posed:**
<<Bwuhhuh...what now?>> Nightlash snaps out of her atmospheric studies and levels out her flight, realigning herself with...hrm, actually, what's the Guardian doing all the way over there? She alters her course to get back on a proper overhead pattern to watch the tarbern below. <<So, did we crack the case yet?>>

**Hound has posed:**
Great. Things are going from confusing to put out the fire fast. The scout follows along, letting Starlock try her hand at the cards while he stays alert on their surroundings. Hound spots Whirl sauntering in and gives the mech a nod. "<< Not yet, Nightlash, working on it... >>"

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl's optic blinks as he gets the nod from Hound. He nods his head to Hound in return, raising a claw in a wave. He glances toward the bar, then over to Hound and Starlock by the gaming table. He looks back and forth between the two, then seems to come to a decision and stalks over toward Hound and Starlock, drawn like a mecha-feline to a laser pointer.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock took a seat and crossed her pefes, watching as he laid the cards out, she then looks him dead in the optic once she spots the move. "Turnover." She'd state in the most.. dead tone she'd call, before giving a grin, and steepled her fingers together.

      "This femmes got secrets she'll take to 'er grave, so, I'm okay with adding one more, but I want the information you have on the bombings aye?" it had been soo long since she has to put on her ghetto face. "An.. well, how exactly is Pharma tied to all this?" she'd ask with a quirked optic ridge.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
Monte looks furious, but is clearly not in a position to negotiate. "Alright! You win. You wanna know about the bombing, fine, fine! I was on my way over to my favorite smoke spot, y'know? That warehouse is out of the way of most folks path, and not too far from the Inn. So I'm there, minding my own business, right? And then, out of nowhere, I'm hearing the sound of a window opening. So I'm like, what the hell?! Who's gonna disturb my smoke at this cycle? I look on over through one of the windows and yeah, there's somebody in there, doing Primus knows what! But it's real dark, so I can't see much. What I can see though, is that they're running around, swiping stuff off the shelves left and right. And I'm just like, well damn, that's trouble, better go call someone. So I'm 'bout to call security or somethin', when the whole place suddenly goes BOOM! I barely got out of the way in time! Anyway, only thing I could notice about that person running around was that .." and he leans in closer.. "they had a red badge." Then he steps back, suddenly looking apprehensive. "P-Pharma? I don't.. I don't know no Pharma! You're spouting bull slag! Autobot's don't like me, and I don't like no 'bots. So don't you go around telling /no one/ about what I just said!" And then, he ditches.

"<Damn!>" Nightbeat tightbeams the group. "<He's.. running!>"

**Nightlash has posed:**
<<Soooo....if he's running, want me to shoot him? Or...oh! I know, I think I have a missile still...>> She turns to scan the area and look for the person running, or...at the very least, making sure they're not outside just yet. <<Just let me know and I'll dive in like a proper...thing...uh. Whatever. Just let me know.>>

**Hound has posed:**
Hound looks over as Whirl joins them, then back to the mech as Monte informs them about what he knows- then makes a break for it. Hound attempts to stop him, to no avail. "<< IF you can safely, go for it,>>" he radios back to Nightlash, but what Monte said already has him frowning. "<< Who's this Autobot, then? Is he talking about Pharma or did he see someone else? >>"

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash dives and rolls out her missile bay, because who cares about subtle when...hrm. She blinks at her readout. <<Sooooo about that whole 'I might have a missile' thing. I...think I left them in the armory when I was tinkering with the warheads and all...>>

She cycles the weapon cradle and...yep, that confirms it. <<Hah, yeah, totally out. Tell you what, you all keep him busy and...I'll go re-arm and blast him into scrap when I get back.>> And...that's...about it.

Chances are the cloaked ship is already gone.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl has no clue what's going on -- but when Monte makes a break for it, his first instinct is to attempt to grab him and pound him like an engex after a long day's work. "Slaggit!" he says, as he is unsuccessful in his attempt. He attempts to give chase. "Oh, hell no, you come back here!"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock goes to grab for Monte's wrist, only to miss and fall flat on her chassis, sending a rather painful shock through a old wound that sends her reeling, She'd push herself back up, coughing hard, she'd attempt to give chase. "Oh no you don't, if you want this to stay secret, your going to tell me the truth, and the whole truth." She'd hiss under her vents as she attempted to redeem herself /somewhat/ for that horrible miss... Depending on how far she gets? She'll likely be forced to turn around.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
Nightbeat tightbeams the group, "<Did he even talk? What's the story there? Tell me you at least got a name, or a visual out of him concerning the bombings in Iacon>"

 "<Nightlash! Dammit, so you're just going to let him run?>" Then Whirl is chasing after him. "Great," he mutters, "the idiot helicopter is going to try play hero. Primus save us.."

 Monte is pretty quick in his alt mode, and manages to avoid both Hound and Starlock. Well, looks like he's headed out of Iacon to.. only Primus knows where, maybe the Dead End.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid moves along with Starlock, reaching out for Monte. When he sees her pull back he calls "Starlock!" hes distracted by her injury and misses grabbing onto him!

**Nightlash has posed:**
<<What do you want me to do? Crash into him? Because I totally will!>> She blinks. <<I mean...assuming the explosions aren't a bad thing here... OH WAIT, I don't have any. RIGHT THEN.>> She whips around and just does a rather...tight roll before nose-diving towards the fleeing whoever it is. All she knows is that there's a blip on her scanners that everyone's trying to tackle and looking like an idiot in doing so...

And what a glorious wreck of a tackle (more a crash, really) it shall be...

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock ends up catching halfway up to him, before she ends up coughing, hard, from landing on the spot she did and has to slow down, but hearing the /crash/ from Nightlash, she'd press on to catch up.

**Hound has posed:**
Hound hurries after the others... he's not very fast but he's steady! First, to Nightbeat: "<< We got a visual. No name but some Autobot. >>" Then to Nightlash: "<< Nightlash, did you get him? I heard a crash! >>"

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl is still hoping to get his claws on the runner. He doesn't know why folks are chasing this guy, nor does he really care if it means he gets a chance to take out some misplaced aggression on the guy. Unfortunately, his quarry is elusive, and then there is a crashing sound. "...Oh, well, sure if you just want to \*land\* on a guy," he says, slowing to a walk. "I mean, that's a technique..."

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
Nightbeat grumbles. "<An Autobot, huh. Well, no surprise, but who wants to write the report, letting Optimus and the other ranking officers know?>" To Nightlash, he protests, "<Wait--No!>" He sighs. "<That.. isn't how you get recalcitrant informants to talk>" A sigh.

 "Arggh!" Monte cries as Nightlash full body slams him. His small alt form tumbles through the air in a somersault before landing heavily on its side. "Alright, fine! I paid him some money. But I ain't gonna say why!" And then he opens fire on Nightlash!

 Unfortunately, Whirl interferes...

**Nightlash has posed:**
<<I...may have severely overestimated how soft the ground is...>> Oh what a crash indeed. But, hey! Victory! She rushes to kind of...stabilize herself on the ground, which involves laying there upside down, a proper wreck of an aircraft...and extending landing gear into the air. "Theeeere we go... now my computers can quit yelling about my landing gear not being extended. Heh... shut up computer."

So, yes, she's there, on her back, landing gear extended, engines winding down...and the others can handle the pancaked mech as they deem fit. Though...she does close her missile bay doors and retract the weapon sled deftly...for reasons.

Oh, and he's shooting? ...well, that stings a bit. <<Ow...>>

So, right, there she is, getting SHOT while on her back, crashed, but...hey, landing gear is down so the stupid computer will shut up. That's a win in her book.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock just stares at this fubar, and just puts her together and vents an annoyed sigh, but pulling out her new stave she'd storm over to Monte with as much determination she can muster with an angry face. "Listen good and Listen well, talk, and we'll let you go, Pharma doesn't need to know about this." She'd state as she approached. "He's headed this way, and if you don't want to be here when he shows, i'd start talking, fast."

**Hound has posed:**
Hound may not be fast enough, but others are, and he comes up to where Nightlash (and Whirl!) have finally stopped the runaway. He stands there, hands on hips. "I'd do what the medic says, if I were you." Looking over at Nightlash, he asks, "...You okay?" Boy, it seems he asks her that a lot.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl stalks over to the now-captured escapee and sits down upon him. "...whoo, you're lucky she got to you first," he says. "'Cause, if it'd been me? Ohhh, I'da showed you why I got kicked off the force. Still might, if the Sarge gives the ok." He gestures toward Starlock. "Y'know what, don't talk. If you keep quiet, I might still get to have some fun tonight."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid shakes his head, just watching quietly. "I'm not going to stop you, Whirl." he says.

**Koinonia (12) has posed:**
"He doesn't, but he will," Monte says gravely, "and you know how it is. It's one of his projects he's been working on. Was gonna help me get back on top of my game. But that's all I know, I swear to fragging Primus."

 And then, all of a sudden, he accelerates backwards, putting the full pedal to the metal! Whirl's personal seat cushion will now whip out from underneath him unpleasantly.

 And just like that, he's gone, along with all the answers they'd hoped to get concerning Pharma.

 Nightbeat then arrives on the scene, looking mildly satisfied. "Well, that went as well as it could have," he says, glancing over at Hound and then giving Whirl a disdainful look. Then he steps over to where Nightlash is, examining her for a moment. "You don't look too good," he comments, leaning over to scoop her up. "I'll meet you all at the Decagon later. She needs medical attention."

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash just continues to lay there, armor smoking where she was shot, but that's...also right alongside the crumpled sections from the crash, and all the other stuff... <<I am so going to need a lot of paint after this...>> She turns her camera systems forward to make sure it's mostly clear before throttling up to ... do an inverted takeoff, the sound of metal scraping right up until she leaves the ground painfully loud. But, once up, she flips upright and slowly circles her way skyward. <<Glad I could help! I'll see you in the medbay, I suppose!>>

She looks back... <<...again? Ugh, sorry, I only got like...one crash in me right now.>>

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl yawps as he hits the ground, aftplate first. "Ok, dunno why you wanted him, don't care why you wanted him, next time I see him, his aft is \*mine\*,' he says as he gets back to his feet. "Gonna beat him like a bad habit! Except, y'know, successfully."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock vents a huff as he goes. "Well, least we got something..." She'd frown. "...Yeah, I'll tend to Lash, i'll also write up the necessary report." She'd offer as she joined beside Nightbeat to look over Nightlash.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "I'll prep the tools. We'll get everything back together." with that he heads to do what he does best. Help with the injured.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl looks around at the others. "So...what the slaggin' frag-knockers is going on around here? How come we were chasing that guy? Why's First Aid encouraging me to act out my baser tendencies? And, if they're the things I default to doing, are they still base?"

**Hound has posed:**
It did go as well as... would be expected, Hound has to admnit. He turns to those present, "Good job." He thinks, he's got some catching up to do apparently. "I will want a report on my desk within a cycle fully explaining what I just took part of," he states to Starlock, and calls out to Nightbeat, "YOU TOO!" The 'Bot scratches at his helmet, watching Nightlash zoom off without an answer.

He looks to Whirl and lifts a finger, "And \*legally. And \*ethically\*." Well, at least he SAID that. Though he knows Whirl's reputation. And then there's ...that thing he said. "We're still Autobots and I expect you all to act like one." He looks stern, then turns back to Starlock. "I'll be heading back to base. Take care out here." With that, he transforms and rolls out.