Ratchet stood staring at his screen with frown, this is impossible! He thought it was lost to the stars! Yet this human had one. The signal was the exact match so there was no question on that count. Optimus would be very interested in knowing about this but first he would have to tell Jazz and Bumblebee to get whatever that female had on her that held the fragment.
As he prepared to speak to his commander, two other signals appeared on his radar. Sadly, he knew these two signatures by spark.
:Jazz the signal coming from the human female matches that of the AllSpark!:
:What? Impossible!:
:Apparently not. She must have a fragment and you need to get it. I just tracked two Decepticon signals coming up behind you:
:So they knew about it too then. Frag:
:Put that pretender technology to use Jazz! Get in there and get that fragment:
The second in command mentally cheered in delight as the words were spoken. For the first time, he would be able to get up and close with a human. All the Autobots had pretender technology which allowed their holograms an actual physical form. They could walk, talk, grab things and feel textures. The only exception was taste, they didn't get that bonus.
Bumblebee also seemed excited to finally use the new tech! They would be the first of Team Prime to actually use their holograms. This was going to be awesome!
"Well Bee, guess we better start looking the part."
"Wow! Talk about nice digs!"
The woman who had caught Jazz and Bumblebee's optics twirled in a small circle as she lovingly looked at her gold, emerald and interior of the magnificent building. It was as if they were in a palace. The pillars alone must have cost a fortune.
"Geez Mag, your pops really wasn't joking around when he said it was magical."
Her grin fell at the words and she began to rub the back of her smooth neck. Magnolia's father was an EXTREMELY wealthy business man who owned several companies, law firms and had an extensive reputation with the entertainment arena. He had created this building with one sole purpose.
Making more money.
While he was a serious patron of the arts, the man cared more for the green. This place was meant to be a gem of New York, a place where artists of all kinds could come either showcase their masterpiece or bring joy to the masses with their voice or bodies. Nothing was out of the cards here.
Magnolia was never close to the man but as his heir to the family wealth, she was expected to make appearances every now and then. She was no celebrity by any means but if asked questions she must express such joy at representing that egotistical fool.
Oh, and she was expected to perform on stage from time to time but more on that later.
"You can thank mother for that. She was in charge of decorating the place."
The man holding a phone laughed as he blew some of his golden strands out of his handsome face. Green eyes looked mischievous as he patted the woman's head. "Now we know where you get your style from."
"Thanks Jake, had to get something from her."
Jake nodded and looked to the three others in their group. "Russell? No words?"
A young man with brunette hair and brown eyes took another look at the walls before turning towards the two and giving a thumbs up. He was never really one for words. His white gloved piano playing hands tapped her nose in a playful motion.
"Terrance?"
A man with dark tan skin and long hair formed into dreads, fist bumped his pal while holding his phone. "I can't wait to hit that stage."
Lastly, an Asian man who played the sexiest instrument ever approached the ever tightening group. His harp always made Magnolia shiver in more ways than one. If played correctly, the woman would turn into putty.
"This has to be one of the biggest undertakings of your dad's career!"
"Doubtful. Those messy hands have been in some shady cookie jars."
"Downer much?"
The woman shrugged, "You know me."
Jake rolled his eyes while placing an arm around her shoulder. "Forget about all that, we are in New York during winter in this gorgeous place! Let's just enjoy the ride kids."
"Good point, let's get ready."
Outside
This was getting weird, why were the humans staring so much? Bumblebee winced at the wide eyed females watching him and Jazz. Were their disguises not full proof? Maybe he chose the wrong settings for this. Was it his clothing? No way.
Staring down at his attire, consisting of a black suit with yellow dress shirt and black tie. His polished black shoes hid his yellow dress socks. On his wrist was a gold watch that was more than one would assume. He thought the outfit looked amazing and let's be honest, it was. Maybe his face?
He had a slightly darker tan that was smooth and wonderful. His hair was a mixture of black with some blondish highlights. And his eyes were light blue, the color all Autobots have. Maybe he was considered ugly by human standards?
He wanted to ask what the problem was but just as in his true robot form, he couldn't speak. Guess that would never change no matter what form he was in. Instead he turned his head to look at Jazz who was fixing his own tie.
Jazz had on a white suit paired with a black shirt and a blue vest. His black dress shoes looked so cool in the snow. His dark skin went very well with the dark blue visor like shades that completely hid his blue optics. On his head was a neat haircut that screamed suave. His watch was silver and inside was a nice crimson color.
He smirked at the younger bot, showing his pearly white teeth. "They are staring cuz we look good."
Bee raised an eyebrow.
"Of course that's why. Now come on so we can find that little lady."
Bumblebee looked at a group of women who smiled and waved at him. He innocently smiled back causing them to blush and giggle. Did he do something funny? Acting human was going to be tough! He should really start hanging out with Jazz more often.
Finally getting up the steps, they looked at the bouncer who was a really muscular individual. He looked at the duo approaching the doors and hummed in annoyance. "Tickets?"
"You gotta have tickets to get in here?"
"It's a private ceremony for the grand opening of the Rose Pedal Garden Nightclub. No tickets, no entry. Now get off the property before I call the police or worse...throw you out myself."
Jazz was preparing to smooth talk his way in but a woman with short platinum blonde hair wearing a gold evening gown came strutting by them and held out her ticket. "John, leave these two handsome devils alone. They are with me after all, I just kept them waiting."
Light green eyes fluttered toward them as she guided them inside the warm building. Both mech's optics went wide at the decor inside! It looked like a palace in here.
Caught up in their surroundings, they failed to listen to the woman who had come to their aid prior. She laughed to herself and gave them a gentle tap on the shoulder. Jazz blushed in embarrassment, uttering an apology.
"This place does capture your attention doesn't it? It's marvelous."
"Thanks for helping us out back there ma'am. That was very kind of you."
She gave a wave of dismissal and laughed, "Oh it was nothing. I couldn't let you eye candy men not come in here and bring some appeal to the crowd. And please, call me Kate."
Bumblebee gave a large grin to which she winked before turning around and coming into contact with two men who were waiting for her. The woman was very beautiful so it didn't make him think twice about her having several male companions.
"Well thank you again Kate."
"Pleasure is all mine sweet stuff, now go and enjoy yourselves!"
With a sexy laugh she waltzed off with her escorts and vanished into the crowds.
"What are the odds we get helped out by a good looking woman? Told you we looked great."
The scout nodded in confidence then raised his arm to look at the watch. The signal was going off much more frequently due to them getting closer.
"Come on, this way."
Meanwhile
Back in the dressing room, Magnolia pushed several bouquets of roses out of the way in order to look in her vanity more properly. Her makeup still looked good and she didn't look overly greasy so that was a good thing.
A knock on the door interrupted her self analysis.
"Miss Lennox?"
"Come in!"
The door slowly opened to reveal a familiar handsome face. It was her 'assistant' Morrison. A strapping young man who was basically paid by her father to keep an eye on her. He wasn't bad and he genuinely cared about her but still...
"You're o…..woah."
Magnolia grinned as his jaw dropped once brown eyes landed on her. The woman laughed and gave a twirl with hands held up high. "How do I look?"
"Amazing! Your hair is fantastic."
"Thank you so much!"
"You look like a vintage dream Magnolia. Stunning."
"Oh, stop you're going to make me blush!"
"Just telling the truth. I came to tell you, you're on."
"Oh! Already? Right. Coming."
Rushing out the door with Morrison beside her she made her way backstage where she saw her band mates already good to go. Jack gave a her look and shook his head, "Fashionably late as always. Making Morrison go and get you."
"Beauty takes time guys..."
"Well better get it together Mag, we're on in three."
Quickly taking her place next to the harp, she waited for the curtains to rise. If this performance did well, this could be their ticket into the fame her father wanted for her.
Down below the stage, Jazz and Bumblebee finally made it to the signal. She must be behind the curtain. They couldn't just run up there now could they? Guess it was a waiting game at this point. "I think we're gonna have to find a seat Bee."
The scout huffed in annoyance but looked around to find an empty table. That was a challenge with the amount of people in here. He thought they would have to stand but he noticed a couple seats empty at the bar some distance away from the stage. Perfect, they would have a good view of everything.
"Good find Bee."
As they took a seat and looked at the bartender who was making googly eyes at them. The guy next to her waved a hand in her face before rolling his eyes and approaching the two himself.
"Sorry about her, she's a sucker for hot guys."
"Haha well she's not so bad herself. Give her my thanks."
"Eh you'll get her head blowing up with that message, you gents want anything?"
"No thanks."
"Well alright? Let me know if that changes."
"Will do! Thank you."
The guy gave them a smile and went to speak with his partner who was still blushing. Bee wanted to laugh but he didn't want to go into another coughing fit like he does in his real frame.
"Keep an optic out for those cons too, if we have pretender tech they will too."
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Rose Pedal Garden Nightclub. We're glad to have you. Now you have asked and we are glad to deliver! Per massive request...We'd love to present the most beautiful flower in the Garden. Magnolia Lennox!"
Instantly the lights in the club dimmed, leaving only the candles on the tables to illuminate the darkness. The smell of roses suddenly filled the stage making the crowd gasp in surprise. It was not too strong but certainly caught attention. Jazz and Bumblebee seemed a bit nervous as the Decepticon signals grew closer to their location. They were here somewhere, but where?
Suddenly the curtains lifted and a spotlight landed on the Magnolia. Bumblebee's synthetic eyes widened as he saw the woman standing on stage dressed in a pure white gown that emulated snow itself. There were silver jewels expertly placed throughout the gown while silver ran down the sleeves. A white ruff made her look like royalty.
The moonlight from the window behind made her glow as if she were in a veil of stars. Her hair was pulled back and silver jewels adorned the curled hair. A white rose expertly placed behind the ear.
In short, the woman stepped out of a dream.
Turning to her band, Magnolia nodded her head and closed her eyes as her friends began to play the tune that would always capture her heart.
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Honey, come on over here and sit down real nice and close
Don't you worry, just wanna get a better look at ya
Not that you didn't look good before
I'm gonna lay down my cards
Don't take this too hard
I don't want normal 'cause that's been done
I need that up and about
That classic Casanova kinda stuff
This particular song meant much to Magnolia. She was a hopeless romantic at heart and sadly, finding her perfect man never seemed to be a reality. Still, it was a fun tune that had the audience slightly dancing in their seats. Magnolia began to dance herself, her hips swaying side to side. She loved this song so much and having the honor of singing it in her own way was just heaven.
If only she truly understood how much these lyrics would affect her life.
You better tell me that you love me
Tell me that you need me
Treat me like I'm everything you want and more
Tell me that I'm funny and sexy
If you don't, then, honey, there's the door
You better tell me that I sparkle
That my eyes are diamonds
Tell me I remind you of Marilyn Monroe
Treat me like the star of your show
If you don't, well, honey, there's the door
Looking below her, Magnolia scanned the room with her eyes. Many of her father's business partners were there. Sitting down giving her looks that would make anyone's skin crawl. However, the man himself was not to be seen tonight. She wasn't surprised, he never watched her performances.
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la,
Phew, now that I got that off my chest
Don't hold it against me
I gotta give it to you straight
'Cause that's what I do best
Baby, tell me, where are you taking me next?
Is it Greece or in Rome? A vacation at home?
I don't want normal 'cause that's been done
I need that up and about
That classic Casanova kinda stuff
In the crowd, Bumblebee tried to remain focused on his task. Keeping a sharp optic out for the Decepticons but this female's soothing voice was enough to make his systems relax.
You better tell me that you love me
Tell me that you need me
Treat me like I'm everything you want and more
Tell me that I'm funny and sexy
If you don't, then, honey, there's the door
You better tell me that I sparkle
That my eyes are diamonds
Tell me I remind you of Bridget Bardot
Treat me like the star of your show
If you don't, well, honey, there's the door
As the youngest of Team Prime looked on, his optics happened to catch those of the woman currently entertaining. Their gazes locked making the undercover mech blush and look down, hoping that she would get the hint and look elsewhere but instead he noticed her smirk had deepened.
"Well look at you Bee, catching the eye of our starlet."
Jazz smiled at the blushing bot before he started to sway side to side from the song but stopped when his scanner went insane. Looking toward the entrance, he saw two muscular men walk in dressed in black and dark purple suits. On their eyes were heavily tinted shades that shrouded their eyes from curious onlookers. They seemed to look around until spotting the woman dancing on stage and began to quietly speak to one another.
Bee looked at his watch and growled. Those were the cons that were to show up. This could turn bad, Decepticons didn't care about being discreet or harming humans. So, if they were going to try and take that fragment now, the bots would have no choice but to stop them. Ugh cons SUCK!
The scout watched the two vermin in disguise turn their attention away from the beautiful woman and set their sights on them. Jazz gulped as he saw their wicked mouths curve into a sinister smirks. Well guess they knew that the two of them were here after all. He really didn't want to fight here in the city.
Slowly the cons made their way through the tables and groups of people to sit beside Jazz and Bumblebee at the bar.
"Autobot scum."
"Decepticon trash."
"Nice place the humans have built here."
Jazz gave them a glare behind his shades. Normal cons weren't this 'calm' when in the company of the good guys. He half expected blasters to be pulled the moment contact was made.
"What are ya doin here?"
"The same thing you are, getting a fragment. Good to know that human has it, I like the way the flesh looks on her."
"You're not getting that fragment."
"We're not here to make a mess. At least not yet. Was going to just kill the female and leave but I'll take her with me. Cute pet."
"Like we're just gonna let you walk out of here."
"You want to fight fine but I hear Autobots don't do well with squashed humans. Like I said, not here to cause a mess but I will."
Jazz tensed as his enemy shrugged and once again focused on the human female. The con searched her over, looking for where that fragment could be. Nothing on her that looked like- Oh.
He noticed a strange necklace wrapped around her neck and a piece of METAL attached to it. He tried not to wonder why she was wearing a collar of some sort but ignored it. Made her fit the pet part.
"Nice collar she has. Definitely keeping that one."
"You're sick. Didn't think cons found humans attractive."
"Majority don't. But I'm not a majority and I've had a taste of them before."
What the f-
"What kind of con are you?"
"The kind who is tasked with learning about them for experimentation. Now be quiet, you're ruining the show."
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
The second in command remained silent in thought. He had never thought the Decepticons would have specific lackeys investigate the functioning of human beings. The Autobots didn't have that! Then again, they didn't experiment on any living creature. What exactly did he mean by getting a taste of them?
You better tell me that you love me
Tell me that you need me
Treat me like I'm everything you want and more
Tell me that I'm funny and sexy
If you don't, then, honey, there's the door
You better tell me that I sparkle
That my eyes are diamonds
Tell me I remind you of Marilyn Monroe
Treat me like the star of your show
If you don't, well, honey, there's the door
His thoughts were interrupted as the song had finally ended and the cheers erupted. He had a feeling things were going to get worse from here.
Magnolia opened her hazel eyes, the world she mentally created had suddenly gone and the sound of cheers and claps caressed her ear drum. Applause meant things went well right? How amazing! This was going to do so much to launch their careers. As they say, make it in New York and you can make it anywhere.
The woman smiled as cameras flashed on her and her band mates. She gave many thanks before Morrison quickly came to retrieve her from the stage. Magnolia almost protested but remembered this was Morrison. Guy was always overprotective with not just her but the whole band.
"You know we're not at some low down bar anymore Mor. We can mingle with the crowds."
"Still, you can never be too careful."
"Very true love but I'm going to have a drink. Coming?"
"Later, still have to make sure your driver is on standby and the others are good to go. Be careful Mag, I'll be watching."
Magnolia grinned while giving the uptight man a salute to which he just rolled his eyes and walked away. Wiggling her body for a moment, the woman made her way into the expecting crowds where her smile danced around.
"Miss Lennox you were simply divine!"
"Thank you so much! Couldn't have had any success without my friends."
The Decpticons chuckled as they watched their prey enjoy herself then looking at one another. Jazz glared from behind his visor, what were they planning?
"Well, I think it's time for me to collect what's ours."
The two Decepticons stood from their chairs before either Jazz or Bumblebee could grab a hold of them and walked towards tonight's star.
"Time to move Bee!"
This is the last time I write in a song for this story. I hate doing it but it fit the situation sooooooooo-
Song: 'Honey, There's the Door' by Haley Reinhart. I truly recommend giving it a listen if you haven't already. It rocks.