eugenesis-text

Prowl’s eyes flashed with surprise and concern when only the latter was genuine. He flinched as
Afterburner cried, ‘They’ve gone to get Rodimus Prime’s body!’
He spun on the Technobot. ‘You know this for sure’
‘Prowl ordered Kup not to go,’ said Red Alert with such case-closed dismissiveness that Prowl almost
laughed out loud.
‘He doesn’t care what Prowl says,’ said Afterburner with equal conviction. ‘He’s split, and he’s taken
the others with him.’
‘Yes, but do you know that for a fact’ interjected Perceptor. ‘You’re saying that they blatantly
disregarded Prowl’s orders’
Prowl stiffened. They talked about him as if he were not there. As if he were dead.
‘I’m speculating,’ spat Afterburner.
‘No one goes after them,’ said Prowl, desperate to re-assert his authority. ‘Chromedome will monitor
the airwaves in case they radio their position.’ He waited for the challenge, but none came. Realising the
speech had ended, the Autobots filtered back to their adopted quarters.
Perceptor slipped downstairs, back to work, and Prowl found himself alone once more. Was that it
Was it over He wondered whether guilt ever truly died, and, if so, when he’d be able to put this episode
behind him. Not yet. Now while Kup was still out there, beyond his reach. How long before he was found
out, before Perceptor or Red Alert or some paranoid quick-thinker put two and two together
If he had to choose between exposure and secrecy, he’d take secrecy - secrecy and everlasting guilt.
No one need ever know the truth, he thought to himself.
‘You’re right, Prowl: no one need ever know.’
Soundwave’s voice came from inside his cell. Prowl leaned against the door and whispered, ‘What did
you just say’
‘I just agreed with you.’
‘What the hell are you talking about’
‘Nothing. Just your minor indiscretion, your uncharacteristic lapse in judgement. The fact that you
could have stopped them, and thereby saved their lives.’
The colour drained from Prowl’s world. ‘You saw me.’
‘I heard you. I heard your thoughts. Reading minds is far more rewarding in an enemy environment,
don’t you think I stripped my side of secrets long ago.’
Prowl put his back to the door and rubbed his face. For a moment he was lost in an infinite mental
loop: he imagined Soundwave scanning his mind to find thoughts about Soundwave scanning his mind to
find thoughts about Soundwave scanning his mind…
‘What’s the point of this conversation’ he said, eventually. ‘I suppose you want to blackmail me’
‘And I thought I was the only mind-reader.’
‘Just tell me what you want.’
‘Freedom. Release me. Let me work with you. Autobots and Decepticon side by side, just as before.’
‘You already have the upper hand, Soundwave. There’s no need to sweeten the bargain by feigning
hopes of an alliance.’
‘True, and therefore all the more reason to take me at my word. Open this door and I’ll say nothing
more about your regrettable error.’
‘Even if you told them everything, they wouldn’t believe you. They know you’re a liar. You’re a
Decepticon, for god’s sake. You could give them digital footage of my “regrettable error” and they’d laugh
in your face.’
‘Perhaps you’re right. Yes, in that case I will tell them. I’ll tell Getaway, Throwback, Chromedome,
Afterburner and anyone who’ll stop outside this door and listen. And then I’ll scan their minds to see if they
believe me.’ The door creaked as Soundwave leant in closer. ‘Because yours isn’t the only the mind I can
penetrate, Prowl. The Crisis vote is still fresh in everyone’s thoughts. Many troops are willing to believe
anything.’ He withdrew into the shadows. ‘But, of course, I could be lying.’
‘How about I open up that door and shoot you dead’
‘How about I transmit your location to every Quintesson on the planet’
‘You can’t. You’re damaged.’
‘Am I Funny what you can do with a gun to your head.’
‘Rot in the Pit.’