eugenesis-text

The cloaked Autoshuttle eluded even the most sophisticated radar as it skimmed over North America.
Bluestreak double-checked the co-ordinates of the sub-space portal while Hound, in the other cockpit seat,
stared at the blurred carpet of greenery below.
‘I think I’ll miss the views more than anything,’ he said. ‘Even Cybertron in its Golden Age couldn’t
match this place.’
‘I don’t think Mirage would agree,’ said Bluestreak, peering over his shoulder to make sure that the
robot in question was still sitting at the back of the bridge, out of earshot.
The shuttle peeled away from the forest to begin its ascent. Hound turned to his co-pilot. ‘I can’t
believe that we’re leaving Earth. We’ve been on this planet, one way or another, for over four million
years.’
‘Where do you want to be posted’ asked Bluestreak. ‘Back on Cybertron, I mean. We won’t all be
assigned to Autobase.’
‘I might put in a request to go to the Sonic Canyons. Serve with Siren for a while. You’
‘Well, there’s talk of re-opening the Manganesian Autobase, the one underneath Novum Kahn. It
would be nice to form part of the new team, perhaps even be part of the command unit
up there.’
‘It would be strange if we were all separated,’ said Hound as he took the controls and leant towards
the back of the shuttle. ‘We’ll be accelerating in minus ten,’ he called. ‘You’d better strap yourselves in.’ He
turned towards the horizon, ready to initiate the ignition sequence. ‘On my signal, Bluestreak. Five, four,
three… what in Primus’ name… Abort! Abort!’ His fingers pummelled the keyboard. ‘What’s happening
to the sun It looks like it’s melting!’
‘That’s not the sun,’ said Bluestreak. ‘I think it’s a warp gate.’
‘Impossible,’ said Mirage, running to the cockpit. ‘We only asked for a sub-space portal.’
‘It’s not ours,’ said Bluestreak. ‘It’s a hyperspatial exit point. And there’s some sort of spacecraft
coming through.’
Mirage checked the radar. ‘We’re still cloaked, right Hound Let’s move in and have a closer look.’
The Enslaver’s underbelly became more pronounced as they approached; pinpricks of light expanded
into huge windows. Hound pitched the shuttle at a 45-degree angle so that its nose was almost nudging the
docking bays passing overhead.
‘It’s not Decepticon,’ confirmed Bluestreak. ‘And I’m guessing from Mirage’s expression that it’s not a
present from High Command.’
The warcruiser rocketed away before Mirage could reply, knocking the Autoshuttle aside with its
slipstream.
‘It’s heading due south,’ said Hound.
Mirage leaned on the pilot seats. ‘Follow it.’
‘Want to hear something worrying’ asked Trailbreaker, poring over the navi-screens near the back.
‘If that spacecraft maintains its course it will reach Autobot City in nine minutes.’
‘Radio ahead,’ ordered Ratchet. ‘Warn Magnus.’
‘It’s just dropped below cloud level,’ said Bluestreak. ‘God knows what the humes are making of it.’
‘Magnus is placing the City on blue alert,’ announced Trailbreaker, pulling off his headset. ‘He’ll
activate the defence net if the new arrival shows any signs of hostility.’
The Autoshuttle darted underneath the Enslaver and matched its speed so precisely that for a moment
both spacecraft seemed to freeze.
‘A little closer,’ said Mirage, ‘and I’ll initiate a structural scan. I’m not risking a handshake at this
stage.’ The shuttle moved closer to the underbelly. ‘You’re almost there, Hound. A little bit closer…’
Q-537 blinked, but the red light was still there, flashing politely on his screen.
‘General Rodern,’ he barked into his mouthpiece, ‘an unidentified object has broken the perimeter
shield. I’m registering sustained contact on subsection 101001. Yes sir, that’s directly underneath us.’
The Quintesson looked at the picture on screen. All he could see was a portion of the Enslaver’s
distended underbelly and a patch of blue sky. ‘The spycam’s got nothing, sir. Could be a glitch… Yes sir,
the nearest laser port is concealed in subsection 021076. Shall I— Immediately, sir.’