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As the crowd looks like it's in danger of crashing the stage, Djakar signals to the band to play with her and then comes forward, improvising a rap during a musical interlude in Mecha-Crash's song.
♫ You want to hear them sing!
You want to see them dance!
This is the place, the happening
Where you ge-e-et that chance!
Get on back now, get on back!
Do not come forward, do not engage
Don't be a fool and don't be too rash!
Under no circumstances ru-u-ush the Stage!
This is the the moment, this is Mecha-Crash!
Get on back now, get on back! ♫
Djakar moves forward with each verse, encouraging the crowd to back off away from the band. Then she gestures to the band and starts clapping to get the whole crowd clapping with her as they start up their drums once again.
Triage is given little attention as the fans attempt to push past and clamber onto the stage. They don't get far rough as Jek roots them into place and I-apvii and Ikmanji take hold of them and force them back off stage respectively.
Before they make a second chance the bit from Djakar completely deters them and the band adjusts their tempo to give Djakar a bit more room to keep the crowd under control.
With the aid Mecha-Crash is able to finish their song with thunderous applause.
Able to speak clearly Radat waggles his head as he says, "I will have the ringing in my ears for quite some time, I believe they made quite an impact! However, lets see how well that sound carried to our judges."
K1ng Ch0rd does not he wasn't certain about the gimmick, but he was impressed with how the band subtly included elements of the power armor's noises within their presentation. As much as power armor is subtle in any case.
Lita Starr compliments mostly the styling of their armor and notes that it must have been incredibly expensive. She declares that she would lucky to ever have power armor half as nice as theirs.
Taking a bit of time, Lynthia says their message is being drowned out by the music and she struggled to find any message other than to be eye catching. She was hoping for one of their other works she had heard elsewhere.
Tsuchi-ko arguing their armor got in the way of their music at times and caused some discordant, unintended clashes. While she complements the band's style, she recommends they account for those audio errors by adjusting their armor or building around it with their musical structure.
Radat leads the crowd in another round of applause as the band directs their power off stage and their armor makes booming crashes along with the crowd's cheers.
"If you like the drums of Mecha-Crash, then you might be a double treat.
On next we have KaWyrd, the Akitonian shumka band let by the singer Wandering Beats. They are about to hit you with their percussive force.
The music begins quickly with a high intensity drum that quickly builds into their singer comes roaring in that carry the song forward.
The party does notice Radat watches for a minute before heading off stage, but he finds you without forcing a search party.
As the reverberating shumka beat of the KaWyrd's final song fades, Radat approaches with a harried look in his eyes.
He immediately makes a disarming motion as he starts to say, "I have to admit, you've got a 'scrappy and resourceful' vibe going on, and Starfinders are known to make good watching."
He pauses for a moment as he looks toward stage before cutting to the chase, "Here's the deal: one of the bands is ill and dropped out—" Already presuming your reaction he immediately holds his hands up, "not my fault, search me—so we have time that needs to be filled and we can't just shift the entire lineup to fix it."
Looking toward the stage he states, "I need you to get out there and wow the crowd with what fascinating talents I'm sure you have for the next five minutes. Got it?" He makes a glance to the catwalks to ensure nothing is going to be immediately dropped on his head as he presents this.
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Ikmanji was easy for Radat to find. As soon as the crowd was under control, they went back to the place they had picked out back stage.
When asked by Radat to perform, they look really uncomfortable with the idea. “I’m an oceanographer, not a karaoke singer. Not sure I could even do a passable air guitar.”
Gus tries to hide his smirk at Ikmanji’s discomfort. He is only moderately successful.
"Sing, dance, tell a story, do a kickflip, card trick, whatever." Radat just goes forward enumerating whatever he comes to mind. "Go out there and tell them your top 10 oceans, I'm sure they will love it."
Those of you with sufficient ability to sense motives do not believe that Radat is sure they will love it.
Gesturing toward a schedule Radat states, "we have plenty of time to fill and a lot of dead air and bored audience if we have a 30 minute break rather than a 10 minute one."
"You have a few minutes as the judges go on a bit and I'll warm up the crowd for you. Glad to have you on board. Go break a leg."
He steps on the stage as the audience listens to the judge's commentary. A bit later you hear Radat play you in, "I'm going to have to be the bearer of bad news and inform everyone that the Starfishers are indisposed and won't be able to perform tonight. However, the event would like to direct you to the lobby where you can purchase their music as well as tracks from all the bands tonight."
"However, don't leave your seats just yet, because I did tell you all there would be surprises this evening. The theater is proud to present a very special surprise performance coming from Absalom Station's very own Starfinder Society!"
"We wouldn't be here tonight if it were not for them, so please put your hands together for the Starfinder Society members showing us their very best tonight!"
He does his absolutely best to pump up the crowd, directing their applause greater and greater.
Radat doesn't even react to the search as he seems used to this level of trust or lack there of.
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When it is I-apvii's turn, they wait for the stage to go dark and then the image of Absalom station grows above them, outsized copies of the bands that have played standing on the arms of the station, snatches of music from earlier in the show playing it turn as it spins the band in question toward the audience, and then fading as they move away. (Eagle eyed audience members might spot a slime covered Radat behind the Monster Generation.)
"We all know what brought us here today. But how many know what brought us to today, here? Across the universe, beyond the gap and through this crisis to this spot. All these different groups, different species, different songs, all to one place, to one idea, to one night of musical competition...
I-apvii goes into the history of music and especially musical competition across time and space.
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Ikmanji tries to figure out what sort of stage props everyone else will want and moves them on and off the stage as appropriate.
Just to try and keep it a bit more interesting for the audience, he varies how he brings the props in and out, including getting under a couple of the bigger ones and doing an Ijtikri crawl with them on top of their mantle or dragging them by a tentacle.
Some of the props turn out to be bulkier than they had anticipated.
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Triage will get to work programming the projector on the fly, while including a small laser light show in the background.
The scene soars over Absalom Station, and then starts highlighting unique features of each planet within the Pact Worlds. This can prompt another to discuss that despite our differences, we all have things to celebrate and be proud of!
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Djakar turns to Uku and Research Rat and asks, "Can you project some good images of Ruby-17, the Planar training facility, and All Hands Next Door? Research Rat has the footage, if you'll bring it up behind me."
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Djakar shouts into her microphone as she comes on stage. As the crowd roars back, she says, "Wonderful, isn't it? But who knows why we are all here? Who knows why the Ruby theater is named the Ruby theater?"
Djakar pauses a moment, and says, "This place was not always a theater. Tonight I want to thank two individuals who inspired us to create art and joy in this space. The first is Bargai, whose organization, All Hands, has become the beating heart of the Sparks community! Once planned solely as a Deaf Community Center, All Hands now provides meals and job training to the entire community! When she met us to discuss this property, Bargai asked the Starfinder Society to bring a business here that can offer jobs and a showcase for the technical expertise in Sparks. If you can, donate to All Hands! Help them keep spreading the light and love they do everyday!"
Djakar pauses for the applause as the screen behind her shows the faces of Sparks.
"Even more importantly, if you have jobs that need creative techs, the folks of Sparks would love to work with you. Give them your commissions and your trust!"
Djakar turns, and red sparkles go up around her. "And now for the other individual I would like to thank tonight, the original resident artist of the Ruby Theater, Ruby-17!" Behind Djakar, the image of Ruby-17 goes up. "Ruby-17 was the artist who created the original space that you are in today. She wanted to design a planar training facility where Starfinders could learn about the planes before traveling there. Unfortunately, she was betrayed by her boss, a Starfinder who had gone bad named Historia-Prime. He stole her body and claimed her work, and then stuffed her mind into this very facility, locking the doors behind him."
Djakar pauses for the boos. "Yeah, every organization can have its problem personnel. And Prime was someone that the Society went to great effort to defeat once they discovered how nefarious he really was.
"The Starfinders you see here today, Jek, I-Apvii, Triage and Ikmanji, were part of the group that rescued Ruby, and set her free to travel as an artist once again." Djakar pauses for the images to flash by. "But let's take a moment to admire Ruby's artistic renditions of several planes." Djakar talks about Droskar's workshop, the Abacus Cafe, and ends with a vision of Nirvana and Glissando's Grove. As the last image fades, holographic butterflies continue to dance around Djakar as she calls out, "Ruby-17, we thank you for your art!"
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Jek asks Radat to announce the next act as
"Next up we have Bugs in Space a Bubgspace tribute airband."
As the song Canticle for Klikharp and Guitar starts playing, Jek rolls the holo grenade as it goes off creating a freeze frame of a large firework explosion covering the center stage. Next Jek hops through the curtains onto the stage Singing and hop dancing along to the first verse. As the song transition into Klikharp thrumming Jek holds open the curtains and gestures to Dav02 to come on stage. But Dav02 hesitates when seeing the audience and Jek has to spend a moment coaxing Dav02 on stage. As the nervous klikharp enters the stage hopping to the music the crowd cheers. Inspired by the cheering Dav02 starts hopping higher and thrumming along to the music. As the song transition to a guitar solo, Jek throws the air mic to the audience and picks up an imaginary air guitar playing all the wrong cords but having fun doing so. As the song winds down Jek backs away into the curtains and leaves the stage. Dav02 how ever keeps hopping and thrumming even after the music stops and Jek has to run back on stage to lead Dov02 off stage.
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The crowd responds positively with 'ooo's, and 'ahh's and chittering of recognition as the crowd listens to I-apvii's overview on the history of musical competitions. There is applause as old favorite bands are brought up and support when images of musical celebrities that have passed are displayed. The presentation ends with applause with no doubt some of that devoted to Triage's excellent work helming the projector and the images within.
This energy builds into the high emotion that Djakar brings with the history of the theater. The staff can't help but pause to watch, with many holding back tearful nods as talks about Bargai. Practically all of them have been supported by the All Hands and Bargai in some way. They applaud when Djakar puts so much recognition to her efforts and the front stage.
Historia-Prime has no fans among the crowd and easily draws boos and jeers. But people seeing Ruby's works for the first time draws gasps and amazement. The crowd turns their full support as they applaud the efforts of your group coming to aid her and then again in adoration for her works.
Ikmanji struggles a bit getting stage props around with the quickly changing acts, but there are a few cheers from the crowd encouraging his work.
As the applause dies down, Radat presents Jek's act as instructed, but with a bit more flair. The musical display draws the crowd responding to the music with calls back. As it conclude the crowd cheers and there is a standing ovation from the judges and crowd for your display of skill.
As you step of stage Radat calls out the crowd and shifts into the next intermission.
As you step off stage, intermission begins and various staff come up to you to talk to you. Mostly are short bits of support declaring how awesome you all were, but a few comments for Djakar thanking her for giving Bargai more support and another bit of thanks for all the society has done to help with this event as well.
Going through the backstage Faleen, Tsuchi-ko's assistant errantly bumps into I-apvii. She staggers a moment as she regains her balance. Her face is flush with excitement as she tells you, "that was wonderful work out there and, thank you for your help with the show, this would be far less smooth without all the work you are doing."
After another moment she tells you, "apologies to be so brief, but I have some business to attend to."
She heads off as you are allowed a few moments for a break, but Faleen doesn't get far.
Just a few steps away you see her legs buckle and she collapses onto the ground. She is struggling to talk or even breath.
Examining Faleen you are able to locate green, tumorous growths on her neck. They are putting pressure on her throat and are constricting her breathing.
What do the Starfinders do?
Faleen's eyes go wide when Triage mentions poison. She tries to speak, but she can barely breath. She is struggling to get through the pain and say a word.
Hearing Triage, the event staff immediately make room. Uku is on the comms calling an ambulance. Triage doesn't have the equipment to properly treat this, but he can keep her stable.
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Ikmanji quickly responds “I’ll help you, Triage.”
They look over Faleen to see if they recognize the symptoms and try their best to understand what she is saying. Then they aid Triage as he takes point in treating her.
Perplexed, they say “Demonwort?” They are too focused on helping Triage to make out what Faleen is trying to say.
I-apvii moves quickly to the dressing room to find a lovingly wrapped gift basket full of chocolate cupcakes. Tsuchi-ko is standing right before it about to snack on one just as I-apvii enters the room.
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"Tsuchi-ko stop, something is wrong with those!"
I-apvii hurries over and interposes themselves, being careful not to touch the gift basket. They also look to see if any seem to be missing, to determine if these are the correct cupcakes and if we should be looking for additional victims.
Tsuchi-ko stops immediately, shocked and confused by I-apvii. "Alright. Is... is something wrong?"
This wasn't part of the food purchased by the party and looks to be a specially wrapped gift basket rather than party of a catering meal. Looking over the basket sees a label marking as from Cocoa Planet. While it was a bakery in the Spike, it wasn't one the party ended up using.
I-apvii finds there is poison in all of the chocolate cupcakes. Only one cupcake is missing from the arrangement. With a concerned Tsuchi-ko, I-apvii is able to confirm that Faleen was the one that ate the missing cupcake.
Triage focuses on the worst of the symptoms as he keeps the poison from dealing more damage than it has already done to Faleen.
Within minutes an ambulance has arrives and is taking Faleen into their care. They being running antitoxin treatments and confer with Triage on the treatment already done.
Faleen is not well and is still not able to move freely, but the paramedics are confident she will survive the ordeal. Tsuchi-ko sees to her briefly before she is taken away.
The super start goes to you as she wipes away the tears from her eyes. "First, I like to thank you again. I'm not sure how Faleen would have been without your immediate care and if I..."
"I will save those thanks for later. I want you to find out who did this. Who tried to take my life and hurt Faleen in the process." She looks around at the entire backstage as she reluctantly says, "I can't imagine anyone involved in this event would be responsible. I don't want to believe it, but only someone who wouldn't have raised suspicions while being backstage would have probably been able to do this without notice."
Looking to the arena she declares firmly, "the show must go on though. This event is supposed to bring hope and joy to those of us suffering. Faleen put so much of herself to make this event work and I do not want to let her or anyone else down. The other judges agree as well. I put my faith in you and believe you can do it."
Celita and Zigvigix are soon backstage as well and are echoing her sentiments.
"Who would do such a thing? We need to stop them from hurting anyone else!" Ziggy declares emphatically.
Celita nods as she analyzes, "if the perpetrator is among those here, then investing here and now, before the event ends and all evidence, witnesses, and suspects scatters to the stars, is likely the best way to find an answer."
"This is not at all what I expected you to be doing, but you have nothing but my full support. You have all proven yourselves and I know you can save this again."
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Ikmanji decides that since they aren’t much good at searching, perhaps Gus can find someone who saw something. Ikmanji takes a picture of the basket so they can show people as they ask about it.
Just before leaving, they ask Celita if she knows how much of the area is covered by security cameras. When they had encountered Ruby-17, it seemed like she could see everywhere in the complex.
The two of them start by asking any crew that are outside the dressing room.
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Gus starts asking people in the area around the dressing rooms if they saw anyone or anything suspicious. After asking the general question, he moves on to who saw people entering and leaving Tsuchi-ko’s dressing room. Finally the picture of the bracket is brought out and he asks if anyone had seen someone carrying it around.
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Jek gathers all the security logs and guest lists, trying to make a list of all the people and bands backstage at the show.
Tsuchi-ko
Celita
Ziggy
Faleen
Radat
CAPTAIN★CARMINE
Lita Starr
Lynthia
K1ng Ch0rd
Bargai
Fidget
Pktesh
Wonder
Celine Machine
KaWyrd
Uku
Vedla
Mecha-Crash
Omo
Razeral
Aldrizane
Senbahi
Sayozo
Keeji
Sonic Tumult
Empyreal Flow
Rainbow Sparkle Explosion
Monster Generation
Mecha-Crash
Jek starts searching social media posts for negative comments about Tsuchi-ko to see if any of the posts or comments to a post are from people on the list. Trying to narrow down who to talk to.
"Just too much info on the infosphere to be useful, but this list might help us."
Triage is going to start by looking around the dressing room, and then in the hallway leading towards the room. Most notably looking for where the closet security camera may be.
Triage makes an accounting of the contents of the room. The contents are largely not out of the ordinary for her room at first glance. However, one thing Triage notices that is out of place is one of Tsuchi-ko's ribbons left loose near the basket. Upon investigation though, it isn't like the professionally tailored ribbons, but seems to be a hand crafted replication. It seems identical to the one that Wonder was wearing earlier in the evening.
The gift basket offers no more clue aside the bakery it came from, Cocoa Planet. A check to the infosphere does reveal they are still open.
Security cameras are fairly limited with a few mounted toward the entrances and obviously the cameras on stage.
Just before leaving, they ask Celita if she knows how much of the area is covered by security cameras. When they had encountered Ruby-17, it seemed like she could see everywhere in the complex.
"Most, if not all of those systems had been disabled," she offers with a tinge of regret. "Given the events of the Data Scourge there is a wariness toward heavy digital security. Especially given my predecessors connection to this place, I don't think that is completely ill-founded and acknowledge the risk of a compromised camera system that present a vulnerability rather than an asset. Especially with time constraints."
Gus starts asking people in the area around the dressing rooms if they saw anyone or anything suspicious.
Within the chaos of the event it is difficult to find a moment with many of the people here. Most don't anything of offer, but there are a few that Gus talks to that give more than a shrug and an apology.
Sayozo of Sonic Tumult gets them nodding their head after a moment of though. The Vesk taps their multihued horns for a moment as they admit, "now that you mention it, I could have sworn I saw that super obsessed Tsuchi-ko fan from earlier coming out of Tsuchi-ko's dressing room. I thought it was weird, but by the time I looked again I didn't see her around."
"None of the band saw her, so I just though my mind was going cool and making me see things." They take a moment as they sit down and shake their head. "Hell, I should have gone with my gut and told security."
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Near the catwalks is Liraeus, the lashunta tech doing some diagnostics on some of the lighting systems. Per sign and speak, "no, I don't know anything about Tsuchi-ko or that basket sadly." Before Gus gets away though, per stops him after a moment of hesitancy. "I know have bigger concerns, but could you place ask Lita Starr's bodyguards to stay off the catwalk? One of htem was just up there and he stepped on a broke a light." Per picks up a damaged lighting fixture and it moves as she admits, "I'm afraid to ask myself."
* * *
One the other band members has a strong opinion. Diz, one of the two ysoki members of the rap hop duo Naughti Whiska, shakes his head in abject disgust. "This is all just another sick joke by Radat. I saw him carting in a full supply of weird junk into the theater."
* * *
MusePathic's manager Geldro is dressed in a clean business armor in stark contrast to his technogoth clients. He shakes his head to actually seeing anything, but steps up close to Gus to admit in a hushed whisper, "I only know one person here who's poisoned someone before: Lynthia. It was big news across the infosphere that happened to die down, but she poisoned her lover a few years ago."
Having kept everyone else away from the basket of delicious smelling treats, I-apvii calls over their silicanid companion and has it (safely) sniff around it picking up the scent.
Following the scent the silicanid is quickly able to make their way through the backstage. It hones in a bit on some of the chocolate desserts within left in the catering as well as the chocolate fountain, but none of those have have the same matching scent.
Eventually though, it does catch the scent of something and leads I-apvii to Lita Staar's dressing room. In there it directs indicates to a vent where I-apvii finds an emptied syringe.
Jek gathers all the security logs and guest lists, trying to make a list of all the people and bands backstage at the show.
Infosphere doesn't anything out of the ordinary for Tsuchi-ko. The most you are able to find from the staff is from Zarzen, the dwarven security guard, who is a moderator on the Lita Starr fan forum and includes plenty of pictures of him at those events over the years.
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Ikmanji asks Liraeus if it was Orgo or Omo who was up in the catwalks. They do assure the technician that they will talk to them..
When Diz tells of their suspicion, Ikmanji points out “This lacks style and his contract clearly indicates any pranks must not put the person in danger. A potentially lethal prank would be a violation of the contract.”
Gus comments “Tough to get gigs if you are known for breaking the contract.”
——
Gus and Ikmanji share what they know and indicate they are going to search for Wonder. “She might have been an accomplice without knowing it.”
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"I'll go check with Pktesh to see if Wonder has been seen backstage again and have Pktesh let us know if anyone tried to leave. If you want to cover the other areas."
Talking to Pktesh Jek ques up Djakar's video message from Wonder.
"Pktesh, have you seen Wonder again after we escorted her out? Here's a video of her."
After talking to Pktesh, Jek looks around the backstage entrance area for Wonder.
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Djakar will ask around with the other bands to see if any one know of anybody who was especially jealous of Strawberry Machine Cake. Was there an award ceremony where another ban was expected to win, and SMC took the prize? Were there any shared bandmates that transferred from one band to another? Who had a history with Tsuchi-ko?
"Anything you can share, no matter how small, would be appreciated."
She also calls Cocoa Planet, trying to get information on who placed the cupcake order. "It was so pretty, and Tsuchi-ko would like to thank both the bakers and the person who sent the gift. Can you tell me anything about who ordered it?"
Ikmanji asks Liraeus if it was Orgo or Omo who was up in the catwalks. They do assure the technician that they will talk to them.
Liraeus say it was Omo and thanks Ikmanji.
Diz isn't convinced by Gus's comments as he thinks Radat is so bold that he might think he could get away with anything.
"Pktesh, have you seen Wonder again after we escorted her out? Here's a video of her."
Pktesh rolls her her as she spares a quick glance toward the screen. "I've seen her hold up outside the service doors during the intermissions. Not my business to chase her off if she is staying out of the back here."
Djakar will ask around with the other bands to see if any one know of anybody who was especially jealous of Strawberry Machine Cake. Was there an award ceremony where another ban was expected to win, and SMC took the prize? Were there any shared bandmates that transferred from one band to another? Who had a history with Tsuchi-ko?
The worst the bands generally will say is that they aren't a fan of Strawberry Machine Cake's music. Although, a few people are somewhat dismissive about her feedback during the judging as they defend their work in the face of criticism. Talking with people though, there isn't anyone here among the bands that share a direct history with Tsuchi-ko and her bandmates. The bands here are more local and haven't gotten the tours that would put them in the same orbit as Strawberry Machine Cake.
She also calls Cocoa Planet, trying to get information on who placed the cupcake order.
The aggravated clerk buzzes in response, "I don't know what your firing angle is, but I'm not falling for it. We are a business and don't have time to deal with whatever joke you are putting out."
After a bit of discussion though, Djakar is able to convince that this is a not a joke. She puts Djakar on hold for moment before coming back to say, "sorry, kids have been finding nothing better to do in the last few weeks than find creative ways to waste our time on nonsense. So what I have here is that gift basket is the Chocolate Cupcake Cluster bundle, it has been very popular and looking back a week it looks like we have sold more than fifty of them."
She pauses as she waits for data to load and continues, "most were ordered over the infosphere and shipped out, but none to the theatre at all." She isn't willing to give the address list, but is willing to cross-check your addresses on file against what she has to no matches.
With a bit of sweet talking Djakar eventually gets the clerk to offer, "I'll send you our security footage from the time. You might be able to find the gifter there."
Djakar shows the file beginning to load, but it will take an hour for it to transfer given the current infosphere issues. That will be well before the end of the event, but will take some time.
I-apvii is able to safeguard the syringe and preserve it. Reviewing the remaining remnants as demonwort.
Using the microlab, Triage isn't able to pull off any identifying information from the syringe. There is no trace evidence as to who may have used it.
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Hearing Triage’s report, Ikmanji says “More evidence that if Wonder was involved, she was tricked into it. Given her costume, I really doubt she could have failed to leave trace evidence.”
“I think we need to find her as she may be our best lead to the real attacker.”
“Triage, how careful would someone have to be in order to have not left any trace evidence on the syringe? Would regular cleaning gloves be enough, would they need medical gloves, or even more esoteric handling methods?”
“Would a drone have left any evidence you would have detected?”
They then head towards the service entrance where Jek reported Wonder might be. They let the others know that they are headed there.
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Jek uses their com unit to contact the rest of the party on a conference call.
"I found out Wonders been hanging out by the back door during intermissions I'm going to go see if she is there now, could use some backup to help talk to her if she is there."
Jek goes out the back door looking for Wonder